Dog seizure? Help my little girl... vet has no answer.

[smyle479]

I have an 8 year old Maltese named Daisy.  She is 6lbs and about 8 months ago started acting lethargic and had some hind leg lameness.  She was diagnosed with lyme (the blue spot on the test was so light they had to test twice to see it) and I gave her the course of antibiotics.  After 3 months, she still was acting lethargic with the same hind leg issues and I took her back to the vet.  I was told her knees slip out easily (especially the left) but slide back in so just to watch her.  I did a full CBC blood panel and everything came back normal except the liver enzymes were a little off but I was told still in the normal range.  I was given antibiotics and tramedol (sp?). I did not give her the tramedol as she didn't appear to be in pain.  I started the antibiotics (no clue why she was given them) but she started vomiting and pooping the bloody clean (intestine?) discharge.  I was advised to take her off the meds and she stopped vomiting and poop went back to normal.  

About 2 weeks ago something new started:

About 5/5.  She was laying on the couch in a blanket when I noticed she started shaking and her front paws were curled to her chest, he whole body was ridgid.  Put her on the floor and she couldn't walk or stand, fell over a few times trying.  About 30-45 seconds later, regained full use and acted normal.

5/16.  Running down the steps her right leg hitched like her knee was out and as she usually does she compensated by running 3-legged.  But, she tumbled down stairs and continued running with hitched right leg then what looked like a left hip hitch. Still kept running to her crate but kept falling with her back legs/knees(doubtful)/looked like hips... all messed up.  Got to crate and layed down when her body started shaking and went ridged.  Right paw was curled up to chest (unmovable) and left appeared not to be curled.  Pet her for 20 secs, then when shaking stopped took her outside (still somewhat ridged) and set her on the ground. She stood but stumbled a bit, stood for about a minute then appeared fine, and jumped back into the house.  No pain apparent after.  Still tried to eat her treat during ridgid shaking period.  Pried food out of her mouth fearing she may choke.  Whole time she was ridgid, still sniffing for the food and anxious that I took it away.

THis whole thing just happened again today.  The vet asked me to video if possible as she appears normal during our appointments.  I have a video of the latest episode if that would help.

Thank you for any information as to what is happening to her.  As soon as she is done with the episode, she starts running around like nothing happened... I just want to help stop them!

[sonyakay]

Hi Smyle, Oh I do feel for you and your babe...my daughter had the company of a lovely malt. years ago and from what you describe, he had a condition very similar called "the tremor of the White Dog" and a Vet (in1998) described it as it was known then. His treatment was simple, a dosage of prednozone or prednol designed for his size. This worked a treat, but after my daughter took the drug away, it returned again, so she very, very gradually reduced it and he became the same little guy he was. BUT the drug had to be kept on hand as the symptoms can simply return at a minute's notice. cheers and good luck. And DO ask your vet about this condition or research it online.

[smyle479]

Thank you so much!

[smyle479]

The second round on antibiotics was only a 7 day supply of amoxicillan... not the month long course of harsher meds.  Thanks!

[BluCrystal]

Hello.  I am an ex-vet-tech, and have witnessed all sorts of dog-seizures, as well as how the vets cared for these dogs.  As long as the seizure is very short (less than about a minute), the chances of a permanent post-dicital (means 'after seizure') reaction are very small.  The longer the seizure, the worse and more likely the aftermath.  Your dog appears to be on the 'better' end of the spectrum, with short seizures and little or no post-dictal reaction.  YOU MUST STILL TAKE HER TO THE VET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  I have never heard of a vet requesting video of any dog behavior, as normally when people bring in seizure dogs, the vet will keep the dog for observation himself, and so any seizures can be treated immediately.  I'm NOT a vet, and you description alone has told ME plenty to give you good advice on this.  Back to possibilities: I have seen seizure dogs have their first seizure, pop out of it before the vet could run down the hall, and appear to be fine.  I have also, very sadly, seen seizure dogs whose owners waited days, and brought their dog in after seizing non-stop for that whole time.  These dogs rarely survive, and if they do, there is very severe drain damage.  In the middle, you have the dog who seizes for a few minutes (long enough to cause a reaction but not significant brain injury), these 'middle'ground' dogs have the possibility of a whole range of reactions, some become permamnent, some do not.  There could be a head-tilt, a tendency to walk in circles, or just walking funny.  There are more than this, I just gave you the most likely.  WHEN YOU GO TO THE VET, he should give your dog another dose of diazepam (an anti-seizure med), make sure he is otherwise doing okay, and send you home with a prescription of phenobarbitol (another ani-seizure med).  If you want to, you can ask (but doc may refuse) if you may also take home a single dose of diazepam, to give your dog at home in case he has a break-through seizure that will not stop in a few minutes.  If so, it will come in a syringe, and must be kept cold until use.Have the vet educate you on how and when to use it.  I hope I have helped here.  Blessings to you and your dog - Blu

[Misfits4Me]

This sounds like a Seizure to me????? Also, has she been rechecked for Lymes after the course of antibiotics?  Was the second round of Antibiotics the SAME kind as the first time? Just curious......Karla

[sioxley]

My 7 year old border collie had a seizure the other day,she's been to the vets and alls clear...all dogs are prone to seizures...keep a eye on your dog and if there's another one time how long it lasts again and ring vets
Mine has been given some diazipan just in case....as this will fetch her out of it