Help! Possible Seizure

[moofie]

Our lurcher Pru was asleep in our room and woke my partner up as she was massivley galloping (not normal for her) in her sleep with her legs kicking the metal radiator. I was downstairs and came up as sounded like chaos.

 

She then started foaming at the mouth and was unresponsive for what was probably only 2 minutes but seemed longer. As she started to come around she was panting wildly and still quite unresponsive.

 

She then started wandering around the room looking really disoriented as if she didn't know were she was and tripping over stuff.

 

DBF called our vets as Pru was coming around and they advised that it sounded like a seizure and to bring her in once they open in 3 hr's time.

 

She's dozed off now, but we're quite shook up & brought back horrible memories of losing Hector.

 

Probably unconnected but on Sunday morning she donated blood then later that afternoon broke into the kitchen scoffed a load of kibble, half a poppy seeded baguette and I think a pigs ear and few chicken feet. Apart from being sleepy & looking bit sicky she was fine, the last time she pigged & ate 3days worth of kibble the vet didn't make her sick & we just had to keep an eye on her. On Monday unsurprisingly she had terrible wind and touch of dire rear, but she was back to normal tuesday with firm poops.

[scullysmum]

It does sound to me like a seizure to me, but try not to be too worried as I have known dogs who have had one seizure and then never had another. I know it's hard not to think the worst, sending good wishes. Let us know how the vet visit goes.

[moofie]

Thanks, just got back from the vets & was a seizure vet said same Scullysmum that some are just one off's and other possibility at her age is a brain lesion but not sure worth going for a CT scan just yet.

 

Had blood tested & wasn't metabolic type all normal except slight anemia (presume from donation). Typically vet told me after I agreed to test that they'd probably checked the same stuff at the blood drive, but nevermind at least have info on what it was before & after.

 

It wasn't the same as Hector, think he had a heart attack but those horrible feelings of helplessness & not being sure what's going on. Vet gave us some diazepam in case she has another.

Thanks, just got back from the vets & was a seizure vet said same Scullysmum that some are just one off's and other possibility at her age is a brain lesion but not sure worth going for a CT scan just yet.

 

Had blood tested & wasn't metabolic type all normal except slight anemia (presume from donation). Typically vet told me after I agreed to test that they'd probably checked the same stuff at the blood drive, but nevermind at least have info on what it was before & after.

 

It wasn't the same as Hector, think he had a heart attack but those horrible feelings of helplessness & not being sure what's going on. Vet gave us some diazepam in case she has another.

[tbhounds]

Start a log--mark every episode (hopefully there won't be any more) on a calendar. Time of incident, length, activity........

[moofie]

Yes thas a good idea tbhounds, I'm hoping its a one off & not a brain tumour thing either. DBF's mum was telling us about a friends dog that had one seizure then another 8months on and then weekly/daily and put on epilepsy meds (just what you want to hear!) but that dog is a Bichon & most are from puppy farms/byb so I'm telling myself that my Prudyboo is healthier & not to over worry unless it happens, think i could've done with the diazepam prescription to ease my nerves but not the rectal kind

Edited June 4, 2014 by moofie

[galgrey]

I had weimaraner who had one seizure and never had another one. It occurred after getting her annual vaccinations. Vet seemed to think it was a coincidence, but I'm not so sure.

 

I too hope this was just a one time incident.

[CharlieRhea]

Our lurcher Pru was asleep in our room and woke my partner up as she was massivley galloping (not normal for her) in her sleep with her legs kicking the metal radiator. I was downstairs and came up as sounded like chaos.

 

She then started foaming at the mouth and was unresponsive for what was probably only 2 minutes but seemed longer. As she started to come around she was panting wildly and still quite unresponsive.

It does sound like a seizure, I've been through it with one of my dogs. Please be aware that POPPY SEEDS can be toxic to dogs. Hopefully that was the reason and she won't have anymore.

She then started wandering around the room looking really disoriented as if she didn't know were she was and tripping over stuff.

 

DBF called our vets as Pru was coming around and they advised that it sounded like a seizure and to bring her in once they open in 3 hr's time.

 

She's dozed off now, but we're quite shook up & brought back horrible memories of losing Hector.

 

Probably unconnected but on Sunday morning she donated blood then later that afternoon broke into the kitchen scoffed a load of kibble, half a poppy seeded baguette and I think a pigs ear and few chicken feet. Apart from being sleepy & looking bit sicky she was fine, the last time she pigged & ate 3days worth of kibble the vet didn't make her sick & we just had to keep an eye on her. On Monday unsurprisingly she had terrible wind and touch of dire rear, but she was back to normal tuesday with firm poops.

It does sound like a seizure, I've been through it with one of my dogs. Please be aware that POPPY SEEDS can be toxic to dogs. Hopefully that

was the reason and she won't have anymore.

 

sorry, my response was put in the middle of your statement. The above is what I wanted you to read.

[moofie]

We mentioned the poppy seeded baguette to the vet during the run down of her scoffing spree, but she didn't say they were toxic it would've been about 58hrs after eating it.

 

Pru's snoozing along with the greyhounds after her lunch, she's a bit quieter than normal but vet did say the seizures are very tiring.

[scullysmum]

Start a log--mark every episode (hopefully there won't be any more) on a calendar. Time of incident, length, activity........

I second that advice.

Yes thas a good idea tbhounds, I'm hoping its a one off & not a brain tumour thing either. DBF's mum was telling us about a friends dog that had one seizure then another 8months on and then weekly/daily and put on epilepsy meds (just what you want to hear!) but that dog is a Bichon & most are from puppy farms/byb so I'm telling myself that my Prudyboo is healthier & not to over worry unless it happens, think i could've done with the diazepam prescription to ease my nerves but not the rectal kind

There was a whole year between my Scully's first and second seizures, after that they occurred more regularly, he went on a combinatio of Phenobarbitone and potassium bromide one it was established that they were happening regularly. He remained seizure free for the rest of his life.

 

How old is Pru?

[moofie]

Pru's officially 8 now but as a stray its only an estimate, she's gone rather silver chunky chops this year. I supose to have a year before decline is good & that Scully's meds worked for him long term. How old was he?

 

My comment on MIL story was more me trying to lalala the negative thoughts, simply due to effect it has on my own anxiety & being a bit agoraphobic I struggle to get to vets on my own so it freaks me out a little.

[moofie]

Pru had another seizure 3.30 this morning about same time as before, very similar to previous one. She'd gone past paddling stage into heavy panting but still unresponsive by time the BF had got the diazapam in his rush he picked up the wrong meds first time so must've lasted a few minutes.It would've been sensible to time it, had I not still been half asleep. Unfortunately her anal glands emptied too which is a new unpleasant dog experience for me.

 

She was more active afterwards this time, we took her downstairs as its cooler than our bedroom and she was extremely hungry, even after we gave her a bit of food she was trying to jump the dog gate to the kitchen. Had to take her upstairs again as was just obsessive & wouldn't settle. She had a nap with me for few hours but hasn't been as tired, the greys in contrast have been comatose for most of the day as its so warm

 

Seen vet this evening (different lady to last time) she's said due to Pru's age epilepsy is unlikely and thinks its a brain lesion causing the seizures. We can get an MRI scan of her brain but it sounded a bit pointless as treatment will be the same to reduce frequency. If pru has another seizure within the next month they'll start on some medication. Vet wasn't particularly reassuring & think she only did a health check as I queried it vet mentioned she'd had check up Tuesday for her booster Vacs.

 

Feeling a little down at the mo, suppose its just reminder that time with our dogs is limited.

[scullysmum]

Oh no, sorry to hear that Pru has had another seizure. Everything you describe is textbook as to what Scully had. Don't be downhearted, as you said the treatment would appear to be the same regardless of the cause then you should probably pursue the drug route. I was really scared about putting Scully on the drugs as I had heard some really negative things about them but it has been nearly fifteen years since Scully's diagnosis and I know from what I have read here that seizure treatment has moved on. Knowing what I know I would move forward and see what treatment is available for Pru, don't let the vets put you off because of a presumed advanced age, whatever age she is she deserves to be as well as she can be. Wishing you all the very best. Keep us posted.

[galgrey]

I'm sorry the vet wasn't more positive. Hoping for the best possible outcome.

[moofie]

We feel positive that there's treatment for the seizure's if it does become more regular just bit concerned that vet thinks cause is likely a brain lesion & not sure yet what that may mean.

 

Scullysmum- vet just meant that her age (8ish) its unlikely to be epilepsy causing the seizures.

[scullysmum]

We feel positive that there's treatment for the seizure's if it does become more regular just bit concerned that vet thinks cause is likely a brain lesion & not sure yet what that may mean.

Scullysmum- vet just meant that her age (8ish) its unlikely to be epilepsy causing the seizures.

Scully was five when he had his first seizure, the vets consider the usual period for idiopathic epilepsy to start is between two and five, so he was right at what they would consider the upper limit, he also didn't have his second seizure for a whole year so I don't think that by any means it is completely possible to rule out idiopathic causes, particularly as Pru's age is not certain. Also presumably, without going for expensive MRI scans surely the conservative treatment option would be much the same?

 

I'm sorry if I seem like I'm "banging on" with the age issue, but my Scully went very grey very early in life and as a result he looked much older than he really was, the vets and nurses almost didn't believe me when I told them his age, like it was just wishful thinking on my part, until it pointed out to them that I had owned him since he was six weeks old!

 

When he was booked in for what turned out to be his last surgery to remove the growth on his throat the nurse actually had written eleven for his age on the form which I had to ask for her to correct to nine. I even have found myself wondering if when it all started to go badly wrong during his op if they might have not fought so hard to save him thinking he was an older dog and would have less chance of survival. I suppose I'm just fighting for the doggies that look old before their time, for what it's worth.

[Guest LazyBlaze]

We feel positive that there's treatment for the seizure's if it does become more regular just bit concerned that vet thinks cause is likely a brain lesion & not sure yet what that may mean.

 

Scullysmum- vet just meant that her age (8ish) its unlikely to be epilepsy causing the seizures.

 

Moofie I'm sorry you're dealing with this. If it's a brain lesion it will depend where in the brain it is and whether fast or slow growing what the prognosis is. An MRI would tell you that, but treatment will likely be anti-seizure medications to try to control the seizures, plus steroids to reduce inflammation in the brain around the region of the growth. The steroids can't stop the growth of the tumour (if it is a tumour), but by reducing the inflammation around the tumour they can reduce the symptoms for a time. The seizures themselves can also cause some damage to the brain, so the priority at this point - whatever the underlying cause - is to try to control Pru's seizures.

 

I hope Pru is feeling better soon. Keep us posted with how she's doing, I'll be thinking about you. We lost our 14-year-old terrier very recently to a brain tumour, so I'm just letting you know what we learned. In our case it all happened extremely suddenly and our options were very limited, so I'm no expert by any means. 8 does not seem to me that old though, so if your vet suspects a tumour I would ask about other potential treatments (radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or even surgery). Our boy was considered too old for these to be recommended for him, but at Pru's age perhaps more aggressive treatment could be worthwhile. Best of luck.

[EllenEveBaz]

Sending good thoughts.

[a_daerr]

No disrespect to your vet, but IMHO, it's too early to assume a brain tumor. There are so many possibilities of health conditions that can cause seizures- it's a very inexact science. One of my greys is a textbook epileptic who started getting seizures at age 2. But I've known several senior dogs who had late onset seizures, then did perfectly well on medication for years, later passing for a completely different reason. An MRI would answer the question, but it's an extremely expensive procedure (and in a lot of cases, it doesn't change your course of treatment anyway).

 

I'd recommend starting with a full CBC, including a thyroid panel. If you can consult with a veterinary neurologist, I highly recommend it. Our vet was willing to admit that he was not as well versed in seizure medication, and the only one he had experience with Phenobarbital. The neurologist, on the other hand, had a wide range of medication options. We ended up getting lucky with Zonisamide. Henry has been seizure free for over a year.

[tbhounds]

Get a second opinion from a neurologist.

[Guest happygrey]

I am hoping that Pru is feeling better. My best wishes to you that she doesn't have another one.

[galgrey]

Checking for an update on Pru and hoping she's doing well.

[moofie]

Ooer! I thought I'd already posted a reply a while back must've gone into a blackhole instead .

 

Pru hasn't had another seizure since and is her usual happy self. She's currently cuddled upto me

She's insured for £7k vet fees a year, so we could go for MRI /specialist if needs be, think it would be useful to know if it is actually a brain lesion/tumour or some other cause if the seizures do increase.

The replies on this thread are very reassuring & informative.

Edited August 10, 2014 by moofie

[Guest greyers]

Just wanted to toss out there than my last girl Prudence "Pru" started having seizures around age 7. She had 2-3 in the couple months that they started and then she would go 6- 9 months or more in between them. It was never a problem enough that our vet felt meds were warranted nor was it likley a brain tumor or something terrible going on neurologically. Hopefully this is the same for your girl.

[maria]

Our first grey Olivia had seizures like yours is having, usually would wake us at night with greyhound "screaming", rambling around house and then the postictal state for 1-2 days. Pbarb and KCL helped until we had to put her down a year later. One day she had 5 grand mals one after another and it was just time. It was really rough.

I tried the valium enema but it never seemed to work. I just started giving her as much valium as I could when she could take it down after the seizure to lower the seizure threshold. I think I gave her 100 mg valium one time, enough to probably kill most people!

One small piece of advise, if you can give her some ice cream (we did vanilla) when seizure over, helps a lot to get blood sugar back up and doggie doing better.

As others have stated above, there are probably better meds than what we had 10 years ago. We never did MRI, we assumed it was a brain lesion of some sort. Doing an MRI would not have changed the outcome.

My best wishes to you, hopefully your story will come out more positive than ours.