Canine Epilepsy - Please help a very worried owner!

[Cody's Papa]

Hello all! My little baby boy Cody has recently had 3 seizures inside of 24 hours. The vet is fairly certain it's epilepsy; tommorrow morning, we will likely start him on Phenobarbital.

I'm already looking online for as much information as I can, and we've received quite a lot of information from our vet already. I'm just looking for a little comfort here - I'm scared out of my wits! Cody is only 4 years old, I'm very worried.

Anyone else out there live with dog seizures that can offer a little comfort?

[Taz_Zoee]

I have very little experience with it. But my Aussie, Zoee, has had what we believe to be seizures. Luckily hers are spread very far apart and so far are petit-mal. This past Easter morning was the most recent episode, and she had a couple that day. But my vet said since it's not happening more frequently there is not much to do at this time. She gave me some doggie valium for when she does have them. If they do become more often Phenobarb would be our next step.
Here is my thread I had about Zoee. Seizures The part about her seizure starts on post #11. Denyce suggests to try changing food, that worked for her.

Were these three seizures the only ones he has ever had? And what level are they? Can you describe what happens to him?
I'm asking these questions, because I'm thinking if it was the one and only time he may not need to go on the Phenobarb. But that also depends on the severity of the seizures.

[4 Dog Mother]

My dog Snoopy started having seizures when he was 2 years old. When they come like your puppy's did it is caused a cluster. Because he did have so many within the 24 hours, they will most likely start him on phenabarbital. Finding out what exactly is causing them is very difficult and can be very expensive. Even if they do a lot of testing they cannot always find an answer. For some dogs you can often find a trigger - a certain type of food, treat, a change in normal schedule. We never found one for Snoopy.

Snoopy did well for the first couple of years on the phenabarbital. But even taking it he would occasionally have a seizure - in the beginning he would even go 4 or 5 months without another seizure. Then they would start clustering again and we would have to increase the phenabarbital (which I am not spelling right). About 2 years after his first one they had to add potassium bromide. Lots of dogs live long relatively long normal lives with seizures.

The most important thing for you is to remain calm when he is having them. Do not try to put your hands anywhere near his mouth. His jaws will lock and he cannot open them so if your hand is in there, you will be hurting. I always petted Snoopy and talked calmly to him. It always seemed to help him. When he came out of the seizure he would be disoriented and would run into walls, furniture, etc. And he would be very agitated. We were also given Valium so if he started having them, we could give it to him and hopefully stop any further seizures.

Snoopy mostly had grand mal seizures. Which means he lost all control of his bodily functions. He would pee, poop and drool. As Taz_Zoe said there are different levels depending on what happens during the seizures. A friends dog would just stop and stare and not know what was going on around him. Another friends dog just had a seizure every 4 or 5 months so they didn't do anything. Sometimes it is easier putting up with the seizures than the side effects of the drugs.

PM me or post more and I will tell you what I can. Diana

[Cody's Papa]

I have very little experience with it. But my Aussie, Zoee, has had what we believe to be seizures. Luckily hers are spread very far apart and so far are petit-mal. This past Easter morning was the most recent episode, and she had a couple that day. But my vet said since it's not happening more frequently there is not much to do at this time. She gave me some doggie valium for when she does have them. If they do become more often Phenobarb would be our next step.
Here is my thread I had about Zoee. Seizures The part about her seizure starts on post #11. Denyce suggests to try changing food, that worked for her.

Were these three seizures the only ones he has ever had? And what level are they? Can you describe what happens to him?
I'm asking these questions, because I'm thinking if it was the one and only time he may not need to go on the Phenobarb. But that also depends on the severity of the seizures.

They were very severe grand mal seizures. Excessive foaming, loss of bodily functions, followed by a VERY agitated state of aggressive barking and confusion. He simply wasn't himself. All three lasted only 2-3 minutes. We haven't witnessed the last 2; they occurred while being monitored at the vet, but from what they told us, they weren't as bad as the original. He's been "clean" now for over 24 hours. The vet wants to see one more before starting him on Phenobarbitol.

They were the only one's he's ever had in 4 years.

[Taz_Zoee]

I was hoping Diana would see this thread and post. I'm glad your vet isn't just going to immediately put him on the Phenobarb. Who knows it could be several months before he has another one (I'm hoping this is the case for you). And like Diana said, the side effects of drugs can be worse than occasional seizures. I was very glad Zoee didn't have to be on it. BUT if they get worse then I will do whatever it takes for her.

I will be hoping Cody does not have any more clusters or even single seizures. I know, first hand, how scary they are. I also did as Diana said, just sat with her and pet her. Although, she would try to climb into my skin. She'd probably climb up on top of my head if I let her.

Maybe you could ask your vet for Valium just in case??

[joycenalex]

alex the wonder dog lived with idiopathic canine epilepsy for over 11 years. he lived very well, happily and long. he too would have grand mal seizures where he would lose consciousness, foaming, occasionally lose bladder control. duke, who i adopted at age 10 or 11, knowing that he had very very mild epilepsy, but when he had a seizure, he would lose bowel and bladder control. i konw 2 other long lived dogs who have lived more 10 years with epilepsy. i have lots of experience and hope to share. join us at www.canine-epilepsy.com, www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com and the yahoo group k9epilepsy. there is a paper published by dr william thomas of the university of kentucky vet school that is invaluable for your vet to read, i have copies of the valium protocol that dr mark podell, formerly of the osu vet school wrote, and i can send you these references for you vet to read.
it's truly awful to watch your well loved dog having one, but we can help you find ways to help your dog. PM me, there's more i can share..there is hope. kindest regards, joyce

[dreamparkingspace]

I don't have epilepsy, though my sister does (she has taken Keppra and Lamictal in the past) and I have personally been prescribed almost every anti-convulsant there is in the past as well I must admit in order to treat schizoaffective disorder (to treat the bipolar part -- schizoaffective = schizophrenia + bipolar), and I do know quite a bit about psychiatric drugs because I've taken so many in my life and mental illness is very common in my family, except I have never been prescribed phenobarbital. I know that is one of the older anti-convulsants, which isn't used as often anymore (at least in humans). If I were you I'd ask your vet as many questions as you can about which anti-convulsant is the safest for your dog, which is most effective, which has the least side effect profile, what he/she would use if they were in your position, etc. My Grandma was on phenobarbital for several years after she had a brain anyeurism, and if I remember correctly it helped with headaches but made her sleep a lot, again though, don't know if this applies to dogs.

Hope this is helpful. Feel free to email me.