Epilepsie?

[Ash]

Almost three years ago in the end of 2002, my female dog had three episodes which looked like epilepsie. She was about 8 or 9 at the time.

Each time I found her rolling on the floor, kicking her legs and throwing her head around, tensing her whole body, mouth open but no sound coming from her. It was frightening! I had the feeling that she wasn't able to breathe but I might be mistaken about that. Each time, the fit stopped after a couple of minutes (estimated, since I had not seen when it started), and after a few seconds of looking around kind of dazed she got up and was completely her old self.

I talked with my vet about it who from my description thought it might be epilepsie. The fits happened weeks apart and never lasted long, and I didn't see any other changes in her at all otherwise, so he just said to watch it and write down when it happens (duration, behaviour etc). He left me two ampulles of valium and disposable syringes, and showed me how to use them in case a fit would last more than 10 minutes. Well, she never had another fit again and the ampulles are still sitting in our fridge (now past the exp date, we completely forgot about them).

So am I right to think that it couldn't have been epilepsie since the fits stopped? Wouldn't epilepsie go on and get worse over time?

And then: what else could it have been? One time I noticed that she had lost her collar, it was hanging in a bush, so I thought maybe she got entangled and couldn't get air. But the other times, her collar was around her neck (and no, it's not too tight, you can slip your hand in easily).

I'm puzzled. I'm of course happy nothing happened since, but still I wonder what it might have been.

[Traci]

Without a full examination and full bloodwork, it's impossible to say whether it was epilepsy or not. Epilepsy tends to be a life-long condition, ...I suspect your dog had mild seizure activity from something, but determining that "something" could be difficult.

Causes of seizures may include toxins, immunological problems or vital organ disfunction, CNS disease, neoplasia, etc... this is where bloodwork should be done to ensure that none of her vital organs are disfunctioning.

If it only happened a few times, and only for a few minutes per episode, they may not reoccur, but if your dog is older than 6 years of age, it would be prudent to get full bloodwork done on her.

[Ash]

We had bloodwork done this year in April. There was nothing wrong, slightly elevated BUN, nothing else.

It's so long ago that I can't remember if she could have had anything toxic at the time. And she has had no other health problems since.

Well, looks like it will remain a mystery.

[davet]

if the blood work shows nothing then keep a diary as to when it (if) happens, how often and what doews the dog do....
.The episodes can be a problem to diagnose unless you can get readings at the exact time...may never occur agaon but if it does throw a blanket over the dog and don't let kids or anyone try to hold him during a seizure, they can, unknowingly bite Usually, i didn.t medicate them untill they happened more than once a month..,....but a diary and videos of it happening help make a diagnosis

[Ash]

Yes, that's what the doctor said that time, and I did write down two episodes. However, it never happened again after that. I think the last time was in December 2002.

I only remembered it today when I found the valium in the fridge ... (gosh, you must be thinking I hadn't cleaned my fridge for three years!?)

First time it happened I completely panicked, called the vet and was hardly able to talk coherently on the phone Second time I just sat close to her and talked soothingly (and watched the time). Thank God it was only like two-three minutes. I found that very hard to watch. Whatever it was.