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drawlins27 · 04-24-2007, 10:42 AM

It does sound like a seizure. Tucker has seizures and has been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Idiopathic epilepsy is common and means that the cause of the seizures cannot be identified whereas symptomatic epilepsy can be attributed to a cause.

While a dog can have a single seizure and never experience another, it is rare and the odds are that she will have another one at some point so be prepared to hold yourself together when she has a seizure (so hard for me to do) and be calm so that you can be there for her.

Dogs with Idiopathic epilepsy usually experience their first seizure at 1 -5 years old. There is no test for Idiopathic epilepsy. It is only diagnosed by ruling out other causes. Typically a vet will not give medication for Idiopathic epilepsy unless the seizures are severe or are occurring on a frequent basis. What they will have you to do is time the seizures and keep track of their frequency. I know how scary it is to watch your little one have a seizure and not be able to do anything, but a seizure that last for under 15 minutes is not usually life threatening. If the seizure lasts longer or occurs one right after another (cluster seizures) then they can be dangerous and must be treated right away.

Don't let your vet tell you that it is idiopathic epilepsy without first doing a full blood panel to rule out other causes. If you want to go further and rule out serious causes that can't be diagnosed with blood work, be prepared to do an MRI. Some vets are reluctant to recommend this because it is very expensive and not widely available.

If your vet determines that her seizures are idiopathic, then ask for a dose of rectal valium that you can carry with you. You can administer the valium only if the seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes or is particularly violent. This should bring her out of the seizure and will help to prevent lasting damage until you can get her to a vet. I have some that goes where ever Tucker goes and at least brings me some peace of mind.

I hope that this helps. Please let me know how it goes.

04-24-2007, 10:42 AM	#12
drawlins27 Mommy's Lil' Miracle Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mufreesboro, TN Posts: 1,028	Some Information It does sound like a seizure. Tucker has seizures and has been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Idiopathic epilepsy is common and means that the cause of the seizures cannot be identified whereas symptomatic epilepsy can be attributed to a cause. While a dog can have a single seizure and never experience another, it is rare and the odds are that she will have another one at some point so be prepared to hold yourself together when she has a seizure (so hard for me to do) and be calm so that you can be there for her. Dogs with Idiopathic epilepsy usually experience their first seizure at 1 -5 years old. There is no test for Idiopathic epilepsy. It is only diagnosed by ruling out other causes. Typically a vet will not give medication for Idiopathic epilepsy unless the seizures are severe or are occurring on a frequent basis. What they will have you to do is time the seizures and keep track of their frequency. I know how scary it is to watch your little one have a seizure and not be able to do anything, but a seizure that last for under 15 minutes is not usually life threatening. If the seizure lasts longer or occurs one right after another (cluster seizures) then they can be dangerous and must be treated right away. Don't let your vet tell you that it is idiopathic epilepsy without first doing a full blood panel to rule out other causes. If you want to go further and rule out serious causes that can't be diagnosed with blood work, be prepared to do an MRI. Some vets are reluctant to recommend this because it is very expensive and not widely available. If your vet determines that her seizures are idiopathic, then ask for a dose of rectal valium that you can carry with you. You can administer the valium only if the seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes or is particularly violent. This should bring her out of the seizure and will help to prevent lasting damage until you can get her to a vet. I have some that goes where ever Tucker goes and at least brings me some peace of mind. I hope that this helps. Please let me know how it goes. __________________ I LOVE my little Furbutts!