Forum Post

Epilepsy help and advice needed

Last post 06-09-2008 7:17 PM by janet_rose. 7 replies.
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  • 06-09-2008 3:14 PM

    • Bairn
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    • Joined on 10-02-2007
    • Oxfordshire
    • Posts 11
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    Epilepsy help and advice needed

     

    Hi, my golden lab, trigger of almost 2 just had a fit and it was bloody awful!! I have only just stopped shaking and crying. I have spoken to the vet and he recommended I go tomorrow to get some blood taken. Can you give me any advice on how to deal with epilepsy and will he be ok? I thought he was dying!!! He was in the garden, then he began trying to be sick, only bile but then he seemed to be spooked by something, his tail was between his legs and he was running from something.  He then started shaking and bent his back legs into a crouch.  Then he began fitting,fell to the floor, stopped breathing, shaking uncontrollaby and foaming at the mouth.  My fiance put his hand down his mouth as we thought he was choking on his tongue, eyes were rolling and his head was right back along with his eyes.

     He then seemed to come round and went for Lee.  He seems ok but slightly unsteady on his feet and it happened about an hour ago.

     I'm now having a very large glass of wine with tissues!

    Thank you

    • Post Points: 0
  • 06-09-2008 3:30 PM In reply to Bairn

    Re: Epilepsy help and advice needed

    Bairn:
    Can you give me any advice on how to deal with epilepsy and will he be ok? I thought he was dying!!!

    First off stay calm!!  One seizure does not make a dog an epileptic.  There are lots of causes for a seizure.

    Your vet may be able to determine the cause and treat it.

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  • 06-09-2008 3:32 PM In reply to janet_rose

    • Bairn
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    • Oxfordshire
    • Posts 11
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    Re: Epilepsy help and advice needed

    Thank you, i'm calmer now!  Hopefully the blood test will determine something tomorrow.

    • Post Points: 0
  • 06-09-2008 3:37 PM In reply to Bairn

    • Maxs Mom
    • Top 100 Contributor
    • Joined on 09-26-2006
    • Livonia, MI
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    Re: Epilepsy help and advice needed

    It is very scary! I too have gone through it! My Belle seized last Aug (knock on wood) we have not had one since. We did the blood work at the vet to be sure there was not a reason for it. Hers was classified as an ideopathic epileptic seizure, fancy term for no known reason. Meanwhile we sit and hope she never has another. They will not treat the seizures medically until they are frequent (more than one a month) the drug used is phenobarbitol and I have been told once they dog is on it you can not take them off.

    Do get the blood work done, but know it may not turn up anything. I hope Trigger does not seize again.  Unfortunately seizures are not that uncommon. Many dog live a full and happy life even with seizures, they are just extremely hard to experience. I have a friend with an older dog who was 2nd in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games (when he was younger) that dog has been plagued by seizures his entire life. He is on phenol, but can still compete and beat the best of them. It is ok to worry but I believe Trigger will be fine. Belle competes in agility on a regular basis we have not changed a thing.

    Hugs!
     

    Ann & Art
    Maxine CGC, UADNJIII, DDNJ-r (11 yr old Golden)
    Belle NJP, NAJ, OJP, CGC, UAGI, UADSJ, UADJJ (5 Black Lab)
    Teddi UADJJ, UJJ, CGC (1 1/2 yr old Golden)
    Pete 14 yr old TB
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  • 06-09-2008 3:46 PM In reply to Bairn

    Re: Epilepsy help and advice needed

    Bairn:
    I thought he was dying!!!

    Many dogs (and people) live long lives with epilepsy. 

    In addition to getting blood work, check your house and yard for anything that might be toxic.

    If no cause can be found and your dog has frequent seizures, there are meds that can help to control or minimize the seizures.  "Idiopathic" epilepsy is when there are numerous seizures over a period of time with no known cause.  It sounds like a diagnosis, but "idiopathic" just means "known cause".

    See this post for info on diet and links to epilepsy sites:

    http://community.dog.com/forums/p/78410/611202.aspx#611202

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  • 06-09-2008 4:04 PM In reply to janet_rose

    • Bairn
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    • Joined on 10-02-2007
    • Oxfordshire
    • Posts 11
    • Points 35

    Re: Epilepsy help and advice needed

    Thank you both, I feel a lot better now after looking at some websites and he seems to be back to normal, I've checked the house and garden, nothing that I can see.  Your comments on yours or other animals gives me hope, panic set in!

     Thanks

     Tracie and Trig!

    • Post Points: 0
  • 06-09-2008 6:37 PM In reply to Bairn

    Re: Epilepsy help and advice needed

    I have a little peke who is being treated for seizure activity. 

    First -- seizures can .. not make that *are* made worse by panic and being nervous.  Yes, it's difficult to see, but please -- try to remain calm, it is absolutely *essential*.  You can actually make them seize *again and again* just simply by being so over-wrought yourself that it causes the animal more trauma (same thing with a human, actually).

    A blood test likely won't tell you much of anything at all -- it's a good idea, it will give a general good idea of health, but it's not going to pop up a banner and say "Yep, this dog is ...."

    The medicine for seizures has **many** side effects -- long term it is very very difficult to take, and regulate.  Phenobarbitol is one and potassium bromide is another -- you do*not* want to put the dog on either of these drugs unless it is absolutely without choice.  Here the vets up at the U of Florida actually recommend treatment with acupuncture and herbals if at all possible, and not to even consider drugs until there are at least 2 seizures or more a month. 

    We control all of Kee's seizure activity with herbals and acupuncture.  It took a while to find exactly the right combination but it's well worth it.  She doesn't have the "grand mal" seizures, but rather she can be in a seizure mode almost for hours doing an almost obsessive type of seizure activity (you can't hardly get her attention at all), but the herbals are astonishing.

    Because you and your spouse were home, compare notes and try hard to remember the dog's behavior immediately prior to the seizure and even a couple of hours before. 

     Was the dog extra clingy?  Or acting at all unusual?  Maybe avoiding you, or alternatively not wanting to be alone?  Lying in a strange place?  Such behavior is often repetitive - and it can help you identify PRE-seizure activity so you can sometimes stop the seizure before it starts.

    Keeping some valerian root on hand can be superb.  It's a nervine herb that is a relaxant, and can help you settle the dog down if you suspect another seizure might be about to happen.  English valerian is about the best you can get in the world.  A dog that size can take a full adult dose every six hours without any harm at all.  The ground herb mixed in with something yummy (even a wee bit of Bisto and water or peanut butter or anything yummy).  (The Americans on here are saying "What's Bisto?" but my husband is British and you wouldn't BELIEVE what I pay to get Bisto here in the States!!)

    You may also get a clue by seeing if the dog could have been chewing on something outside?  Pine can be a culprit -- was the dog in any sort of pine pitch or pine cones?  Do you use pine cleaner in the house?  Any possibility he got into anything toxic?  Any plants he might have nibbled on?

    good luck -- if you want to email me, I have a friend who rescues seizure dogs and she's marvelous at describing how to calm them down.  I'd be happy to give you her email address if you'd like. 

    Just sitting down, petting the dog calmly and just talking calmly.  Talk about the weather or anything silly -- read a book even .. just keep your voice and tone calm and soothing. 

     But don't 'worry' over him.  Don't be too "oh dear oh dear" -- to make him really think something horrid will happen.  Just be calming.


    • Post Points: 0
  • 06-09-2008 7:17 PM In reply to Bairn

    Re: Epilepsy help and advice needed

    If you want to try a grain-free food, see

    http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=grain_free

    I like Natura's EVO.

    • Post Points: 0
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