Grand Mal Seizure!

My poor dog! Last night she was sleeping when all of the sudden she started violently shaking. She was foaming at the mouth and lost control of her bowels.

It seemed like it lasted for a long time but it was probably about two and a half minutes. We probably only made it worse because we sort of freaked out. :o My mom screamed for me, I was trying not to cry when I saw what was going on (our first dog had suddenly started having seizures before we put her down) and ran to find an emergency vet clinic. She called and they said all they could do if we brought her in was observe so we just kept her here.

Kat was acting very strange afterwards. She wasn't lethargic but she was very confused. It was as if everything she knew was erased from her memory. She still knew commands but she didn't seem to remember things like who we were, who the cat was, not to eat his food, to stay off the furniture, etc. After she got out of the state of confusion, she was crazy-hyper. :eek: I don't know what the deal was with that but I guess it's good she was feeling perky, right?


I can't understand why this happened! She is a lazy, indoor pet (meaning she doesn't get into anything she shouldn't and there really isn't anything around here she even could get into). She is only about 3 1/2 years so it's not like age would explain this, like with my childhood dog, Shilo. The only thing I can think of is I put down some ant killer in our yard.... but she hasn't been outside unsupervised since I put it down. :confused:

She puked right after eating a few days ago and it smelled AWFUL! I don't know if that had anything to do with this or not.




I guess why I'm posting is just to ask that y'all pray for her health (and for our wallet to expand magically in case she needs treatment of some sort) ...and maybe post your opinion on what might have caused this.

 

I am obviously no vet, but a very simliar problem before with our collie...
it sounds the same and she had epilepsy.....and lead to epileptic seizures. We had to put her down, because it was too late.
You need to get her to vet ASAP...even if that isnt what it is....
Good luck to you both.....

 

CC: get her to the vet as soon as you can, as FearlessKnight said.

 

The only thing you can do is monitor your dog. IMO you should make an appoinment with your primary DVM for the purpose of documenting and recording the episodes. ....this will help them decide what type of treatment to pursue and when. Hopefully this is a one time deal......

 

you really should take the dog to the vet, they can run a CBC on it, and see if there is anything going on with her blood. epilepsy (sp) to head trauma could cause the seizures.


i have some links on dog seizures on my PC, let me find them for ya.

 

As the vet suggested, we'll bring her in if it happens again, but for now, we're just keeping an eye on her. There is no point in bringing her in at this time.

 

Just FYI

This is very normal behavior after a seizure. After I have one, it takes me at least a day if not two to get back to myself again.

Dogs (and people lol) can also sometimes get aggressive after a seizure. It's best for your dog to allow her some quiet time in a crate to come back to herself.

It's important that you document whats happening with Kat. A written record (if it happens again especially)of symptoms, duration and behavior will help your vet immensely when it comes to diagnostics.

Hope all goes well for Kat, it can be a pretty scary thing to deal with LOL Just ask my hubby lmao!

 

My Chocolate Female had seizures and we did everything we could to help her we did tons of blood tests, and even started her on phenobarbitol (anti-sezure meds.) But in the end she had forgoten everything and she was no longer able to walk straight so my husband put her down. I loved her so much. Just hope for the best but prepare yourself for the worst okay. Good luck and be blessed.

 

I am not doubting you or anyting, but this is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.....The vet needs to find out what is causing them...they could be treated......Not only that, the next seizure she has could kill her! The only way they can do that is for her to go in and see the vet....
Do you use this vet often? Because after this....I would not lobger speak to the people!

 

Thanks DryCreek. I have written down what happened (although timing may be off) to bring to the vet, just in case she does have another seizure.

Fearless, what makes you think she will have another one? If she does, then this is a cause for concern and we will do testing. BUT if this is a one time thing, as we're hoping it is and have no reason to think it isn't at this time, there is no point in wasting money to have tests done, that will probably have unremarkable results and just lead to more and more testing.

 

I dont know that she would have another one. I surely hope not..I (personally) just wouldn't take any chances, not after having been through it already before thats all!

 

I agree with Fearlessknight. I would take Kat in anyway.

 

I agree with FK and Michele, The seizure could have been caused by numerous things and testing would be beneficial in the case of a trigger that could be prevented in the future (ie low blood sugar) or that needs to be addressed (toxins)

http://www.canine-seizures.freeservers.com/Diagnosis.htm

 

What answers has anyone here got when taking their dog to the vet for a seizure?

I spent $1100 on all the "neccessary" tests and they came back saying your dog just has siezures, which is the case most the time. I fell for it once.

She'd have one every 6mo or so, I'd give her some Valum if she tweaked and couldnt pull herself out and she'd be fine the next day.

If I had one that had constant siezures and needed to be on perm meds, I'd put the dog down without hesitation

anyway, do what you got to do

After reading your post about what happened and everything is ok now, I wouldnt take the dog in for a $1000 visit. If they continued then I'd suggest taking the dog in

 

I know every case is different but this is from my first post. I have been through this, it no where near $1000.00 either, I am sure vets would be though, but ours was not....

LIke I said before, just my personal opinion...
Not my dog........sooooooo!

 

the dog is fine now, why take her in after the incident? Whats the least she's going to spend on the test theyre going to want to give, $500? Is it worth it now that the dog is ok? I dont think so

if the dog has another episode, take it in

 

I myself think that it was a reaction to the ant bait. Here's why.

Firstly, her vomiting episode right after you put out the ant bait.

Secondly, the odor of the vomit.

Thridly, bait can be very toxic to dogs & it is often ingested into the body through their feet. So it wouldn't matter if Kat was supervised or unsupervised out there, she could still have gotten poisoned by just getting ant bait on her feet.

And as side notes, Kat's behaviour afterwards was completely normal. After a seizure rarely does the dog (or person) act "normal." My neurologist compares the brain after a seizure to a computer re-booting. He says like a PC, the brain comes on-line step by step, gradually getting back to normal operating mode.

Also, if it makes you feel any better, it is very rare that seizures kill. They look awful & they DO have the capacity to kill if the dog goes into a condition called status elileptus (seizures one after another, called "status" or as one posted called it "tweaking") but death by seizure is exceedingly rare.

And for heaven's sake DON'T put your hands in or even near her mouth! She may foam or even make some nasty gargling or gasping sounds. This too is normal. Although it might sound like it, she is not "swallowing her tounge." I have been told by both doctors & nurses that it is impossible to swallow your own tounge, so do NOT try to do a finger sweep or even get your hands near her mouth or you may be badly bitten.

Afterward, your dog will likely have a headache & only want to sleep. Let her sleep.

Good luck!

 

CrazyK9, what type of ant bait did you put out, name brand and type please.

Also, are there any other symptoms that Kat is showing, or was it just the seizure? Bowel movements, urination, eating, drinking, energy level, behavior, etc. since the seizure and recovery period, are they all normal?

A poison induced seizure needs to be diagnosed and treated asap. Did you tell your Vet that you had put ant bait out?

Epilepsy, on average, is a totally treatable condition that many canines and people can and do live with. I talk from experience LOL

Diagnosis of epilepsy in the canine is not something I've dealt with though, all my experience is from the human side. My diagnosis required an EEG and I have NO idea if they do those on canines yet LOL.

It all comes down to your gut feelings, your Vet's informed decision and your dogs health. Pocket book has a bit to do with it for most as well LOL.

I can't say that I've heard, personally, of a one time single seizure happening that happened without a medical/health trigger. If it's epilepsy, it's only a matter of time before the next one comes, not if it comes.

A word of advice...

If this happens again, try not to react. LOL
I know it's not easy but it's better for Kat this way. There have been many examples of dogs becoming neurotic if coddled/excited after traumatic episodes. All you need is a dog that has stress issues every time it feels a seizure coming. Stay calm, matter of fact and controlled. You can do it and deal with it, I know this!

Give Kat a hug for me.

DryCreek

 

Just wanted to emphasize, this is important info...

 

This info is also extremely important. When having a seizure, often the dog can still hear you. If you freak, they will freak, making the seizure experince FAR worse. Keeping a calm, soothing voice will do more for your dog than anything.

Plus, knowing a seizure is coming on is very stressful in itself. Making a negative association with it will only make it a lot harder.

So I agree 110% w/ Drycreek - ALWAYS stay calm, even if you don't feel like it!