Seizures In An Older Dog. Any Experience?

[Tracey]

Our 7 year old Buttercup had a bunch of seizures yesterday. I'm told it could be a brain tumor or some other cancer, among other possibilties. So far all blood work has come back normal. She's at the evet overnight. We'll know more when we pick her up to transfer her to our regular vet in the morning as to whether or not she's suffered any permanent damage.

 

Just curious, for anyone who has or had a Greyhound develop seizures later in life, what was the age, the cause and the outcome?

[BatterseaBrindl]

No advice just

[heartdogs]

I had a girl that had seizures starting when she was around 6. We had her on pheno & just watched her as there was no way to do brain surgery. Noelle my whippet, has grand mal seizures & at 10 I just love her & watch over her. There are other drugs out there that others use, really it is up to you & your vet. Sorry you are going thru this as it is hard. Hang in there & try to be calm around your baby so she will be calm. I had a boy that died of a brain tumor but he never presented with seizures, he just suddenly lost his ability to keep his balance & died one day after his vet visit. I know this is hard so am sending prays your way.

[MaryJane]

I strongly recommend that you take your dog to a neurologist rather than being diagnosed and treated at a regular vet. A neurologist will have more current information as well as the latest tests and treatment options for your dog which the regular vet will likely not have access to.

 

They will probably recommend an MRI along with spinal tap and if you don't have insurance, this can be expensive (between 2 to 3K in my area). This is a difficult choice if you have to pay for it yourself as in most (not all cases), the results of the tests does not change the treatment options as most people (my opinion) do not proceed to have brain surgery on their pet if an abnormally is found. Talk to the neurologist about this further and get all the facts.

 

If the seizures happen more than one a month or more than one at a time, then your dog will likely be put on medicine (anti-seizure meds). In your case, there was more than 1 seizure and because of this, the neurologist will probably recommend that you start meds immediately. Make sure to get a neurologists opinion before you start the meds - even if you have to have the vet do a phone consult as most vets go with Phenobarb as the first choice and this is not usually 1st choice with Neurologists.

 

My Lucy started seizures at about 4 1/2 and she is now 10, she is on meds and is controlled but, we did have about 2 years when it was difficult.

 

Good luck.

[Newgreymom]

Tracey, no advise but tons of prayers....

[LBass]

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/causes_seizures.htm

 

Tracy, this is a listing of likely causes of seizures by age of onset that might help give you some ideas of what to look for. I'd second the idea of getting a neuro consult.

 

http://find.vetspecialists.com/

A site that can help you locate a neurologist. If the distance is too great, your vet may be able to talk to a neurologist about Buttercup and get some guidance on how to proceed.

 

I hope all the news to come is good. Cluster seizures are scary and exhausting.

Edited December 19, 2016 by LBass

[MaryJane]

I did want to add that after a dog has cluster seizures (more than 1 seizure in 24 hours) it will take a few days ... maybe up to 2 weeks to recover. They will seem confused and aimless but, it usually gets better. After some of Lucy's worse episodes, I would take her outside to pee and she would stand there cause she forgot what she was outside for. I would have to follow her around the yard and keep saying the "key" word for pee and eventually she understood. Depending what med you use, it can also cause loss of balance and confusion until the dog adapts to it.

 

I would suggest that you read up on "status epilectus" as this is a dangerous situation that can occur with seizure dogs and because of this, I usually have rectal valium on hand.

 

There is also great yahoo group (stay away from the FB groups - they are very bad with the advice they give and many dogs have died as a result) that can provide a ton of support and information -- This link should tell you how to join the group.

 

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/

[Tracey]

Thanks for the responses. Closest certified neurologist is in Phoenix. That was my understanding from 2 years ago when our Grey Rufus had a stroke. As of my discussion with the vet yesterday there is a vet here in Las Vegas working on their certification but does not have it yet. So this is not an option.

 

Buttercup is hugely improved since yesterday except she cannot see or see well. She came home this morning and is eating, drinking, peeing, pooping. As of late afternoon she is wobbly but mostly managing to get around on her own. We go back to the vet again in the morning.

[LBass]

What good news that Buttercup is home and dong better. Sending all good thoughts her way and yours.

 

When my vet and I were trying to manage Piper's cluster seizures I first took Piper to a neurologist about 2.5 hours away in at the Univ. of Georgia. He gave initial recommendations and was to serve as a telephone consult resource for my vet, a UGA vet school grad himself. Unfortunately, the UGA neuro never ever returned calls or responded in any way to questions. My vet reached out to another neurologist in Charlotte, NC. That wonderful neuro gave my vet very helpful advice on managing Piper's cluster seizures, answered questions, and gave advice on a couple of other seizure-related issues through the years--all without ever seeing Piper and without charging--just a nice friendly consultation between 2 professionals. I know Piper and I were blessed by both of these vets. Perhaps your vet will be able to find a similar consultative resource by phone or internet.

[juliemac]

My (now angel) Baby had a series of seizures when she was about 9 ... she would have a seizure about once every 3 months. My local vet recommended 'watch them until they become regular & more frequent'. She never progressed further (she had about 6 seizures total), but did have a mini-stroke (on our way from Chicago to Louisville for their greyhound event a few years ago -- the local community was outstanding to help me find greyhound savvy evets and support while out of town).

 

Baby passed away last year from an unrelated tumor.

[RaineysMom]

Our Rainey started having seizures just a couple months before her 10th birthday. A brain tumor was always suspected, we had an MRI done on 10/4/10 (her 10th birthday, ironically) that showed nothing. We tried phenobarbital first (only for 5 days, the side effects were horrible), then a series of other drugs (Zonisamide and several others) but she continued to have frequent horrible seizures. Finally, on New Year's Eve, after yet another seizure, we started the Pheno again (along with the other drugs too). She went almost 2 months without a seizure, although by this point, her personality had changed severely (became obsessive, aggressive, etc) and the side effects again from the Pheno were tough. We were going to do another MRI on 3/9/11 -- why, I'm not sure why -- it wouldn't change anything I guess ) -- but we ended up setting her free the day before, on 3/8/11. Although we never had the 2nd MRI done, we (and her neurologist) knew it was a brain tumor.

 

Most likely, seizures in seniors are due to some kind of brain issue, unfortunately. Hopefully yours will be few and far between (or better yet, no more!).

 

sending hugs. Seizures SUCK.

 

ps. if she has more, please try the icepack on the back here: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/icepack.htm -- I swear and many others do to how much it helps.

[SanTanSnuggles]

I have had three greyhounds that had seizures. My Surprise had a massive seizure that lasted for hours, but it went away and never came back. He was only two at the time.Surprise will be nine in February 2017. Amen to that. My HeartSweet had several of them for six months and was on medication. Later she developed bone cancer and passed. She was only six. My San Tan Snuggles had one, but was controlled after that with phenobarbital. she had to take many medications. The neurologist determined that she had GME. She passed three months later. She was just a little over five. I would see a neurologist if possible as there are so many reasons this can happen. I let my local vet keep my girl at his place longer than I should have. I should have immediately taken her to the neurologist, It would have saved time and dollars for sure. She would have received the right care sooner, had I not hesitated. I hope that all goes well for Buttercup.

[LuvEarsies]

I second what RaineysMom posted about the ice pack. We use the method on our boy who has seizures and it definitely shortens the seizure and sometimes stops it almost immediately. Our vet said its a great non-medicinal treatment and it will help. We keep a two-gallon size ziplock bag filled with ice ready in the freezer at all times.

[Guest greyhoundlover2]

I agree with the ice on the back of the neck also. My Bear, who is 11 started having seizures at 4 1/2. He takes phenobarb every day and also Potassium Bromide. The PB is so he can take less phenobarb because it is not good for the kidneys and liver. If they do put your baby on phenol please consider giving Sam-E on a daily basis. It helps cut the damage down. I wish you all the best.