Help! My Dog Is Having Seizures! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Hello Dr. Paola!
I have a 1.5-year-old full-blooded Siberian husky who started having seizures about 4-5 months ago. My vet did a full blood panel and everything was normal. He put him on anticonvulsants, and when Roscoe still had seizures he upped the dosage. He has had a total of 5 seizures, two of which were when he wasn’t on any kind of medication, two when he was on 1 x 100mg twice/day, and just had the other one today and he’s been on 2 x 100mg caps twice a day for about 3 weeks now. I know the anticonvulsants don’t completely take seizures away, but my question is, are all anticonvulsants the same in the way they treat seizures? Or are there some that act differently? Should I ask my vet to try a different medication? He is currently taking Zonisamide. My vet did say that it could be something more serious like a brain tumor, but we haven’t yet done an MRI of his brain. I got Roscoe when he was about 6 months old from a lady that was rehoming him, I was the fourth person to have this dog, so I’m not sure if he had any seizures prior to me getting him help. I can’t keep watching my dog have seizures, it breaks my heart!!!!” – Amanda
Quick Info about Roscoe
Hi Amanda
Thank you for reaching out about Roscoe. I can only imagine how distressing it must be to see him go through seizures, but your dedication to understanding his condition and exploring the best care for him is truly admirable. While I can’t provide specific medical advice for Roscoe, I am happy to share some general information about anticonvulsants, seizure management, and Siberian Huskies that might help guide your discussions with your veterinarian.
Anticonvulsants like Zonisamide are used to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, but they may not always eliminate them entirely. These medications work in different ways, and they’re not all the same. Zonisamide stabilizes neuronal activity, while others, such as Phenobarbital or Levetiracetam, target different pathways in the brain. For dogs whose seizures aren’t fully controlled on one medication, veterinarians sometimes introduce a second anticonvulsant to complement the first. Seizure management is highly individualized, and treatment plans often evolve as veterinarians tailor the approach to each dog’s response and unique circumstances. Your veterinarian’s adjustments to Roscoe’s dosage are, therefore, a reflection of his or her good management of the case.
It is important to consider that Siberian Huskies, have a known genetic predisposition to recurrent seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure disorder with no identifiable cause. This condition typically appears in dogs between six months and six years of age. However, seizures in Huskies can also be triggered by other factors, including structural issues in the brain, metabolic imbalances, or even environmental stressors. This makes diagnostic testing, such as the bloodwork your vet has already performed, an essential first step. If your vet is considering the possibility of underlying conditions, like a brain tumor, he might also request further diagnostic tests, such as an MRI.
Amanda, please keep in mind that your observations are extremely important in helping your vet tailor and adjust Roscoe’s treatment plan. Keep a log with all the important information, and ask your vet for guidance about what to include there. And thank you for not giving up on Roscoe!
Wishing you and Roscoe all the best!
Dr. Paola