Seizures following humans coming home??

[Kyle Hammett]

Our 2.5 year old, Cooper has had three seizures starting in late December of 2010.

 

After the first seizure, we had the vet run a full chemical and blood panel and general work up.  Everything came back negative so no real indicators of any causes.  The vet suggested trying to establish a bit of a pattern before choosing to medicate.

 

He had a second seizure exactly one month to the day after the first and the third happened this morning, after about 6 weeks after the second.

 

The oddest thing about all of them is that they have all happened within 24 hours of my wife and I returning from a trip.  Usually it's the night we get back.

 

They have all been less than 1 minute in length and he comes out of the haze really quickly after.

 

Has anyone had similar experiences?  Is there anyway to "spot treat" this type of seizure behavior?  Maybe a Valium the night we get home?

[John Scipione]

Before you go the medicine route, is there anyone else Cooper might like to stay with that would keep him calm?  It sounds like he has a lot of separation anxiety from you and your wife, and then when he sees you it triggers a seizure.  If he is with someone he also loves while you are gone this might lessen the chances of it happening.  Of course the other alternative is to bring Cooper with you!

[Kyle Hammett]

Hi John!  Thanks for the suggestions.  This past weekend we had our dog walker who visits frequently stay with the dogs while we were away.  They love her so they did well all weekend.  I work from home when I'm not traveling so I was home today when he had the seizure.  Thus far, they have all happened while we have been with him.  Very frustrating.

 

I don't want to medicate but if it will somehow improve his quality of life, I'm open to it.

 

Thanks again!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

I agree with your thought on the valium or another light sedative but I would try it for a day or so.  You may want to try Melatonin, not a sedative but it does seem to work for night time seizure perhaps giving him a dose when you get home and then another the next day. 

 

I don't think that putting him on anti-seizure medication on a full time basis is warranted.

 

Good luck.

 

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Our Jasper also seems to get seizures triggered by "happy excitment". It is strange that they actually have a seizure, when we come back. If it is separation anxiety, wouldn't it be more likely for the seizure to happen while we are gone??

Have you tried Bach Rescue Remedy to be given before you return home?

I don't think your dog should be medicated at this stage. Once a month, lasting only 1 minute and fast recovery sounds like our dog.

We use Natural approaches, Epi-Still, Taurine, DMG and a homemade grain free Diet got his seizure breaks to 6 + weeks now.

Kirsy & Jasper (Australia)