Tracking Seizures
Tracking seizures effectively — what to record and why it matters
A seizure diary is one of the most valuable tools you have. Here is exactly what to record — and why each piece of information helps your vet.
Your veterinarian cannot observe your pet's seizures directly. What you record between appointments is often the only objective data they have to work with when making decisions about medication dosing, treatment changes, and long-term management. A well-kept seizure diary transforms guesswork into evidence.
What to record during a seizure
- Start time — note the exact time the seizure began
- Duration — how long from first sign to complete cessation of seizure activity
- What it looked like — whole-body convulsions, one-sided movement, paddling, facial twitching, loss of consciousness, or other
- Video — record a short clip if you can do so safely. This is often more valuable than a description.
- Preceding signs — did your pet seem anxious, confused, or unusual in the minutes or hours before? This pre-seizure phase is called the aura or prodrome.
What to record after a seizure
- Recovery time — how long before your pet appeared completely normal again
- Post-ictal signs — confusion, blindness, excessive hunger or thirst, pacing, vocalization
- Any rescue medication given — name, dose, and time administered
- Context — time of day, recent meals, exercise level, any stressors or environmental changes
Why patterns matter
According to IVETF outcome measure guidelines, the primary measure veterinarians use to assess treatment success is seizure frequency — typically expressed as the number of seizures per month. Without consistent records, this cannot be accurately calculated. A 50% reduction in monthly seizure frequency is generally considered a meaningful response to treatment. Without your records, neither you nor your vet knows whether that threshold has been met.
Patterns over time can also reveal potential triggers — time of day, relationship to meals, medication timing, hormonal cycles in intact animals, or seasonal patterns. These observations can guide treatment adjustments and lifestyle recommendations.
Bring your seizure diary — in whatever format works for you — to every veterinary appointment. A simple notebook, a spreadsheet, or a phone notes app all work. The most important thing is consistency. Date, time, duration, and description is the minimum useful record. Video evidence is the most valuable addition. If you use digital tracking tools, ensure your records are securely stored and shared only with trusted veterinary professionals.
- Packer RMA, et al. IVETF consensus on outcome measures of therapeutic trials in canine and feline epilepsy. BMC Veterinary Research. 2015;11:186. doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0466-x
- Bhatti SFM, et al. International veterinary epilepsy task force consensus proposal: medical treatment of canine epilepsy in Europe. BMC Veterinary Research. 2015;11:176. doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0464-z
Everything this guide describes, in one place
A ready-made home for every detail that matters.
This guide lays out exactly what to capture — start time, duration, what it looked like, recovery, rescue meds, context. The Pet Seizure Log turns that checklist into a print-ready format with prompts for each field, so nothing gets forgotten in the moment and your vet gets the complete picture at every appointment.
Explore the Pet Seizure Log →Help advance pet seizure research
Your tracking data could contribute to better outcomes for every pet with epilepsy.