talk to me about Dog seizures

So tonight Jedi had a seizure. Started flopping on the floor and couldn't get up. I picked him up, he was panting, drooling like crazy and shaking. Then i went to put him down and he couldn't get up.

Brought him to the vet for an emergency call.

He says that in 'most' cases they're just seizures that dogs tend to have and mean nothing.

Or in some cases it can be their sugar levels.

He gave Jedi a sedative and told us to bring him back for bloodwork.

I realize this might sound dumb, but when are seizures just no big deal and mean nothing? i mean if a human has a seizure, that's a big deal. So why would it be different for a dog?

*Jedi is 4 years old. Jack Russell.

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

My moms dog has them and she's on pills daily for it. If you're not happy with your vet you can always get a second opinion.

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

My family dog had seizures that were the type your vet would classify as the "no big deal" category... basically they happened infrequently but frequently enough that I grew used to them, and when she would have one we were told to just clear the area so she wouldn't hurt herself by banging into anything, and then be there for her when she comes out of it which she would do on her own. And every time that is exactly what happened. Perhaps now they would recommend medication for it but they were isolated, only happened once every few months to a year and she lived about 7 years with them. It's good that you're monitoring the situation and sending you after what I know from experience was probably a very scary experience! Hang in there

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

Some dogs will have one seizure and never have another one.

Unfortunately my past dog Buddy who was a GSP mix had them frequently. He was placed on antiseiure medication.

If the seizures are not frequent i would not worry but the blood test will give you peace of mind and make sure its not a larger issue.

I hope your pup does not have any more seizures because i know it can be very scary.

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

I would get a second opinion if you dont feel satisfied with the answer. That being said, I have a toy poodle who has seizures. Dr. classified it as a possible genetic problem and said not to really worry since they dont happen as frequently and are mild. My poodle is on seizure med. though but I dont think the vet is extremely concerned. If your dog continues to have seizures and become worse I would consider seeing another vet.

Message edited 3/2/2011 9:38:26 PM.

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

Kane has them, they are called Focal seizures. he doesnt really flop on the floor. when he has them he has like muscle spasms in his legs. it kinda looks like he hurt himself and cant walk on his legs. he has had bad ones where he cant stand but no foaming or drooling and all that other stuff that comes with a full seizure. he only gets them when he running around like a mad man and really playing crazy. it lasts him like 5 mins or so. as soon as he starts to calm down it goes away.

We spoke to the vet about it and he said what happens is the brain sends a miss fire to the muscle and thats what happens. he also said the dog doesnt even relize whats going on. our vet said for the fact that he only has them when he is playing he wouldnt really worry about it. he said there are meds but he wouldnt even put his own dog on them. so i guess its not really a big deal.

i feel bad for Kane when he has them. like he looks like what the heIl is going on. bc he wants to keep going but his body wont let him.

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

omg that is so scary!
idk why they would be no big deal. i would wait to see what the bloodwork says and then maybe get another opinion to figure everything out.

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

How old is he? My dog Rocky had his first seizure on Nov. 30. He is 6yrs old. Scariest thing ever. He had a grand mal where he fell on his side, was shaking, paddling his legs and eventually started foaming at the mouth. Eventually he did come out of it but like your dog couldn't walk straight at first. But within about 15 mins was fine. Took him to the vet and they drew blood which all came out normal except his sugar level was a bit low. They kept him for about 2 hrs, fed him and checked the sugar levels again which were at that point normal. The vet chalked up to either a rare occurrence or epilepsy. She told me to bring him in if he has another seizure. Thankfully that night he did not but within a few days he was showing weakness on his left side and he couldn't climb stairs anymore. He also had a noticeable head tilt. I assumed at first his body was just sore from the seizure. But unfortunately I was wrong. He ended up needing to go to a neurologist who did a MRI and Spinal Tap and diagnosed him with non infectious meningoenciphalitis, which is an auto immune disease which attacks the brain. She then put him on steroids to bring down the swelling and anti seizure meds. He has been doing well thank God but I can tell the steroids are taking a toll on his body.
I am not saying this to scare you but I had no idea about this stuff and really wish someone would've given me the heads up. If I would've known about this auto immune disease I would've taken him into the neuro right away as opposed to waiting a few days. The earlier the treatment starts the better the chances are of reversing any damage caused by the swelling in the brain. Like I said Rocky is doing well but he still cannot climb multiple steps and can no longer jump. So in my mind if I would've brought him in sooner maybe he would have been able to regain those abilities :(

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to FM me. Also, if you end up needing to go to a neuro, please FM first so I can tell you my experience with his initial neuro. Unfortunately, it turned out to not be a good one so I can spare anyone else what I went thru I will!

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

my dog is also a jack russell but a mix about 12 yrs old and he had a seizure in January
just like yours, convulsing, urinated on himself, couldn't walk right away afterwards

we brought him to the vet and they said the same thing it could be a one time thing, if it happens maybe once a month then its worth it to look further,
thankfully it hasnt happened again,
they also did bloodwork and nothing came up
good luck and for your dog

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

any updates on your pup?

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

Posted by pnm1654

How old is he? My dog Rocky had his first seizure on Nov. 30. He is 6yrs old. Scariest thing ever. He had a grand mal where he fell on his side, was shaking, paddling his legs and eventually started foaming at the mouth. Eventually he did come out of it but like your dog couldn't walk straight at first. But within about 15 mins was fine. Took him to the vet and they drew blood which all came out normal except his sugar level was a bit low. They kept him for about 2 hrs, fed him and checked the sugar levels again which were at that point normal. The vet chalked up to either a rare occurrence or epilepsy. She told me to bring him in if he has another seizure. Thankfully that night he did not but within a few days he was showing weakness on his left side and he couldn't climb stairs anymore. He also had a noticeable head tilt. I assumed at first his body was just sore from the seizure. But unfortunately I was wrong. He ended up needing to go to a neurologist who did a MRI and Spinal Tap and diagnosed him with non infectious meningoenciphalitis, which is an auto immune disease which attacks the brain. She then put him on steroids to bring down the swelling and anti seizure meds. He has been doing well thank God but I can tell the steroids are taking a toll on his body.
I am not saying this to scare you but I had no idea about this stuff and really wish someone would've given me the heads up. If I would've known about this auto immune disease I would've taken him into the neuro right away as opposed to waiting a few days. The earlier the treatment starts the better the chances are of reversing any damage caused by the swelling in the brain. Like I said Rocky is doing well but he still cannot climb multiple steps and can no longer jump. So in my mind if I would've brought him in sooner maybe he would have been able to regain those abilities :(

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to FM me. Also, if you end up needing to go to a neuro, please FM first so I can tell you my experience with his initial neuro. Unfortunately, it turned out to not be a good one so I can spare anyone else what I went thru I will!

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

Posted by aliwnec10

Posted by pnm1654

How old is he? My dog Rocky had his first seizure on Nov. 30. He is 6yrs old. Scariest thing ever. He had a grand mal where he fell on his side, was shaking, paddling his legs and eventually started foaming at the mouth. Eventually he did come out of it but like your dog couldn't walk straight at first. But within about 15 mins was fine. Took him to the vet and they drew blood which all came out normal except his sugar level was a bit low. They kept him for about 2 hrs, fed him and checked the sugar levels again which were at that point normal. The vet chalked up to either a rare occurrence or epilepsy. She told me to bring him in if he has another seizure. Thankfully that night he did not but within a few days he was showing weakness on his left side and he couldn't climb stairs anymore. He also had a noticeable head tilt. I assumed at first his body was just sore from the seizure. But unfortunately I was wrong. He ended up needing to go to a neurologist who did a MRI and Spinal Tap and diagnosed him with non infectious meningoenciphalitis, which is an auto immune disease which attacks the brain. She then put him on steroids to bring down the swelling and anti seizure meds. He has been doing well thank God but I can tell the steroids are taking a toll on his body.
I am not saying this to scare you but I had no idea about this stuff and really wish someone would've given me the heads up. If I would've known about this auto immune disease I would've taken him into the neuro right away as opposed to waiting a few days. The earlier the treatment starts the better the chances are of reversing any damage caused by the swelling in the brain. Like I said Rocky is doing well but he still cannot climb multiple steps and can no longer jump. So in my mind if I would've brought him in sooner maybe he would have been able to regain those abilities :(

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to FM me. Also, if you end up needing to go to a neuro, please FM first so I can tell you my experience with his initial neuro. Unfortunately, it turned out to not be a good one so I can spare anyone else what I went thru I will!

wow that sounds so scary! I'm so glad to hear your dog is doing okay. Can i ask a question? So did bloodwork not show anything prior to the MRI?

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

Posted by pnm1654
Has your dog shown any other symptoms? If not, it's probably not meningo encephalitis (ME) The symptoms of ME usually come on quickly.

Re: talk to me about Dog seizures

My dog had them. After taking her to a specialist, it was determined it was not a seizure afterall. It was something called a syncope episode which looks like a seizure. It is from heart disease. Please have your dog's heart checked. I thought for a while it was seizures until we realized her heart condition was bad.