Epilepsy in dogs!

[shambolic]

Had a big scare this afternoon, took both dogs out their kennel and 5minutes into their walk my youngest dog(he's 4) had a pretty bad fit!
Rolling on the ground, then rigid, staring eyes, trying to stand up and falling over.
Took him to the vet who didn't seem majorly bothered and said its quite common in adolescent/young adult dogs and it may never happen again.
Pretty upsetting though at the time.
He's fine now and just wolfed his dinner.

[Anthony Micallef]

My Basset Hound has had a couple of fits, its not nice to watch But like you say they just bounce back afterwards as if nothing has happened.

According to my vet it was linked to his liver problem. Theres a certain chemical/enzyme level thats too high and when it builds up it makes him fit. We give him a Milk Thistle capsule every day and that has reduced his levels by around 50%. He hasnt had a fit (that we know of) since.

[shambolic]

Thanks he's fine today. Will just need to wait and see if it's a one off, hopefully!

[benters]

GF Yorkshire fits occasionally, vet reckons its quite common for his breed. . . no cure apparently

[Aphex]

Canine pepilepsy is quite worrying.

A colleagues pup lived a long and happy life other than the occassional fit but heres hoping it doesn't happen again.

[SHutchinson]

My Labrador has one about every 6 weeks. We used to take him to the vets after each one but it was just a waste of money. The vet used to give him a full check over and confirm that he was a strong healthy dog. They said that unless the seizures were happening so often that it was impacting his life they wouldn't even consider treating it. The treatment is a steroid (I believe) that is pretty strong so would bring it's own issues.

They're pretty awful to witness but I just sit on the floor and give the big guy a cuddle to calm him down. As soon as he snaps out of it (he sometimes pretends they go on a bit longer just to keep having a cuddle) he's up on his feet and having a big drink of water.

[GruntyDC5]

My dog I had as a kid had this, he was a retriever spaniel cross. Same as had been mentioned above took him to the vets the first few times but vet pretty much said it will happen, deal with it. Happened maybe twice a year.

I used to always think that the dogs fur felt softer for a few days after the fit but I'm told I was speaking rubbish. I was convinced it did though.

[shambolic]

The wee man has been great today!
He is out working tomorrow but on a small shoot, will keep him close and not over exert him.
He is non plussed. Me and the missus are worse though checking to see if every twitch or movement is the start of something,,,

[FailHere]

My one Springer went through a phase of this in her middle years and it's horrible to see it happen, but the vet advised it was just one of those things. If it's any consolation she seemed to grow out of it and lived to a ripe old age.

[mattdaniels]

Our 13 year old collie had a couple of fits a few years back. He has to have two tablets every day and has not had a fit since being on them.

It is pretty traumatic when it happens both for him and for us. We were told to keep the room dark whilst it happens and whilst he comes round and to try and stop him from getting up to walk off until he is fully back with it and his legs are working.

[Thevet]

Watch and see what develops over the next few weeks or hopefully months. Fits are awfully dramatic when they happen but are usually not serious, ask an epileptic, unpleasant but not lifethreatening ....usually. I you get more than a fit per month, then you and your pet are likely to be better off under treatment. Ask your vet about the causes, options, outlooks and costs involved.