Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

5 yr old lab mix dies hours after seizure, why?

Sammy was a 5 year old lab mix, best guess has always been mixed with pit. She was very happy, healthy, very smart, and loving to everyone.
Some weeks ago she began to randomly help as if in some sort of pain. I kept an eye on this, but it seemed to have stopped after I took her to get her anal glands expressed. They were both very full. Fast forward to the morning of 01/20/2016, I wake up in the morning and she yelps again which of course is worrisome since I thought that was taken care of. I thought maybe she was holding in bowels or urine for too long, so I let her outside. It was snowing, and usually when she notices snow, she either doesn't go out or she makes her bathroom break quick. I watched from the window as she urinated, then had a bowel movement. After that, she ran to the very back fence where a few trees are and laid down behind them. This worried me big time. She would not come back in when called, so I had to coax her back inside. She made more yelps, and laid down right when she got inside the door. I placed a blanket on her and took her to the vet. They thought maybe it was pain in her hind legs, but also noticed she was not lifting her head up, so possible pain there from something. They did x-rays and found nothing wrong. They gave me the options of starting her on pain meds and a steroid, or having a fluid tap done. I went with the meds. She came back out all loopy from the sedation for the x-rays, and we went home. I was told to use a harness, be very careful of her neck, etc.
She laid on her bed the rest of the day. I took her outside a few times, but she didn't do anything but stand there and slowly try to lay down. At around 7pm she suddenly had a grand mal seizure, and it was horrific to watch. She wet her bed and her eyes were moving rapidly up and down. Luckily some friends were over, one of which works for a vet clinic and knew the meds I gave her, so she drove as I sat in the back seat and reached over to ensure Sammy was comforted and didn't move too much. She continued to, I think, have more small seizures judging by her sounds and movement. When we got there they rushed her inside, asked me questions. I was able to see her before leaving, they had fluids hooked up and she was just laying on her belly looking peaceful. She seemed very out of it, and looked at me as if she didn't know me. The doctor said her pupils were different sizes, which is not a good sign. She also did not respond to a "pain test" where they pinch a toe (or something like that).
At 2 AM, I got a call that her condition worsened. They did blood tests with nothing coming back. She was not responding to her name or touch. Her breathing worsened. I got there as fast as I could, and they had to put a breathing tube in her to keep her breathing. The doctor told me they could try CPR, but that it was likely not to work. So I said alright, let her pass. The hardest decision I've ever had to make. She passed quickly and quietly, which I am thankful for.

I am just at a loss and no one had an answer as to what exactly happened, other than "something in her brain" such as a possible tumor. But at that age? Maybe it is hereditary? It is possible she was exposed to, or ate something that I am unaware of. Breaks my heart that she was still young and was, at least from an outside appearance, healthy.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
441382 tn?1452810569
I am so sorry for your loss.  Our pets are such an important part of our families and of our lives, no matter how long they are with us it is never long enough.

From what you describe, it sounds like a cerebral accident.  Whether it was an aneurism that ruptured or a mass that infiltrated a key part of the brain is impossible to tell without a necropsy.  The different sized pupils are what is referred to as Horner's Syndrome, and it is caused by various things, including a mass pressing on the optic nerve.  With the way she was yelping it would seem that she was experiencing transient pain, which could very well have been due to an aneurism that was in the process of tearing or a mass that could have infiltrated key vessels and caused them to tear.  

When she was at the vet and wouldn't respond to the pain test and seemed so out of it, she was essentially gone at that point, the body had just not started to completely shut down yet, so please take a bit of comfort in knowing that she was in no pain at that point and was not suffering.  

If only they could talk and tell us what is happening.  It's just so difficult and so frustrating to see them in trouble and not be able to have them tell us, "It's my ________."  You ABSOLUTELY did the right thing for her and it sounds like you gave her a wonderful life.  She's not gone, you just can't see her any more.  But if you try, you will be able to feel her with you.  And you WILL see her again, I promise.  

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
10821430 tn?1439580883
I am so very sorry about Sammy,she was a
very special fur kid it sounds like,I'm sorry for
you loss.
Little seizures many times do not do horrific
dammage to the brain but a big,hard seizure
can really send a massive rush of energy to
the brain,causing unreversable dammage.
The brain controls the body's functions as
well as breathing and other neurological
functions.Some massive seizures can also
cause swelling in the brain,cause fainting,
effect blood pressure.( like a bad stroke)
Please do not beat yourself up,when things
like this happen we tend to want answers,
did WE do the right thing,could I have had
more time IF I waited,did I do enough,was
I wrong to let her go,could she have re-
covered been here a bit longer with me?
It is harder when our fur kids leave us at a
younger age,when they LOOKED healthy
acted fine until "all of a sudden" a major
issue hits out of nowhere.( or there was
an underlying problem that no one knew
was there and built up over time?)
Since Sammy had what you saw as a
Grand Mal seizure it's unbelieveable to
watch we "dog parents" are so helpless
seeing this,it was horrific to see but you
did everything right and took her for help.
If Sammy did not know you,there was no
pain reflex,it sounds like massive brain
dammage was done by this huge seizure,
and unable to breathe on her own, as a
LOVING,CARING owner YOU did the
very best you could,what you did FOR her
at the end was the hardest act of last love
you can do for and give your fur kid.
Sometimes there are no "definate,for sure
answers or reasons to "WHY" this thing
happened,no definate for sure answers
can be the hardest to accept.
I'm sending you a gentle hug.
Jan


Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dogs Community

Top Dogs Answerers
675347 tn?1365460645
United Kingdom
974371 tn?1424653129
Central Valley, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.