Does anyones dog have this too?

mandy2383

Hi all,
I dont post very often so please excuse me if this is in the wrong place.

I'll start from the beginning a few months back charlie my dog started to have fits well she had one, we rushed her to the vets and they looked her over and said they think it could be epilepsy but weren't too sure as she said some dogs get too hyper and can just have a fit for no reason, to go home monitor her and if she has another fit within three months take her back well she didn't, we then took her back to the vets for a check up and they looked at her again and said everything was fine. so we were just relieved nothing was wrong, then this week she has had one fit on thursday and one today, the vet said they are now going to run some tests as they now think it is epilepsy, so my question is how will they test for this? the vet didn't say or will they just give her medication to see if that helps, I know it might sound silly but she is my little baby, i have had her since she was a pup when her owners were just going to throw her out on the streets, she will be six in february.

I really would be grateful if anybody has any information about this or if they have a dog that has it too.

Im sorry for the ramble it must be my pregnant brain that doesn't help much right now, I think i am more upset beacause of my hormones and keep thinking the worst.

Thanks for any help

Mandy

WeirdoMagnet

Hi Mandy,

It must be very distressing for you both when Charlie has a fit. I'd give the vet a call today and ask them what their course of action will be. I think sometimes they rattle through the consultation very quickly (sometimes using very technical wording) and you're still coming to terms with the initial diagnosis. Ask to chat to the vet and find out what the plan is - it's best all round that the owner understands what's going on so I'm sure they'll be helpful.

Lots of dogs can live happy lives with epilepsy, it might be worthwhile joining a dog forum to see if anyone else has the same problem. There's lots of info on the net too.

Let us know how you get on.

Georgie

JennyW_2

mandy2383 wrote: »

Hi all,
I know it might sound silly but she is my little baby, i have had her since she was a pup when her owners were just going to throw her out on the streets, she will be six in february.

you're not silly at all I have 2 doggies and they are my babies and I would do anything for them

I don't know much about epilepsy but found this (forearmed is forewarned and all that :cool: ):

Certain breeds have a predisposition towards epilepsy, and among my patients, GSDs, Collies and Poodles certainly feature highly, but it can occur in any breed, Mongrels included. The first fit can occur at any age, but is often in young to middle aged dogs.

So what is an epileptic fit? Well it is usually described as the uncontrolled release of electrical discharge in the brain. Certain dogs seem to have a tendency to this condition, and an owner will begin to learn certain trigger factors, which are involved in bringing on a fit. This could be the time of day, a loud noise, fireworks, during sleep, following exercise. And there are many more. Every dog seems to be different.

The Fit Record Card: I find this very helpful indeed. On the first occasion a dog presents with a fit, and before any medication is provided, I supply a fit record card or sheet. This is a simple table in which the owner completes details of fits as they occur, including the following parameters: Date, Time, Length of fit, Description of symptoms, length of time to return to normal. As long as this is kept up to date, it gives the vet an "at a glance" history of the pattern and severity of the fits in this particular patient.

It is the PATTERN of fits, which matters. In most cases the fits themselves are short lasting, and little can be done at that time. The fit is usually over before action can be taken. Medication will be aimed at IMPROVING THE PATTERN, and making the fits less frequent, and less severe. Perhaps preventing them completely.

Petit mal:
Fits involve the patient usually lying on its side, paddling with the paws, shaking and trembling, chattering teeth, and salivating. Sometimes uncontrolled urination and defaecation occurs.

A Grand mal is a severe fit. YOUR RULE: when a fit starts, look at the time. After 10 minutes, if the pet is still in a fit, you need to take the pet to the vet as quickly as possible. Most fits don't last 10 minutes, and the vet will not be necessary as an emergency measure. But if the fit is on-going at 10 minutes, phone the vet and arrange to take the pet into the vet's practice forthwith. Calling the vet to your house is only likely to waste time. Action in your house will be limited indeed, and the vet will end up being an expensive taxi.

How do you get a fitting dog to the vet?
Lay out a blanket by the dog. Holding its paws, roll the dog over onto the blanket. Beware his teeth!! Dogs in a fit don't know you, or what they're doing! So care and forgiveness is required! Then get 2 people, one on each end of the blanket, to lift the dog by all 4 corners of the blanket, place it in the back of the car, and go quickly, but carefully to the vet's practice.

A dog in status epilepticus needs intravenous injections of sedatives (e.g. valium) or anaesthetics (e.g. pentobarbitone) to stabilize its condition. And this can take many hours, or longer on some occasions. A period of hospitalization is highly likely.

Petit mal: these are short fits, or perhaps even mild episodes of trembling with only some of the minor symptoms of fits. They resolve of their own accord, usually in a matter of minutes, but the pattern is all-important if we are to prevent their recurrence. So, if this is the first fit you've seen, even though you don't need the vet as an emergency measure, do take the patient to see the vet at the next convenient surgery, to assess the situation.

**IF IN DOUBT phone the vet's practice and discuss the situation.**

Long-term medication: having established a pattern, your vet will be able to decide if medication is necessary. Drugs involved include Phenobarbitone, Mysoline, Epanutin (Phenytoin) and Potassium Bromide. Phenobarbitone and mysoline are usual first line drugs. Epanutin is often used to support one or other of these two, to enhance their actions. Generally, one starts at low dose rates, and builds up whilst monitoring the pattern of fits. Once control is achieved, then there is no need for a further dose increase, unless things later deteriorate.

In the early stages of both mysoline and phenobarbitone, the pet is likely to be quite sedated. And an increased thirst is also possible. However the dog will adapt, and these symptoms usually improve over a week or two. Once you start medication: DON'T run out of pills! This is a well known trigger to restarting fits again.

From time to time, your vet may wish to run blood tests. These can be used to monitor blood levels of phenobarbitone. And they can also be used to monitor liver function which can be affected by longterm medication.

Are your vets/nurses sympathetic and understand? Don't be afraid to talk to them and tell them your concerns or ask for information. As Georgina said, many dogs live happy lives with epilepsy and the right medication. Bit like us humans having to take medication for high BP or cholesterol

www.dogpages.org.uk is a good site if you want to chat with other dog owners and learn of their experiences.

I'm sure Charlie will be fine. It'll just be a case of knowing what to look for and acting promptly. GOod luck.

Charlie1986

Hi, my dog has epilepsy. His fits are about 6 months apart at the moment. The first time it happened we rushed him to the vets as we wasn't sure what it was. Now he doesn't go to the vets everytime this happens.
Normally his fits come after he wakes up, and he rolls around, sometimes looses control of his bowels etc. A few weeks ago he had 2 fits about 15 mins apart.
I normally phone the vet when these fits happen so they can keep a log. I also keep a diary of the time of day the fits happen, the length of the fit and anything else that may be relevant, weather etc.
My vet has advised that when the fits happen, to turn off the tv/radio, close the curtains and move everything from around my dog, he also said to leave him on his own but I always stay with him as he seemed to be worse if i walked out the room.
It is quite scary when they have a fit as you do feel helpless. I'm not sure what the tests involve as my dog hasn't come to this stage yet but I think it is a blood test.
Hope this helps x

mandy2383

Hi all,

Thank you everyone for your help it really has helped me feel better about it all and reasurred me, we have an appointment with the vet and hopefully then i will be able to understand better, i think sometimes when i am in a panic i dont tend to listen and understand things too well.

JennyW- thank you for the info it really has helped i have printed it all off so i can show my OH and remind myself it isn't all bad. I am the same as you i would do anything for charlie too the love we have for pets sometimes can be quite mad but i wouldn't have it any other way.

Charlie1986- Your dog sounds exactly the same as mine, looses controls of the bowels, I normally switch everything off and makesure its quiet but didn't know about closing the curtains so i will remember that for next time, I find it worse if you try to leave them, i find that charlie will try to follow me if i leave her, is your dog the same? I normally find myself sat next to her the last time i was actually sat in her bed. I will start keeping a better diary of her fits now i didn't think to note things like weather but will do now as thats a really good idea and whats not obvious to me about her fits might be more relevant to the vet. sorry for more questions but just one more do you actually time the fits with a stopwatch? or just look at the time the fit started and then when it ended? Thank you so much again you have all been really helpful

Mandy x

BeasleyJones

Hi.

I had a German Shepherd who started fitting when he was about 18 months old. After his diagnosis - no tests involved that I can remember- he was put on a daily dose of phenobarbitone which prevented most of the fits, though he still had the occasional one or two in quick succession. At first I was devastated and the vet advised to put him to sleep as he would be lucky to see the age of 3. However, he lived well into double figures and passed away when his liver started to fail. The treatment for epilepsy can have an adverse effect on the liver - though this was 6 years ago and medication may have improved. What I am saying is the condition is fairly easy to control thought it can be very distressing to see, for the dogs owner. The dog doesn't know he is epileptic and in my experience the most distressing thing for them is that when they come round from the fit they are aware of losing control of their bladder/bowel function which all dogs would find distressing. Best not to make a fuss, clean up and leave him to recover in a quiet dark room. Hope this helps.

Charlie1986

mandy2383 wrote: »

Charlie1986- Your dog sounds exactly the same as mine, looses controls of the bowels, I normally switch everything off and makesure its quiet but didn't know about closing the curtains so i will remember that for next time, I find it worse if you try to leave them, i find that charlie will try to follow me if i leave her, is your dog the same? I normally find myself sat next to her the last time i was actually sat in her bed. I will start keeping a better diary of her fits now i didn't think to note things like weather but will do now as thats a really good idea and whats not obvious to me about her fits might be more relevant to the vet. sorry for more questions but just one more do you actually time the fits with a stopwatch? or just look at the time the fit started and then when it ended? Thank you so much again you have all been really helpful

Mandy x

My dog does get quite distressed if I try and leave him, I too have found myself sat in his bed with him if he has been having a fit. I tend to just make a note of the approximately time the fit starts and roughly when it ends, I then let the vet know and try too see if there is any pattern with his fits.

chipper2407

Hi,
My dog is epileptic, his name is Jake and is a staffie. He was diagnosed at 7 months old, which is very young to show signs, he is now 2 years old. He has severe and violent cluster epilepsy, (which means he fits a lot in a short space of time) and is on daily medication, he also has a curly tail as he broke it while fitting. My Jake is my baby to and to see him go through it is heartbreaking. But if you're calm then he'll be calm. While he fits we talk to him and stroke him but never go neat the mouth as they can bite as a reflex. His fits last from 1 min to 2 mins. He foams at the mouth and loses control of his bodily functions. After he has had his fit he runs as he's scared (that's inbuilt in dogs) but we let him go, if you hold him he'll panic even more. We just calmly talk to him tell him he's good a goood boy and keep him away from the stairs as he goes temporarily blind and loses proper use of his legs. He is now on medication, epiphen, after 9 fits in 36 hours and didn't have a fit for a year and a half, this weekend he had 3 major and 3 minor and after upping his dose he is now on the road to recovery. He hasn't had one since yesterday at 4.30am.
I can understand what you're going through and I don't mean to scare you with my story but Jake is a severe case, your dog doesn't sound as bad but that doesn'y mean it isn't scary.
All I can say is keep a diary of when he fits, how long, what he's eaten (even if it's a plant outside or a twig), think about if he's been near cleaning products that you use and research it on the internet and talk to your vet. If you aren't satisfied with your vet then take him to another.
We don't know why he fits but they are kept under control with his medication and every 6 months he has to go back for blood tests to check he has enough medication in his system and to check his liver is working well.
Hope this helps

debbiedeejay

Hi there

My 13 year old healthy Westie started having "fits" a couple of weeks ago. The first at 4.30 in the morning lasted a a long time and then over 48 hours had a serious of smaller shorter fits,we kept in touch by phone with our vet and only took her in once we realised the fits were not reducing in amount.

He sedated her for the rest of the day and let her rest but it took over 48 hours for her to recover. Bloods were taken and he is questioning if it is epilepsy or a problem with her sugar levels/diabetes /pancreatic problem.

So at the moment I am giving her much smaller more frequent meals to keep up her sugar levels and making sure she eats before we all go to bed. We also give her sugary snacks to keep her levels up and up to now her fits are much less frequent.

But don't do this unless your vet has told you its ok to do but it may be another option to look at.

Good luck I know its hard but it just takes time to sort it out.

mandy2383

Hi,
Thank you all so much you have give me some really good advice and in a way it makes me feel better knowing other people have dogs that suffer from this too, i was abit niave before and didn't think that dogs could suffer from epilepsy.

Thank you chipper2407 for telling me that a dog could bite during a fit i really didn't know that, no my dogs epilepsy doesn't sound as bad as Jakes your right though it really is scary to watch even more so that there is nothing you can do about it, I am really pleased he is on the road to recovery i can imagine how worried you were.

debbiedeejay- I am sorry to hear about you westie your right though it does take time to find out what is going on, my vet has taken a blood test and we have to keep a log and note everything down and then i guess we go from there, when we go back next week i will ask about other possibilties.

I am really pleased about a dog not knowing they have epilepsy that was a fear that she would know what was happening and would be in pain, but like BeasleyJones said the distressing part for her is when she comes round fully and realises she had lost control of her bodily functions, she has that look thats like how the heck did that get there.

I really cant thank you all enough you all have really helped so much.

Mandy x

chipper2407

Hi
Just to confirm, your dog will not go for you while fitting but if you put a hand or anything near an open dog's mouth when they're fitting they will just close it. I hope it didn't come out wrong the first time I said it as I didn't mean it to sound as if they will lunge at you for being near them and please don't be scared of your dog in the future if it happens just let them know you are there. But as you are pregnant you, and baby need to be aware of it.
Hope all works out well.