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Junebug · 11-02-2011, 07:39 PM

Does anyone have any experience with Chorea or St. Vitus Dance? I did a search but found limited posts on Yorkietalk.

I have reason to believe Otis may have this condition.

About six months ago he started having very minor seizures (http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ures-what.html)

Went to several vets, could not diagnose what it was. Nothing organic; all of his tests, blood and urine, came back negative. Vet recommended an MRI. Then another vet said no MRI, too much stress on a 12-year old yorkie, and if they found something on MRI, they would operate. Do I really want to operate on a 12-year-old Yorkie? NO. So I've decided against the MRI.

He still gets these mini 3-second seizures maybe three to four times a week now. I snap him out of it very easily by calling his name, so he is coherent, it's just his body twitches, mainly his shoulder/neck/head area for two to four convulsions, and then he's normal and running around.

I've also noticed when he's sleeping, his one of his hind legs will twitch and wake him up, almost like he has restless leg syndrome. (it is soooo funny because my legs twitch and I kick a lot in my sleep too, so I've been told)

He also has some funny scaling on one of the pads of his feet.

These are are all indications of Chorea.

Some background:

12 years old
Raw food diet
regular walks/ excercise
pretty active when he wants but also sleeps a lot
bought from a reputable breeder
a little bit on the fat side (10 pounds) but he is not obese.

Any help would be appreciated!

Junebug & Otis.

11-02-2011, 07:39 PM	#1
Junebug *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,149	Chorea / St. Vitus Dance. Please Help. Does anyone have any experience with Chorea or St. Vitus Dance? I did a search but found limited posts on Yorkietalk. I have reason to believe Otis may have this condition. About six months ago he started having very minor seizures (http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ures-what.html) Went to several vets, could not diagnose what it was. Nothing organic; all of his tests, blood and urine, came back negative. Vet recommended an MRI. Then another vet said no MRI, too much stress on a 12-year old yorkie, and if they found something on MRI, they would operate. Do I really want to operate on a 12-year-old Yorkie? NO. So I've decided against the MRI. He still gets these mini 3-second seizures maybe three to four times a week now. I snap him out of it very easily by calling his name, so he is coherent, it's just his body twitches, mainly his shoulder/neck/head area for two to four convulsions, and then he's normal and running around. I've also noticed when he's sleeping, his one of his hind legs will twitch and wake him up, almost like he has restless leg syndrome. (it is soooo funny because my legs twitch and I kick a lot in my sleep too, so I've been told) He also has some funny scaling on one of the pads of his feet. These are are all indications of Chorea. Some background: 12 years old Raw food diet regular walks/ excercise pretty active when he wants but also sleeps a lot bought from a reputable breeder a little bit on the fat side (10 pounds) but he is not obese. Any help would be appreciated! Junebug & Otis.