Question about head/neck injury and seizures - YorkieTalk.com Forums

my2boyz · 04-16-2011, 12:48 PM

Can a head or neck injury as a puppy cause seizures later in life?

I have a friend who has a 2 year old Yorkie that has seizures sometimes that seem to be related to movement...like when he jumps or wakes up quickly. Could there be a connection to an old injury to the head or neck?

megansmomma · 04-16-2011, 01:09 PM

Has the friend taken the dog for a Neurological consultation? I would think that this would be the first step in finding out what is going on with your friends dog. Most likely an MRI would be in order to help with a proper treatment plan. There are several members with dogs on anti-seizure medications (Alldogboots, 107Barney, Ladymom off the top of my head) and they all started the Dxing process with a Neuro visit. Maybe you could ask one of the above mentioned members for more information. From what I do know, seizures should be controlled by medication or there is a possibility of permanent neurological damage.

To answer your specific question, from what I have read the answer would be yes possibly.

my2boyz · 04-16-2011, 02:25 PM

I don't know what tests she has had done but I will see if she's been to a neurologist. Thank you.

If it's seizures from an injury are they treated differently than seizures from epilepsy or seizures from some other cause?

I've heard things like a damaged disc or pinched nerve or even scar tissue from an old injury can cause seizures. How would something like that be found and treated?

Also, someone in another thread mentioned lesions on the brain and seizures. What would cause lesions on the brain?

megansmomma · 04-16-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2boyz

I don't know what tests she has had done but I will see if she's been to a neurologist. Thank you.

If it's seizures from an injury are they treated differently than seizures from epilepsy or seizures from some other cause?

I've heard things like a damaged disc or pinched nerve or even scar tissue from an old injury can cause seizures. How would something like that be found and treated?

Also, someone in another thread mentioned lesions on the brain and seizures. What would cause lesions on the brain?

I'm sorry maybe someone else would come along that knows the answers to your questions. Luckily, I have no experience with this issue. I'm not sure what you mean by a damaged disc and seizures

Let me PM Ladymom and 107Barney. They have experience with this and might be helpful.

107barney · 04-16-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2boyz

Can a head or neck injury as a puppy cause seizures later in life?

I have a friend who has a 2 year old Yorkie that has seizures sometimes that seem to be related to movement...like when he jumps or wakes up quickly. Could there be a connection to an old injury to the head or neck?

Yes, that is why MRIs are done to look at the whole brain.
Your friend's dog should have a consult w/ a neuro.

my2boyz · 04-16-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 107barney

Yes, that is why MRIs are done to look at the whole brain.
Your friend's dog should have a consult w/ a neuro.

Thank you...I will let her know.

How are neuro injuries treated...or are they all different so treatment is different? Accupuncture? Therapy? Drugs?

I don't know anything about this kind of injury.

Oh...and...wasn't there a link posted for a list of neurologists by state this morning?

mainegirl · 04-16-2011, 04:59 PM

my little guy had a traumatic head injury in Dec. He was treated with iv steroids and O2. His neurologic symptoms were sever and he wasn't expected to live. He did make it and gradually his symptoms resolved as the brain healed. If it is a brain injury it is a wait and pray game. We had to watch for seizures for the first week and he had none. I still need to watch for them and the neurologist said that there is a possibility they could show up later. Meds are the solution if they are severe enough. Brain injuries are difficult. It just takes time but if this is an old injury and there are seizures I would see a neurologist and they may prescribe meds. I hope things turn out well.

Ladymom · 04-17-2011, 08:00 AM

My Lady has idiopathic epilepsy meaning it is organic with no underlying cause.

To answer your question, yes, it is possible for a dog to have seizures as a result of an injury. Many things can cause seizures, a liver shunt, thyroid imbalance, brain tumor, GME, the list goes on. Determining what is causing the seizures is a process of elimination, starting with basic bloodwork and moving on from there. In young Yorkies, the most common cause is a liver shunt so a bile acids test is one of the first things that should be done.

The results of the tests will determine the treatment.

If all the tests are negative, a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is usually made. In most cases, anti-convulsants are prescribed.

my2boyz · 04-17-2011, 08:09 AM

Thank you everyone for the information.

These seizures appear to be related to 'movement' like jumping. That's why I wondered if it could be a pinched nerve or disc issue...although, her Yorkie never shows signs of pain or discomfort...the seizures happen during movement.

I will look up more information on neurologists for her.

04-16-2011, 12:48 PM	#1
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	Question about head/neck injury and seizures Can a head or neck injury as a puppy cause seizures later in life? I have a friend who has a 2 year old Yorkie that has seizures sometimes that seem to be related to movement...like when he jumps or wakes up quickly. Could there be a connection to an old injury to the head or neck?

04-16-2011, 01:09 PM	#2
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	Has the friend taken the dog for a Neurological consultation? I would think that this would be the first step in finding out what is going on with your friends dog. Most likely an MRI would be in order to help with a proper treatment plan. There are several members with dogs on anti-seizure medications (Alldogboots, 107Barney, Ladymom off the top of my head) and they all started the Dxing process with a Neuro visit. Maybe you could ask one of the above mentioned members for more information. From what I do know, seizures should be controlled by medication or there is a possibility of permanent neurological damage. To answer your specific question, from what I have read the answer would be yes possibly. __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

04-16-2011, 04:59 PM	#7
mainegirl Donating YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 513 Blog Entries: 1	head injury my little guy had a traumatic head injury in Dec. He was treated with iv steroids and O2. His neurologic symptoms were sever and he wasn't expected to live. He did make it and gradually his symptoms resolved as the brain healed. If it is a brain injury it is a wait and pray game. We had to watch for seizures for the first week and he had none. I still need to watch for them and the neurologist said that there is a possibility they could show up later. Meds are the solution if they are severe enough. Brain injuries are difficult. It just takes time but if this is an old injury and there are seizures I would see a neurologist and they may prescribe meds. I hope things turn out well. __________________ Member of the Little Gentleman's Club

04-17-2011, 08:00 AM	#8
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	My Lady has idiopathic epilepsy meaning it is organic with no underlying cause. To answer your question, yes, it is possible for a dog to have seizures as a result of an injury. Many things can cause seizures, a liver shunt, thyroid imbalance, brain tumor, GME, the list goes on. Determining what is causing the seizures is a process of elimination, starting with basic bloodwork and moving on from there. In young Yorkies, the most common cause is a liver shunt so a bile acids test is one of the first things that should be done. The results of the tests will determine the treatment. If all the tests are negative, a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is usually made. In most cases, anti-convulsants are prescribed. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

04-16-2011, 02:25 PM	#3
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	I don't know what tests she has had done but I will see if she's been to a neurologist. Thank you. If it's seizures from an injury are they treated differently than seizures from epilepsy or seizures from some other cause? I've heard things like a damaged disc or pinched nerve or even scar tissue from an old injury can cause seizures. How would something like that be found and treated? Also, someone in another thread mentioned lesions on the brain and seizures. What would cause lesions on the brain?

04-17-2011, 08:09 AM	#9
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	Thank you everyone for the information. These seizures appear to be related to 'movement' like jumping. That's why I wondered if it could be a pinched nerve or disc issue...although, her Yorkie never shows signs of pain or discomfort...the seizures happen during movement. I will look up more information on neurologists for her.