Difficulty Recovering from Seizure

A senior dog has difficulty recovering from a seizure. Share this visitor's story, and our dog expert's advice.

Visitor's Dog has Difficulty Recovering from Seizure

My 13-year-old Lab had a seizure about a month ago. She just had another one. We've been giving her potassium bromide for the last two days, but she still seems wobbly. She's always been a finicky eater, but now she won't eat anything. Is there anything I can do? Thank you for any advice you can provide.

~~ Valerie

Hi Valerie,

I'm so sorry to hear your dog is having seizures. At 13 years old, she may well have a harder time recovering after each seizure. In our article on Canine Epilepsy we cover the fact that restoring the balance of the blood sugar is very important during the recovery process to avoid repeat seizures in the follow days.

I'm going to suggest you try to coax her to eat a little vanilla ice cream. Even finicky dogs seem to appreciate this treat, and it will boost her sugar level a bit. This may give her the energy to eat a small meal. You could try boiling some lamb or ground beef and rice and offering it to her. Again, this might help revive her appetite.

You need to continue feeding her little and often for approximately 48 hours to help her get through the weak period after a seizure. Even if she only takes a handful at a time, it will help. I'm also going to recommend that you follow up with your vet to let him/her know that your dog is having more difficulty recovering after this last episode.

My best wishes for her recovery, and I hope this advice will be helpful to you.

~~ Kelly

My Dog has Seizures

Hi,

My 17-month-old dog had multiple seizures for the first time in her life on Wednesday so we took her to the vet. We were given medication, and don't know what exactly caused the seizures, but will take her for another checkup in a week or so.

Since then she has only had mini seizures. They have been very short with only teeth gnashing and no paddling. She has had a ravenous appetite for food and water- do you know why?

Also, how long does it take for the dog to become not so distanced/ distracted after a seizure? She seems very out of it as though she doesn't fully recognize us.

~~ Jane

Expert Reply

Hi Jane,

This sounds like a classic case of Canine Epilepsy. I believe your vet likely confirm this diagnosis on your next scheduled appointment.

The mini-seizures you're seeing are called cluster seizures, It's believed that a dog has these repeated seizures because the blood sugar is thrown out of balance by the original seizure. And this brings us to the topic of your dog's appetite.

The seizure gives your dog's muscles a workout that is equivalent to running a marathon, so an affected dog wakes up ravenously hungry and with very low blood sugar. You can help combat the repeat seizures by immediately offering your dog a couple spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream. This will get some sugar into her system very quickly. After this, offer her a handful of food, and continue offering her small amounts of food every half hour for several hours. This will help her sugar level to return to normal without letting her overfill her stomach.

It's also important to limit her initial water consumption. Otherwise, she will likely gorge herself and may end up throwing it back up. I suggest you offer water in the same manner as you offer food until she appears to act more normally.

Recovery times vary, but most dogs will begin to behave more normally within a couple hours after the seizure. However, repeat seizures interrupt the recovery, and this may be why your dog doesn't seem to recognize you for longer periods.

Please don't hesitate to ask your vet more questions about canine epilepsy during your next visit. You'll need to arm yourself with all the knowledge you can in order to help your dog.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful to your situation.

~~ Kelly

Retriever's Jaws are Trembling

We have a two-year-old Golden Retriever. Since last night, he has been chattering his jaws, not his teeth, but his actual jaws. I looked up online about dogs having seizures, but the videos I watched look nothing like what is happening.

My dog always has one of his play balls in his mouth or near by. He is still eating and drinking ,and there are no other visible symptoms while it is happening. Is it cramps from playing with the balls 24/7 or could it be something more serious?

~~ Andie

Expert Reply

Hi Andie,

That is curious. I wouldn't rule out a seizure just yet, Not all seizures become full blown body events. Depending on where the electrical misfire takes place in the brain, a single body part or two might only be involved.

The trembling might also be related to an as yet undiagnosed neuromuscular problem, or it truly could be a case of muscle exhaustion if your dog is compulsive about holding the ball in his mouth. The trembling might even be due to a fever if your dog's temperature is currently higher than 10 degrees F.

Since the possible causes behind the jaw trembling range from benign to serious, I believe your dog's condition is worth bringing to your vet's attention. This way you can find out exactly what is going on and whether treatment is required, or if he just needs to give his ball a rest.

I truly hope it turns out to be nothing serious. Thanks for your question.

~~ Kelly

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