Epileptic Dogs

[KOE]

Does any one have an epileptic dog and what are the signs, what tests were done to ascertain that it was epilepsy.

thanks

[KOE]

would anyone care to answer

[Sezy]

I used to train with one. She took a fit at training after lots of running. All the dog did was lay down on its side and wet itself. After a little while the dog got up all dazed. The dog took a second fit at the vet a short time later. So no tests were needed.

As far as I know the dog was not given any medication, the owner just had to keep her calm.

[~Anne~]

The signs;

Seizure activity.

This can range from;

- a tonic/clonic seizure which consists of the dog falling on its side, frothing at the mouth and excessive drool, possible urination and or defecation, rigidty, a running or paddling motion. The dog is usually unaware and not conscious of surrounding dusing this. They may have a period of a trance like state in the beginning and they may run around, become scared, agitated or manic after the seizure. of anything during this entire.

- a partial seizure where they may drop to the ground, or may just wobble while standing, drool, tremble and then return to normal. It may last one second or 10 seconds.

- air snapping where they snap at the air as if biting flies but they are not conscious of their surroundings when they do this.

- facial twitches or eye movements.

A dog is consdidered an epileptic when it has more then one seizure and all other conditions and diseases have been ruled out. Epilepsy is a term used for seizures when there is no know cause. There are many other conditions (such as poisoning, cancer and trauma) that can cause a sog to have a seizure.

The most common age for epilpesy to develop is between 18 months and 3 years.

I forgot to add - I have an epilpetic dog, so does Staffylover, FieryDi, CaseyKay, Lillysmum and a few others. There are some great informative threads here if you do a search.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Puggles

[~Anne~]

..........The dog took a second fit at the vet a short time later. So no tests were needed.......

I think you may be wrong about this.... and if true, then the Vet needs to go back to school.

Seizure activity is caused by many things. The reasons for the tests are to rule out disease and poisoning. If all the tests are clear and all other things are ruled out it is labelled 'epilepsy'.

[Staff'n'Toller]

As puggles has said if a dog presents at the clinic who has been having regular seizures or are getting more regular then we run a full profile to rule out anything else then start the dog on Phenobarbitone for its weight.

The essential thing is though, that we start doing Phenobarb assays (measuring the levels in the blood) some weeks after starting the meds to ascertain whether the levels are within a healthy range now and is this reducing the seizure activity.

If not - usually further investigation is warranted. Although you are well within your rights to ask for a Specialist workup from the get go if you wish.

Mel.

[KOE]

Thanks for that I will tell her.

Blood tests ruled out any toxins etc

1st was a staggering drunk like effect off to one side then keeled over.

2nd about an hour later was on the side quivering and shaking and foaming at the mouth.

Her dog could have had some previously as she said it was a bit different over the weekend not its usual self

[Dog_Horse_Girl]

When I first noticed Molly's seizures, I got her to the vet straight away. Her seizures are very mild (petite mal) but she's "out of it" for up to an hour post-seizure. So far, the pheno is working wonders - we haven't noticed a single seizure since starting her on it almost a year ago. She's due for a check-up and bloods next month and I'm hoping we can wean her from the drug but if not, she seems to be doing just fine.

The vets ruled it epilepsy only b/c they were able to rule every other cause of seizures out by blood work and observation of the seizure activity she exhibits.

[~Anne~]

Thanks for that I will tell her.

Blood tests ruled out any toxins etc

1st was a staggering drunk like effect off to one side then keeled over.

2nd about an hour later was on the side quivering and shaking and foaming at the mouth.

Her dog could have had some previously as she said it was a bit different over the weekend not its usual self

One seizure sounds like a partial and one sounds like a tonic/clonic.

My dog, Monte, also has partials where he staggers around like he is drunk. This will last usually about 8 seconds, although it seems much longer at the time. Once or twice during a partial he has stagered, fallen down and completely rolled over and then gets up again like nothing happened. The partials usually always happen to Monte during feeding times.

I can usually tell if Monte has had a seizure when I am not around by the following signs;

- he will be more tired the usual or he will be more clingy (almost impossible with a Pug to be more clingy but he is)

- I can usually find wet patches from drool on the floor (Monte doesn't urinate but many do and this is a sign to look for)

- there will sometimes be some 'disruption' to his surrounds - things like his bed will be moved into another position, the puppy fence that stops him from going into areas of the garage I don't want him to will be pushed in a haphazard way etc

- he will have a wet patch on the side of his face from the drool or the fur there will be stiff from dried drool

Not all dog's seizures will be controlled by medication, particulalry pheno on its own. If the pheno doesn't control them they will intorduce another drug, usually potassium bromide. They can even add in a third drug.

Monte's seizures have never been stopped by medication even when it is in therapeutic range. They are obviously much improved but he still has clusters of seizures and on the odd occassion single seizures.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Puggles

[Lablover]

http://www.geocities.com/welshealth/Articles/CANINEEPI.htm