My Jack Russell is 2 1/2 years old and has a sizure about 1-3 times per month. they only last about 2-4 minutes. she drools and her eyes dialate. afterwards I grab her a bowl of water and she laps it up like shes in a desert. My vet didnt seem too concerned and right now i cant afford a second opinon. Please give me advice as to what can cause this and what to do. Thank you
2006-09-07 14:05:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
If she is having 2-3 a month, it's time for medication. The vet should start with bloodwork and then she needs to be on phenobarbital. Bloodwork needs to continue to keep a close eye on her levels and liver. Some adjustments in her meds may need to be made, either right away, later in life or maybe not even at all.
There is also the possibility of a brain tumor that may be causing the seizures, if they came on pretty suddenly.
Keep track of every seizure and call your vet every time so it can be in her records. You'll want the date, time, duration, loss of any bodily functions and how she came out of it / recovery time. Usually after seizures, dogs lay down and relax for it really takes a lot out of them.
Remember, phenobarbital is a controlled substance and in order for the vet to prescribe it for your dog, they either A) need a controlled substance license {or work in a clinic where one is present] or B) hand write a script for your to take to a regular pharmacy. Either way, you will need to show your ID and strict records are kept.
Good luck. Also, here's a little info about phenobarb: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/phenobarbital.html
2006-09-07 14:30:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get used to it. Since your vet doesn't think there is a correctable, or dangerous cause to the seizures, you just cope with them. My dog has seizures about once a month. He has no behavioral changes following the seizures. Some dogs can become aggressive right after a seizure. Unfortunately, these dogs become dangerous. If you haven't already, get him neutered. It is unconscionably irresponsible to breed a dog that has a defect as serious as a seizure disorder. Also, even with the most extensive dianostics, in many cases the actual "cause" of a seizure disorder might never be known. Knowing doesn't affect ordinary epilepsy management anyway.
I'd also recommend that you ration the water. Overindulging on water can cause undesirable consequenses of its own.
2006-09-07 14:17:58 · answer #2 · answered by c0y0te 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it sounds like your dog is epileptic and needs medication. i think phenobarbitol is what you give dogs with seizures - the same thing you give humans, only in a much smaller dose. i would see if your vet can give you some medication, and if not, save up money and get a second opinion. there are no known causes - your dog could get a seizure at any time. the best thing to do is to clear away anything nearby that your dog could harm himself on if he has convulsions, and try to talk to him during his seizures - i've heard sometimes that helps bring a dog "back".
2006-09-07 14:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by mighty_power7 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that sounds like it could warrant medication since it happens on such a regular basis. I would keep a very detailed diary of when the seizures happen , how long they last and what happens. I would then go back to your vet and demand that medication be prescribed. Letting seizures go on is not healthy.
2006-09-07 14:35:13 · answer #4 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You might try changing meds but if *I* had a dog that seized that often,*I'd" let it go,instead of watching it suffer like that.
2006-09-08 01:19:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try a different food and work the thing more often that should help.
2006-09-07 14:07:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋