Seizure?

[Xaleia]

Last night, my 13 year old Corkie...had some sort of episode.

My roommate had her in her room while watching television last night which is the usual course of action. We keep her and Marley ( the tank 4month old pup) separated because he wants to play with her non stop..biting ..running..jumping..etc. So she's in the back bedroom and I'm up front on my computer. My roomie came running in and said..Chrissy...GET BACK HERE! I of course followed. Corkie was sitting on the end of the bed. Here head was bobbing back and forth. ( Imagine the cartoons where the cat is watching a bird or something..and the head turns to the right..then the left..then right..then left..in a fairly fast pace.)
Needless to say I panicked. I grabbed her up and got in the car and headed straight for the vet. This was like 9 pm so had to call and find an emergency veterinarian as mine was closed.
Anways.. after exam and blood tests.... they don't know what is wrong with her. She was dehydrated. Some of her blood levels were just slightly elevated..minimally. The vet said liver shunt comes to mind, but the levels are not really out of range and usually the liver shunt stuff happens at a much younger age.
So 350.00 later, I'm no closer to understanding what happened ..or if it is going to happen again? She had none of the other accompanying syptoms of epilepsy. Usually they loose bowels and bladder...very unsteady on feet...etc.... she exhibited none of those.
In some ways..for other people we cam in contact with...it was humorous.

I was wearing my neon yellow with green kermit the frog fleece pants ( lounge wear home made). I still had on a black tank from work. I had a candy pink flourescent striped robe with fuzzy brown and black leopard print slippers. My hair was all messed up....... I was ready for bed! ... But who cares..ya know?

So anyways, I'm just wondering if anyone can shed some possible light on this.
We are sure she did not get into anything as she was in my bedroom all day ..while at work. Also..one other factor. She was shaking like she was cold prior to this.....like when I got home from work.....she was shaking and it is really not that cold.

Anyone experience this? I'm just ..overwhelmed (not to mention tired..at vet till midnight) and worried. I lost my Lei....last Thanksgiving. Not that it really matters when, but I'm so not ready to lose my Corkie.....

[chachi]

I dont have any answers for you but I am bumping this back up. I hope Corky is better soon

[RebelBelle]

Like chachi, I don't have any answers but you may be better off posting this in the sick and injured section. There are members who hang out in there just waiting to help. I'll be praying that your baby feels better soon!

[Yorkieluv]

Can you get a copy of the bloodwork results and post them? "Slightly elevated" can mean different things to different people...I'm so sorry your baby's not feeling well...

[Elybourg]

I hope Corkie feels better soon

[Xaleia]

Thanks all. She threw up tonite but other wise seems to feel better.

Yes I'll get the copy of the blood levels and see if I can post them. I'll call them tonite and see if they can email them to me....
Then I can post them here........ thanks!

I'm praying she will be ok. I don't wanna lose her now too..

[wemple2]

Praying for Corkie. My goodness I hope all is well. Winston is 4 years old and has been dealing with episodes of low blood sugar seizures for 2 years...he had another one today. I wish there was something I could do or say to help...but unfortunately I still have no answers.

[LilMissy]

I'm sorry that you have to go through this

[yorkiekist]

YOu might want to take her to your regular vet and get an x-ray of her heart, lungs and esophagus/trachea. Sometimes at this age(13 is getting up there), the heart enlarges and presses on the trachea, limiting the oxygen supply to the brain causing seisure like symptoms. Also at this age, the rings that keep the trachea open get weak, allowing the trachea to collapse easily, especially with an enlarged heart pressing on it.

[Xaleia]

Originally Posted by yorkiekist

YOu might want to take her to your regular vet and get an x-ray of her heart, lungs and esophagus/trachea. Sometimes at this age(13 is getting up there), the heart enlarges and presses on the trachea, limiting the oxygen supply to the brain causing seisure like symptoms. Also at this age, the rings that keep the trachea open get weak, allowing the trachea to collapse easily, especially with an enlarged heart pressing on it.

I plan on calling the vet on Monday. Thank you for this advise. I know my Lei had a severly enlarged heart... and the collapsing trachea. Corkie has not exhibited much of the coughing like Lei did, but your advice is sound.

Many thanks again

[Xaleia]

Pet Emergency Center Laboratory Results
PATIENT Corkie SPECIES Canine AGE 13 years OWNER Christine
SEX Spayed Female BREED Yorkie ADDR
COLOR Black/Gold MARK
I
Result ID: 120757 Status: Pending
Profile:
This is the blood panel workup. It is copied from a PDF format so not sure it is showing up as it should


Laboratory: VetLab
Emergency Panel
Entry date: 11/21/2008 Entered by: KT Completion date:
Test Value Range
ALB/GL 1.0
BUN/CR 31
ALB 3.6 g/dL 2.2 - 3.9
ALKP 31 U/L 23 - 212
ALT 96 U/L 10 - 100
BUN 31 mg/dL 7 - 27
Ca 10.9 mg/dL 7.9 - 12
CHOL 177 mg/dL 110 - 320
CREA 1.0 mg/dL 0.5 - 1.8
GGT 1 U/L L 0 - 7
GLOB 3.6 g/dL 2.5 - 4.5
GLU 102 mg/dL 70 - 143
PHOS 4.7 mg/dL 2.5 - 6.8
TBIL 0.1 mg/dL L 0 - 0.9
TP 7.2 g/dL 5.2 - 8.2
%RETIC 0.4 %
NEU 6.86 K/uL 2 - 12
LYM 2.64 K/uL 0.5 - 4.9
MONO 1.09 K/uL 0.3 - 2
EOS 0.29 K/uL 0.1 - 1.49
BASO 0.05 K/uL 0 - 0.1
RBC 9.76 M/uL 5.5 - 8.5
HGB 18.7 g/dL 12 - 18
HCT 68.7 % 37 - 55
MCV 70.4 fL 60 - 77
RETIC 43.5 K/uL
MCHC 27.3 g/dL 30 - 37.5
MCH 19.22 pg 18.5 - 30
PLT 446 K/uL 175 - 500
MPV 9.09 fL
PCT 0.4 %
Pet Emergency Center Page 1 of 2
Patient: Corkie
PDW 16.0 %
%NEU 62.7 %
%LYM 24.2 %
%MONO 10.0 %
%EOS 2.7 %
%BASO 0.5 %
RDW 14.9 % 14.7 - 17.9
WBC 10.93 K/uL 5.5 - 16.9
Chloride 114 mmol/L 109 - 122
Potassium 5.2 mmol/L 3.5 - 5.8
Sodium 157 mmol/L 144 - 160
Lab Comments:
Comments:
Pet Emergency Center Page 2 of 2

[Ladymom]

It does sound like Corkie had a seizure. All seizures are not grand mail when they loose control of their bladder and/or bowels. They can have less severe petit mal or even partial seizures.

True epilepsy usually doesn't start in dogs Corkie's age. Seizures are usually a symptom of something else. A thyroid imbalance can cause seizures. A thyroid panel is not part of a regular blood panel so one wasn't done on Corkie. When was the last time Corkie had a thyroid panel done? Seniors should get one every year.

All her liver values are in the normal range so I doubt she has liver disease. Lady is also thirteen and I sure wish she had CBC results like Corkie's!

This is a great website on canine epilepsy:

Canine epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs

[Xaleia]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

It does sound like Corkie had a seizure. All seizures are not grand mail when they loose control of their bladder and/or bowels. They can have less severe petit mal or even partial seizures.

True epilepsy usually doesn't start in dogs Corkie's age. Seizures are usually a symptom of something else. A thyroid imbalance can cause seizures. A thyroid panel is not part of a regular blood panel so one wasn't done on Corkie. When was the last time Corkie had a thyroid panel done? Seniors should get one every year.

All her liver values are in the normal range so I doubt she has liver disease. Lady is also thirteen and I sure wish she had CBC results like Corkie's!

This is a great website on canine epilepsy:

Canine epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs

Thank you Lady Mom- The vet did say that for her age, she really was in good shape. Kinda strange for a gal who has severe patella issues..her little back knees snap in and out as she walks. She has a xyiphoid process..(the bone between her ribs) that sticks out into a point in her chest. Her jaw is malformed, and now has about 1/10 of her teeth.
She is in good shape the vet said and really could not tell me what was wrong.
I will talk to my vet Monday about a Thyroid test. I so APPRECIATE your advice. I've been a nervous wreck since this ..episode ..Friday night but she does appear to feel fine. Eating and elimating good.

My sister the RN, offered that it could be a TA or TIA? A mini stroke like episode and then they come back apparently not much worse for wear.
We all believe this is neurogical..... but could be caused by ..say the thyroid maybe? Good thoughts LadyMom and thank you all so much for your support.

My pups ...well I don't have to say it, because you all feel the same about yours. But I am divorced and my skin kids are always very busy.. My life pretty much wraps itself around my babies. Corkie is the last of my original three.... and it has been..so painful losing the other two. Lei was last Thanksgiving and with this holiday approaching, I seem to be more tender about it. I know I have to face this ...and it will happen sooner or later to Corkie too....but I guess we are just never ready.

If this was not bad enough, Marley ..the 4 month old who is rapidly making his way deep into my heart ..is the biggest PIA..........LOL but I was folding towels..he grabbed it ..as I yanked up and he flipped and fell over on his back. He screamed.....and cried...... and I thought for sure another emergency room visit was imminent. Well.. he appears to be fine but for the last twenty four hours I felt that there could be something wrong. He did not appear to have pain......but just acted so quiet and ... shy....... SO UNLIKE HIM. Well finally..today.. ..even though just sick with worry over both of them..I started to act like I was going to chase him. He was OFF and RUNNING and PLAYING. He's BACK!
Maybe, a lot of his problem was actually his feeling my sadness and worry over Corkie..and then him getting hurt, I was ready to check myself into a Psyche office.......LOL
He's fine, I feel much better.....and Corkie seems to be fine for now............
I'm thanking God for that and all of you who showed me such support during my mini crisis.
Your all the best!