Seeing your dog have a seizure can be one of the most frightening experiences as a pet owner.
Naturally, the first step is to visit your veterinarian, who will typically start with bloodwork to rule out common causes. But what happens when those results come back… normal?
That’s where many owners feel stuck.
What Is a Seizure?
A seizure occurs when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
It can look like:
Seizures can happen for different reasons, and not all of them originate in the brain itself.
What Causes Seizures in Dogs?
There are two broad categories:
1. Causes Outside the Brain (Extracranial)
These are often identified through bloodwork and can include:
2. Causes Inside the Brain (Intracranial)
These are not detected with routine blood tests and may include:
What Is the IVETF?
The International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF) is a group of veterinary experts who developed guidelines to help veterinarians diagnose and manage seizures in dogs.
Their goal is simple:
Provide a clear, step-by-step approach to finding the cause of seizures
What Do the IVETF Guidelines Recommend?
The IVETF outlines a logical process:
Step 1: Bloodwork
Rule out causes outside the brain.
Step 2: Neurological Exam
Evaluate how the brain and nervous system are functioning.
Step 3: Advanced Diagnostics (if needed)
MRI and, in some cases, spinal fluid analysis depending on what is detected from the scan.
Why the Neurological Exam Is So Important
When bloodwork comes back normal, the next critical question becomes:
Is this seizure coming from the brain?
A comprehensive neurological exam is the best way to answer that.
During this exam, a veterinarian evaluates:
What the Exam Tells Us
The neurological exam helps determine:
If the exam is normal:
The IVETF advises pursuing advanced diagnostics (MRI ± CSF) if any of the following are present:
1. Age at Seizure Onset
Why this matters:
Idiopathic epilepsy most commonly starts between 6 months and 6 years.
Outside that range, the likelihood of:
2. Focal (Partial) Seizures
Why this matters:
Focal seizures are more commonly associated with structural brain disease.
3. Cluster Seizures or Status Epilepticus
Why this matters:
These patterns are more concerning for underlying brain pathology rather than uncomplicated epilepsy.
4. Poor Response to Anti-Seizure Medication
👉 Why this matters:
Idiopathic epilepsy typically shows at least some response to medication.
Lack of response raises suspicion for:
5. Progressive Pattern
👉 Why this matters:
Progression suggests an active disease process, not a stable epilepsy condition.
If the exam is abnormal:
Why This Step Matters
Without a neurological exam, decisions about treatment or imaging are often based on guesswork.
With it, you can:
Getting the Right Answers
Seizures are complex, but the process to diagnose them doesn’t have to be.
Following a structured approach—starting with bloodwork and then moving to a neurological exam—helps ensure your dog gets the care they need as efficiently as possible.
Next Step: A Clear Plan Forward
If your dog has had a seizure and bloodwork has come back normal, a neurological exam is the most important next step.
It provides clarity, direction, and peace of mind about what to do next.
Call to discuss your dog’s case
Schedule a comprehensive neurological exam
Veterinary Outpatient MRI
Seizure & Spine Diagnostic Center
Clear Answers. Thoughtful Diagnosis. Better Outcomes.