[News] How to Treat Yorkie Seizures - YorkieTalk.com Forums

fasteddie · 11-05-2004, 11:29 AM

Very informative stuff in case a Yorkie has a seizure. Be calm while the episode occurs, then immediately take him or her to the vet...
---
Molly is a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier that lives with Fran and her husband, Bill, in Modesto. Molly spends most of her time indoors, never far from Fran or Bill, and has had no health problems until about four months ago.
Fran and Bill were on the couch watching television with Molly sitting next to them when, rather suddenly, Molly began to tremor and roll to her side. After a few seconds, she was shaking violently, and urinated and defecated on the couch. Bill and Fran recognized the episode as a seizure and kept Molly from falling off the couch until the episode ended. Fran remarked that it seemed to last forever, but in reality, it was probably, about a two to three-minute event.

Fran brought Molly to her veterinarian the day the seizure occurred. A blood sample was drawn to check for abnormalities that might lead to a seizure, and Molly was sent home. The results of her blood test were unremarkable, and Fran was instructed to wait to see if Molly had another seizure.

About two weeks later, Molly had two more seizures, and again was taken to her veterinarian. A diagnosis of epilepsy was given, and Molly was placed on Phenobarbital. This medication is used to control seizures in animals, as well as humans. Molly initially was very sleepy on her new medication,but eventually, after about five or six days, she became used to the drug in her system.

Unfortunately, Molly was still having seizures, and her dosage of Phenobarbital was increased. In the past three weeks, Molly has had five more seizures, and Fran again has been instructed to increase Molly's Phenobarbital dosage. Fran has done so, but is worried about the possible problems that Molly might have because of taking the Phenobarbital.

It is likely that Molly does have epilepsy. This disease results in what is called a seizure focus in the brain, which allows an uncontrolled discharge of electrical impulses through the brain, resulting in a seizure.

It is very important to understand that epilepsy is a diagnosis veterinarians arrive at after ruling out other causes of seizures. That was a likely reason Molly's veterinarian performed a blood test on Molly. There are many other potential causes for seizures, and some can be quite difficult to diagnose.

Epilepsy usually starts manifesting itself in younger dogs, but can show up later in life, as well. There are cases of a dog having a single seizure at some point in its life and never again. This is a good reason to wait after one seizure to see if the dog does indeed have a seizure again. If so, and if other causes of seizures have been ruled out, treatment for epilepsy, specifically seizure prevention, should be started. It is important to realize that once a seizure happens, it becomes easier for another to occur, and so on. It's as if a neurologic pathway becomes more and more burned into the brain with each seizure. This is why, with multiple seizure occurrences, it becomes imperative that the seizures be prevented.

Seizures are not inherently painful, but if left unchecked, they can, over time, become very damaging to the brain.

Fran did not share the dose of Phenobarbital being given to Molly in her letter, so I cannot comment on whether or not it is excessive. Patients taking this drug, which works quite well in preventing seizures, should have their blood levels monitored on a regular basis. This will allow the dose to be properly tailored to the individual patient to achieve the ultimate goal of seizure prevention with minimum medication.

There are cases of epilepsy where seizures are not able to be prevented with Phenobarbital alone, even at the highest allowable dose. These cases likely need the addition of or replacement with another anti-convulsant medication. Usually with combination drug therapy, seizures that have not been controlled by Phenobarbital alone are indeed suppressed bringing about control of the condition.

Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352.

http://www.modbee.com/columnists/you...10291674c.html

Rhonda_333 · 01-22-2009, 06:49 AM

My poor baby, KiKi, will be three years old on March 21, 2009. She started having seziures last year. Her doctor has ordered the blood work and she has an appointment this month. It is so scary for me when she is having one. She had one Monday night and this was the first one where she went potty on me and made really bad gurgling sounds. Is there anything else that can be done while we are waiting for the doctor to place her on medication?

5 Yorkies Mom · 01-22-2009, 12:13 PM

Thank you so much for the information. All of us have seen this or have experienced it...any information given to us is so helpful. Thank you very much.

Carterna · 01-23-2009, 08:17 AM

I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing this with your YT family.
Izzy had her 1st seizure this week and I have not left her side sense. I have not went to work and my boyfriend watched her while I had school yesterday. I have recorded the date and time of the 1st one, and if it happens again I am making her an appointment.
Thanks again and we will be praying Molly & Family!

Rhonda_333 · 01-26-2009, 06:42 AM

Awww, I am SO SORRY to hear about your baby. I know, the first time it happened for KiKi I was terrified. All I could think about was how many times has it happened while I am at work. In speaking with her doctor, he told me that while the seizure is going on, they are actually unconscious. Even after they are done having the actual seizure, it can take them 15-20 minutes to gather themselves and remember where they are. When KiKi has one, I keep her close to me so that she has me to lean on, I keep a towell close by her mouth because she will usually throw up and I just keep telling her I love her and it will be ok as I rub her hair. I did notice, when she was pregnant, the one time she was, that she didn't have any (that I know of since I work also) nor when she was nursing. I still have one of her babies (I bred her with a s**tzu/yorkie mix) and the baby hasn't had any seizures. I hope Izzy doesn't have anymore anytime soon.

Love,

Rhonda and KiKi

Carterna · 01-27-2009, 07:45 AM

Thanks Rhonda & Kiki...Izzy & I appreciate all the information and we send prayers & positive thoughts your way! My boyfriends mom has been in Paris but when she got back and I told her about Izzy's episode she said that she would take her to the vet to have blood work done, we have the same vet and getting an appointment with him can take months.

Take Care

XoXo Izzy & Tasha XoXo

motherhen_44100 · 03-06-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carterna

Thanks Rhonda & Kiki...Izzy & I appreciate all the information and we send prayers & positive thoughts your way! My boyfriends mom has been in Paris but when she got back and I told her about Izzy's episode she said that she would take her to the vet to have blood work done, we have the same vet and getting an appointment with him can take months.

Take Care

XoXo Izzy & Tasha XoXo

seizures can be caused by poisoning.
The Doctors Book of Home Remedies Pet Problems

good page, Doctors book of home remedies.

motherhen_44100 · 03-06-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carterna

Thanks Rhonda & Kiki...Izzy & I appreciate all the information and we send prayers & positive thoughts your way! My boyfriends mom has been in Paris but when she got back and I told her about Izzy's episode she said that she would take her to the vet to have blood work done, we have the same vet and getting an appointment with him can take months.

Take Care

XoXo Izzy & Tasha XoXo

seizures can be caused by poisoning.
The Doctors Book of Home Remedies Pet Problems

good page, Doctors book of home remedies.

11-05-2004, 11:29 AM	#1
fasteddie *YT 5000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,959	[News] How to Treat Yorkie Seizures Very informative stuff in case a Yorkie has a seizure. Be calm while the episode occurs, then immediately take him or her to the vet... --- Molly is a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier that lives with Fran and her husband, Bill, in Modesto. Molly spends most of her time indoors, never far from Fran or Bill, and has had no health problems until about four months ago. Fran and Bill were on the couch watching television with Molly sitting next to them when, rather suddenly, Molly began to tremor and roll to her side. After a few seconds, she was shaking violently, and urinated and defecated on the couch. Bill and Fran recognized the episode as a seizure and kept Molly from falling off the couch until the episode ended. Fran remarked that it seemed to last forever, but in reality, it was probably, about a two to three-minute event. Fran brought Molly to her veterinarian the day the seizure occurred. A blood sample was drawn to check for abnormalities that might lead to a seizure, and Molly was sent home. The results of her blood test were unremarkable, and Fran was instructed to wait to see if Molly had another seizure. About two weeks later, Molly had two more seizures, and again was taken to her veterinarian. A diagnosis of epilepsy was given, and Molly was placed on Phenobarbital. This medication is used to control seizures in animals, as well as humans. Molly initially was very sleepy on her new medication,but eventually, after about five or six days, she became used to the drug in her system. Unfortunately, Molly was still having seizures, and her dosage of Phenobarbital was increased. In the past three weeks, Molly has had five more seizures, and Fran again has been instructed to increase Molly's Phenobarbital dosage. Fran has done so, but is worried about the possible problems that Molly might have because of taking the Phenobarbital. It is likely that Molly does have epilepsy. This disease results in what is called a seizure focus in the brain, which allows an uncontrolled discharge of electrical impulses through the brain, resulting in a seizure. It is very important to understand that epilepsy is a diagnosis veterinarians arrive at after ruling out other causes of seizures. That was a likely reason Molly's veterinarian performed a blood test on Molly. There are many other potential causes for seizures, and some can be quite difficult to diagnose. Epilepsy usually starts manifesting itself in younger dogs, but can show up later in life, as well. There are cases of a dog having a single seizure at some point in its life and never again. This is a good reason to wait after one seizure to see if the dog does indeed have a seizure again. If so, and if other causes of seizures have been ruled out, treatment for epilepsy, specifically seizure prevention, should be started. It is important to realize that once a seizure happens, it becomes easier for another to occur, and so on. It's as if a neurologic pathway becomes more and more burned into the brain with each seizure. This is why, with multiple seizure occurrences, it becomes imperative that the seizures be prevented. Seizures are not inherently painful, but if left unchecked, they can, over time, become very damaging to the brain. Fran did not share the dose of Phenobarbital being given to Molly in her letter, so I cannot comment on whether or not it is excessive. Patients taking this drug, which works quite well in preventing seizures, should have their blood levels monitored on a regular basis. This will allow the dose to be properly tailored to the individual patient to achieve the ultimate goal of seizure prevention with minimum medication. There are cases of epilepsy where seizures are not able to be prevented with Phenobarbital alone, even at the highest allowable dose. These cases likely need the addition of or replacement with another anti-convulsant medication. Usually with combination drug therapy, seizures that have not been controlled by Phenobarbital alone are indeed suppressed bringing about control of the condition. Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352. http://www.modbee.com/columnists/you...10291674c.html

01-22-2009, 12:13 PM	#3
5 Yorkies Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 92	Thank you so much for the information. All of us have seen this or have experienced it...any information given to us is so helpful. Thank you very much. __________________ 5 Yorkies mom: The furry 5 +1 Maryann and Sam; Sloan; Scooter; Spencer; Scotty and Bindi

01-23-2009, 08:17 AM	#4
Carterna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A Posts: 225	I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing this with your YT family. Izzy had her 1st seizure this week and I have not left her side sense. I have not went to work and my boyfriend watched her while I had school yesterday. I have recorded the date and time of the 1st one, and if it happens again I am making her an appointment. Thanks again and we will be praying Molly & Family! __________________ LOVE MOOSE & MOMMY R.I.P. IZZY

01-26-2009, 06:42 AM	#5
Rhonda_333 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Waco Posts: 2	Izzy Awww, I am SO SORRY to hear about your baby. I know, the first time it happened for KiKi I was terrified. All I could think about was how many times has it happened while I am at work. In speaking with her doctor, he told me that while the seizure is going on, they are actually unconscious. Even after they are done having the actual seizure, it can take them 15-20 minutes to gather themselves and remember where they are. When KiKi has one, I keep her close to me so that she has me to lean on, I keep a towell close by her mouth because she will usually throw up and I just keep telling her I love her and it will be ok as I rub her hair. I did notice, when she was pregnant, the one time she was, that she didn't have any (that I know of since I work also) nor when she was nursing. I still have one of her babies (I bred her with a s**tzu/yorkie mix) and the baby hasn't had any seizures. I hope Izzy doesn't have anymore anytime soon. Love, Rhonda and KiKi

01-27-2009, 07:45 AM	#6
Carterna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A Posts: 225	Thanks Thanks Rhonda & Kiki...Izzy & I appreciate all the information and we send prayers & positive thoughts your way! My boyfriends mom has been in Paris but when she got back and I told her about Izzy's episode she said that she would take her to the vet to have blood work done, we have the same vet and getting an appointment with him can take months. Take Care XoXo Izzy & Tasha XoXo __________________ LOVE MOOSE & MOMMY R.I.P. IZZY

01-22-2009, 06:49 AM	#2
Rhonda_333 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Waco Posts: 2	My poor baby, KiKi, will be three years old on March 21, 2009. She started having seziures last year. Her doctor has ordered the blood work and she has an appointment this month. It is so scary for me when she is having one. She had one Monday night and this was the first one where she went potty on me and made really bad gurgling sounds. Is there anything else that can be done while we are waiting for the doctor to place her on medication?