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My Chihuahua Has Been Having Seizures
My 1 year old pure bred Chihuahua has been having seizures.The first one was on Saturday and the last one was on Thursday morning.I took him to the vet and they ran blood work and all was clear.They kept him for observation and he hasn't had any seizures since.They also put him on some meds! Anyways I'm extremely worried about my baby because he is normally hyper,playful,constantly humping his toys and now all he does is sleep.When he came home Thursday & Friday he was like his normal self and then all of a sudden he'll just get sleepy again.I'm worried I can't really sleep.I'm always watching him.I just want my normal baby back.If anyone has any input or has went through the same I would really appreciate it!
My dog had 3 seizure around 3 weeks ago took to the vet. Ran blood work found nothing. Again today had 6 seizures all within a little over 1 hour(very scarey). He is at the vet now, they are going to start him on Phenabarbatol. Any information would be helpful.
In many cases, epilepsy is inherited genetically. It is quite common to find it in breeds that are popular with backyard breeders, and chihuahuas are certainly one of those breeds.
People who are known as hobby breeders are serious about breeding for the betterment of their breed do a lot of homework before they ever decide to breed their dogs. They show their dogs in conformation competitions, most of them completing their championships, to prove that their dogs are excellent examples of that breed's standard. They spend many hours reading over pedigree charts and researching bloodlines to be sure that there are no genetic defects that are going to be perpetuated in the puppies, to ensure that the puppies are virtually certain to have a life free of disease and pain. They spend money to have genetic testing done on their dogs for diseases that are specific to their particular breed, and if a dog is found to have or be a carrier of any of these diseases, they don't breed them.
Backyard breeders are the worst enemy of dogs, but unfortunately, they are responsible for 75% of the dogs that are bred each year in the U.S. Even the dreaded puppymills that we are all so painfully aware of these days don't produce a fraction of the dogs that the combined efforts of backyard breeders produce. While puppymills breed dogs knowing that the dogs they are breeding are genetically problematic, what is so bad about backyard breeders is that they many times are not even aware that the problems their dogs have are genetically carried. They love their dogs as though they were human members of the family. They dote on them and buy them toys and take them to the groomers and do all the things that a good pet owner should do. Except they also do the one thing that no pet owner should do - they breed their dogs. They breed them without thinking of the genetic health of the puppies. They think that because their dog is such a wonderful pet, all of the puppies will be wonderful pets as well, and they might BE wonderful pets, but many of them end up with genetic problems that surface somewhere between the end of the first and the beginning of the fifth year that causes the dog to have to live on medication for the rest of its life to control seizures, or perhaps to need expensive surgery because of hip dysplasia to prevent the dog from living with horrible pain.
Epilepsy is one such genetic problem. It usually manifests as seizures that begin anywhere from the end of the dog's first year until it is about 18 months of age. Most dogs can live quite well with epilepsy, but they do need to be on phenobarbital or dilantin to control the seizures. Even with the medication the dog still can have seizures, but the meds keep the number of seizures to a minimum. If the dog appears sleepy from the meds, the vet may need to adjust the dosage. Usually this takes care of the problem. Sometimes it's just a matter of the dog getting used to the way the meds affect his body. Sometimes it a combination of the two things. The key to controlling the seizures is to give the dog his medication at the same time each day. This way it doesn't get the chance to start to taper off in his system and the medication level stays the same 24 hours a day.
Try to make sure that the dog is fed at the same time each day as well. In dogs with epilepsy, if the dog (especially a tiny dog like a chi) goes too long between meals they start to become hypoglycemic, and this can trigger a seizure. Try to take note of what happens when he does have a seizure - how long it was since the last time he ate, had he eaten any dog treats that day, had he eaten anything unusual that day, etc. If you can draw a connection between certain foods triggering seizures or too much exercise being a trigger, you can add that to your arsenal of siezure-control practices along with the meds. All of this will mean a more comfortable life for your dog, and a less worrisome life for you worrying about him seizuring.
Ghilly
People who are known as hobby breeders are serious about breeding for the betterment of their breed do a lot of homework before they ever decide to breed their dogs. They show their dogs in conformation competitions, most of them completing their championships, to prove that their dogs are excellent examples of that breed's standard. They spend many hours reading over pedigree charts and researching bloodlines to be sure that there are no genetic defects that are going to be perpetuated in the puppies, to ensure that the puppies are virtually certain to have a life free of disease and pain. They spend money to have genetic testing done on their dogs for diseases that are specific to their particular breed, and if a dog is found to have or be a carrier of any of these diseases, they don't breed them.
Backyard breeders are the worst enemy of dogs, but unfortunately, they are responsible for 75% of the dogs that are bred each year in the U.S. Even the dreaded puppymills that we are all so painfully aware of these days don't produce a fraction of the dogs that the combined efforts of backyard breeders produce. While puppymills breed dogs knowing that the dogs they are breeding are genetically problematic, what is so bad about backyard breeders is that they many times are not even aware that the problems their dogs have are genetically carried. They love their dogs as though they were human members of the family. They dote on them and buy them toys and take them to the groomers and do all the things that a good pet owner should do. Except they also do the one thing that no pet owner should do - they breed their dogs. They breed them without thinking of the genetic health of the puppies. They think that because their dog is such a wonderful pet, all of the puppies will be wonderful pets as well, and they might BE wonderful pets, but many of them end up with genetic problems that surface somewhere between the end of the first and the beginning of the fifth year that causes the dog to have to live on medication for the rest of its life to control seizures, or perhaps to need expensive surgery because of hip dysplasia to prevent the dog from living with horrible pain.
Epilepsy is one such genetic problem. It usually manifests as seizures that begin anywhere from the end of the dog's first year until it is about 18 months of age. Most dogs can live quite well with epilepsy, but they do need to be on phenobarbital or dilantin to control the seizures. Even with the medication the dog still can have seizures, but the meds keep the number of seizures to a minimum. If the dog appears sleepy from the meds, the vet may need to adjust the dosage. Usually this takes care of the problem. Sometimes it's just a matter of the dog getting used to the way the meds affect his body. Sometimes it a combination of the two things. The key to controlling the seizures is to give the dog his medication at the same time each day. This way it doesn't get the chance to start to taper off in his system and the medication level stays the same 24 hours a day.
Try to make sure that the dog is fed at the same time each day as well. In dogs with epilepsy, if the dog (especially a tiny dog like a chi) goes too long between meals they start to become hypoglycemic, and this can trigger a seizure. Try to take note of what happens when he does have a seizure - how long it was since the last time he ate, had he eaten any dog treats that day, had he eaten anything unusual that day, etc. If you can draw a connection between certain foods triggering seizures or too much exercise being a trigger, you can add that to your arsenal of siezure-control practices along with the meds. All of this will mean a more comfortable life for your dog, and a less worrisome life for you worrying about him seizuring.
Ghilly
Well today Rocko (that's his name) seems to be gaining his energy back.He hasn't had a seizure since Thursday morning and I hope it stays that way.His seizures have been only a couple of seconds and they seem to always happen in his sleep.
But I was fortunate to talk to this lady who has four dogs that seizure and she told me to start putting my dog on fish oil,choline,and more natural foods like liver,carrots,potatoes and etc and she says that will help alleviate the seizures.She said her dogs are seizure free(maybe 1 a year)before she had put them on the natural oils and foods they were seizing up to 10 times a day.
So I came home and researched on the internet and alot of Vets and other people who have animals the seiz are saying the same.So tomorrow I'm going to whole foods and buying some stuff and seeing what happens.My vet said the same as well,and once I start him on the natural food and oils he wants to gradually take him of the phenobarbitol. He is only taking half the tablet twice a day.But my lil guy is only 6lbs!
I just keep him in my prayers and hope he continues to get better and I wish the same for each of you who has lil baby going through the same.
But I was fortunate to talk to this lady who has four dogs that seizure and she told me to start putting my dog on fish oil,choline,and more natural foods like liver,carrots,potatoes and etc and she says that will help alleviate the seizures.She said her dogs are seizure free(maybe 1 a year)before she had put them on the natural oils and foods they were seizing up to 10 times a day.
So I came home and researched on the internet and alot of Vets and other people who have animals the seiz are saying the same.So tomorrow I'm going to whole foods and buying some stuff and seeing what happens.My vet said the same as well,and once I start him on the natural food and oils he wants to gradually take him of the phenobarbitol. He is only taking half the tablet twice a day.But my lil guy is only 6lbs!
I just keep him in my prayers and hope he continues to get better and I wish the same for each of you who has lil baby going through the same.
Also, as far as the sleepiness - the meds probably need to be adjusted. My mothers dog was like a zombie at first with the meds. I would take her for another opinion too. We did, but basically was told that they don't really know what seizures are from - can be from several things though they said. Maybe you will be lucky and find out more than what we did.
MO
I better go spend some time with my husband now before he falls asleep. I lose track of time when I come onto the forums.
MO
I better go spend some time with my husband now before he falls asleep. I lose track of time when I come onto the forums.
Sorry to hear about your dog. My mothers dog is 7 and just started having seizures I think about a year or longer actually - I think.(bad memory) We have had tests and all that and its so horrible to watch these seizures. My mother had lost her other dog due to cancer and so I started looking at shelters cause it was hard on her losing her other dog - (it was hard on all of us) and so I found this dog at a shelter that was badly abused and I knew that no one would ever have the patience with it and it would probably be returned over and over. So I told the lady I wanted her. I think she was surprised someone would take her - but I had an abused dog before and I figured between me and my mother, we could both spend the time to build up the trust. So winds up the dog is totally normal with us now- took alot of love and time.(my mother now lives with me) But anyhow one day she goes into a seizure and it was horrible. She lays on her side and foam comes out her mouth and she looks like she is running. I always get down on the floor with her and I keep talking to her and petting her and as she starts to come out of it, she always tries to get up, but I gently hold her down cause otherwise she gets up and falls - it takes her time to get her balance.
Now here's the crazy thing - it happens like clockwork - every 23 days - on the dot! That was for months - then all of a sudden she didn't have one for 3 months. She is on phenobarbitol (sp?),,,and taurine. She is over due for a seizeure, but a weird thing happened ,,,she started to go into one and she popped out of it before it got bad, so we are hoping that that will count as this months seizure and hopefully she won't have another one for months - hopefully not at all - ever again.
We feel terrible because the poor dog had such a horrible life - tied to a tree in the freezing weather and snow all night. She didn't understand a word of English and was so afraid of us. It was pathetic. My heart broke in half when I saw her and I just had to have her. I am very good with dogs - I lack patience in every area of life except with animals. My mother is great with dogs too. So anyway I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I hope that they find out why your dog is seizing. I know how hard it is. Btw sometimes it takes several days before my mothers dog returns to normal. She will want to be alone and just stays in my mothers bedroom and seems paranoid. It upsets me so much. I will lay down on the bed with her and hold her gently and just keep talking very softly while petting her. She is so sweet and everytime I look in her beautiful eyes I just can't understand how someone could have hurt her the way they did. But except for the seisures - she has the life of Reilly now. She is totally spoiled. My dog is spoiled and she is an Alpha, so she is bossy but we don't let her boss my mothers dog around - she bosses me around though. lol
Hope things work out. If you find anything out about the seizures, let me know - you can PM me too. I'll do the same.
Take care,
MO
Now here's the crazy thing - it happens like clockwork - every 23 days - on the dot! That was for months - then all of a sudden she didn't have one for 3 months. She is on phenobarbitol (sp?),,,and taurine. She is over due for a seizeure, but a weird thing happened ,,,she started to go into one and she popped out of it before it got bad, so we are hoping that that will count as this months seizure and hopefully she won't have another one for months - hopefully not at all - ever again.
We feel terrible because the poor dog had such a horrible life - tied to a tree in the freezing weather and snow all night. She didn't understand a word of English and was so afraid of us. It was pathetic. My heart broke in half when I saw her and I just had to have her. I am very good with dogs - I lack patience in every area of life except with animals. My mother is great with dogs too. So anyway I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I hope that they find out why your dog is seizing. I know how hard it is. Btw sometimes it takes several days before my mothers dog returns to normal. She will want to be alone and just stays in my mothers bedroom and seems paranoid. It upsets me so much. I will lay down on the bed with her and hold her gently and just keep talking very softly while petting her. She is so sweet and everytime I look in her beautiful eyes I just can't understand how someone could have hurt her the way they did. But except for the seisures - she has the life of Reilly now. She is totally spoiled. My dog is spoiled and she is an Alpha, so she is bossy but we don't let her boss my mothers dog around - she bosses me around though. lol
Hope things work out. If you find anything out about the seizures, let me know - you can PM me too. I'll do the same.
Take care,
MO
Sorry to hear about your dog. Could the medication be causing him to be sleepy? Maybe a call to the vet to ask would not hurt. Maybe once he is on the medication and his body is use to it he will purk up or maybe it is too strong for the little guy. Just like us sometimes medications need to be adjusted and hopefully no more seizures and he will be back to his purky self. Good luck and keep us posted on how he is doing.
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