seizure

[Brad John]

Last night our 7 year old goldendoodle, Morgan, had a seizure.  It lasted quite a few minutes.  A trip to the after hours vet showed no abnormalities in her bloodwork.  I certainly am freaked out.  Now what???

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Oh dear.  Keeping good thoughtst.  I am sure someone will be able to advise you. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Oh dear.  I am keeping good thoughts that it is an isolated incident.  What did the vet say?  

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I hope this was just a one time incident and all will be well from here on.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You may want to look in the Health and Medical group.  There are other Doodles with seizure issues and a few discussions that may be helpful.  I know how frightening this can be.  Our Murphy had a seizure resulting from a very high fever, and I'll never forget it.  There's lots of support for you here on DK.  Sending positive thoughts your way...

[Brad John]

Morgan didn't eat anything.  Is 7 old for a seizure onset?  I am not good with crisis!  UGH!! 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

The best place to get information on DK for seizure related issues is in the "Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy Group"

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/seizure

Most of the time the cause is not known.  And  many times it is a ONE TIME OCCURENCE.

Causes listed in no specific order:

Genetic

Head Trauma

Brain Tumor

Blood sugar out of whack

Environmental

Something eaten

Stress

 

At this point start keeping a log of Morgan's activities - including food, what household cleaners are being used, candles being used in house, pesticide, lawn care, outside temp, medicine (including heartworm and flea treatments), stress elements around, etc.

 

Also very important DO NOT USE EVENING PRIMROSE (EPO), as that lowers seizure threshhold in dogs prone to seizures.

 

If I can help please feel free to contact me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Brad, we have a group here for people whose dogs have seizure disorders and epilepsy. http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/seizures

Lots of help and advice there, take a look.

It's scary when your dog has a seizure, but it can be a one time thing. There's nothing for you to do at this point, but you can read about what to do while they are having the seizure in case it happens again.  

My last dog had two seizures about a year apart when she got older. I never discovered the cause and there didn't seem to be any lasting effects. Seven is not "old" for a seizure. I hope this was an isolated incident.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is a good list of seizure triggers from the Guardian Angels Canine Epilepsy website:

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/SeizureTriggers.htm

Check Morgan's food and treats to be sure that they don't contain rosemary, sage, BHA or BHT. The latter two are preservatives often found in some of the common dog foods and treats found in grocery stores, Target, Walmart, as well as the chain pet supply stores. And ethoxyquin is used as a preservative in some of the cheaper foods that contain fish meal. You may want to check the Food Group's Recommended Brands list. All of the brands we recommend have been researched to be sure they do not contain any of these ingredients.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thinking of you and hoping Morgan will be perfectly fine after that terribly frightening evening. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry. I hope it was a one time occurrence. I think if you do the research in the links given here, you will feel that you can control some things for Morgan.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Brad, I can sympathize on how frightening it is.  In the past 3 weeks, Finn has had 1, possibly 3 seizures.  Finn will be 3 in May.  All of his bloodwork has come back normal.  I requested a thyroid test and blood sugar check. Normal too.   There is a lot of good info in the seizure disorders and epilepsy group.  I've been reading.  The vet has us keeping a diary and I suggest you start one too.  I'm suspecting 2 possible causes - his heartworm medicine was changed from Interceptor to Heartguard which contains ivermectin and/or our daily routine changed for the past 3 weeks.  Because of the weather and a big project at work, Finn's normal exercise routine changed and I'm wondering if that stressed him out.  So far no answers, but I'm watching him closely.  I hope Morgan's was a one time occurrence.  Keeping good thoughts.  Please keep us posted.  I'll be interested in what you learn.           

[Diana Erhart]

I know how scary it can be, Brad.  My Charlie had an obvious seizure when he was 4 years old and that has been the only one I know of so far.  Some people think that sometimes when he is staring off into space he may be having a small seizure but I am not sure of that.  Anyway, my vet recommended that if he ever has another one to take my cell phone and make a video of him in the seizure.  If I can stay calm enough to do it.  He said seeing how Charlie is acting may be able to help him figure out what caused the seizure.  Now that I have gone through one with him I think I can keep my composure enough to do that if it would happen again.  Last Valentine's Day was 2 years since his seizure.  I still always have my cell phone within reach in case it happens again.  We also have his bloodwork done once a year to make sure nothing is showing up.  Good luck and hopefully this will be a one time occurrence for you and Morgan.