My dog had two seizures in one day, and the vet said he has epilepcy?

Question

I have a boxer that just turned six and we are so overprotective of him so he's up to date on his shots, and goes to the vet regularly.
yesterday my wife and I awoke to him having a violent seizure, It lasted 6-7 minutes he urinated all over and then we took him to the vet right away. He ran bloodwork, checked his eyes in the dark and really looked him over thouroughly and came to the conclusion that he had epilepcy. So that was at 9 am.... He had another at 8 pm that lasted 2-3 minutes, so we called the vet and were hoping to get some medication for him, or possibly some more answers. Does anyone think that it could be a brain tumor or something else? His bloodwork came back healthy as can be, temp was great and his eyes looked good.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, the most common reason a six year old dog would have seizures is a brain tumor. Epilepsy usually presents much earlier, around 1-2 years of age. Juvenile epilepsy starts when the dog is only months old.

If you want to know for sure, you should take your dog to see a veterinary neurologist. They can perform more specific testing, such as an MRI, or spinal tap to rule out a brain tumor. Routine bloodwork is very often normal with brain tumors, but is usually checked first to rule out more common diseases.

Depending on the severity of the seizures, and the frequency, your dog may require medication. Usually, if the seizures are longer than 5 minutes, occur in clusters, or occur more often than once monthly, anti-seizure medication is indicated.

And to scuba ryan - all vets are NOT in it for the money. If we were, we sure as hell would have picked a different profession! I'm sorry that at some time in your pathetic life a vet didn't do everything you thought they should, and actually had the nerve to charge you for their services. Go figure. Don't throw your generalizations around here. You have little to no medical knowledge, and you act as if you were a doctor. Why don't you go offer your personal opinions on a site that caters to idiots like you?

Answer 2

Well I have a Tibetan cocker, he is 7 years old and yes I think what you are describing is epilepsy, mine have it. This condition actually does not affect the temperature or the blood so that is why you did not find a problem in those. My dog sometimes suffers this 4 or 5 times a day but it only lasts for 2 days tops and then attacks him 2 or 3 weeks later again. There are medication for this condition but I am sorry to tell you that these medications don't cure this condition, they just make him relaxed so these attacks won't be close. This condition is caused by an over electric reaction in the dog's brain and probably your dog is as mine used to be very active and sometime hostile to people. I hope I was of a help and probably if the vet settled on this diagnosis he will prescribe a medication which will be taken every 12 hours. Good luck

Answer 3

Epilepsy in dogs can be treated with medication. Did your vet not prescribe any. Seizures are to be taken very seriously. Bloodwork may not show the cause. He needs to be on medication, and have further testing, such as x-rays. If it is epilepsy, he can live a normal life with the right meds, and thorough follow up exams. If it is a tumor or other cause, like an unknown head injury, you need to be offered whatever options are available . i wish you the best.

Answer 4

I have a Belgian Shepherd who suffers from epilepsy, he has grand mal seizures and they are like what you described. Sometimes lasting up to half an hour or more, but the average is under 10 minutes. My boy (he is my baby) is now 8 years old, but I have only had him for 4.5 years, his previous owners did not tell us about it.
When it first happened, we got him to the vet immediately and they thought it was an allergic reaction to a bee sting as he was stung on the stomach and with in a minute or two the fit started.

When he has fits it is really scary to watch, but we have been told it is not always painful for him unless he is in a dangerous environment. If you see a fit is coming move away any harsh objects or other animals that might get in the way. Your dog may lose bowel and bladder control, mined does and it is not pretty. Sometimes they thrash around and can hurt their leg or back but normally it is nothing major f he limps or is slow to move after don't assume he is hurt. My boy normally limos for a little while after the fit and that is because his muscles tense up so tight that he has to stretch them out again.

It can not be cured, however it can be treated. My boy has Phenomav and Epibrom twice daily, the dosage depends upon the size of the dog and how bad the fits are. We can also give him extra tablets when he is having a fit.

Sometimes you can work out what causes it, stress causes my boy to fit. Strangers, especially men in hats as he was mistreated by his old owners. Thunder storms are terrible almost as bad as fireworks. If we know there is a storm on the way we get him in and wipe some peppermint oil on the pads of his feet - calms him right down. If you know there will be a celebration with fireworks make sure your baby is inside.

When my boy first started on the meds it was like he was drunk until his body got used to it, he also put on heaps of weight. Often run into things and drag his leg, sometimes he now does this before he has a fit so that is a good warning. We have another good warning system, our other baby always lets us know when her big brother is about to fit, she will not leave him always trying to get in his mouth.

I doubt your baby has a tumor, it really sounds like epilepsy. If you are not sure try a different vet or look for one that specialises in epilepsy. It may cost you a bit, but believe me to see your dog almost as healthy as he was before it is so worth it.

Answer 5

Vaccinations can cause seizures. One of mine has had seizures since she was 1 yr old. She had one per yr. Over the yrs the seizures went from 1 to 4 per yr. I stopped all vaccinations 3 yrs ago. She has only had 2 per year for the past 2 yrs. Read the Wisconsin University web link below. Vaccinations are good for many, many years. Most vets are still doing them annually even though the American Animal Hospital Association ( www.aahanet.org )has called for a 3 yr protocol since 2003. All 27 vet schools in the US went to a 3 yr protocol in 2002. Read anything you can on Dr. Ron Schultz from Wisconsin University. He published a duration of immunity study in 1999 showing among other things that Distemper vaccine is good for 9-15 yrs. Parvo is good for 7 yrs. Rabies is good for 7 yrs. All the over vaccinating for 50 yrs now has hurt our pets. We are now seeing many problems all the way from itchy skin to cancer to death.

Answer 6

Had a 1 1/2 yr old German Shepard that started having seizures. started off having one then it got to having 4 or 5 a week. she started running into the wall and then started dragging one of her back leg when she walked. the vet started her on Valium for dogs. I had to put her down. she could not play it would bring one on.

Just don't let your pet suffer if they start come on more often.

Answer 7

My first question is what are you feeding your dog? I hope it is not Science Diet. This is the worst thing you can feed your dog. It is usually widely stocked by Vets because they get money from the manufacturer for the sales. You must remember, Vets are in it for the money. Very, Very few Vets are honest and will actually try and help you and your dog. Please call these people they can give you great information about your pets condition and diet. You can email me at: [e-mail] if you have any questions.

Answer 8

I used to work for a vet and had a puppy that had siezures similar to the ones you are describing. They said that she had kidney problems causing the seizures and put her on a special diet that seemed to help.

Seizures are a common "illness" in dogs and it isn't usually life threatning. So, if your vet ran tests then he is probably fine...some dogs even outgrow the episodes.

Answer 9

When did he last have shots?? It has been revealed that many dogs have reactions to the innocculations that the vets insist on giving dogs!!! Check out the different sites regarding vaccines and dog health!!!!

Answer 10

It sounds like he does have epilepsy and he'll need medication.

My sister has a Jack Russell who also has epilepsy, it's treatable and harmless to the dog.

Seizures in dogs can often be so violent that they injure thier spine, if it is epilepsy I would get him medicated ASAP.

If you don't trust your vet get a 2nd opinion.