fits or seizures in dogs

[williamalex1]

Hi guys , our 6yr old Shih Tzu had fit yesterday, her 3rd in 3years her last one was 15 months ago . We were lucky to have kept a tube of diazepam at hand from the last time . She seems ok after a visit to the vet , and a new supply of medication now on hand.
Have any of you had any longterm experience of this problem with your dogs ?, any advice would be great ,

thank you.

 

[El Bandito]

Sorry boss, can't be of any help to you! Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of the troubles. It must scare the wotsits out of you every time it happens. Do the vets know what causes it?

 

[williamalex1]

Sorry boss, can't be of any help to you! Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of the troubles. It must scare the wotsits out of you every time it happens. Do the vets know what causes it?

They say its most likely epilepsy, but because the episodes are a year apart , constant medication is not the treatment just now.Yes its very scary.

 

[virtuocity]

Horrible to witness. Our one year old Collie had two fits in two days recently- caused by PAINT FUMES of all things (had the doors painted).

It says online that unless it's very consistent that meds aren't advised.

 

[williamalex1]

Horrible to witness. Our one year old Collie had two fits in two days recently- caused by PAINT FUMES of all things (had the doors painted).

It says online that unless it's very consistent that meds aren't advised.

Dave i hope your dog is ok.

 

[Iaing]

I'd a border collie who had a few fits when she was under a year old. The vet wanted to put her down but as I wasn't happy about that, took her to another vet who gave her a course of meds and she never had another fit. Had her for another 13 years after that.

 

[williamalex1]

I'd a border collie who had a few fits when she was under a year old. The vet wanted to put her down but as I wasn't happy about that, took her to another vet who gave her a course of meds and she never had another fit. Had her for another 13 years after that.

Can you recall after all those years, what meds she got, I know i can't remember last week so no worries if you can't. And as you say all vets have different ideas.
thank you.

 

[Iaing]

Don't remember exactly but I think they were a very mild sedative.

 

[williamalex1]

Don't remember exactly but I think they were a very mild sedative.

Thanks again .

 

[virtuocity]

Don't remember exactly but I think they were a very mild sedative.

From my research, that would seem to be right.

Phenobarbital is what is given to dogs who have REGULAR fits, but dogs build up a tolerance to this drug over time so it is not prescribed on a whim.

Best advice I can give is to start writing a diary including references to:

-Food eaten
-Temperature
-Changes to environment
-Walking/exercise pattern
-Time of day and length of fit

It's a difficult job being a vet as they often have to provide diagnoses based on what a worried owner tells them. By recording a diary and picking out patterns leading up to a fit you may help eliminate them.

Like I said above, we bought oil-based paint and got someone to paint all of the doors in the house in one day. We kept the windows open for a couple of days after (as much as we could). The first two days we didn't open the window (rainy days), the dog had a fit on each of the days.

Went back to opening the window and alas, no further fits.

Thank god the paint smell is finally away.

Also, keep a video phone or recorder close to you and take a video of the dog's fit. There are many types of fit and your vet should be interested to check it out.

 

[williamalex1]

From my research, that would seem to be right.

Phenobarbital is what is given to dogs who have REGULAR fits, but dogs build up a tolerance to this drug over time so it is not prescribed on a whim.

Best advice I can give is to start writing a diary including references to:

-Food eaten
-Temperature
-Changes to environment
-Walking/exercise pattern
-Time of day and length of fit

It's a difficult job being a vet as they often have to provide diagnoses based on what a worried owner tells them. By recording a diary and picking out patterns leading up to a fit you may help eliminate them.

Like I said above, we bought oil-based paint and got someone to paint all of the doors in the house in one day. We kept the windows open for a couple of days after (as much as we could). The first two days we didn't open the window (rainy days), the dog had a fit on each of the days.

Went back to opening the window and alas, no further fits.

Thank god the paint smell is finally away.

Also, keep a video phone or recorder close to you and take a video of the dog's fit. There are many types of fit and your vet should be interested to check it out.

Thanks again Dave , i take it your's is not a dulux type dog , i just could'nt resist that, sorry

 

[virtuocity]