Seizure!

[Donna]

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New onset seizure
I'm new to this forum. I'm happy to be here.two nights ago my doodle Gatsby, who is 4 years old, had a sudden grand mal seizure that sent flying off the bed into the floor in a violent way. I was horrified. The seizure last 5 minutes. He sees the vet in the morning. Does anyone know if this is a common problem in these dogs? He's so friendly, smart and playful! I'm broken hearted like crazy about him being afflicted with seizure. It's just not fair!
Added by Donna on February 6, 2014 at 2:38pm — No Comments

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry for Gatsby and for you. 

[Lauren and Kona]

I'm so sorry to hear that you and Gatsby had to go through this. My old dog had two seizures in her lifetime (a few months apart) and they were so traumatizing. I will never forget the experience. Breaks my heart for you and sweet Gatsby. I hope he never has another one. I agree with the others, five minutes seems really long. Poor thing. Will be thinking of you both!!

[Donna]

Five minutes was a very long time! My vet said 3 minutes or more is an emergency and bring him to her or an all night emergency vet if another is that long. I think I was ok with holding him and petting him through it because of my extensive neuro- medical background. That being said, it was still heart wrenching to watch! He's been doing fine since that one. I have my paws crossed it won't happen again!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was told the same thing by my vet years ago when a previous dog had a seizure. I had not timed it, and guessed it to be about 5 minutes, and my vet said that probably wasn't that long, because a 5 minute seizure would have likely caused brain damage due to the increased brain temperatures that occur during a seizure. I hope this makes sense, because it was about 10 years ago and my memory is not what it used to be, lol.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I hope it was an isolated occurrence and never happens again.  How scary for all of you.  

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Donna, this link is an invaluable resource: CEN -- The Canine Epilepsy Network

http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html

[Joanna & Maya]

Aw, so sorry. My schnauzer started having seizures at age 12 and we bought her this http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/products/easesure-nervous-sy....

She went from having them every few days to maybe once every 2 months. We also gave her some coconut oil on crackers once a day. Unfortunately she passed before she could use up the 2 bottles we bought, so I have one unopened and sealed. If you're interested, I can send it to you. 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

BEFORE USING ANY MEDICATION - "NATURAL" "HERBAL" or RX know exactly what the ingredients are and their SIDE EFFECTS.  There is a discussion about this.  I do recognize some of the ingredients in this concoction - that are in fact harmful.  Belladonna is poisonous to dogs according to the PET POISON HOTLINE

http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/belladonna/  . This is just one of the ingredients.

Cuprum metallicum is a natural form of copper and can cause copper poisoning.

 If your pup overdoses on skullcap given as an herbal medication, it can cause confusion, stupor and seizures, and even liver damage and lung inflammation, according to "Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, and the hyoscyamus is a poisonous plant too: 

Hyoscyamus is a small genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The eleven species it contains are known generally as the henbanes. All of them are toxic.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is exactly the kind of "natural" remedy I was warning about. "Natural" doesn't mean "safe". Many plant extracts are poisonous, and many others can cause side effects or interfere with medications. 

There is also no evidence of any kind that coconut oil is therapeutic or has any medicinal benefits when taken internally. 

Remember, if it's powerful enough to have any effect, it's powerful enough to have a negative effect. 

[Donna]

Hi Joanna. Your poor baby went through a lot. You must've been a real blessing to her.
You're so sweet to offer to mail me the extra stuff you had for her. I'm wondering what your vet thought of the product. You seem to have noticed good results from it!

[Marni and Hanna]

so sorry to hear about the seizure.  We used to have a cocker schnauzer something mix, and his first seizure was terrifying also.  He shot across the room like a pinball, and out the back door.At the time we didnt even know dogs had seizures, so I understand how alarmed you are.  It lasted quite awhile as well.  We took him to the vet and it was similar that we didnt medicate at all either as they didnt happen often enough (thankfully).  He did have other sezures later, maybe once or twice a year or so?  but the first one was by far the worst.  They seemed to occur when he was stressed or over-tired.  I dont have any recommendations for you, but maybe just hoping it wont be too bad for you.  My dog eventually "grew out of them" and he lived to be 141/2.  Hope it turns out ok for you!