unico1 Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 Just after any information regarding epilepsy in dogs as my vet seems to think my 2 year old cocker my have early sings as he had a fit, seizure on new year's day then another this morning. Just wondering can it be controlled with drugs? Does any one's dog have it, so many questions any input appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 It's common in any creature bred too closely I do believe there is another type of cessure that occurs in spaniels that have just done too much but sure someone will know more about that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 My previous spaniel had fits occasionally after colliding with a fallow buck in a rhododendron bush when he was young out beating. The deer knocked him senseless and for 4 or 5 years afterwards he occasionally had fits, not only when over exerted, but sometimes just around the house. Very distressing to watch, but it gradually decreased as he got older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 One of Dads setters had epilepsy after contracting parvo at 9 weeks old. He only had an occasional fit about once a month of short duration and used to go to Dad when he knew he was going to have a fit. Dad tucked him under a blanket on his knee on the sofa and keeping him in the dark seemed to lesson the fit which was usually over in about 10 minutes. He never went on medication as the only thing available then was barbiturate based sedatives. Some dogs if they get over hot or low on blood sugars can have a fit due to this. If over hot putting a soaked towel over them will cool them and usually helps. If its due to low blood sugar giving small amounts of carbohydrate snacks while working usually stops this happening and if it happens something high in sugar for quick result. Not sure what medication is around now for dogs if it is actual epilepsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveboy Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 I had this 20 years ago with a Border terrier (8 year old) the only treatment was as above (barbiturate sedatives) After months of blood test and increasing the barbiturate a bit at a time the fits stopped. The vet said this was the correct level for him. By this time the dog was asleep for 23 hours a day and had to be carried outside to do its muck. In the end I decided to have him put to sleep (broke my heart). I hope things have improved since then and wish you the best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 One of my dogs had started staring into space, like a trance and then acting oddly afterwards, so as I was at the Vet anyway I took her with me. I've never seen epilepsy in any animal, but my vet had just come back from a lecture on the subject so we had quite an interesting chat about it. Obviously I had concerns that my dog could be showing some early signs. Apparently, epilepsy is a result of over-excitement of individual nerve cells. If a cell can't fully discharge its information to its neighbour and if the stimulus continues that cell becomes overloaded and when sufficient cells in this chain of information become agitated, this causes the epileptic reaction, fit or seizure. He did explain it in much more detail, but I've tried to simplify it here. What causes the [over]stimulus could be a very wide range of subjects and my vet quoted triggers as being as simple as ear mites, fleas, worms or other parasites, but equally it could be light, sound or even diet. Think of anything that creates an itch, overheating or any sensation and that could be sufficient to trigger a reaction. It was very enlightening really as I'd previously thought epilepsy was a condition in its own right, though I already knew it does tend to be hereditary. Anyway, his course of treatment is to try and find the stimulus trigger rather than just reach for the tablets straight away. I knew my dogs had some fleas (never had them in December!) so I needed some medication to treat them all and within a couple of days the weird staring thing stopped. I'm not saying that all epilepsy can be managed (I won't say cured) by finding the stimulus and it would be impossible in the case of light or sound, but if you have a good working relationship with your vet it's well worthwhile taking through the possible triggers - It might just save a small fortune in medication in the future. Good luck with your dog. It's common in any creature bred too closely Wrong. It can be hereditary, but breeding to close is not a defining factor. I've bred just over a hundred generations of small livestock using father to daughter and Grandfather to Granddaughter and never had any issues with epilepsy - neither have any of my friends in the same livestock circles. Contrary to popular belief, I've never had any with two heads either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unico1 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks for all the interesting posts, he had another one about lunch time today, vet is currently doing bloods, to rule out kidney probs etc, will get results hopefully soon. Very interesting to hear peoples views, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paganus Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 My cocker started fitting at a young age and was diagnosed with epilepsy, i remember the first time he did it, was not pleasant he was not even a year old. I thought that was it for him to be honest as he started cluster fitting at one point, vet did all tests, looked at diet etc and eventually diagnosed with epilepsy. Worst part was when the poor lad fitted he would wee as well as I suppose they can't control themselves so he had to be cleaned up each time then would sleep for ages. The vet then prescribed epi fen tablets, I wasn't holding out much hope and had decided if no improvement as much as I would be gutted putting him to sleep would be the kindest and fairest thing to do. But the tablets started to work and now after being diagnosed three years later he has not fitted once, I think they cost me £19 and last him a month. He leads a normal life I have trained him as a gun dog he beats, and will pick up, not a field trial champion but he is a lovely little fella and we wouldn't be without him. The vets have said the tablets have side effects can cause kidney problems which may lead to him not living as long as he would without condition, they did say they could reduce dosage, I'm not messing with it though it works for him and not worth it if that means a happy life which may not last as long so be it. So although it's not an ideal situation it can be controlled, hope this helps all the best with your dog hope it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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