Understanding Anxiety Around Seizures in Our Pets: Why It Happens and How to Cope

Research into stress and anxiety related to seizures in pets, particularly dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, has been expanding. Studies have highlighted the significant emotional and behavioural impacts on both dogs and their caregivers. Carers for example often report feelings of fear, helplessness and uncertainty following their dog’s seizures and many pet carers make substantial changes to their daily routines, including altered work schedules and social activities, to accommodate their dog's condition. These adjustments can lead to increased stress and reduced quality of life.  In this post, we will focus specifically on anxiety impacting pet carers. Why do we experience this anxiety, and how do manage it.

Why Do We Feel Anxiety Around Our Pets’ Seizures?

1. Fear for Their Health and Well-Being
The primary reason for anxiety around a pet's seizure is the fear for their health. Seizures, by their very nature, can be frightening. They are sudden, often violent, and can leave both pets and their carers feeling shaken. It's completely natural to worry about what the seizure means for your pet’s health, whether it's a sign of a serious condition, whether it will happen again, and whether there will be long-term effects.

2. Feeling Helpless
During a seizure, it's common to feel helpless as a pet carer. Watching your pet go through something so uncontrollable and not being able to stop it or immediately help can be a source of intense anxiety. You might wonder whether you’re doing enough to care for them, whether you're managing their condition correctly, and if you're prepared for the next episode.

3. The Unpredictability
Seizures in pets, especially when they occur without warning, create a sense of uncertainty and fear of the unknown. The unpredictability of when the next seizure might happen can create constant anxiety, especially if your pet has multiple seizures or if they don’t respond well to treatment.

4. Guilt
Pet carers sometimes feel guilt after a seizure, questioning if they missed early signs of distress or if they could have done something to prevent it. This self-blame is a common emotional reaction, even though, in most cases, there's very little we can do to prevent seizures from happening.

Anxiety: Is It Important? How Do You Recognize It, and How Does It Affect Your Quality of Life?

Anxiety is a natural emotional response to stress, fear, or uncertainty. When it comes to seizures in our pets, anxiety is often a normal reaction to the distressing and unpredictable nature of the situation. But how can you recognize if you’re experiencing anxiety, and is it affecting your quality of life?

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Anxiety:

• Constant worry or fear about your pet's next seizure or whether they’re getting the right treatment

• Restlessness or difficulty relaxing, even when you're not directly dealing with your pet's condition

• Physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, or muscle tension when you think about or witness a seizure

• Trouble sleeping or feeling fatigued due to the stress of managing the uncertainty of your pet's health

• Overthinking or doubting your actions, like second-guessing whether you're doing enough for your pet or if you're prepared for another seizure

How Anxiety Affects Quality of Life:

If you find that anxiety is consuming a lot of your mental and emotional energy, it can start to impact your daily life. It may affect your ability to enjoy time with your pet, distract you from other responsibilities, and even make it difficult for you to relax and engage in normal activities. In more severe cases, anxiety can lead to chronic stress, which can have long-term effects on both your physical and mental health.

How Can You Cope with Anxiety Around Your Pet’s Seizures?

1. Educate Yourself About Seizures
Understanding what’s happening when your pet has a seizure is key to reducing anxiety. Seizures can occur for many reasons, including epilepsy, brain tumors, toxins, or metabolic issues. While seizures are always alarming, many pets with seizures live relatively normal lives, especially when the seizures can be well managed using appropriate management strategies.

By understanding the nature of the seizures and what might trigger them, you’ll feel more confident in managing your pet’s condition and be better prepared for the next episode. Speak with your vet to learn about the specific causes of your pet’s seizures and the treatment options available.

2. Develop a Seizure Action Plan
Having a clear seizure action plan can help reduce the feeling of helplessness during an episode. Work with your vet to develop a step-by-step plan for what to do when your pet has a seizure, including when to call the vet or take them to the emergency clinic. Knowing what to do, and when to act, can help you feel more in control during a seizure, which can greatly reduce anxiety.

3. Focus on Post-Seizure Care
After a seizure, your pet may be disoriented or fatigued. This is when your calm, reassuring presence can make a big difference. Be gentle with them, offer comfort, and give them time to rest and recover. Having a routine for post-seizure care can also reduce anxiety, as you’ll know exactly how to support them once the seizure is over.

4. Manage Your Own Stress
Pet carers can experience a great deal of stress from managing a pet with seizures, but it’s important to take care of yourself as well. Practice stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even seeking support from a counselor or support group. Connecting with other pet carers who understand what you’re going through can help you feel less alone in managing your pet’s condition.

5. Trust Your Veterinarian
Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Regular check-ins with your vet are important for monitoring your pet’s health and adjusting their treatment plan as needed.

How Do People with Seizures Cope with Anxiety?

People who experience seizures themselves often face similar emotional challenges. Like pet carers, individuals living with epilepsy or seizure disorders can experience high levels of anxiety due to the unpredictability of seizures. However, there are strategies they use to manage both the physical and emotional aspects of their condition.

What Neurologists Recommend for People with Seizures:

• Medication: Just as pets may need anticonvulsant medication, humans with epilepsy are often prescribed anticonvulsants to help control seizure frequency and severity. Neurologists regularly monitor these medications to ensure they are working effectively.

• Psychological Support: Neurologists recommend therapy for individuals who struggle with anxiety or fear related to seizures. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to help people reframe their thoughts and reduce the emotional impact of seizures.

• Relaxation Techniques: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate seizures in both people and pets. People with epilepsy are often advised to engage in relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, to help manage anxiety and reduce seizure triggers.

• Support Groups: Connecting with others who are dealing with similar challenges is essential. Support groups help individuals feel understood and less isolated, and they can offer valuable coping strategies.

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Neurologists also recommend making lifestyle changes such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding known seizure triggers (e.g., flashing lights, excessive stress), and following a balanced diet.

Should I Feel Embarrassed About My Anxiety?

No, absolutely not. Anxiety around your pet’s seizures is a completely natural response, especially when you care deeply for your animal. It’s an emotional reaction to something unexpected happening to someone you love. There’s no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed about your feelings.

What’s more important is that you acknowledge those feelings and seek out ways to manage them, both for your own well-being and for the best care of your pet. Pet carers often feel isolated or like they’re overreacting, but the truth is, caring for a pet with a chronic condition like seizures can be incredibly emotional.

Final takeaways

Anxiety around seizures in our pets is something that many pet owners experience, and it’s entirely understandable. The fear, helplessness, unpredictability, and guilt that often accompany witnessing a seizure can be overwhelming. But with education, a solid action plan, and self-care, you can manage this anxiety and provide the best care possible for your pet.

For those dealing with seizures in people, the approach to managing anxiety is quite similar: education, support, and stress management are all key factors. Neurologists recommend a combination of medical treatments, psychological support, and lifestyle changes to cope with the emotional impact of seizures. Whether it's for pets or people, anxiety is a normal response, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can better handle the situation.

Remember, it’s okay to feel anxious, but it’s also important to seek help and find ways to cope. And most importantly, don’t feel embarrassed about the emotions you're experiencing. You're doing the best you can for your pet, and that’s all anyone can ask for.

References

Pergande, A. E., Belshaw, Z., Volk, H. A., & Packer, R. M. A. (2020). "We have a ticking time bomb": A qualitative exploration of the impact of canine epilepsy on dog owners living in England. BMC Veterinary Research, 16, 443. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02669-w

Wessmann, A., Ackerman, N., Lutz, M. (2016). Impact of canine epilepsy on the quality of life of owners. Veterinary Record, 179(5), 123–129. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.103355