Anyone know about seizures in dogs?

techigirl78
techigirl78 Posts: 128 Member
edited November 12 in Chit-Chat
I know this isn't chit chat or fun, but thought maybe someone would know something about dogs and seizures.

Yesterday I tried changing my dogs food. Mixing half and half. Breakfast was at 7. It was the only thing different in the last week to happen. By 10am, she had a seizure. Then another at 3pm. I called vet and they said food should be unrelated and scheduled next day appt (today). So, I gave 50/50 old/new food at dinner. Still, she continued with seizures. This morning I just gave her old food.

By the time I took her to vet this morning around 11am, she was up to 6 seizures in about a 24hour period. She has had 2 more since coming home (total of 8 in 28 hours). All the doc did was take blood and give me phenobarbitol. He told me not to give unless she had seizure until he calls tomorrow. Script was for 1 pill once a day. After first seizure at noon, I gave her one as directed. Second seizure, I called vet and he said give another and if she has another seizure give her one at 11pm.

She has had seizures since about 6, she is 10 now. The only time she had seizures in past is when she got very anxious/stressed. Either on walks or lots of company and excitement. The seizures may occur 2-3 times a year at most. I was given calming meds and they seemd to work for the most part when I knew in advance she would be stressed (only got about 3 refills in 4 years - rarely used).

I'm still stuck on maybe she is having a allergy to the new food I tried giving to her. Is that possible? The vet said no, but I don't know. At this point, my dog and me are just exhausted. After each seizure, I need to sit with her for about half hour, give her bath, get her comfy, clean the whole area where she had the seizure, and take a shower just to repeat in 1-3 hours. She seems to snap out of it completely, but once she falls into dead sleep, she seizes again. She is usually a high energy dog, but is completely drained at this point. Even laying still when I took out her collar and she lays down when I give her a bath now. Is my vet taking right course of action???

Replies

  • snowhunny
    snowhunny Posts: 9
    I'm sorry I don't have much information for you, just empathy. My little sweetheart has had 2 or 3 seizures, but none recently, and like your's, during times of unusual stress. We took her to the vet, and all her bloodwork came back perfect. From what I understand, it is very common for dogs to experience this, but what your describing would scare the hell out of me. I would at the very least, call another reputable vet in your area and get a second opinion. Good luck with everything!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I'm sorry you are going through this. I don't have any answers. My last dog also had seizures, but infrequently.

    Weird that they increased just when you switched foods, maybe a coincidence, maybe not. Wouldn't hurt to take that food back and get some more of the old stuff.
  • adamb83
    adamb83 Posts: 719 Member
    My dog was epileptic... we had to put her on medication to help control the seizures. This many seizures so frequently seems to me very serious, though. Possibly a tumor on the brain or spinal cord - something that might be impacting the nervous system.
  • Nucky719
    Nucky719 Posts: 143
    As an epileptic person I know that I had to try a couple different meds to find one that worked that I wasn't allergic to. It's a bit of trial and error and may take some time to find the right med and dosage or combination of meds. Sadly that still may not stop them all together. =(
  • teripendleton
    teripendleton Posts: 26
    I don't think the food matters. It's a neurological thing. My dog (age 4) was just diagnosed with epilepsy a few months ago. My vet told me that if the seizures weren't more than 2 minutes long and didn't occur more than once every three or four weeks, she would be ok. He said that if they were more often she would have to be medicated (phenobarbitol). He also said that if they occured in clusters or were longer than 5 minutes that she should be taken to the office or the emergency room. I know it's scary, but I'd call the vet again for reassurance or more info.
  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    i worked as a vet tech for 5 years. i cannot give you 'medical advise', but only suggestions.

    if you 'feel' something else may be going on, take your pup to a different vet for a second opinion. I hope that you have recent bloodwork from your current vet. Bring that with you, and the meds your dog is on. If you are open minded, search out a holistic vet. i have seen acupuncture do amazing things, wonderful amazing things.

    Not to be cruel or mean, but some dogs just don't do well on meds so please be prepared for 'anything'.

    Best of luck to you!
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    my cousin had a dog that was diabetic, it would have seizures when its blood sugar got too low. When we went hunting he had to carry candy bars for the dog.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Don't give the dog candy bars! At least not people candy bars!
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    I think the food is just coincidental. What breed is she? Some breeds are more prone to seizures. The exhaustion is compounded by the seizures and the fact that pheno is a barbituate. It can take time to get the dosing and or meds correct. I am so sorry you and your pup are going through this!
  • techigirl78
    techigirl78 Posts: 128 Member
    I read about the hypoglecemia thing. Which might explain it as I was going from a high carb mid-range dog food to a high-end protein heavy dog food. I gave her some yogurt just in case as that as some sugar in it and I know I can feed her yogurt as I have many times in the past.

    The bloodwork comes back tomorrow, so I'm waiting to see what that says. My regular vet should be back in the office next week, I like him more then the one I saw (his backup). He answers more questions. After looking online, it seems lots can cause this sort of thing that bloodwork should show. I can get a copy of it tomorrow if I want a second opinion or need to take her to emergency room. If that shows nothing, then it looks like next step is scans of her brain as some suggested it could be a tumor.

    I'm going to look more into a raw food diet too. Seems that could be promising, but right now I just need to get the seizures under control and the meds the doc gave are used as a standard. I'll see if I can find a more holistic vet for a longer term solution.

    It seems the meds are working now. She is acting a little drunk and being clingy to me (not normal for her as she is really independent), which is suppose to be normal. That is making me feel better that it is kicking in.

    Thanks everyone!
  • techigirl78
    techigirl78 Posts: 128 Member
    Oh yeah, she is a mixed breed from the pound, but she looks a lot like a german shepard with doberman markings. When I got her, they though lab/dob mix but that is just a guess. She has small head like dob, but long body like german shepard. I know german shepards can be effected, but I don't know if that is just the purebreeds.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    No, it's not just the purebreds that are prone to them. Good luck tomorrow. I'll definitely look for an update!

    FWIW, I do a partial raw diet. Every other night I feed my dogs raw. I can't really afford to do it all the time with three large breed dogs, but the difference in just what I am doing for them is amazing. Better coats and wonderful teeth!
  • MelMoly
    MelMoly Posts: 1,303 Member
    medication is my only advice... and stress is what brings it on unless your dog is diabetic I wouldn't think it was over the food. :frown:
  • Ripken818836701
    Ripken818836701 Posts: 607 Member
    Sound like your dog might have an issue with its liver or kidneys and that is causing the seizures not the type of food. Which will show up on the blood work if the vet did a full panel. Also you said that ""The only time she had seizures in past is when she got very anxious/stressed. Either on walks or lots of company and excitement""" Many dogs behave anxious or stressed prior to having a seizure Its actually a warning sign that a dog is going to have an attack. Does she usually act anxious or stressed on walks or when you have company? ( is this the norm?) If not the behavior is probably a warning sign.
  • techigirl78
    techigirl78 Posts: 128 Member
    No seizures today. Vet said all blood levels normal except for possible infection, so antibiotucs given. I hope this keeps up. She was a little out of it today, but so much better. Ill definitely look more into raw diet. Not for seizures, just as better alternative. Thanks everyone!
  • Ripken818836701
    Ripken818836701 Posts: 607 Member
    Im so glad for you and her. I lost my dog Mojo on Jan 29th. and still heartbroken over it.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    Sounds like a positive update. Good luck!
  • Victoria2448
    Victoria2448 Posts: 559 Member
    I am so sorry your dog and you are going through this.

    Many people don't realize that cleaners in the home can cause seizures and deaths to their pets. Think about it, you scrub your floor, your dog eats treats or licks a spill up..POISON. Pine oil based products and bleach are particularly toxic.

    Google it and you will find lists of potentially dangerous products.

    Good luck and friend me if you have questions. I am a long time dog owner and worked with the local german shepherd rescue. I have seen more illnesses and injuries than I ever dreamed I would.
  • kaileysgran
    kaileysgran Posts: 45
    I'm so sorry your doggie is sick. It just breaks our heart when they can't talk to us and tell us what's wrong. I'll be praying for you and him and hope he will be feeling better soon!
  • kaileysgran
    kaileysgran Posts: 45
    Sorry meant to say her.
  • aymise
    aymise Posts: 10 Member
    I wish the best for you and your pup that this gets better soon. I had two dalmatians with epilepsy so I know the ordeal.

    Something which may be of interest, if the seizures discontinue after the antibiotics are up it could have been the infection. From my experience as a medic, small children and infants can have seizures simply due to high fever and infection with no other symptoms and no recurrence of the seizures later in life. This could be the same in dogs, and could have happened when you dog was younger with undiagnosed colds/infection which healed on its own.

    Either way, I wish the two of you the best, and fastest recovery.
  • ladyhawkgg
    ladyhawkgg Posts: 26
    I have a Grand dog that is a beagle and it is common among that bred. Our little guy will have them and you just feel so helpless. Hope there is something they can do you for yours.
  • honestlysweet
    honestlysweet Posts: 221 Member
    I used to work in a home for the mentally challenged, humans, not dogs, and they often had seizures. I can't say anything about dogs, but I can say that phenobarbital was the medicine most commonly used to control them, but they still would have seizures. Just not as often. Also, food was never altered or changed because of them. Food is not related to seizures. Hope this helps a little. I think your vet is right. Sometimes, even with the best care, things don't always go as we wish. So sorry.

    I read through the whole thread, and see that your dog is better now. That is great news!
  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    Follow both your vet's advice and your instincts. If your gut tells you its the food, go out and buy the safe stuff. You never know what is in dog food these days. Remember the melamine the Chinese were putting into dog food? Lots of people lost their dogs over that. I would go out and buy a bag of what you know is safe, just on the off chance that what your are feeding her is contaminated.
  • betsygw
    betsygw Posts: 43 Member
    My dog actually has a liver disorder which causes her seizures. She has micro-vascular dysplasia of the liver, and long word for....the blood does not filter through her liver and shunts around it, causing toxins to build up in her body and brain, causing seizures. She never had a seizure until I switched her food. I took her off her regular food, and put her on a high protein, grain free food. The protein levels were way to high for her to handle, and the ammonia levels and by-products, and toxins built up (since her liver could not filter out the ammonia from the protein, or the toxins) and she started having seizures. It took a long time to figure out what was happening, but they said the same thing to me about it not being her food and the new high protein, grain free food WAS actually the cause of her seizures. If your pooch was fine on the other food, I wouldn't hesitate to put him back on it. We had to do a bile acid blood test (do fasting levels, then 4 hrs later after eating) and they were off the charts. After an ultrasound we got the diagnosis. Because her liver is bad, she cannot have phenobarb (destroys the liver) so we have her on potassium bromide to control the seizures. We put her on a very low protein special diet (protein from veggie and soy sources) and give her an antibiotic and stool softener daily to help with the toxins in the intestines. She has been seizure free for 9 months now! I don't know if this is what your dog has, but just sharing my story so you can explore all options. Good luck, nothing worse then your little pooch going through all of this.
  • JGT2004
    JGT2004 Posts: 231 Member
    Sorry you are having to go through this. About 6 months ago my brothers dog (13 year old Boston terrier) started havin seizures. It's a scary thing to go through. They would mostly occur when she was in a deep sleep and she would foam at the mouth and release her bowels. The vets did blood work and determined she was having epileptic siezures mostly due to her age and that it was common in her breed. We gave her meds but they only worked about a week so we had to keep upping the dosage. We got up to 2 pills a day (started at 1/2 of one) and the seizures never stopped. We had to chose to put her down as her quality of life had become so horrible. I pray your case doesn't come to this. We had "Baby" since she was a pup. Good luck and prayers sent your way!
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