Please Help! My Baby Had a Seizure

[slahey2000]

Yesterday Linus had a 2-minute seizure when he was leaving daycare. This has never happened before, and he is only two-years-old. They've ruled out causes like poison and brain swelling because he doesn't have any symptoms, and they think it may be epilepsy. Please let me know if this has ever happened to your baby. I'm petrified to leave Linus alone even for a minute because I'm afraid he will have a seizure and nobody will know Any insight would be great.

[My Sophia]

On no, I'm so sorry. Seizures are so scary both for him and for you. I don't have any advice or experience but I'm sure there are others on here who will.

[Ladymom]

Lady has been epileptic for ten years. She was diagnosed at age four.

How old is Linus? Seizures in dogs under a year old are usually a symptom of an underlying disease, not true epilepsy. Since Yorkies are 36 times more likely to be born with a liver shunt than all other breeds combined and seizures are a classic symptom, he needs to have a bile acids test asap. Other diseases Yorkies are prone to like GME can also cause seizures.

Diagnosing true (idiopathic) epilepsy is done by ruling out other causes for seizures.

This website has been my "bible" over the years:

Canine epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs

[slahey2000]

Thanks for your posts Linus is 2 1/2, which is I guess a common age for epilepsy to start. I am taking him to get his blood work tests tomorrow morning, so hopefully I will find out more about what happened.

[AbbysMom08]

Oooh, I'm so sorry your little one has gone through this.
I'm sorry, I don't have experience with this.
Ladymom looks like she may be of great help.
That is the beauty of this site.
Usually, someone has had the same issues and they are great about helping.
I'll keep your little guy in my prayers.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by slahey2000

Thanks for your posts Linus is 2 1/2, which is I guess a common age for epilepsy to start. I am taking him to get his blood work tests tomorrow morning, so hopefully I will find out more about what happened.

Make sure he gets a bile acids test. It's not part of a basic blood chemistry panel so you will have to ask for it. It's an inexpensive test, usually under $75.

Here is more information about it:

PSVA and MVD Research Summary

If it turns out he has epilepsy, try not to panic. You never get used to seeing a seizure, but in most cases epileptic dogs live a long, full life. My Lady is 14.5.

Keep us posted, okay?

[BonBon]

Had you recently applied any flea/tick treatment by chance? If so, what kind?

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by slahey2000

Yesterday Linus had a 2-minute seizure when he was leaving daycare. This has never happened before, and he is only two-years-old. They've ruled out causes like poison and brain swelling because he doesn't have any symptoms, and they think it may be epilepsy. Please let me know if this has ever happened to your baby. I'm petrified to leave Linus alone even for a minute because I'm afraid he will have a seizure and nobody will know Any insight would be great.

I'm so sorry - there are alot of posts about seizures and you'll see help here - I just feel so bad everytime I read a puppy is seizing - never experienced it but it happens far too much these days.....

all the best - I know you must be scared

[laci32]

Originally Posted by slahey2000

Yesterday Linus had a 2-minute seizure when he was leaving daycare. This has never happened before, and he is only two-years-old. They've ruled out causes like poison and brain swelling because he doesn't have any symptoms, and they think it may be epilepsy. Please let me know if this has ever happened to your baby. I'm petrified to leave Linus alone even for a minute because I'm afraid he will have a seizure and nobody will know Any insight would be great.

I take it you took him to the vets ? Did they put him on any medications for this ?

[MPlayman]

The guy next door has a springer and he was having them really bad. His son told him the he read if you give them some high fat Ice cream it would help. He started giving him haagen daz or Ben & Jerry's every morning before anything else and every night before bed. He said he just gave him a couple large tablespoons. The dog has not had one since.

Also I read Frebreze will cause them to do this.

[ARCHIE]

I am so sorry your little one had a seizure and glad your on YT.
You will get all the support and information you need to guide you.
I am hoping and praying it's a one time deal.

Hugs,

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by bonbon

Had you recently applied any flea/tick treatment by chance? If so, what kind?

I wanted to explain my question, as I've had a couple of people ask about it.

Years ago I used Biospot as a flea/tick preventative. It caused my Becca to have seizures, and my vet ordered me to quit using it immediately. I began researching and found that Biospot had killed thousands of cats and small dogs and caused violent seizures in countless others.

This is the ONLY flea/tick drug on the market that I am aware of causing these problems. I have used Frontline for years now with absolutely no problems, and have friends who swear by other brands recommended by their vets.

I just beg everyone PLEASE don't use Biospot. That stuff is dangerous!!!

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by MPlayman

The guy next door has a springer and he was having them really bad. His son told him the he read if you give them some high fat Ice cream it would help. He started giving him haagen daz or Ben & Jerry's every morning before anything else and every night before bed. He said he just gave him a couple large tablespoons. The dog has not had one since.

Also I read Frebreze will cause them to do this.

That remedy is only for after they have a seizure. Seizures can cause a big drop in blood sugar Giving them vanilla ice cream will raise it quickly and help them recover from the seizure.


Some of our Guardian Angels have found that a Rescue Remedy Sundae can be helpful following a seizure. The Rescue Remedy Sundae is made by putting a little Rescue Remedy on a small amount of vanilla ice cream as soon as a dog is safely able to eat following a seizure. If your dog does not respond to Rescue Remedy you can use plain ice cream. You should use a good all-natural, preservative-free ice cream, such as Hãagen Dazs and please only use vanilla. It takes only a very small amount - too much can do more harm than good. For dogs under 50 pounds, a teaspoon or two is plenty; 50-100 pound dogs can handle about one or two tablespoons; and dogs over 100 pounds can have a scant 1/4 cup.

The reason behind this is that blood sugar levels often drop drastically before or during seizures and the ice cream will bring the blood sugar level back to normal. The way it works is the sugar in the ice cream will bring the blood sugar level back up to normal while the butter or fat holds the sugar in suspension so that it doesn't cause a sugar rush which plain sugar or honey or molasses would. Bringing the blood sugar level up too quickly is not good which is why we recommend ice cream. Also, bringing the blood sugar level up to normal can help to prevent additional seizures. Low blood sugar itself can cause seizures. If your dog has very obvious pre-seizure behavior and you give a little ice cream before a seizure happens, this can sometimes stop the seizure altogether. Please be sure to thaw the ice cream a bit by letting it sit out on the counter or "zapping" it in the microwave briefly - you don't want to chill your dog too much or have him gulp down frozen ice cream.

ICE CREAM AFTER A SEIZURE

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

That remedy is only for after they have a seizure. Seizures can cause a big drop in blood sugar Giving them vanilla ice cream will raise it quickly and help them recover from the seizure.


Some of our Guardian Angels have found that a Rescue Remedy Sundae can be helpful following a seizure. The Rescue Remedy Sundae is made by putting a little Rescue Remedy on a small amount of vanilla ice cream as soon as a dog is safely able to eat following a seizure. If your dog does not respond to Rescue Remedy you can use plain ice cream. You should use a good all-natural, preservative-free ice cream, such as Hãagen Dazs and please only use vanilla. It takes only a very small amount - too much can do more harm than good. For dogs under 50 pounds, a teaspoon or two is plenty; 50-100 pound dogs can handle about one or two tablespoons; and dogs over 100 pounds can have a scant 1/4 cup.

The reason behind this is that blood sugar levels often drop drastically before or during seizures and the ice cream will bring the blood sugar level back to normal. The way it works is the sugar in the ice cream will bring the blood sugar level back up to normal while the butter or fat holds the sugar in suspension so that it doesn't cause a sugar rush which plain sugar or honey or molasses would. Bringing the blood sugar level up too quickly is not good which is why we recommend ice cream. Also, bringing the blood sugar level up to normal can help to prevent additional seizures. Low blood sugar itself can cause seizures. If your dog has very obvious pre-seizure behavior and you give a little ice cream before a seizure happens, this can sometimes stop the seizure altogether. Please be sure to thaw the ice cream a bit by letting it sit out on the counter or "zapping" it in the microwave briefly - you don't want to chill your dog too much or have him gulp down frozen ice cream.

ICE CREAM AFTER A SEIZURE

Can also work for keeping seizures under control. It is the fat in the ice cream that does it. It comes from the Ketogenic Diet. This only works before the seizure if not related to hypoglycemia

[cathys]

I learn something new here everyday. I never would have even thought of ice cream. amazing.