Dog Seizure

[Bobbe]

Does anyone know if a dog (like a human) is aware when having a grand mal seizure?

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

so sorry , i know how your heart is hurting. i know you was a great pet owner and hope one day you can love another one and give it a great loving home.

[Bobbe]

Thank you so much for your letter.  I wish I could believe like you do, that there is a
heaven for dogs, but I can't. I don't believe the heaven and hell thing, used to, but not
anymore.  I was talking to lonewolf and I told her everytime I come to the forum and
read the kind and sympathetic letters from wonderful people like you, I start to cry.
Hearing about all the tragic things that should not happen to ANY dog, or ANY owner, it
really bothers me.  I think I will have to take a break from the forum, until I can read
these well-meaning letters and not cry the whole time I am reading!!  Thank you one and
all for your precious thoughts and empathy.  It means a lot to me.  I will check in, maybe
in a week or so.  Take care all.

Bobbe

[chihuahuagrandma]

I AM SO SORRY BOBBE, YOU'VE BEEN TRYING SO HARD TO GET HELP AND FIND FACTS....
Bobbe, you were a hands on, love like no other love, good soul, pet owner!!!!!
I know that now your grieving and wish I could give you a hug....And, I heard your voice thru this computer w/desperation of love to keep your pet.....Becca tried to stay w/you....and, you with her...there is always a beginning and an end to all....
I know that the sky at night has a beautiful twinkle, twinkle star named Becca, and she guards the heavens and runs, plays, no seizure, no renal, she is now a heaven protector for when one day she'll see you at the gate...

[Bobbe]

Hi Lili:

No, I did not get your comments on dog seizures.  I'm pretty new at this myself and for
the longest time didn't know how to get in or out.  I think if you click my name, you will
have the option of sending me a message.  I THINK!

Hope to hear from you....
Bobbe

[Bobbe]

My dog Becca had a 2 hour seizure from toxins in her blood from renal failure.  Her temp
rose to 44C and the vet said she had suffered brain damage because her pupils were
fixed.  When it first started, I thought it would pass, also, but once it didn't I called every-
body I could think of and they all came to my house.  My daughter tried to reach the vet
(it was a Sunday) and by the time he called back and we were able to get Becca into a
vehicle (Shepherd-Husky) and down to see him, nearly 2 hours had passed.  He needed
120mg of IV Valium just to put her into an induced comma.  Then the horrible decision
had to be made.  She was 13-1/2 years old and I loved her so much.  Bobbe

[Savas]

Yeah, in terms of discomfort it's the before and after, more after really.

I always feel like I've been given some crucial piece of information afterwards that I just can't remember. Memory of the episode is very disjointed and fleeting for me. This is probably why historically people with epilepsy where considered to have a direct pipe line to God.

I think I'm going to have to upgrade my bio-DSL before God can get a clear connection, though. :)

[chihuahuagrandma]

I have seizures, and my Chihuahua use to react to those seizures because of the emotional attachment to me...the dog knew before me, when I was going to have an episode...but, someone how the chi started doing the same...
Another dog, has seizures just like me, no you don't always know, you may start to understand the initial signs and warnings and know whats to come,,,but, no memory...I do not believe me or the dogs know during a grand seizure...
Good stress and bad stress is the same as far as stress, if its a dog, the atmosphere needs to be calm and not too much excitement...example: the dog happy to see you when you get home, jumping, laughing,,,we'll thats good stress and brings seizure on too...the calmer the life the less your chances are of seizures..plus, the medicines are some good some bad some side effects tolerable some not...its a hard thing..

[Savas]

I can tell you from personal experience that the idea of awareness when having a seizure is VERY vague. Think of it as being temporarily thrown into a dream state.

[turtledovemom]

Just remembered that our vet made sure to use different anesthesias on both of my girls for any subsequent surgeries because of the seizures.  Ah, my problem girls....

[Jaybay]

According to my own vet, the answer is no.  Dogs react to grand mal seizures just like people, and have no awareness of what is happening while it's going on.  The protocol for dogs is pretty much the same as for people: make sure the dog can't fling himself into something that will cause physical injury, and wait it out.  Usually they'll be really tired for some time after a seizure, and depending on frequency, additional meds need to be given once they're aware enough to swallow them properly.

Our neighbor's 120-lb Lab has pretty bad seizures about every 6 weeks - and that's with a pretty high dose of phenobarbitol on board.  At least he's not having double-headers every other day any longer, so the meds have helped quite a lot.  Since the dog is so large, and tends to circle rapidly to the right before falling down, his owner has to "bulldog" him like a calf sometimes to keep him from bashing through a window or into something that will cut him.

Other than the monthly seizures, that dog is perfect, and everyone who meets him falls in love with him.  Typical goober-head Lab.  LOL!  :-)

[turtledovemom]

That's a really good question, and I hope someone posts a definitive answer to it.  Our dear Border Collie girl developed what the vet had called old dog vestibular disease.  She was prone to it when there were extreme changes in the weather, and she would wind up kind of freezing in her steps and just shaking...couldn't walk forward, backward or to the side..just stood and shook.  I know that she knew we were there with her, and I remember her eyes showing fear.  We used to try to steady her with our hands and speak gently to her, trying to calm her and reminding her that we were with her.  Our Black Lab girl had several seizures when she was younger (she's now 12) and we would do the same for her.  

I don't know if its more frightening for the dog or for those of us who watch them go through it.  
peace,
Anne