Epilepsy or Not

[Clairesyorkie]

Hi I havent posted for a while as things have being go well with our Tye

Last Night Tye, 9 years old...Was acting odd My hubby and I were watching tv as usual and Tye jumped down off the sofa and walked towards me and was moving about over my feet so when I looked down at him his face looked strange, nervous looking...Eyes Dilated too...I wanted to lift him up but he wouldn't let me, this is normal for him as he doesn't like to be lifted at times.
My husband called him over, back onto the sofa so he was sat next to him, Tye began to pant heavily as if he had been on a long run....His heart rate was fast as well...

My husband thought it might be good to let him go out for a wee to distract him but he went off to the end of the garden and wouldn't come back we spend half and hour trying to coax him out from the hedges he was shaking and looked very sorry for himself

Previous to us taking Tye on from his previous owner he was on Phenobarbital for Epilepsy, He had been on these for 3-4 years...

We had a number of issues with Tye when he first came to live with us and it took him and us a while to adjust, During this time I took him to the vets to discuss his medication for Epilepsy. The vet and I wondered if he actually was Epileptic as he showed no symptoms whilst in our care, so we and the vet decided to ween him off The Phenobarb slowly over time. He's been off these meds now for well over a year now and hasn't had any problems at all.

Tye is our first dog so we are still learning, I don't' know anything about Canine Epilepsy or symptoms...Is there anyone here that has experience with this...Is Tye Epileptic? Was he having A "Grand Mal" last night?
I quickly googled Epilepsy last night but wasnt much help

Today he seems fine, his usual happy self, so last nights episode was odd

All advice/help would be greatly appreciated

[AllDogBoots]

I have experience with canine epilepsy. There are many different types of epilepsy. I assume Tye showed no symptoms while in your care because he was on phenobarbital. However, the fact that you weaned him off and he went seizure free for a year is excellent! Most doctors don't prescribe phenobarbital or seizure meds unless the seizures are frequent enough to require the meds (as per the doctor's discretion).

My Max used to have focal seizures. He would run and hide somewhere, shake and look very sorry for himself. He was always coherent during his seizures. I don't think Max panted or had a fast heart rate before his seizures but he was a very odd case. He would have dozens of focal seizures per day lasting only about 2-5 seconds each.

I'd keep a close eye on Tye for now. It's quite possible he's epileptic, but to go seizure free for 1 year without meds is terrific. Have you called the vet?

[Clairesyorkie]

Hi Thank you for reading my posting and replying

I have never seen Tye have a seizure before, Well I don't think I have anyway...My friend who used to own Tye told me his legs would rigid and his eyes would go funny..I have never seen him do this....

I have just checked the packet of Phenobarb, that I kept for future reference and its dated Feb 2011,I weaned him off over roughly a period of 3 months I think. The vet advised to do this over a period of time as he'd been on them for a number of years.

Tye is a very nervous little Yorkie, but is so loving too! I put his nervousness down to his past home life. The man of the house used to drink and shout etc. As he was with us in a much quieter home I thought maybe he wasn't Epileptic, he was just stressed! The vet agreed, possibly he was dealing with it by shutting off.. I didn't want Tye to be having Medications if he really didn't need it. So it was a matter of seeing how he went without the reduction of the meds.

He's been perfectly fine ever since, but last night was really out of charactor, It wasn't Tye He came to me for comfort I think by fidgiting on my feet, I could tell by looking at him he wasn't right. As an owner of a pet you just know don't you? that somethings not right...

I was going to call the vet but this morning he was his normal happy self

I had a quick look online last night whilst my husband was out in the garden calling him with the torch as it was pitch black...I know in future not to let him out if he does this again. There was too much information for me to see, I just couldn't find anything relevant to what Tye was doing.

I will make a note of what happened last night on my calendar so I can log this if this is to be frequent. I don't know if it was the start of a seizure or just that he was feeling unwell.....He's been with us 2 years now and has settled well although it did take some time and a Dog trainer...

do you think our Tye was showing signs of a small seizure?
I will keep a very watchful eye on him, I only work a few hours each day so he's not alone for long, two hours max!

I am so grateful for your reply Thank you!!

[AllDogBoots]

You sound like you are very in tune with your dog's behaviors. It's very possible that it was some kind of seizure. Max would snap out of his and then be completely normal. It's also common for dogs who have seizures to be very tired after them but that was never the case with Max.

Sometimes seizures can be a symptom of a more serious disease or problem. Usually when someone posts that their dog has a seizure a common response would be to tell them to take their do to the vet immediately and get bloodwork, MRI, etc. But in the case of Tye it sounds like he already came to you diagnosed as he was on phenobarbital.

Max would also run to me for comfort or run to his bed and hide after a seizure. He's also a very nervous big yorkie.

Your story is so similar to mine. In fact, Max has been seizure free and I'm at the ending process of weaning him off his meds. Next week he will be medication free.

Keep a camera handy in case you can video tape another episode. What you describe does sound like a small seizure. But keep in mind that I'm just a doggy mommy, not a vet

[Clairesyorkie]

Its such a worry isn't it?, I have read that Epilepsy can go for good, Im not too sure what tests were done with Tye for the diagnosis...But what I do recall is my friend telling that they went by his behaviour and symptoms. Which in my eyes isnt really good enough. I would have had adequate tests to know for sure.. Next week I plan to take him for a check over as he has a small lump on his cheek...He keeps knocking it and making it bleed a little...So want to get that checked and I will ask for his records from previous owner, hopefully they will still have these.

How long has your Max been Epileptic? It does sound that our two doggies are alike

If he has to go back on the meds then so be it, but I really want make he does need them... long term use cant be good for them

I do appreciate your kind advice, sometimes talking to other owners is more helpful than seeing a vet lol...
I will make a vet appointment tom for next Thursday so that will give me a week to observe him...

I hope everything goes well for your Max! see how he goes fingers crossed he stay Epileptic Free

[AllDogBoots]

Max had his first seizure when he was 11 weeks old. Epilepsy is only diagnosed by ruling everything else out. I think it's great that you are proactive. You'll probably want to do blood work, including a Bile Acid test which will help determine a possible liver shunt, in which seizures are a common symptom. But like I said before, Tye has been doing great for about a year so it may be nothing to worry about. Hopefully the little lump is not a big deal either.

I tend to spend wayyyyyy more money at the vet than I should because I always request the maximum amount of tests even when not necessary. Maybe that would put you at ease? I think my vet said that 2 seizures per month would constitute meds.

[Clairesyorkie]

OMG 11 weeks old?! Is it common then in Yorkies? I have to say I am worried I have made a vet appointment for next week so it gives me time to watch him and make notes He's been fine since so I am really hoping it was a one off... He has done so well as you said, It's been well over a year with no problems....Will get that lump looked at too whilst there...He's eating well, Regularly now, which he never did before...Iv only really just got him in a routine of eating when its put down for him....so thats good!

Are you on Facebook? I have loads of piccies of Tye and All my pets I have cats and Tortoises

[107barney]

My Teddy also is an Epi dog. He had his first grand mal seizure when he was 8 months old. He takes medication every 12 hours for seizure control, but he is not seizure-free unfortunately. I use a drug that has a low toxicity compared to more conventional drugs and I'm hoping it will continue to work for Teddy. I hope your dog continues to do well, and I think talking with your vet about this is a great idea.

[mimodok]

My Mom's 10 year old female Yorkie, Penny, has epilepsy. She also has a toy poodle with even more frequent and severe seizures. Our family has the seizure response protocol down pat, lol. You pretty much described one of Penny's episodes perfectly. Penny gets seizures about 2-4 times per year and is not on any regular medication for her epilepsy. I do encourage you to go to your veterinarian though and I will explain why.

In a nutshell, a seizure is a random episode when the brain fires on/off signals all over the body--throughout the nervous system. This is why the victim is not in control of their limbs. Their breathing and heart rate is also affected. If the episode does not pass in 5 minutes, the dog (or human) life is in danger. There is a medicine you can get from your veterinarian that you should keep on hand for such emergencies. Your vet should also tell you what steps to take when your dog experiences a seizure. Here is how we handle seizures:

How to Handle a Seizure:
As soon as your dog starts showing symptoms of a seizure, look at the nearest clock and note the time the symptoms began. The dog has 5 minutes to improve before you need to intervene with medicine.

Get your hands on the dog. They are conscious and aware of their situation, confused, and worried. They often try to hide under a bed or somewhere similar. You need to have your hands on the dog so that you can monitor its symptoms and respond appropriately.

Sit with the dog on the floor. They will feel (and they are) safest there. Since they do not have control of their limbs they can fall off of a raised surface like a couch or bed, and they are aware of that danger. Rest your hands on them so they feel still and secure and talk to them in a soothing voice.

The tremors should start to decrease and the dog should start to regain motor control by about 3 minutes. Hopefully by 5 minutes your dog should be "normal," but they will still look worried and just want to lay there a little longer. If by 4 minutes there has been no improvement or the symptoms have worsened, prepare to administer the medicine (which will take at least 30 seconds - 1 minute). Administer the medicine in the anus and wait. You should see an improvement within 1 minute. If the dog does not show any improvement within 2 minutes, get ready to rush your dog to your vet or emergency clinic. Call your veterinarian or emergency clinic; tell them your are coming, how much time has passed and what steps you have taken.

[Clairesyorkie]

Thank All You ALL for your replies

I took Tye to the vets for a thorough check over! The vet said it's possible he had the very start of a seizure Or it could have been nothing, which isn't very helpful but.. We must watch him carefully and log everything, which I do anyway... Have always observed him since having him.

No meds were prescribed for this one occasion but if it happens again then things will be looked into..

I'm rather pleased he's not on any medications for this as I don't really want him to be stressed by having regular tablets..Having said that if at anytime he does require meds to keep him well and alive then so be it...

During the check over the vet noticed his lower back, just by his lovely tail..I love his tail lol...was dry and red He is suffering from Dermatitis and Pruritis, so he had to have 2 injections as tablet form isn't ideal as he's not very willing or friendly when something needs doing with him. He's very stubborn and he means No then he means No lol..Out come the teeth!!! :/

He has Prednisolone every other day for this, checking him over, he is clearing up now...No redness or dry...Not too sure if these tablets are permanent so will have to see how that goes. Can anyone recommend a good herbal remedy for his skin?

He also has a lump on his cheek which was checked and all that is, is a mole
So overall bearing in mind he's 9 years old he has a clean bill of health, could have been alot worse.

I have changed his diet, I had bought him some Bakers for a change but had read on a FaceBook group theres links to Cancer! So back onto Wainrights...

He still seems a happy loving boy which im pleased with!! I love him to bits!!

[kjc]

Glad to hear he's had a good check up! I use Coconut oil both in the food and topically for minor skin issues...