seizures - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lmomof3boys · 12-14-2008, 07:05 PM

My 10 month old Yorkie, Daisy, completed her first heat cycle. Within a week she had a seizure. Saturday she had her second seizure. The seizure lasts 30-45 seconds but seems longer. The first time I took her to the vet he gave her benedryl and said he thought she was having an allergic reaction. Any suggestions?

my2boyz · 12-14-2008, 07:20 PM

This is a wonderful website that explains a lot about seizures...they're not all caused by epilepsy. Please take a look through it and read about the home chemicals and food ingredients that can trigger seizures.

Canine epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs

Good luck with Daisy...I hope you find the cause of hers and she won't have anymore.

lmomof3boys · 12-14-2008, 08:13 PM

Thank you. I looked through some of it tonight and I will go over the rest tomorrow. I had no idea that I should be giving Daisy extra calories following a seizure. I have learned alot already. I wish I could stay up longer but with our alarms set for 5 a.m. it is time to call it a night. Thanks!

Ellie May · 12-15-2008, 04:34 AM

Is she ever lethargic?
A picky eater?
Does she ever get shaky or fall over?
What food is she eating?

lmomof3boys · 12-15-2008, 07:23 AM

Her blood sugar on 11/24/2008 was fine. She is tired following a seizure but not lethargic. She eats Iams puppy food for small breeds...hates Science Diet...and is picky. She loves our older yorkie's diet food (R/D Science Diet....she is my porkie yorkie lol) Daisy weighs 5 lbs and is thin. She only will eat if I am in the room since she is easily distracted. The vet said this morning that a seizure every 3 weeks doesn't warrant medication. I can take her to LSU vet hospital to do a brain tap for testing but he doesn't feel this is necessary at this time.

Ellie May · 12-15-2008, 07:28 AM

She needs to be bile acids tested for liver function.
Liver shunts are extremely common in Yorkies and with her not wanting to eat when you aren't in the room, that is another clue. Better to see if there is a problem so it can be treated early...

Yorkieluv · 12-15-2008, 04:16 PM

Yep, I agree..First thing that should be ruled out is liver disease...Bile acid tests are relatively inexpensive (under $100).

cocoangel · 12-25-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmomof3boys

My 10 month old Yorkie, Daisy, completed her first heat cycle. Within a week she had a seizure. Saturday she had her second seizure. The seizure lasts 30-45 seconds but seems longer. The first time I took her to the vet he gave her benedryl and said he thought she was having an allergic reaction. Any suggestions?

How is Daisy doing? Did you have the BAT done?

My Sasha had her 1st seizure toward the end of her heat cycle.....the vet said that being in heat had nothing to do with the seizure. What a coincidence!

Sasha's BAT did reveal that she has a liver problem.....if you haven't already done so, please have her tested. That way you and your vet can decide the best treatment for her

Best of luck to you both!

Ladymom · 12-25-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

She needs to be bile acids tested for liver function.
Liver shunts are extremely common in Yorkies and with her not wanting to eat when you aren't in the room, that is another clue. Better to see if there is a problem so it can be treated early...

I agree. Seizures in puppies under one year old is usually a symptom, not epilepsy itself. Since Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined, you need to have a bile acids test done.

lmomof3boys · 12-26-2008, 02:42 PM

Daisy had her BAT done on Tuesday. Unfortunately, because of the holiday we just got the results. Our vet said that all her levels are normal. He feels she has epilepsy. He did say that I can take her to LSU veterinarian hospital where they will withdraw cerebral fluid to test if I would like. The treatment however may just be the same. I am unsure on this since I don't want to traumatize Daisy further. She is such a sweetie. I don't want anything to hurt her.
Thanks for your responses.

lmomof3boys · 01-05-2009, 07:07 AM

Well this past few weeks have brought change. Daisy has had at least one seizure a week. I have done extensive research and am currently trying her on a G.A.R.D. diet (No gluten/aspertine restricted diet). The organic food is high in protien so I am hyper observant to watch to see if there are changes that would indicate liver problems. So far so good. She did have loose bowels for one day but this new food has blueberries and other ingredients that she isn't use to digesting. I feel that I need to take matters into my own hands since my vet doesn't feel this is "bad enough" for treatment. I am contacting LSU myself to see what treatments/testing is available.
BTW My hubby is "Mr. Tough Guy"...but Saturday eve he was with Daisy when she had a seizure. Wish you could all see the cuddling going on between those two!

Ladymom · 01-05-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmomof3boys

Well this past few weeks have brought change. Daisy has had at least one seizure a week. I have done extensive research and am currently trying her on a G.A.R.D. diet (No gluten/aspertine restricted diet). The organic food is high in protien so I am hyper observant to watch to see if there are changes that would indicate liver problems. So far so good. She did have loose bowels for one day but this new food has blueberries and other ingredients that she isn't use to digesting. I feel that I need to take matters into my own hands since my vet doesn't feel this is "bad enough" for treatment. I am contacting LSU myself to see what treatments/testing is available.
BTW My hubby is "Mr. Tough Guy"...but Saturday eve he was with Daisy when she had a seizure. Wish you could all see the cuddling going on between those two!

Where in Louisiana are you? I know a wonderful vet in Shrevesport. LSU has a great veterinary school.

Seizures in a young dog are also a symptom of GME.

gme

lmomof3boys · 01-05-2009, 08:31 AM

I live right south of Lafayette. Shreveport is about 5 hours .. I think. I know that there is a great vet hospital in Mandeville that does orthopedic work. Our older yorkie, Belle, had reconstructive knee surgery after she missed a step bolting to go after a squirrel.
What is GME? Are the symptoms similar?
Thanks for your help

Ladymom · 01-05-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmomof3boys

I live right south of Lafayette. Shreveport is about 5 hours .. I think. I know that there is a great vet hospital in Mandeville that does orthopedic work. Our older yorkie, Belle, had reconstructive knee surgery after she missed a step bolting to go after a squirrel.
What is GME? Are the symptoms similar?
Thanks for your help

GME usually strikes young dogs and one of the symptoms is seizures. Since Yorkies are prone to it, it is something that should be ruled out. I attached a link to the Yorkie Angel Patrol in my other post with more information about GME.

Have your vet give you a referral to LSU. They'll get to the bottom of it.

lmomof3boys · 01-05-2009, 06:41 PM

I just spoke with our vet. He consulted with LSU today. Neither he nor the specialist at LSU have faith in the GARD diet. They both recommend putting Daisy on phenobarbital. They said that if her seizures stop we can try and wean her off. They both said that the diet can't hurt. For now I am going to continue the diet. The correct dosage of pheno has to be caculated and prescribed. I am numb. If the pheno doesn't work then both vets said we move on to LSU for further testing. Both feel it is epilepsy. Daisy has no coordination problems. When she has a seizure within minutes she is herself again. She has no agression problems. Her blood work and BAT are fine. This leads them to believe that it is epilepsy. Your input in appreciated. Thanks

12-14-2008, 07:05 PM	#1
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	seizures My 10 month old Yorkie, Daisy, completed her first heat cycle. Within a week she had a seizure. Saturday she had her second seizure. The seizure lasts 30-45 seconds but seems longer. The first time I took her to the vet he gave her benedryl and said he thought she was having an allergic reaction. Any suggestions?

12-14-2008, 08:13 PM	#3
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Thank you Thank you. I looked through some of it tonight and I will go over the rest tomorrow. I had no idea that I should be giving Daisy extra calories following a seizure. I have learned alot already. I wish I could stay up longer but with our alarms set for 5 a.m. it is time to call it a night. Thanks!

12-15-2008, 04:34 AM	#4
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Is she ever lethargic? A picky eater? Does she ever get shaky or fall over? What food is she eating? __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

12-15-2008, 07:23 AM	#5
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Blood work shows blood sugar is fine Her blood sugar on 11/24/2008 was fine. She is tired following a seizure but not lethargic. She eats Iams puppy food for small breeds...hates Science Diet...and is picky. She loves our older yorkie's diet food (R/D Science Diet....she is my porkie yorkie lol) Daisy weighs 5 lbs and is thin. She only will eat if I am in the room since she is easily distracted. The vet said this morning that a seizure every 3 weeks doesn't warrant medication. I can take her to LSU vet hospital to do a brain tap for testing but he doesn't feel this is necessary at this time.

12-15-2008, 07:28 AM	#6
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	She needs to be bile acids tested for liver function. Liver shunts are extremely common in Yorkies and with her not wanting to eat when you aren't in the room, that is another clue. Better to see if there is a problem so it can be treated early... __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

12-14-2008, 07:20 PM	#2
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	This is a wonderful website that explains a lot about seizures...they're not all caused by epilepsy. Please take a look through it and read about the home chemicals and food ingredients that can trigger seizures. Canine epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs Good luck with Daisy...I hope you find the cause of hers and she won't have anymore.

12-15-2008, 04:16 PM	#7
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	Yep, I agree..First thing that should be ruled out is liver disease...Bile acid tests are relatively inexpensive (under $100). __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

12-26-2008, 02:42 PM	#10
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Daisy Update Daisy had her BAT done on Tuesday. Unfortunately, because of the holiday we just got the results. Our vet said that all her levels are normal. He feels she has epilepsy. He did say that I can take her to LSU veterinarian hospital where they will withdraw cerebral fluid to test if I would like. The treatment however may just be the same. I am unsure on this since I don't want to traumatize Daisy further. She is such a sweetie. I don't want anything to hurt her. Thanks for your responses. Last edited by lmomof3boys; 12-26-2008 at 02:43 PM. Reason: mispelled word

01-05-2009, 07:07 AM	#11
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Daisy Update 01042009 Well this past few weeks have brought change. Daisy has had at least one seizure a week. I have done extensive research and am currently trying her on a G.A.R.D. diet (No gluten/aspertine restricted diet). The organic food is high in protien so I am hyper observant to watch to see if there are changes that would indicate liver problems. So far so good. She did have loose bowels for one day but this new food has blueberries and other ingredients that she isn't use to digesting. I feel that I need to take matters into my own hands since my vet doesn't feel this is "bad enough" for treatment. I am contacting LSU myself to see what treatments/testing is available. BTW My hubby is "Mr. Tough Guy"...but Saturday eve he was with Daisy when she had a seizure. Wish you could all see the cuddling going on between those two!

01-05-2009, 08:31 AM	#13
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Louisiana I live right south of Lafayette. Shreveport is about 5 hours .. I think. I know that there is a great vet hospital in Mandeville that does orthopedic work. Our older yorkie, Belle, had reconstructive knee surgery after she missed a step bolting to go after a squirrel. What is GME? Are the symptoms similar? Thanks for your help

01-05-2009, 06:41 PM	#15
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Daisy's latest I just spoke with our vet. He consulted with LSU today. Neither he nor the specialist at LSU have faith in the GARD diet. They both recommend putting Daisy on phenobarbital. They said that if her seizures stop we can try and wean her off. They both said that the diet can't hurt. For now I am going to continue the diet. The correct dosage of pheno has to be caculated and prescribed. I am numb. If the pheno doesn't work then both vets said we move on to LSU for further testing. Both feel it is epilepsy. Daisy has no coordination problems. When she has a seizure within minutes she is herself again. She has no agression problems. Her blood work and BAT are fine. This leads them to believe that it is epilepsy. Your input in appreciated. Thanks