Dog Seizures?

CrazyKell · 01-07-2009, 04:31 PM

One of my dogs was recently diagnosed with a heart disorder. She was put on fortekor which is supposed to help with the heart issues.

In the past month she has had 3 seizures.

It's very scary to watch your dog have a seizure when you've never seen it happen before. Each time I thought she was going to die right there in my arms. It was awful.

Anyone else have any experience with a dog having a seizure?

She's going back to the vet next week. Seizures aren't a side effect of her medication but I think it's a bit odd that she's started having them.

Rider · 01-07-2009, 04:35 PM

When I was a kid we had a Jack Russel that had epilepsy. She lived a full happy life though. No medication and I only witnessed her have 2 seizures ever.

Lucky3623 · 01-07-2009, 04:40 PM

I was a Vet Tech for about 4.5 years... I have seen lot's of things I wouldn't want to see again... I always hated watching animals have seizures...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rider

When I was a kid we had a Jack Russel that had epilepsy. She lived a full happy life though. No medication and I only witnessed her have 2 seizures ever.

Epilepsy is decently common with JR's.

MILK · 01-07-2009, 04:54 PM

Cute doggie Kell. I hope they figure that out.

fasternyou929 · 01-07-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky3623

Epilepsy is decently common with JR's.

Yep, several breeds are more likely to get it, and it can come on at any age. I had a Beagle that had them fairly often. She'd go through periods of high and low numbers of seizures in a given time... it was never very consistent.

The best thing I found to do it be there for them when it passes. They're confused and aren't sure what happened... my dog would act like she'd just done something wrong when she came out of them. Our vet suggested not trying to hold her legs, even if she started digging into the carpet (unless she was moving toward the table or top of the stairs, of course) because it can spook them. Instead, he said to pet their back/side/head, and sit down with them.

Sully (current dog) has had two, both after extreme physical exhertion (boy does NOT know when to get out of the water).

They're terrifying, but my Beagle lived with them for ~9 years without any issues caused by them.

CrazyKell · 01-07-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Sully (current dog) has had two, both after extreme physical exhertion (boy does NOT know when to get out of the water).

All three have come after physical exertion and oddly enough have happened in the same room.

I just stroke her back while she's going through it and then once she's out of it I stay there with her and keep petting her. She tries to get up and walk but is so discombobulated that she falls over and has no real control over her legs.

Scary stuff!

fasternyou929 · 01-07-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

All three have come after physical exertion and oddly enough have happened in the same room.

I just stroke her back while she's going through it and then once she's out of it I stay there with her and keep petting her. She tries to get up and walk but is so discombobulated that she falls over and has no real control over her legs.

Scary stuff!

The physical exhertion this is interesting. And now that I think about it, Sully ran to the same room both times, too. Maybe they try to get to a "comfortable" room for them?

Particle Man · 01-07-2009, 04:58 PM

I had a German Shepherd w/Epilepsy.... eventually we had to put him on pheonbarbital (I can say for sure I didn't spell that right but I don't feel like looking it up). We were warned it may shorten his life but it reduced his siezures by 90%+

We had him for 13 years.

Lucky3623 · 01-07-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle Man

I had a German Shepherd w/Epilepsy.... eventually we had to put him on pheonbarbital (I can say for sure I didn't spell that right but I don't feel like looking it up). We were warned it may shorten his life but it reduced his siezures by 90%+

We had him for 13 years.

Close... phenobarbital

That was the drug of choice for seizures when I was working at the vet clinic. Seemed to do a pretty good job of managing them.

Particle Man · 01-07-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky3623

Close... phenobarbital

That was the drug of choice for seizures when I was working at the vet clinic. Seemed to do a pretty good job of managing them.

damn, I didn't mean to throw that stupid "N" in there either

damn keyboard on this tiny laptop

01-07-2009, 04:58 PM	#8
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	I had a German Shepherd w/Epilepsy.... eventually we had to put him on pheonbarbital (I can say for sure I didn't spell that right but I don't feel like looking it up). We were warned it may shorten his life but it reduced his siezures by 90%+ We had him for 13 years. __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

01-07-2009, 04:35 PM	#2
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	When I was a kid we had a Jack Russel that had epilepsy. She lived a full happy life though. No medication and I only witnessed her have 2 seizures ever.

01-07-2009, 04:54 PM	#4
MILK The cows want you dead. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,087	Cute doggie Kell. I hope they figure that out.