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Golden Ret Just Keeps Walking Back And Forth


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My 11 yo GR looks like she has spent half the night and some of today walking back and forth around the house to the point that she has worn done a nail so far it is bleeding. I have had to tie her up to stop her from walking. She is epileptic and has been fitting on and off for the past 2 days ( she usually doesnt fit for months then fits on and off for 24 hrs). Her personality seems to have changed, her eyesite has deteriorated and she has been trying to play with the greys which she never does, they keep growling at her but but she takes no notice. I am convinced everytime she fits it causes some brain damage (dont know if that can happen). She is becoming a very weird dog

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Your dog could be in the aftermath phase of a seizure. Can't remember what they are called, but it is where they seem to be 'there' in the physical, but not 'there' in the mental. My previous (avatar) girl, Kal (bhcs) experienced seizures in the latter stages of her life. In the 'after phase' she would walk. And walk. And walk. And nothing I would do could stop her. I found I just had to let the phase work itself through and I followed her around (and around, and around) until the phase finished and she'd sink into an exhausted and deep sleep.

There was one time I took her to the park. She was about 11 or 12 yo (but young for her age - no stiffness of joints; no grey hair to speak of). I hadn't seen her have a seizure and this was a bit different in that she ran and larked in that park like she was some spring chicken. She had a roaring time. This was VERY unusual, because my girl NEVER ran unless I ran. She never chased balls. She never did more than just trot a little ahead of me, but never left me far behind (or in front). I stood, holding my breath, loving the fact that she was having such a wonderful time doing zoomies. When she stopped I noticed that her eyes were like black liquid. And although she knew me, she wasn't herself. I adopted her when she was 7 years old, so I don't know what her younger years were like, but I couldn't help feeling and thinking that this event was as though she were reliving her younger past. She was 'there', but not really. I guess that could be dementia related. Or for all I know it might have been the affects of brain tumour, which we suspected at the end that she did have, but it was not formally confirmed.

Don't know if either of the above accounts is going to help you Lynda, but I would recommend you take her for Veterinary Specialist opinion.

Edited by Erny
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Your dog could be in the aftermath phase of a seizure. Can't remember what they are called, but it is where they seem to be 'there' in the physical, but not 'there' in the mental. My previous (avatar) girl, Kal (bhcs) experienced seizures in the latter stages of her life. In the 'after phase' she would walk. And walk. And walk. And nothing I would do could stop her. I found I just had to let the phase work itself through and I followed her around (and around, and around) until the phase finished and she'd sink into an exhausted and deep sleep.

There was one time I took her to the park. She was about 11 or 12 yo (but young for her age - no stiffness of joints; no grey hair to speak of). I hadn't seen her have a seizure and this was a bit different in that she ran and larked in that park like she was some spring chicken. She had a roaring time. This was VERY unusual, because my girl NEVER ran unless I ran. She never chased balls. She never did more than just trot a little ahead of me, but never left me far behind (or in front). I stood, holding my breath, loving the fact that she was having such a wonderful time doing zoomies. When she stopped I noticed that her eyes were like black liquid. And although she knew me, she wasn't herself. I adopted her when she was 7 years old, so I don't know what her younger years were like, but I couldn't help feeling and thinking that this event was as though she were reliving her younger past. She was 'there', but not really. I guess that could be dementia related. Or for all I know it might have been the affects of brain tumour, which we suspected at the end that she did have, but it was not formally confirmed.

Don't know if either of the above accounts is going to help you Lynda, but I would recommend you take her for Veterinary Specialist opinion.

This has made me tear up, it paints a loving, if not heartbreaking picture, thanks Erny xo

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Your dog could be in the aftermath phase of a seizure. Can't remember what they are called, but it is where they seem to be 'there' in the physical, but not 'there' in the mental.

Post ictal. ;)

Post ictal though does not neccessarily mean they are not conscious of their surroundings.

lynda, it sounds like your dog is still in either post ictal or is actually still experiencing seizure activity. How long has she been diagnosed with epilepsy?

It has been shown through studies that with every seizure, the pathway for seizures become more open and so seizures occur more easily as time goes on. I also believe that brain cells are killed with each seizure. I have a dog who has suffered in excess of 300 seizures over his life so far and I believe it has possibly altered his brain capacity too.

I think she needs to be re-assesed. Is she on pheno, bromide or keppra? If so, when were her last levels done?

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Post ictal though does not neccessarily mean they are not conscious of their surroundings.

Thanks Anne - that's the word ;). And you're right - there is an awareness of their surroundings. Kal would walk around me or any other object, even if I or that object was moved to a new place. But there's this something "in them" that drives them to move. I remember in the early first one or two days of Kal's seizures, when I didn't really understand them, I tried to stop Kal from pacing/walking. I held her still (and she was normally very compliant with stuff such as this), but she struggled against me - she just HAD to walk and there was nothing stopping her. So I just went with her. But there was no acknowledgement of me or anything else in her eyes. That 'connection' wasn't there. Until after she'd stopped pacing and slept a bit.

This has made me tear up, it paints a loving, if not heartbreaking picture, thanks Erny xo

Thank you, Jacquilee81. I admit that whilst there was an element of surreal about her, and that was a tad on the spooky side, I loved that day and I'm glad she got to have it. I hope that's a day she was capable of remembering. It was one of the last times she had enough strength to go for a decent walk, let alone a run. Kal was afflicted by a tumour on the adrenal gland as well and I can't help thinking that this had something to do with that running/larking around on that day, and the extremely dilated pupils. Not being an expert in the veterinary field, this is just my guess. That, and/or something dementia related.

Lynda - good luck at the Vet's and I hope that what I've written hasn't painted a picture of doom and gloom. It may be something completely else and I do not intend for you to think that brain tumour is the likely culprit. Please let us know how you get on at the Vet's.

Edited by Erny
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It quite weird that the greyhounds keep growling at her whenever she come near, they have never done this before

They can perhaps sense something more is wrong whereas we do not have that sense.

Don't leave her alone with your greys, and get her to your vet as soon as you can tomorrow.

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Our family dog (15 year old golden retriever) had an 'episode' a few weeks ago where all of a sudden one night she was unable to get comfortable, paced around, refused food and was vomiting. I took her to the emergency vet and he diagnosed Vestibular Syndrome, which thankfully, she has now recovered from. I hope its something as 'easy' with your old girl :rofl:

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After discussion with the vet and with her ongoing health problems (which where many) and her behavior over the weekend it was decided that it was best that Kobi was PTS

RIP Kobes

Lynda

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:) Kobi. I hope you get to meet up with my Dad's GR "Ben" who has been at the bridge waiting for many years, and would well know his way around, to best show you the way.

Lynda - I'm sorry for your loss. Ben also was pts because of fitting, although back then I didn't know anything about medications and the Vet at the time didn't indicate other choices. But from my experience with Ben (who was such a grand dog and I still miss him) and with my own girl Kal (who still owns a part of me), I do understand the turmoil and distress of making these decisions and the loss that ensues. My condolences.

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