My dog is having frequent seizures weekly...what should i do?

Question

My dog is about 3 yrs old and shes having these seizures weekly. We already consulted the vet about this and they gave us some pills to give her whenever she starts one of her episodes. Her seizures are lasting 30-65 min!!!!!! She is the sweetest dog and it just breaks my heart to see her sufferring from these seizures!!!! Any advice on what i could do to help her more than i already am?

Answer 1

Right i would go round different vets and get different opinions try different drugs.
I am an epileptic and i once had an epileptic dog (wanted to help dog world) she was having seizures and i took her to many different vets until i got the right pills.
The pills worked in the first couple of weeks i cant remember what they are called but id be very careful thats so dangerous for the dog seriusly ring around vets see what they say and do it asap

Answer 2

Hi, I have had two dogs that had seizures and a cat that seizures. Luckily, their seizures were all controlled by a medication called phenobarbitol. They take the medication twice a day. Your vet should be able to tell you if this medication would be an option for you. Once you start it, you should let your vet know how your dog is doing on it. If your dog is still having seizures, your vet will probably want to increase the amount of medication your dog is getting. This isn't a medication you give your dog once they start having seizures; it's a medication you give your dog to prevent your dog from having them. You can hide it in a small piece of peanut butter on bread or in a snausage or even open their mouth and put it way back in their throat. It's worked great for our pets. If your vet can't help you get your pet's seizures under better control, I would find a different vet. I can tell this is killing you seeing your pet go through this, so act today. And, let us know how it all works out.

Answer 3

First of all - I am sorry for this happening to all of you.
The anti-convulsant drug should be given twice a day, not only when she experiences a seizure. I have never heard of an episode lasting as long as you say it does. I would be gravely concerned if this is the situation. Call another veterinarian today and get some diagnostics working. You will become more informed and be able to take care of your sweet dog in a hands on situation.
btw - ask the old vet how giving a drug during a seizure can help?
Good Luck and please seek another opionion.

Answer 4

I had an Irish Setter years ago who started with seizures before her first heat. I had her spayed, which apparently make the seizures not as severe. Sounds like your dog is have grand maul seizures. They are lasting very long. I'd be curious to know what meds. your vet prescribed. Were any neurological tests performed? If it was me, I would go for another opinion and to an expirt in the field. Seizues lasting that long are nothing to take lightly. Was a brain tumor ruled out? Was very difficult to watch my Setter have her seizures and they only lasted a minute and came on every now and then but she was on three different meds. I remember the vet saying stress can bring on a seizure as well as going into heat which is stress on the body. I wish you and your doggie lots of good wishes and good thoughts. Hope she improves.

Answer 5

My dog was having seizures regularly. I called the vet who told me to bring in a stool and urine sample. How do you get a urine sample from a dog, you ask. Luckily my dog was paper trained when she was a puppy so I put down paper with a new plastic garbage bag under it. From this the vet discovered I had been over-vitamining my dog and the urine test showed a bad build-up of magnesium. All dog foods are "fortified". So if they eat well ,they really don't need suppliments. Also Milkbone has vitamins and minerals along with some of the other things we give dogs for treats.The vet put her on a food with out that mineral. She couldn't even have a rawhide chew. After a couple of months she stopped having seizures and went back on a normal diet.

Answer 6

This is what my vet told me. The dog needs to be on daily seizure medication if:
1) the seizures are more frequent than 1 per month.
2) they last longer than 5 mins.
3)they are distressing to the dog or to you.
Your dog needs to be on daily medication for the seizures - not just a pill for when she starts having one. When you take a seizing dog to the vet, they give them IV Valium - straight into their system. That usually stops the seizure. If not, then they give phenol barbitol. You don't have that luxury, you have a pill (I'm guessing Valium) that takes as long to work on her as a sleeping pill takes on you, of course they're lasting that long.
I'm sure your vet is well meaning, but if they wont put her on a fulltime medication - find her a new vet. It's too hard on her to seize for that long. It might be more expensive - but she sounds like she's worth it.
Good luck.

Answer 7

If the vet told you to give her a pill at the time of the seizure you should consult another vet. She should be on a medication taken everyday, not just at the time of a seizure. I know they prescribe Phenobarbital & other meds as well, but the meds needs to get in her system & stay there to prevent another seizure from taking place.
Please take your dog to see another vet!!!

Answer 8

WOW,30-60mins is a long time for a seizure,she needs to be on phenobarbital & potassium bromite,My dog has seizures but not that long,you should hold her until its over so she wont hurt her self, and talk calmly to her,the meds arent expensive, but you need to take her to the vet once a yr to have blood drawn ,that is expensive,about $140, once you put her on meds dont take her off or she will have a seizure and die, good luck

Answer 9

Is the medicine Phenobarbital? This seizure medicine is supposed to be taken twice daily to prevent seizures. Your vet should be trying to PREVENT them, not wait until she has one, that doesn't make any sense! I would get a second opinion. I am so sorry you have to see your dog go through this. Good luck to you and your pup!

Answer 10

Was she only having them infrequently to begin with. Your vet may have given you diazepam in that case to help with the occassional fit but she is now having 'grand mals' and needs to be on regular medication now. You either need to go back to your vet with a record of how often the fits are and get a diferent or increased dose of medication or seek another opinion if your vet thinks they are doing all that is necessary.