Gucci had a seizure! Help!
Gucci had a seizure last night...it was very scary. Here are the events as they happened; Gucci was sleeping up on his favorite couch and I was sleeping on the floor below him, it was about 10PM in front of the TV. Murphy and Grant were in the office around the corner on the computer. Gucci (according to Grant) woke up and started running around the basement like crazy, Murphy instantly knew something was wrong and chased him and coralled him to the other side of the room. I woke up at that time to barking and weird awful noises, I thought Murphy and Gooch were fighting (though they had never done that before) when I came around the corner, Gucci's body was squished inbetween the wall and the treadmill, as though he got stuck! Grant was there with me and lifted him to clearance on the floor where Gooch was yelping and foaming at the mouth and having muscle spasms! I knelt there and rubbed his shoulder he continued this for about 1 minute (felt like an hour!) he had peed sometime during this episode as well! Then his body seemed to relax a little but I could tell that he was blind! I went to stroke his ear and he snapped and bit me (further research into the seizures has said NEVER put your hands by there mouth!) I really freaked because I wanted to continue touching him since he can't hear me (he's deaf, for those of you who don't know us that well) and touch is the only way to comfort him! The temperary blindness seemed to last 30 to 45 seconds after the muscle spasms stopped, then he seemed to shake himself out of it and went to drink some water. We have been told to watch him like a hawk especially for the next 24 hours...duh! I don't EVER want him out of my sight! 
He is back to his normal self, a wee bit more hyper but totally fine! 
What the heck happened? I'm so scared for my Gooch! He hadn't gotten into anything the last few days, no change in food, his ear infection has cleared up and the drops stopped a couple of days ago (it was Surolan) and he is not taking any other medication. I have no idea why this happened! I cannot help but think that if this ever happens when I'm at work, he could really hurt himself! Also, Murphy is such a great big brother...he really seemed to know right away that Gooch was in trouble, before Grant or I. So I have been watching Murphy's reaction to Gucci very closely as well over the hours that have passed since this happened. They are wrestling on the floor together as I type and Gooch is licking Murphy's ears! I guess he's saying thank-you for trying to keep him safe! I am obviously very worried and was wondering if any of you have ever gone thru this? What should be done? Poor Gucci! |
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How scary for you and the Gooch  Maybe a form of canine epilepsy? I have nothing to offer but hope that you find out what it is, and quickly so you can put your mind at ease. |
| I am so sorry colleen it must of been so scary when it happened.
I have a friend with a dog that has seizures, this is a good link and explains all the different type of seizures, might be worth a read as it could be helpful. He has not been into any plants? some toxins from plants can cause seizures, that is mentioned on this site, also lead so have a read through might be something helpful there. Special hugs for Guc and I hope he is going to be OK.
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html lisaoes |
| When I first adopted Christian, one of my golden retreivers, he started to have seizures. After a visit to the vet and some testing, we found out that he had some abnormal thyroid readings. At the beginning his seizures were infrequent and lasted for about 10 seconds so we did not have to put him on any medication. After a period of months he started to seizure more frequently and the duration of the seizure got longer. We started him on some thyroid medication, which we thought he would have to take for the rest of his life. He has been seizure free for about eight years now and off all medications. In his case I guess mother nature fixed herself. I would recommend a visit to your vet to see what is going on. Good luck. I know seizures are scary to watch but I was told that the dog is in no pain and unaware of what is happening. You just need to make sure the dog is in a safe place where he cannot hurt himself. When Christian would come out of his seizures, he would walk around in a drunken state for awhile, walking into walls, etc.. I would just put him in his crate and gave him a valium, prescribed by the vet, and let him sleep. |
| Oh no, I don't have any advice, but just wanted to send you and Gooch some hugs. How scary. |
| So sorry for you and Gucci. It can be terrifying when it happens.
The person/pet having the seizure is not in any pain during the seizure. You did the right thing to get him in a safe area as that is the greatest risk factor during a seizure. It does some time (seconds to a minutes or two) for a person/pet to become responsive after a seizure. They don't realize what happened, so it can be scary for them. Some will need to rest - a nap of several hours is not uncommon. The link that Lisa provided has some excellent information for you. And kudos to Murphy for being such a good big brother. |
| Poor Gucci and Colleen! How scary. I don't have any personal experience with seizures, but I have a friend who has a chocolate lab that is young (less than 2 years) and he has been having seizures and they had to put him on medication and that is helping... |
| Colleen, I'm so sorry.... that's must have been terrifying....
Various forms of seizures, some epileptic, some not, are quite common in oes unfortunately. I would definitely take him to the vet and have some tests run. They may be able to determine if it is something they should medicate him for to prevent more seizures. Usually phenobarbitol and potassium bromide are used together to control seizures. Potassium bromide is not as hard on their liver and kidneys, so sometimes they will start a dog out on both and gradually wean off the phenobarb. Here is another link you may find useful. http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Research.html |
| Oh wow, that sounds scary. I also don't have any personal experience with it but my sister's dog has lived a good happy life with occassional seizures (must be going on 10 years or so). It is so great that Murphy is able to help. I am very sympathetic. . . I hope it does not recur anytime soon. |
| Here are some other good links...
http://www.vetinfo.com/dogseizure.html http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_se ... order.html |
| Thanks for the great links!
Gucci is really behaving like he always does this morning....it's just me that looks like I've been thru the ringer! I will be taking him tomorrow for blood tests and such, to help rule out any simple explaination. I cannot help thinking this is linked to his chronic ear infections? But I'm looking for any explaination at this point! He is right now trying to get me or Murphy to play with him...happily dropping his kong over and over to get our attention!  
Murphy and I need a nap!  We've both been worried all night...not that The Gooch seems to notice! 
I'll keep you all posted on his vet visit...at least he loves going there! |
| It very well could be related to the ear infections... there are hundreds of causes of seizures in dogs... most are not actually epilepsy in the sense that it will continue. |
| Coll, my next doors neighbors poodle just started having seizures. She took him to the vet after the second one in less than a month..they did blood work on him and found Jack to have low thyroid...he will have to be on meds for the rest of his life, but he seems to be back to his bad boy black jack self.....maybe you might want to do that...get blood work done...
Give Gucci a big kiss from me and Panda and tell Murphy that he is the best brother anyone could ask for! |
| Yes, watching a seizure is terrifying. However, it sounds as though you handled it beautifully!
First, there are a lot of reasons that Gucci had the seizure. Having a thorough checkup is important as it will rule out medical issues. However, a dog may have a seizure for no reason that medical technology can determine (at this time). Now that I've said that - the doctor may choose not to give Gucci medication at first. Quite often a dog may only have one or two seizures...and then never have any more (that happened with Sharkey, our American Eskimo). In this situation, medication isn't necessary. If your doctor does decide on medication, there are a lot of possibilities. And you may have to work with the doctor to find the best combination of medications to control the seizures. If Gucci does have another seizure, try to keep the area around him quiet (I have it on VERY good authority that having a seizure gives you one heck of a headache and your whole body feels miserable after having a grand mal seizure which it sounds like Gucci had). Make sure that water is easily available and give him time to recover. It may only take a short time (a few minutes) or it can take a day or two before he is completely back to normal. In any case, there is no reason that he can't live a happy life. Good luck and let us know what the doctor says. Jennifer, Baxter, Cassiopia and Sharkey |
| Just be careful with water too soon after a seizure. If he's not fully awake and alert he could aspirate it. |
| I have absolutely no experience with canine seizure - my first thought was "anything different in the diet the past day or so?"
I'm so sorry this happened! I'd be out of my mind with worry. |
Oh, Colleen, how terrifying!!  I can't imagine how you kept it together - adrenaline must have been on overload!
I'm so glad to hear that Gooch is acting like himself today, but I'd be just like you - watching every move he makes. Extra belly rubs to Murphy, too, for being such a great big brother!! Good luck with the blood work, and keep us posted! Chris |
| Oh Colleen,
That must of been terrifying. Hopefully, it was a once in a lifetime thing. Give the Gooch and Murphy kisses from us and hopefully the vet can figure out what it was. Brenda |
| I don't have anything to add. Murphy will keep a look out for Guc so you will be alerted if anything is going to happen.
Hugs to you all |
| Colleen,
I am very sorry for what you are going through. My daughter has a pug and just about 8 weeks ago she started with the same thing. The gave her meds that made her sleep most of the time. but after a week she started having them again. The vet then put her on a med for seizers and now it seeems to have calmed down. My daughter was a mess, she had to take off work ect. The best thing I can give you is GET TO A VET ASAP they can help!!! this can be treated. MY BEST TO YOU, hugs Deana |
| How scary, Colleen. XOXOX from us! |
| I had a black lab/ GS mix that started having seizures when he was about a year old. The vet said it was epilepsy and prescribed phenobarb which he took for the rest of his life. He continued to have seizures occasionally until he was about 8 or 9 and then started having them much more frequently regardless of the meds. The biggest thing is to keep them calm during the seizure and don't let them hurt themselves. Bozo would try to move/ walk around and if allowed to, would get into some precarious situations. I eventually had him put down as I was worried about the seizures during the day when I was not there and afraid he would injure himself when there was no one with him. |
| I know nothing about this but, wow, I'm so sorry you had to go through something so scary. I hope you figure out what it was and it never happens again!
Jill |
| Colleen,
Peanut is epileptic. He starting having seizures just around one year old. We put him on Phenobarbitol and his seizures increase to a couple a day. After three months with seizures everyday and a weigh gain of 5lbs we decided to take him off the meds. He was only 8 lbs before the meds and now 13, so he got FAT!! After coming off the meds his seizures went from more than one a day to around once a month. He has mild seizures, but they can last up to 30 minutes.
I have gotten quite used to them. My Boxer Roxie had 3 seizure during her life...BIG ones though with urination spining..etc One was right after we got her.... She was pregnant when it happened. Then she had two very close together in old age. Nothing at all inbetween. |
| Hi Colleen,
Having had experience with seizures with many of the young children I work with and two previous pets, I know how alarming it can be to watch. Especially your beloved pet whom you have such a connection with. I'm really sorry this happened to Gooch. Poor furbaby worrying his mom and brother so. It could be a number of reasons why this occurred, sometimes a high fever may trigger an seizure but it could be a number of things. Please keep us informed as to what the vet discovers. I am sending lots of love down your way. Marianne and the boys |
| Col - I've got no experience or words of wisdom, just ((((hugs)))) for you all!! I know I'd be insane with worry until I knew what was happening. Good luck at the vet's office today and keep us posted. |
| Colleen, First let me say I know firsthand how scarey it can be to have a puppy with seizures so ((HUGS)) to all of you!!!! I had a beagle when I was a teenager with a Seizure disorder and he would have seizures about once a week, it was always scarey and I never got used to it. BUT, he lived to be about 14 years old and never had any ill effects from it. These days they are using alot of new drugs to treat seizures in dogs with excellent results. I have a friend with a lab mix who was having frequent seizures but has now been on phenobarbitol for about six months and is seizure free.
I'm sure your Vet will be your best source of information!!!! Keep us posted. |
| Sorry to hear about Gucci. I hope it's a one time experience. |
| How is Gucci? Any results from the vet? |
| Good morning all!
We were at the vet yesterday evening for tests. She took lots of blood, and did an ear swab (he still has an infection ). She will be running tests and we will know the results on Wednesday sometime.
She said her gut instinct was that we probably won't find anything with the tests (did I mention this trip cost $600?) I would hope to find an answer! She suspects that Gucci is epileptic (if he is...I should probably learn to spell it! ) as she said he is in the perfect age range for this to start and she said that OES are quite prone to this?! She also said that she would not want to put him on any meds unless he seizured again quite soon after this one. That makes sense to me I guess, so lets hope the test results come back all clear and he never has another one!
I will let you all know as soon as I hear the results...thanks for all your support! I would have gone insane without all of you!!!
cross your fingers! |
| Crossing fingers, toes and paws colleen. Let's hope that it is something to do with the ear infection that was mentioned on the site!! and if that clears up hopefully no more seizures.
Give Gooch a hug and sending best wishes for him and you. lisaoes |
| Fingers AND TOES crossed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed here. I am sorry you are having to go through this. Good luck with the Guc. |
| Colleen,
Sorry to hear about the Gooch. Hope all the test results come out normal. Beau sends lots of sheepie hugs and kisses. PS How come the vet bill was $600.00? |
| Oh no! how did I miss this???? Poor Gucci!!! I'm so, so sorry to hear about his seizure, I hope the vet will be able to tell you something decisive- esp. after spending $600! Keep us informed as to how it goes!!!
Karen |
| I just got off the phone with Dr Clement and all the bloodwork came back fine. We are just waiting on Thyroid tests which unfortunately will be another couple of days. She feels this is leaning towards Epilepsy, as that is how it is diagnosed. I learned that Epilepsy is what they call a person (or dog) who seizures without an explanation.
So I guess we will have to hold our breath for another couple of days to wait for the thyroid tests. The Gooch is still doing fine...no more seizures. So lets hope this was an isolated incident, which I have heard can happen. He says to tell you all to stop worrying so much about him, but is very much enjoying the extra attention from everyone! He sends huge kisses to you all (that's how he got his name Smoochy Gucci!) and promises to be a good boy. OH the Gooch...giving me heartaches!!!!! |
| Here's a SMOOCH FOR THE GOOCH!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Hugs & Kisses to Gucci!! |
| Hugs from Willoughby and me, Colleen. i love reading about your adventures together with Murphy. Best wishes. |
| HUMOUNGOUS SMOOTCH SENT FROM US AS WELL TO THE SMOOCHY GOOCH! Marianne and the boys |
| I truly hope that it was a one time thing but, if not, sounds like his family will do just fine taking care of him......fingers, toes and paw-paws crossed!!! |
| What a scary experience! I hope you never have to go through it again. Let us know as soon as you find out anything! |
|
Gucci just had another seizure this morning. It was shorter than the one on Saturday, but a seizure none the less. I was so hoping that the last one was just an isolated incident!
I'm waiting for the vet office to open...6 more minutes...so I can get him on some medication. It hasn't even been a week in-between them yet, and now I am freaking out that this happens while I'm at work and I don't even know it!
What am I going to do? Maybe I need to install a nanny cam...that would ease my anxiety...I am definately going to try work from home more...it of course is sooooo busy at work...3 restaurants in construction all opening around the same time!
OMG...I need a hug. |
| Here's a hug from me, Colleen, you definitely need one or twelve.
Good thoughts, too, of course. |
| You've got hugs from us too. Make the vet give you a hug after $600 worth of tests and another seizure I think that's the least she can do!
Update us as soon as you can. |
| OH NOOOOOO Take a deep breath, and KNOW that it's going to be OK......... there are medications to try. GREAT BIG HUG (((()))) From us to you and the GOOCH. Keep us posted. |
| (((((HUGS)))))
So sorry to hear this Colleen. Poor Gucci! Bless your heart! Please let us know what the vet says. |
| We send hugs your way from us too! Please let us know how things are going. |
| Oh Coleen,
I'm so sorry to hear gucci had another seizure... I hope the vet can help you to prevent this from ocurring again. It must be so frightening for the both of you. We're here for you!!! Big hugs from MN, Karen |
| Thanks everyone!
I just got off the phone with the vet and we will be starting him on Phenobarbitrol immediately (this is a fast acting drug) and then will put him on Potasium Bromide for his lifetime, this has less side effects but is a slower drug to build up in the system, that is why we will start with the former, then wean him off the Phenobarbitrol once the levels of Pot. Brom. are there. I can hardly wait to get him on these, as the vet insures me that this really will help, and hopefully this will eliminate any further seizures, well at least not this close together. You guys are all so awesome and it really helps to have you all in our lives...The Gooch says thanks, he's sleeping! |
| Bummer. I'm sorry to hear about his diagnosis. |
| I'm so sorry about his diagnosis, Colleen. The medicine will help. XOXOXO |
| I'm so sorry! But I am so glad there are medications that will help him. Sounds very scary and I have alot of sympathy for you and smoochy. The nanny cam sounds fun, even if he wasn't having seizures. . . Life with a sheepie is a rollercoaster ride. |
| Oh No! I am so sorry! Please give his a belly rub from all of us and many hugs to you!!! |
| Colleen I think I mentioned before I have a friend with a lab mix on the same drug who has done VERY WELL, nary a seizure since starting the drug and it has been many months. Dogs, like people sometimes have medical problems that need attention and daily medication but go on to lead NORMAL HAPPY PRODUCTIVE WONDERFUL LIVES. Keep your spirits up! |
| dag nab it |
| Gooch! That's not what we wanted to hear.
Barney says he's sorry and hopes you feel better and that the medicine will be good for you. He also says that the ladies like to give sympathy for this sort of thing so to use it to his advantage... |
| Oh I'm so sorry Colleen... I was really hoping it would be a one time thing for Gucci.....
Has the vet said if maybe when the ear infection is cleared up completely if maybe they might go away on their own? If he has had high fevers with the ear infection, that can cause seizures.... *hugs* I hope the vet can get this under control soon, for Gucci's sake and yours. |
| Awww...this isn't what we wanted to hear! I sure hope the drugs do the trick and he never has another one. |
Quote: Has the vet said if maybe when the ear infection is cleared up completely if maybe they might go away on their own?
I asked her the same thing...with hope in my questions...she said that the ear drums were intact (didn't realize they could become intact ) and his temperature was normal at his visit on Monday. She really felt that the ear infection didn't have anything to do with the seizures as he would show signs like, head tilts (that made me laugh...only 'cause I have not met a sheepie yet that doesn't tilt their head when they are trying to understand you! )by that I guess she meant walking around with a tilted head , off balance...that was a hard one, only because Gooch is such a spas
Anyway, I'm looking forward to this medication kicking in and helping Smooch...he is especially smoochy today by the way...he was kissing me a bit ago, and we French kissed NOT ON PURPOSE!!!!! I was going to say something...and there it was...his tongue in my mouth...I can't even believe I just admitted that! Now you all know I'm officially nuts...making out with my smoochy... |
| Oh Lawdy Colleen...you've got me in stitches over here! Making out with the Gooch! I laugh because I know how easily that could happen!
And because the phrase "It's not polite to smell mommy's bottom" is used too frequently at my house! |
| Colleen, I'm so sorry to hear the diagnosis, but at least there are medications that can take care of it. Many people have to take medications every day for life (myself included!), so I guess there are worse things!
Please give Gooch a big hug from me and a kiss from Drez, and here's a big hug for Mama!! (((((((((((((((((((HUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!)))))))))))))))))) Chris |
| Hee Hee...regarding the kissing!
So glad to hear "Smootchy the Gooch" is well taken care of!! Give him a belly rub for me! Marianne and the boys |
| Hi Colleen,
Hope the medication helps the Gooch. The nanny cam sounds like fun. You are not alone, I've gotten a french kiss from Beau too. That happens when your in the middle of talking and all they want to do is lick you to death!
Lots of Sheepie Hugs and Kisses. Karen and Beau |
| At least you guys were french kissed by boy dogs |
| Darce!!!! |
glad he's ok!!!!  |
| Go ahead and have Dr. Dobson run a blood panel. She uses a different test than do many vets. Hopefully your vet's ego won't be bruised. Dr. Dobson has made it her speciality to study thyroid related problems.
Otherwise, I hope the meds help Gucci. You should reevaluate where he spends his days and remove potential problems if he does seize while you are at work. As for Murphy, yes, he will sense Gucci moving into a seizure, that's why dogs work so well with people with epilepsy.......they can tell their upright to get to a safe area and lie down NOW. Maybe Murphy will be able to warn you?? Anyway, one sheepdog owner told me when her dog was having seizures, her husband had to hustle the other dogs away or they'd attack the dog having a seizure.......pack mentality.......kill the weakling. Finally, this same sheepieowner switched her dogs to a BARF diet, the raw diet discussed many times here.........and her epileptic dog has far, far fewer seizures once on the raw diet. |
| Hope the meds help the gooch, we are sending sloppy kisses his way. |
| Hi Colleen, When humans have seizures which occur for many reasons, there are medications that control the episodes, sometimes eliminating them and sometimes reducing the severity. I will keep my fingers and Wiloughby's paws crossed that there is something similar available for sheepies and other dogs. Bless you both. |
| Hi, we havent met berofre, but hope you dont mind me send loads of (((((hugs)))))
I have not had ANY experience with dogs and epilepsy before, but have had LOADS of experience with kids and epilepsy, so for what they are worth, heres some tips we pass onto scared parents who just find out their children have been diagnosed...I am not saying kids and dogs are the same, but am sure many of them will stay true.... 1. Try not to panic .... it will send any other children (dogs ) into panic and they will start to become afraid of their sibling (doggie brother) 2. Be patient to start with ..... getting the drug dosage and right meds can be a little tricky,....all kids (dogs) are different, and some have a higher tolerance than others, occasionally, and I mean very occasionally, kids (dogs) might not get on well to start with and may have an extra fit or two,... this will calm down quickly......ONCE its sorted, things will settle, and the right drug will do wonders.... 3. Be prepared to consult Paediatrican (vet) if your at all worried. You know your child (dog) go with that gut instinct. 4. You soon get to know whats normal for your child (dog) , some may sleep after a fit, some may be hyper for a day or so, some may go off their food, some may eat like a horse...... 5. Sometime, there is no reason why a fit occurs,..other times, you can recognise a 'trend' ... try to watch for patterns,..... they can be something so 'in your face' . I know of a child who had a fit everytime someone wore red was near them for more than a few minutes. 6. Dont be surprised if other children (dogs) start 'mothering' them just before a fit. Its uncanny how siblings have a sixth sense and can often tell a fit is going to happen before it does. (This ties in with Murphys strange behaviour) 7. Dont be upset/ feel guilty that your scared!! its a scary thing! your child (dog) is very precious to you, but as long as you make sure they cant hurt themself, ....make sure nothing dangerous is nearby. All the best, thinking of you, and loads of hugs x M |
| Thanks so much Mo...that is all excellent advice!
No episodes since we've started him on the Phenobarbitol...YAY!
I'm feeling better too...just knowing that he has started his meds is very comforting! |
| Very good to hear the Gooch hasn't had anymore episodes! |
 Good news ,Colleen. Glad to hear he's doing better. |
| Great to hear no further episodes!
Sounds like the meds have hit the button , so thats brilliant. It could also be, what with his ear infection being recent, his temperature was a little haywire, and in kids, that can set off their epilepsy, and you may only get occurances when hes been under the weather,... either way, thats brilliant!! Well done for you too for coping so well ! |
| My toy poodle had a bad seizure last Friday and still can't walk. I'm just sick about her. I just got her home from the vet and they seem a little mystified by her condition. It's been 3 days since the seizure. She is definitely not the same girl that was here last Friday. The vet is sending off bloodwork. Says she has some elevated liver enzymes. She reminds me of someone just after they've had a bad stroke. Has anyone else had a dog that couldn't walk and was incontinent for 3 days after a seizure. I'm scared to death it's brain damage.
THe vet has her on about 4 medications so I'm wondering if some of the lethargy could be related to that. Worried Mom. |
| Hi Sophiesmom:
Yes, it can take a dog several days to recover from a seizure. The seizure disrupts the brain and body and depending on the severity, it can take some time to recover. And yes, the medication could and probably is causing your dog's lethargy. It may take awhile (a few weeks) to work out the correct dosage of medications for your dog. Give your dog time to recover, and keep in touch with your veterinarian. Good luck Jennifer, Cassiopia, Baxter and Sharkey |
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