First Post

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is my first time posting on this group....a group I hoped I would never be joining (LOL).  You may have seen my posting this morning about Murphy who has apparently had his first "partial seizure".  I'm wondering about whether the way he's been acting since he got home from the Vet is typical.  He's extremely lethargic...just wants to sleep.  He's reluctant to do the stairs....he usually "takes the stairs" at 90 miles an hour.  He's afraid to let me out of his sight, even for a minute (I've been bringing him into the bathroom with me), he's listless and picks up a toy for a minute, then drops it and goes back to sleep.  He's kind of "daydreaming"...his eyes are open, but he's "not really here".  He and his Doodle brother seem to be ignoring each other...they are usually playing non-stop.  He did eat dinner, so I'm really happy about that.  The Vet did say he would probably be tired today and then back to normal.  It does seem a little more than "just tired".  Is this pretty typical?

[Amanda and Quinn]

Hi Jane! I'm sorry you had to join this group, but welcome. :) What you're describing sounds totally normal. Quinn loves nothing more than to be around people, especially guests. He had a seizure last Thanksgiving, with family visiting, and afterward he did not have the energy to be enthusiastic about the guests at all. This freaked me almost as much as the seizure itself, but it passed. He is generally very tired and very needy for about a day after a seizure, and then he gets back to his old self. The post-seizure day is more than regular old tired-ness; he's really off and freaked out, and it sounds like that's what's happening with Murphy. Fingers crossed that he's back to his old self in the next couple of days, and I really hope this was just a freak one time thing.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks....I really hope it's a one time thing too. I'm glad to know that this reaction is normal. What you described...."really off and freaked out" is exactly what I'm seeing.

[LG & Sadie]

Yes. The period following a seizure is called the postictal (may be incorrect spelling) period and can last for hours up to days. Sadie was off for at least a day sometimes two days. She got the same response from her doggy pals as Murphy got from his big brother-her Vet attributed it to either a Vet smell, or some sense that something was wrong. She was just guessing however. I am glad he ate his dinner. Sadie's fatigue went way beyond her normal tired. She was like limp dog tired. I had to lift her sleeping head to offer her food or treats. Sorry to hear about Murphy! May I ask-are you in a watch, record, wait, and hope for no more seizure activity type of gear at this point? Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. I am always connected to my computer- or phone but I have lost a few responses I tried to upload using my phone. But, I will watch closely to see how Murphy is making out~doodle hugs to him from Sadie! Thinking of you & sending best wishes! Leane

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, that's exactly the stage we're in right now. If I see the "pre seizure" signs like today, I'm supposed to get him to a carpeted area, and then just watch him and keep him from hurting himself. Today I kept trying to get him to open his eyes...because I had no idea what was going on with him. I was actually trying to open his eyes myself, and that's when I noticed that they were rolled back in his head. That was a mistake...she told me to stay away from his head as long as he wasn't in an area where he could get hurt. When the seizure is over she wants me to bring him in right away. This is all so new to me. I've been trying to read this afternoon to learn more, but as I read I just get emotional. Tomorrow will be much better....I bounce back quickly. I'm just happy to know that what I'm seeing now is normal. He's having a lot of trouble maneuvering around the house...his legs just won't do what he wants them to. I so want him to sleep with me tonight, but I know that's a huge mistake. Thanks so much, Leane.

[LG & Sadie]

Jane, I am sure the Vet mentioned timing any activity you feel may be seizure activity? That is really important. I am hoping you see nothing else-but just in case-remembering to time is a biggie! I hear you...wanting to sleep with him and give him extra love....it's very hard not to treat/favor/spoil a Doodle you have seen experience a seizure(s). That has been a bit of the tug on my heart strings with Sadie the last 3 1/2 years, why I still tell people "she was abused her first 4 months which is true, and she has a seizure disorder also true" but it doesn't excuse her helping herself to someone's hamburger at a BBQ. (bit of exaggeration) but you get my point. I say, whatever gets you through what must have been a very, very hard day! Soothe yourself and Murphy include Guinness too of course in whatever way works! Sadie never told anyone I ate the Haagen Dazs. Leane

[John Scipione]

Jane,

I hope that Murphy is feeling better. I hope you are feeling better too.

It is scary to see one's dog suffer from a seizure. Especially the first one, since we feel helpless as we watch our dog undergo something so frightening.

Shortly after my Dooley had his seizure, he seemed himself. However it was no doubt, a grand mal seizure. It lasted several minutes. We brought him to the Vet afterwards, where they did bloodwork but did not find anything abnormal. I had to go to work soon after, so I could not observe his behavior post seizure. My wife was with him, but she didn't mention any further change in behavior.

That said, I have read that when a dog that suffers from a seizure, it is like he/she has run a marathon. The dog consumes a lot of energy. This may explain Murphy's listlessness -basically he was tired out by the seizure.

Hopefully it won't happen again for Murphy. I have read that, after we comfort our puppies, it is important to give them a treat that replenishes the calories (energy) lost from the seizure. One site suggested Haagandass ice cream (not sure of the spelling - I don't eat it myself, but would give it to my baby if he needed it) as it is free of preservatives.

I hope this is helpful in some way. I also hope that not only Murphy feels better, but you do too.

Sincerely,

John Scipione

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can vouch for the Haagen Dazs, even for dogs who don't have seizures, lol.
That reminds me, I think Andy has recommended putting an ice pack on their lower backs during or after a seizure. Does that sound right to anyone here?

[LG & Sadie]

Yes, I remember the ice cream well-Sadie wouldn't touch it....so I sat on the floor beside her dog bed and ate the entire pint. Seriously. Mmmm, I felt better. Sadie has never been an ice cream fan-I am thinking maybe once as a puppy I remember she tried it perhaps got a cold headache? Never again. Sadie holds on to things like that. I will look up info regarding the ice pack low back-it sounds familiar.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I love the Haagen Dazs idea....I'm a huge fan. Maybe Murph and I can share a pint....if this ever happens again (Please Never Again).

[John Scipione]

I have read about this too. It is my understanding is that the ice pack should be applied before an anticipated seizure (as the Doodle parent becomes aware of an impending seizure), but perhaps I am mistaken.
However, my Dooley only had one seizure so far (thank goodness), and I had no warning, behavior wise, to an upcoming seizure. However, for those parents who's Doodles experience multiple seizures and recognize the symptoms, this might be helpful.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Sorry to here about the seizure. Please read through all the old posts there is alot of info here. The ice pack should cover his hind quarter and should be applied during the seizure. The ice cream should be any plain vanilla ice cream. The theory is that a seizure lowers the blood sugar so you want to bring it back up - a tablespoon or 2 should be good.

As you can see this group has many informed "seizure" parents. If you have any questions please ask - we are all here to help and offer support.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, John. It certainly is helpful. I cooked him a special dinner tonight, because he had nothing to eat all day, but I'm going to be conscious of getting him some extra calories tomorrow too.