Seizures

PairOfLabs

PairOfLabs

Active member
We had a scare last night. While reading in bed I heard a repetitive thumping sound coming from my two year old lab sleeping on his dog bed alongside our bed. At first I thought he was having a dream but when I leaned over to look I saw that he was having some kind of seizure. We had a lab when I was a kid who developed epilepsy so I've witnessed a bunch of seizures. This one was milder- Logan had his eyes open but looked scared, and he was having mild contractions of his back legs and some paralysis. I stayed with him while my wife checked the internet and called our emergency vet (this happened at 11 PM).

The seizure lasted only for a few minutes and then I sat next to him while he regained normalcy. We ended up taking him to the vet right after that. The vet said that 2-5 years old is when dogs start to get seizures if they are prone to them. She said that all his normal signs-heart rate, breathing, appearance and demeanor looked good. He had just had a blood work-up several months ago that was normal.

We plan to watch him closely and if he has a second seizure, take him in for another blood work-up. The vet said that dogs can handle one seizure per month without medication, unless they are severe; any more than that we should consider some ongoing medication.

So do any of you have experience with your dogs having seizures that can offer any advice or encouragement? Logan had 16 days on wild pheasants this season, a new record for me, so I'd hate to lose him.
Regards,
PairOfLabs
 
I had a male Brittany that would have 2-3 seizures a year. At first it really freaked out my wife and I but our vet said that it was not that unusual for a dog to have a seizure on occasion and as long as they didn't get close together not to worry about it. His seizures never were real severe. The vet told us that when we noticed one coming on to just remain calm, turn off all the noise around the dog, keep him relaxed and just let the seizure take it's course. In a few minutes he would be fine and back to normal. The vet did have us give him a Valium when a seizure started to help calm him down. I wouldn't be overly concerned as long as he doesn't start having more than one a month, basically what your vet said. You will learn to read your dog and know when he has one coming. Usually they will start looking scared as they don't know what is going on. Mine would jump up in my lap while I was in the recliner and want to be held, something he never did under normal circumstances. Good luck!
 
Had it happen once, turned out it was a inner ear infection which really can screw up equilibrium. It was treated with an antibiotic and never happened again. It was inner ear you can't see on scope. Might be worth a shot. I can't remember the med but could find out. Maybe not but you could ask. Maybe you will get lucky.
 
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Dakotazeb said:
I had a male Brittany that would have 2-3 seizures a year. At first it really freaked out my wife and I but our vet said that it was not that unusual for a dog to have a seizure on occasion and as long as they didn't get close together not to worry about it. His seizures never were real severe. The vet told us that when we noticed one coming on to just remain calm, turn off all the noise around the dog, keep him relaxed and just let the seizure take it's course. In a few minutes he would be fine and back to normal. The vet did have us give him a Valium when a seizure started to help calm him down. I wouldn't be overly concerned as long as he doesn't start having more than one a month, basically what your vet said. You will learn to read your dog and know when he has one coming. Usually they will start looking scared as they don't know what is going on. Mine would jump up in my lap while I was in the recliner and want to be held, something he never did under normal circumstances. Good luck!
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2+

I've seen Idiopathic Epilepsy in several of my Britts and many friends Labs as well. Most gundog breeds have them. Most were eggzzzactly like DZ has described above.

However, there are many things which can cause seizures. Too many to discuss here. Find a good Vet and then follow his advice.I am not a big fan of "Internet Diagnoses".

Good Luck to PairOfLabs.

NB
 
I think that all information from experience is valuable, whether it's medical treatment of people, or dogs. If you are an informed patient, you have a much better chance of recieving effective care, by being able to suggest, possible causes and treatments. Should forum readers assume that every suggestion is "the" solution, of course not, and no one hear suggests that a vet consultation/exam is not warranted. Advice hear might point out and rule out certain maladies or ailments, not routinely thought off. All Doctors, and all Vets are not all geniuses either! As far as Idiopathy epilepsy, I hope that we are responsible and all those dogs are spayed or nuetered, I'd sure want to be informed of this genetic malady before purchase, at least.
 
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I'm sorry to hear this about Logan. The only thing I can say is that if it gets serious give some thought to heading up the the vet clinic at CSU. I've had two animals there and they are simply the best. They can do emergency visits, an extra $90.00, but usually have openings for 1-2 days out. Good luck, he's a great dog.
 
@PairOfLabs (Tom): WOW, so sorry to hear about Logan! :(
Sure hope you get it worked out & the problem is not nearly as big as feared or finds resolve quick...
 
interesting post- my female who is 11 years old has slight siezures every now and then- she'll come up to me- her head starts shaking- she looks scared- I kneel down- hold her head in my hands speaking sofly- 2-4 min later she's fine

when she was 8 months old and at my vets- he sort of panicked- said BIG problems- you might want to put her down-

she has had this slight siezure maybe 2 times a year- she has been one of my best bird dogs

unless you've been near someone who has a seizure- kicking and all over the ground out of control- yet comes out of it just fine- most panic as in first time seeing it- wanting all sorts of answers- doc/vets/what have you-

when in fact- the very best will say there's not anything you can do but try to keep calm and keep the person/dog out of harming itself
 
Thanks for the responses and advice guys. It's been 4 days and Logan is still his happy go lucky self. We'll keep hoping that if he has any more seizures that they will be mild and very infrequent.

Shadow-your description matched ours to a "T".

Thanks again,
Tom
PairOfLabs
 
PairOfLabs said:
Thanks for the responses and advice guys. It's been 4 days and Logan is still his happy go lucky self. We'll keep hoping that if he has any more seizures that they will be mild and very infrequent.

Shadow-your description matched ours to a "T".

Thanks again,
Tom
PairOfLabs
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as a kid one of my parents freinds had a kid my age that had seizures- others would panick yelling and screaming- when they laughed and teased that ole jump them and pound came up pretty quick- guess by being arround that kid taught me something

don't panic- your dog can read you- you'll all be ok
 
Went through similar experience in december. see post "rough week" 12-19-10. I hope Logan is doing better it is pretty unsettling to see these sezures occur. We have our dog on pheno barbital which we are currently weaning her off of. She hasn't had any episodes since we spayed her, hopefully we can get her off meds. Vet seems to think sezures were broought on by elevated hormone levels. Taking her out for first hunt at a perserve next week, since all this happen.
 
Hi Kimbo,
I hope the seizures were related to the false pregnancy and that you can get her off the meds and she stays healthy. No new seizures for Logan in the past week so we'll keep watching and hoping.
PairOfLabs
 
my male went into kind of a seizure thie last weekend of the season it was as if he were paralized he jumped into the box and froze about halfway in just hanging there by his belly i picked him up and put him the rest of the way in waited a few minutes and he was fine gave him water and let him sit out for awhile but he kept barking when we left the trucks he appeeared to be fine so i took him again doing good since then hasn't had one since
 
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