Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy

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Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on August 29, 2012 at 11:25am

Amanda, I was just thinking that if I had a dog with a seizure disorder, i would have him in the care of a specialist. I know a lot of Veterinary Internal Medicine doctors specialize in neurology.

Comment by Amanda and Quinn on August 29, 2012 at 11:17am

Hey Dawn, if you have a veterinarian in your area that specializes in neurology, I can't recommend it highly enough. Our vet told us to see a neurologist after Quinn's second seizure and it has been a godsend. The first appointment is expensive but after that it is just like a regular vet appointment--and ours is always available by phone for free, which is huge. Most vets just don't have the knowledge about seizures that the specialists do. I am clearly no expert, but if the seizures are lasting that long, I would seriously consider a second opinion about medication.

Comment by Dawn on August 29, 2012 at 11:04am

This is the only time that he has had an ear infection during one of the seizures..the last two lasted for several minutes, I would tend to think that it was five minutes but in the middle of it I was not timing it, just holding him and trying to help him through. He is a big boy and he hit the tile floor really hard when it began. He stops breathing during them...it is very scary...they are definitely Grand Mal... The vet really did not give me advice as to what to do during them just as to how to track them and he said he may consider putting him on meds if they begin to occur regularly. He told me that they really are harmful to him when they occur, I can't imagine that is true but not sure I really want to start medicating him unless it is truly warranted.
Thank you for the advice as to what to do during them....I am glad to know of something that will help him, I really hope he does not have to go through this anymore.

Comment by AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner on August 28, 2012 at 4:45pm

Dawn - It is possible that there is some correlation.  The ear infections may be lowering his "seizure threshold".  Does he have seizures when he doesn't have an ear infection?  Three "severe" seizures in two months are definitely alot.  What does your vet say to do for him when he is having a seizure?  Has the vet told you when it is an emergency?

 

I will summarize-

Multiple seizures within a few hours - EMERGENCY

Seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes - EMERGENCY

During a seizure make sure there is nothing around him that can hurt him.  Keep your hands away from his face - you don't want to get bit.  There is some evidence that an ice pack on his back - hind quarter helps minimize both the length and severity of the seizure.  After the seizure give him some vanilla ice cream.  During a seizure the blood sugar drops - you want to bring it back up.

 

Read through everything in this group.

 

Any questions -
just ask.

Comment by Dawn on August 28, 2012 at 1:12pm

I am so happy to find a place to talk about this.....my big sweet boy Finley has started having siezures and my heart is breaking for him. He had one when he was very young, before he turned two...and not another one until a couple of months ago...they are very severe and last a very long time. The vet says that his blood work looks good and that he does not want to start him on meds if he does not have to...he has had three in the last two months....the affect on him is extreme...he is so tired afterwards and so clingy (even more then normal) :-) he struggles with ear infections....I wondered if there is any correlation...the vet does not seem to think so...

Comment by AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner on August 27, 2012 at 10:33am

Laure -The blood sugar drop is a result of the seizure usually not the cause.

 

Comment by LG & Sadie on August 27, 2012 at 9:57am

Hi Laura! I am definitely not the expert on this-but apparently there is some field of study (my Vet only gave me a few articles and what I found online was vague not precise) that suggests there is a drop in a dogs blood sugar either just before or during a seizure. I think others in this group may know more? I am hoping they will see this thread and jump in and correct me or clarify. I will go back over what I have for literature. It's been a couple years now-maybe more is known about this. Andy & Karen and Jackdoodle are 2 group members I know are extremely well versed on correlation between food stuff and health. I will look online too and post what I find out! But, in Sadie's case there was no definite link to low blood sugar ever made. Unfortunately it would be hard to test as we get very little warning prior to a seizure. Interestingly enough, she did or does seem to skip a meal prior to a seizure. Not sure if that is because she's not feeling great (has an aura type of thing) or why that is. I will post again soon. I hope others join in!

Comment by Laura and Ebony on August 27, 2012 at 8:54am

Hi Leane... I have a question for you...When you say that her blood sugars are low, have you been able to test it? I wonder if my pup has these catatonic type seizures because of low blood sugars.  Is there a pattern wth your dog as to when she has seizues?  Would love to know.  

Laura 

Comment by LG & Sadie on August 27, 2012 at 8:43am

Hi Gayle, Welcome! Like Laura said, it's important to time the seizure. Your Vet will give you a time where you will know that if the seizure hasn't let up you need to be on the way to their office. (this is in my Sadie's case-she has Grand mal seizures) Fortunately, Sadie's phenobarbital controls her seizures so well we have never had to make that trip. Outside of timing the seizure, just remove anything around them so their limbs are free to move. I always lie on the floor near Sadie and talk to her, I tell her "she's having a seizure, that it is going to pass and she will be ok, and that I am right here with her and I love her".....sometimes her far away eyes actually do fixate on me. So I figure maybe she hears me. After the seizure I have read that it's good to offer a sweet treat like a little vanilla ice cream. I guess there is a theory about a blood sugar drop during or causing seizures (I am not sure which) but, Sadie doesn't care for sweets and does not want food-she wants water, snuggles, and sleep. She is very tired for a day sometimes two days. Like I said she doesn't have seizures often thankfully, she's 5 years old and has 2-3 a year max. It's very manageable. This group is a fantastic resource on Seizure doodles. If you have any other questions about Sadie or anything I said please ask! All the best! Leane & Sadie

Comment by Laura and Ebony on August 27, 2012 at 7:47am

Hi Gayle.  I have an Austrailan Labradoodle that has had a few seizures.  One she had last month.  When I went to the Vet, he told me that I need to put her in the recovery position, which is on her side and cover her with a blanket if she is "pawing" and "twitching" so that she does not hurt me or herself. He then told me to time the siezures and keep a log of them.

Hope this helps.   I know they are hard to watch.  

Laura

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