falling over

In the last few months my dog has had a couple of episodes of falling over while trying to walk or stand. Its hard to explain. He has trouble walking, his back legs look like they are paralyzed, he can"t even sit without falling over. When he walks he can"t even walk in a straight line and just falls over or bumps into things.Doesn't make a sound so we hold him so he doesn't hurt himself and in about 10 minutes he jumps up and starts playing like nothing happened. It scary to watch and only happens about every 3 or 4 months but he is fine before we can get him to a vet.

[Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM]

This behavior sounds like it may be a pre-seizure episode which may or may not turn into actual epileptic seizures. Usually veterinarians run a blood profile and urinalysis to check for any internal canine health issues such as low blood sugar for example that may be present. If so they can be treated and the seizures stop.

In the vast majority of canine epilepsy cases, lab tests come back normal. If these episodes do become seizures then your vet will prescribe appropriate medications such as phenobarbital for your dog.

We have had some of our epileptic canine patients stop experiencing seizures and eliminate the need for prescription medications, by adding a natural dog vitamin supplement to the dogs diet. The vitamins act by balancing out certain trace vitamin-mineral deficiencies such as magnesium that can be the root cause of seizures.

Should you want to follow up with me, that would be fine.

Best Wishes
Dr Carol Osborne, DVM