Seizures in dogs

[Nite Owl]

Last Sunday night our beloved American Eskimo had a Grand Mal seizure.
It was so terrible to watch him, thought that this was the end. He's 14 (today!). He didn't know us or where he was when it was over. Lasted what seemed forever but it was likely about 5 minutes. It was so violent. We took him to the vet Monday and he did lots of blood work and called yesterday and said the tests were ok for a dog his age. He said it could happen again that night or never again. He's been ok all week, running, barking, playing and of course eating well. Anyone ever experience this with their dog? It was so sudden, is there anything to watch for that we missed? We gave him a teas. of honey after a couple of hours, I read that a seizure can drop the blood sugar. Vet thought that was good. If it happens again he will need phenobarbital.

[hlthe2b]

1. seizures can occur for a number of reasons, be totally sporadic and infrequent....

as is often the case with idiopathic epilepsy in some breeds, especially labs, and which is often not treated. Alternately, it can signal an emerging increasingly frequent pattern that would require anti-convulsant therapy. In an older dog, a number of things can trigger these seizures. They can still be extremely intermittent, not requiring treatment, or can signal a more serious problem. Your veterinarian was ruling out those metabolic and endocrine diseases, especially liver disease, that could trigger seizues in an older dog. There are other causes that can be equally or more serious, but that can not be easily ruled out without expensive scans and the like, but most would probably not opt to do so, given treatment for those more rare conditions is still pretty much limited to anticonvulsive therapy and supportive care.

As scary as it is to witness, what you described is very common. Just make sure the dog can not hurt himself by falling down steps or hitting something, but otherwise, stay calm and just stay with him. Don't try to "shake" him out of it or put anything in his mouth or otherwise intervene, as that can make things worse. The post-ictal period you describe when he is coming out of it, is disorienting for him, but normal. I can't stress enough to be calm during all this (and to require others around to do so or LEAVE!) It has been shown that seizures in both humans and dogs can be prolonged by a lot of stimulation and excitement going on in the environment around them.

'Hope your ole fella is a lucky one that has only the one or a few spread out over time and that is it. Best of luck.

[Nite Owl]

2. Thanks for the info

Max has always been such a good natured and happy clown. We all know that our little sweethearts aren't going to be with us forever but it is always too soon. We lost our 15yr old a year ago but she lost bladder control and had some sort of doggie dementia. My sons and DIL stayed with her until the very end. It was the best thing to do but we all loved her and went through the trauma together.

We spoke to Max, held his head and rubbed his back and blocked the stairs that night. I'm afraid to leave him home alone.

[shenmue]

3. {{{Sorry}}}

Give the critter extra hugs.

[newfie11]

4. Did you change his food

Beneful was causing my daughters lab to have seizures.

She read about others with the same problem and changed food. He has not had another since and that was 3 years ago.

[Nite Owl]

5. Nope, same food

he's had for years--Blue Buffalo chicken for puppies (he's slender).
I did add some boiled chicken livers to his food. Vet said that wouldn't cause the seizures but he's not getting that any more. I give him some peanut butter and honey as a snack now.

In another thread there was something about Purina and Blue Buffalo. The Blue isn't what it used to be. Merrick was rated the best. Haven't seen it around here. Maybe they have it on Amazon.

He's so much more active and alert since the seizure it's almost like it was a reset of his brain. So weird.

[newfie11]

6. I hope he gets better soon

It is tough when you can't help.
Yes Blue Buffalo
Has had some recalls but don't remember for what.
I fed Evo for years but when P&G bought them I went all raw feeding.
P&G has now sold them to MARS I hear.

The chicken livers will certainly be good for him.

[LaurenG]

7. That is such a scary thing to see the first time it happens

When I adopted my dog and took her to the vet it was discovered that she had heartworm and we elected to treat it. It was awful since at the time they were treating it with arsenic and it made the dog very sick. After she recovered she started having seizures and they didn't stop but we controlled them with phenobarbital.

I also have an 18 year old cat who has had three seizures in her life, they all happened when the barometric pressure dropped. The pressure still drops but she doesn't have them anymore.

I hope your baby never has them again but if so you can manage it. Try not to worry too much.

[Nite Owl]

8. Just an update on Max

Been almost two weeks with no seizures. His blood work was good.
He's up to his usual antics too. He plays, eats and smiles. Hoping it stays this way.
Thank you all for your support and help.