Is my dog's excessive bum licking a sign of an upcoming seizure?

Question

My dog has seizures and is being treated for them. I have noticed that 12 or so hours prior to the seizure he excessively licks his bum. Just wondering how the two can be related. Pet's info: Dog | Australian Shepherd | Male | neutered | 5 years and 7 months old | 40 lbs

Penelope Graben, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, The time right before a seizure is called the "pre-ictal period" and is often associated with a change of behaviors right before the seizure. This period is usually short, about 20 minutes to one hour, but can be longer in some cases. In people, it is often termed an "aura" and is associated with reported changes in sensation- sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. In dogs, we can't exactly know what they're feeling, but we do often see compulsive or nervous behavior before seizures, telling us they are experiencing a similar pre-ictal period. If he has any swelling, pain, redness, or discharge around his anal area, I would recommend having a vet check to ensure he doesn't have a medical problem that could be causing him to pay attention to the area. Otherwise, I would continue to monitor and record his behavior, as you learning to identify his pre-ictal stage can help you get him into a safe area before he has a seizure. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Is my dog's excessive bum licking a sign of an upcoming seizure?

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