I Think Stewie Has Epilepsy

[StewiesMom]

I am waiting to get in to see my vet. Stewie had a seizure on Sunday. He's three and a half years old. He had one before, but I didn't recognize it to be a seizure (this was 4 or so months ago). I thought that he had just gotten stepped on and hurt his leg, since he laid on his back, shook like he was scared, and pulled one of his front legs close to his body. Now that he had almost an exact same episode and I know he did not get stepped on or hurt, I did some research and diagnosed him myself to have epilepsy. The seizures seem to have been both classified as petit mal.

He does not have liver shunt. He has had the two seizures when he got beyond excited - once when he was playing with the other two dogs, and once when the doorbell rang and he thought someone was coming in.

I am so surprised and sad. I hope that it does not happen anymore, but its not like I could try to calm down a Yorkie - we alll know that's nearly impossible at most times. It is the most scary experience I've ever had. I've cried hysterically both times, which I bet don't help calm Stewie down. I didn't think that something like this could hapen to me or my baby, but I was wrong.

[sweetr72]

Awww Im sorry to hear that..I will keep Stewie in my thoughts...hopefully the vets can do something to keep this under control.

Dawn

[bchgirl]

Oh Kristy I hope not...but if he is...take hope in the fact it can be treated. My bil owned a kitty with epilepsy and with his medication...he was seizure free...you wouldn't have known unless you were told.

Maybe you were wrong in your diagnosis. My Reese was diagnosed as having an enlarged heart by a veterinarian viewing an xray....so I took him to a cardiologist....and the first vet was wrong.

[drawlins27]

Aww, I'm so sorry to hear about Stewie. I have a lot of experience with seizures in Yorkies. The bad news is that a seizure is not usually an isolated event, meaning that he will most likely have them the rest of his life at odd intervals. The good news is that a seizure is rarely life threatening unless it lasts past 15 minutes or occurs one right after another (cluster seizures) In these instances, they can be dangerous and must be treated right away.

Your vet will run a few tests just to rule out any obvious causes. Considering his age, he most likely has Idiopathic epilepsy (not as scary as it sounds). This is actually very common in dogs, especially Yorkies and most dogs experience their first seizure at 1-5 years old.

The most important thing is to keep calm when he has a seizure and time it. You also need to start a log and keep track of how often he has a seizure and how long they last. Your vet needs this info to decide whether or not he needs medication for the seizures. Typically a vet will not give medication for epilepsy unless the seizures are severe or are occurring on a frequent basis.

I recommend that any dog owner keep a dose of rectal valium on hand (the valium should be kept out of the light because it will break it down and make it less effective). The valium can be administered if the seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes, is particularly violent, or become cluster seizures.

Good luck at the vets, let us know how it goes!

[chloeandj]

OH Kristy how sad i am to hear this! Poor little Stewie!

Please let us know what the vet says. My last maltese used to pass out when she got excited or when she'd go running at the door bell because of some things going on with her health. Could he be passing out?

[For My Coby]

Originally Posted by drawlins27

Aww, I'm so sorry to hear about Stewie. I have a lot of experience with seizures in Yorkies. The bad news is that a seizure is not usually an isolated event, meaning that he will most likely have them the rest of his life at odd intervals. The good news is that a seizure is rarely life threatening unless it lasts past 15 minutes or occurs one right after another (cluster seizures) In these instances, they can be dangerous and must be treated right away.

Your vet will run a few tests just to rule out any obvious causes. Considering his age, he most likely has Idiopathic epilepsy (not as scary as it sounds). This is actually very common in dogs, especially Yorkies and most dogs experience their first seizure at 1-5 years old.

The most important thing is to keep calm when he has a seizure and time it. You also need to start a log and keep track of how often he has a seizure and how long they last. Your vet needs this info to decide whether or not he needs medication for the seizures. Typically a vet will not give medication for epilepsy unless the seizures are severe or are occurring on a frequent basis.

I recommend that any dog owner keep a dose of rectal valium on hand (the valium should be kept out of the light because it will break it down and make it less effective). The valium can be administered if the seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes, is particularly violent, or become cluster seizures.

Good luck at the vets, let us know how it goes!

My Reggie (Shih Tzu) has had seizures for years. The vet has not formally diagnosed him with epilepsy or anything else, just "seizures". And he gave the exact same information and direction as above.

I didn't know about the rectal valium tho. I will ask the vet about that. Reggie will tell me when a seizure is coming on and just wants to be held through it. The part that breaks my heart is the thought of him having one at home alone when I'm not here to help him.

[alaskayorkie]

Say it ain't so, Stewie! My thoughts are with you guys, Kristy.

[cj125]

Great post drawlins27! My blk lab of 15 years had seizures. He didn't get them until after he was 1 yr old. It really freaked me out to see him the first few times. I think he had the Grand Mal ones. The best thing you can do is keep calm. I don't know what the Dr's will tell you, but I always laid down with Lucky when he had them. It seemed to help. I always talked to him in a soft voice and told him "it would be ok". He was put on the medication and then he only had the Petit Mal a couple times a year after that. He lived a full and happy life. Actually, the last few years we took him off the meds completely. He was all mellowed out. Please don't let this "get" to you. He's still the same Stewie Oh, the only other thing I would offer is... always go with your gut. When they first put Lucky on the meds he seemed too drugged up, I mentioned it to the vet and he was great. They go by body weight but if you feel they need less or more... tell them. Every dog is different - just like people.
Good Luck & God Bless....

[Ladymom]

My Lady is also an epileptic. She was diagnosed when I adopted her at age four so it's hard to know how long she'd been having seizures, but the normal age for idiopathic epilepsy to surface is between 1-5 years.

Has your vet checked Stewie's thyroid function? That isn't done during a routine CBC. Abnormal thyroid function can also cause seizures.

Lady is now twelve and proof that epileptics can live along, happy life. She has been on medication since I got her, but I am happy to say she hasn't had a seizure in over a year.

This website is the best source of information on canine epilepsy on the Web IMO. It's become my bible over the years.

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/

[Rosey07]

awwwww man I hate that! Blessings.

[StewiesMom]

Thanks for the replies and advice, guys. I will definitely let you know what happens. I am scared, but hopeful after reading up on it and hearing your experiences.

[1956snowflake]

My Silky Terrier started getting seizures at the age of 3. She is now on Phenobarb and Potassium Bromide. There very well controlled now. Her's got real violent. She would metabolise the phenobarb to quickly so the Vet added the Potassium Brimide. She does real welll now, she has an occasional seizure maybe once a month, we just hold her real tight and let her know were with her. She's a happy health dog other than that, and I plan to keep her a real long time It is scary at first, but, you can handle it!

[Judy in Waco]

We're praying for you and Stewie.

[Dan & Corinne]

Originally Posted by drawlins27

Aww, I'm so sorry to hear about Stewie. I have a lot of experience with seizures in Yorkies. The bad news is that a seizure is not usually an isolated event, meaning that he will most likely have them the rest of his life at odd intervals. The good news is that a seizure is rarely life threatening unless it lasts past 15 minutes or occurs one right after another (cluster seizures) In these instances, they can be dangerous and must be treated right away.

Your vet will run a few tests just to rule out any obvious causes. Considering his age, he most likely has Idiopathic epilepsy (not as scary as it sounds). This is actually very common in dogs, especially Yorkies and most dogs experience their first seizure at 1-5 years old.

The most important thing is to keep calm when he has a seizure and time it. You also need to start a log and keep track of how often he has a seizure and how long they last. Your vet needs this info to decide whether or not he needs medication for the seizures. Typically a vet will not give medication for epilepsy unless the seizures are severe or are occurring on a frequent basis.

I recommend that any dog owner keep a dose of rectal valium on hand (the valium should be kept out of the light because it will break it down and make it less effective). The valium can be administered if the seizure lasts longer than 15 minutes, is particularly violent, or become cluster seizures.

Good luck at the vets, let us know how it goes!

I've also have a lot of experiance with seizures and did quite a bit of research on it.

If they choose to start medication, make sure they give Potassium Bromide and not Phenobarbitol. Phenobarbitol can damage the liver and kidney.

Here is a thread I started that has details on how you can help Stewie with diet.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...hlight=allergy

And here is a link to a very informative website if you haven't run accross it yet.
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/

I do hope it was not a seizure - There are no tests for epilepsy. It's usually running tests after tests to eliminate other causes.

Best wishes
Corinne

[Betty'sMom]

Oh, Stewie. (hug)