LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Johan,

You're right, diagnosing the actual cause of seizures can be difficult. The seizures themselves lead to a drop in blood sugar, and restoring the sugar to normal levels is important in preventing cluster seizures.

Diabetes can be diagnosed through a blood test, and it may be necessary to repeat the test to get accurate findings because the sugar level fluctuates depending on how recently the dog has eaten before the test is administered. As for your dog's prior accident, it may or may not be connected to the onset of seizures, but your vet may want to sedate your dog and do a scan to see if it reveals any abnormalities that could cause seizures.

It may be worth it talk with your vet about the entire situation to decide the best route to take. Seizures can often be controlled with phenobarbitol, and this could make the situation easier for you and your dog to deal with.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope these thoughts prove helpful in some way.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi again, in my other post when I said he doesn't like anyone touching him I was referring to vets in a clinic, otherwise he loves attention and is great with adults and kids alike. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't being misleading.

-- Contributed by: Johan

Hi, about 8-10 months ago our lab mix had a seizure and then maybe 4 or 5 more that we know of since. He starts by getting stiff and then shakes with a cramp like attack. usually last a few minutes. He is not aggressive or have any other symptoms listed as common. He did have an accident about 3 years ago when he got hit by a car and broke his leg but seems to far from then to perhaps be related. There are no chemicals or poisons that he can be affected by as we don't use any. There are no other signs or symptoms, and he is otherwise a great, happy and healthy dog. Was wondering if low blood sugar can be a sole reason and how one would realize that as a problem. The obvious thing would be to have a vet diagnosis but from all that i read that can be hit or miss if there are no other symptoms and usually they seem to just diagnose epilepsy it seems. Besides since the accident he does not like the vets office and does not like anyone touching him. I guess we have to drug him to go to the vet in the future. Anyways just wanted to get some other insight.

-- Contributed by: Johan

Hi Gandi,

I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening. I'm not a vet, but it sounds like the clinic may have had difficulty stabilizing your dog's blood sugar. This is an important part of recovering from the seizure. Do you know if your vet isolated a cause for the seizures? If the diagnosis is epilepsy, your pet will most likely have future seizures, but in a good many cases, the condition can be controlled with the medications your dog is already receiving. Just know that sometimes it takes some adjusting to find the correct dosage that will work for your pet. Keep in close contact with your vet and report any changes that you notice.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I truly hope that everything will work out for you and your dog.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our Jack Rusell Terrier who is 14 had his first 2 seizures 2 days ago. It was scary. The journey through emergency medical room and our vet has been long. They didn't diagnose him for 24 hours. His after affects included drooling, hind quarter weakness and disorientation, it still persists almost 48 hours later. He has trouble walking but they put him on phenobarbitol and valium late the 2nd day when symptoms had only gotten worse. I hope this is the last of it but I fear not.

-- Contributed by: Gandi

Hello Pamela,

I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your Poodle, but I whole-heartedly believe you did the responsible thing by ending her suffering. Sometimes that can be the hardest thing to do, but it really was an unselfish act on your part. It will take some time, but one day you'll be able to concentrate on the good times you had with your dog, and the pain will fall to the background.

Thank you for sharing your situation with the rest of us.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My husband and I just had our beautiful 16 year old miniature poodle euthanized. She had 4 major eposides of siezures in the past 6 weeks. Each siezure got worse. She no longer has to suffer--it hurts without her and we miss her dearly. She was our like our child and the pain of losing her is almost unbearable. She is now safe in heaven.

-- Contributed by: Pamela

Hi Lindsey,

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. The decision to euthanize a pet is never an easy one. To me, it sounds as though you have tried to maintain your dog's health as well as you could since receiving his diagnosis, but the situation has reached a point where a decision needs to be made. To me, the fact the your children might now be in danger from your dog's behavior, albeit induced by his illness, is a valid reason to say you've reached the point where you've done as much as you possibly could, and it's time to let go. In my opinion, euthanizing your dog would be a responsible thing to do. I know this doesn't make the decision any easier, but I hope it helps.

Thanks for sharing your situation.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

im in a really tough position right now, my husband is leaving me to the dirty work so to speak. my dog spencer is almost 11yrs old and he has epilepsy, he was diagnosed 2yrs ago and everything seems to be going down hill from there. he started climbing my 6ft brick wall, being more aggressive with the neighbors and their animals. we have lived in the neighborhood for 10yrs.i probably should tell you that he is a purebred lab, hes beautiful. my vet told me 2yrs ago that i would eventually have to euthanize him, and he has tried the medication and seemed to have helped but it is very expensive and i have 3 children that he doesnt even aknowledge them when hes in a fit of rage, he barely notices me. im really struggling with this decision because there is no physical evidence that he is sick, it just doesnt seem right. i know deep down it has to be done but i dont want to make a mistake that you cant fix. if anyone has any suggestion i would greatly appreciate it. i have looked into living free and animal rescues but doesnt seems to be working in our favor. thanx for any input. lindsey

-- Contributed by: lindsey
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