my little guy gordi is a 4 lb applehead chihuahua. he will be 4 next month. over the summer he had a seizure and i had thought it was caused from heat exhaustion (he loves the sun, loves to be under the blankets and rarely drinks too much water) however, i believe he just had a seizure today...couldnt walk and he looked "out of it"...we live in ny...so i know its not due to heat. does anyone have any information about this?
2006-11-05 06:33:30 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, chihuahuas DO, in fact, have a higher incidence of seizures than many other breeds, due to years and years of poor breeding choices by people who don't understand proper genetic selection. It's often related to having an open fontanelle (a small 'hole' in the top of the skull where the bones failed to fuse together completely.) I don't care what any chihuahua breeder says, it is NOT normal for them to have that! It is common (due to the aforementioned poor breeding)...but that doesn't make it normal.
Idiopathic epilepsy usually begins at 1-3 years of age. But it's a diagnosis of exclusion....meaning that other underlying causes need to be ruled out before starting any medication.
A basic, standard 'seizure profile' includes a physical examination, CBC, blood chemistry profile, urinalysis, thyroid level, and EKG....preferably done all at the same time. (Assuming a heartworm/Lyme/erlichia test and fecal have already been done.) Your DVM should also question you thoroughly to rule out environmental causes. Start a seizure 'journal'....see my previous posts about that. (You can find them by looking in my profile, under my answers.)
If an underlying cause is found, addressing it will often make the seizure problem go away. If all the basic tests are normal, you have the option of seeing a specialist (board-certifified veterinary neurologist) for specialized testing such as EEG, CT scan, and MRI. Most people don't do that, however.
Anti-seizure medications should be started only if the basic tests fail to reveal an underlying cause, and ONLY if the seizures are frequent enough and severe enough to warrant their use. There are a LOT of animals on seizure meds that really don't need to be.
Make an appointment for the above seizure workup ASAP. Don't wait until it gets worse. Hopefully, there will be something like hypoglycemia (which chihuahuas are very prone to) that you can easily treat.
2006-11-05 07:06:21 · answer #1 · answered by A Veterinarian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would call the Vet. If he is having seizures, it could be something bad. Hope the little guy will be ok. I have a little black and white chihuahua named Gadget. He is about 3 years old.
2006-11-05 06:39:03 · answer #2 · answered by Alyissa D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Chihuahua's especially. They're so inbred and prone to having a lot for health problems, seizures included.
2016-03-13 22:57:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's right, no specific breed is susceptible to seizures. My Papillon has seizures, and he has to take medication. You should go to the vet ASAP.
Also, if you're feeding him Pedigree dog food, or even some other dog food, it contains MSG (the stuff in Chinese food) which can give some dogs seizures -- it's the reason my Papillon has seizures. We had to change his dog food to Iams, since it does not contain MSG. That might be one thing that may be causing it. But I'm definitely not an expert.
2006-11-05 06:45:21 · answer #4 · answered by ang 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had a chihuahua that was diabetic. When her sugar went too high or too low she would act like she was having a seizure. i would get him to a vet and if possible take a urine sample with you. If he has another one of these before he gets to the vet try putting a little Karo syrup on his tongue. if he is diabetic he should come out of it. I hope he will be OK.
2006-11-05 06:56:06 · answer #5 · answered by nannieldf 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
seizures are not breed specific. I would get him to the vet fast. There are medications that can help, if it is not a congenital problem.
2006-11-05 06:38:18 · answer #6 · answered by jenny 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
all dogs can have seizures. my lab has epilpsey.take him to the vet and see what he says
2006-11-05 06:40:14 · answer #7 · answered by Samantha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
jenny is right, they are not breed specific, but small dogs are generally more susceptible to this kind of problem. Yes, take him to the vet immediately
2006-11-05 11:03:50 · answer #8 · answered by drgnldy129927 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i am no experect fort sure but i do know that dogs can have seizerures and be eleptic just like humans. Get him check out asap!
2006-11-05 06:39:14 · answer #9 · answered by cwa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋