Need some help - our male dog (7 years old) has suddenly started having seizures. At first we thought inner ear infection or a toxin, but we have just about ruled those out. He is fine one minute, then suddenly starts screaming and crying (does not sound like a dog at all) then he staggers around and goose-steps, climbs the walls, gets into corners and can't get out. He's is terrified and doesn't seem to be in his right mind. The only way to quiet him is to hold him around the head and neck, turn the lights down low and keep still. He gradually quiets after about 20 minutes and falls asleep. Our vet is working on the problem, but doesn't have much to go on. Our other dogs are fine. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I would be very grateful for any help. Thanks Linda

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), April 19, 2001

Answers

My parents had a bulldog that suffered seizures ( Our vet believed it to be a reaction to surgical anestetic ) , he prescribed medication as a short fix. Eventualy we had to resort to humane euthenasia as the siezures became more intense annd painful for him and the frequency incresed to almost hourly. The medication controllled the seizures resonably well for about a year.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 19, 2001.

I have a German Shepard that has seizures. My vet put him on dilantin and that controls them very well. I had to fight with the vet to get it, his idea was put the dog on valium. Its been 8 years since he has been on the meds and hes doing great. He occasionally has a seizure, but no where near the daily events we went thru. The only reason the vet gave us for him having seizures is that evidently german sheps are genetically prone to them, like the bad hips. My shep did the same thing as your dog, terrified, climbing the walls, etc. then sleeping. The phases they go thru are called clonic (staggering, howling) tonic (terrified, confused) and postictal (sleeping). The seizures themselves are called Grand Mal. Hope this helps you with your dog. Good luck.

-- Judy L (quiltjude@iwon.com), April 19, 2001.

I used to have a terrier mix who had epilepsy and his seizures were like the ones your dog is having. I can't remember what the medication was, but it worked pretty well & my dog had a long, happy life. If your vet has had no experience with epilepsy in animals, talk to the other vets in your area. God bless.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), April 19, 2001.

It could be epilepsy. Many dogs suffer from this. Usually, though, it is starts while they are still pupppies. Wouldn't be a collie or collie mix, would it? With collies, the symptoms can start at any time in their lives. There are plenty of medications for this if it is the cause.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), April 19, 2001.

Thanks everyone for your replies, I have about decided it must be epilepsy - I've been reading about it on the net. Hopefully we will know soon, I hate to see him suffer, he is a really sweet dog and has been part of our family his whole life.

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), April 19, 2001.

Dogs that are having frequent seizures and usually be maintained on phenobarbital for extended periods. Of course that depends on whats causing the seizure. If the culprit is organ failure or tumors then the prognosis is poor. Good Luck!

-- Dianne (yankeeterrier@hotmail.com), April 19, 2001.

I have a shepard mix who is now about 8 1/2 (orignally from stray mom found dying by a neighbor). She started having seizures at about 7 months old. She would get STIFF, tremble, go down on the ground and stay completely tensed for up to 60 seconds, then be confused and snappy for about an hour afterward with a fever to add to it. She would stay confused and fearful for several hours and would go find a quiet corner to hide in. I was then single parenting and I waslucky to get the kids to the doctor so tests and medication were out of the picture.(The vet wanted about $300 for blood work alone) I struggled for several years over the dilemna. The seizures were seen when she would get over exicted or frightened (she's a timid beast) and sometimes would come two or three times a week, and then not be seen for a month or so. About two years ago I changed to a 'better' dog food and about 6 months ago I realized that I have not seen a seizure or the aftermath of one for over a year and a half. I'm not sure if that helps but I know that special diets are used for seizure control in humans so maybe it's not just a coincidence. I feed Science Diet senior and won't change because of Gretchen. betty

-- betty modin (betty_m9@yahoo.com), April 21, 2001.

It is my understanding that seizure disorders are yet another common condition almost unheard of before commercial dog/cat food became the norm. As for me, I chose to feed mine on the BARF diet. A lifetime of meds may be completely unnecessary.

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), April 21, 2001.

Several people have mentined diet to me as a possible cause - We recently changed dog food to the Nutro Brand. I will definitely change his diet before I try any drug therapy. Thanks everybody. Linda

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), April 21, 2001.

I have a golden retriever that's been treated with Primidone for his seizures for about 11 years. He's on a very low dosage but it works. Every night he lines up for his pill and doggie biscuit. I'm so glad we found the medication. He's had a great, healthy life and is now almost 13 years old. Good luck!

-- cathy moore (planet10@gloryroad.net), April 24, 2001.