Seizures

[Blue]

I woke up last night around 3 am to my dog having a seizure. :( This is the third one he's had in a month (had two in late December and then the one last night). He started having them a while ago, but never this much. He used to have maybe one every four months, if that. We called the vet and she just said to watch him...:help: My neighbors dog has seizures and she's on meds...and I'm wondering why the vet just said to keep an eye on him? I don't feel like that's right...I think I read in a book if a dog has more than 2 a month they should be checked out.

By the way, he's an 11 year old male Dachshund. He'll be 12 in June.

Opinions? Should we try to get him on medicine? I feel really bad for him and I'm scared that it's hurting him to have so many.

[SedonaThunder]

I would find a new vet! You are right on that your dog should be seen and yes, there is medication that can help control seizures. The medicine isn't great for them but neither are the seizures and he's getting up there in age. There is also the chance that they could be caused by something that perhaps your vet can help you figure out and that too could help him. I'm sorry this is happening - I had a dog that had them and I know how scary it can be! Good luck to you and your boy.

[FoxFireEMT]

Yeah start off with a new vet! My bro's 180 Rot started to have seizures & was controlled for some time with meds but soon he just was over come by them & meds weren't working. It was such a terrible sight to see. I wish you the best & hope for the best! Get a new VET & get that doggy on some meds quick! Seizures can be very debilitating!

[Blue]

Thanks! Now I've just got to convince my mom to find a new vet...she's convinced that our vet is the best and they know what they're talking about.

[FoxFireEMT]

Well one thing I learned is my "horse" vets aren't always good 4 my dogs & my dogs aren't always good 4 my horses! Sounds silly I know, but I take my horse to a different vet then I take my dog & cat too. *shrug* I'm sure there are some out there. Best of luck with convincing your mom.

[shelsnsaus]

When I worked for the vet, granted it was years ago, there were many things that caused seizures. Some were environmental. Usually if they started before age 2, they would out grow them, if they started after age 2, usually they were life long (these were the ones most often medicated). Started late in life, its usually an environmental factor or another progressive medical issue such as metabolic issues and the standard meds may not work (phenobarb or potassium bromide or both).

I agree with finding a new vet since its been established that 1) he didn't have them as a younger dog 2) he hasn't recently gotten into something 3) Its continuing and becoming more frequent. Geriatric dogs do have liver, kidney and heart issues all of which can produce build ups that can cause seizures. They should do a through exam, bloodwork and a urinalysis to start. You may also need to worry about a possible brain tumor, not as common, but a possiblity non the less. Metabolic or tumor issues will not be helped by typical seizure meds and can make the situation worse rather than better given that its not treating the actual cause of the seizures.

Many dogs have seizures, some only have 1 or 2, some are lifelong, some outgrow them and some start them late in life. While you are in the process of finding out whats wrong and finding meds that work. The most important thing is to keep him safe. Away from stairs, away from objects he could hit his head on etc. Most importantly, try to stay away from the mouth. They can and will bite, since they have no control, and they also can bite and not let go. Its not aggression or even meaning to bite, they literally have little to no control over their muscles and are unaware of what they are doing. You think a seizure is long when you are watching your dog, but try waiting out that time with his teeth clamped onto your hand. Please make sure he is safe and do it from a safe enough distance from his mouth. My MIL got bit by her seizing border collie, it was bad...

[Remali]

Oh the poor sweetie..... I agree, do get a new vet, most dogs need meds to help with that type of thing.

[oursarge]

I vote for a new vet too. Our friend's dog has had seizures since he was a puppy, they have him on medication and he'll be fine for awhile then start again and they'll have to ajust his medication. I think that thyroid issues can also cause seizures but I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure that my husband's friend's dog started having them and was put on thyroid medication and has been fine.

[JackieB]

Three in one month and the vet says just to watch him? Sorry, that's not a standard of care that I would be willing to accept.

We had a cocker spaniel who began to have horrible seizures. We got him on phenobarbitol and it worked beautifully in controlling the seizures. However, a side effect of that drug is that it can destroy the liver. Eventually, this happened with Barney, but we got several more good years (completely free of seizures) than we would have otherwise. We just couldn't allow those seizures to continue.

[Gypsy Rose]

I would definitely find a new vet! More testing should be done to rule out any physical cause for the seizures.

[Ryderd65]

I agree with everyone else- it's time to find a new vet.