My Lab-Seizure or Stroke...Something Happened

[whitetailslayer]

My black lab, Drake (5 years old), is always put in his kennel at night in the garage due to his excessive barking at the deer that frequent our neighborhood at night. I do this to not disturb my neighbors while they sleep. Every morning, I let him out to the back yard, give him fresh water and feed him the left over morning breakfast that the family eats in addition to his dog food. This morning was no different. I fill up the water bowls and then go back into the house to get the breakfast scraps of ham and eggs. I come back outside after 2 minutes and find Drake barely standing, wobbly with his front legs stiff and his rear weak. I noticed his toes distorted and turned inward. I quickly hold him close in hopes that this would calm him down. His breathing becomes shallow but after 3-4 minutes, the symptoms subside. My other lab, Duke, sits right next to him as if he knew what was going on and continues to lick him. Drake regains normalcy and shows interest in eating and drinking again. I quickly call the vet and describe to her the symptoms that Drake showed. She says to bring him in and also says that it could be his liver. He's there now being cared for yet showing no repercussions of his recent spell. I've never seen him act that way prior to today nor don't know what could have triggered this. He's very active and not over weight. I'll post what I receive from the vet.
Thanks.
Ryan

[d1rich1]

Oh man. Prayer sent for Drake

[theloneranger]

Sounds like he is having a seizure. My chocolate lab has had them pretty frequently over the last three years.

[Atfulldraw]

seizure symptoms subside, stroke symptoms usually hang around

Sounds like a seizure to me, but the vet is the guy/gal to ask.

[axisbuck24]

Prayers for Drake. I hope they are able to find what casued the episode. Please keep us update.

[muley4x4]

prayers sent hope the vet figures something out!

[PecanBayouRat]

Prayers sent for Drake and your sanity.


Went through this same sort of episode with my YLM "Colt" (seen in avatar). Not sure what it is with Drake, but it was seizures with my pup. We have actually only seen him have a couple episodes, and not really sure where they come from because I was not going to front the $2500 for the cat scan. My vet had told me that dogs have them more often than not, they just happen when we are gone to work or at night.

Colt is perfectly healthy and still hunts. He had his first episode 2 1/2 years ago and has been on many duck hunts and lots of trips to the ranch since then.

Never the less a very scary thing to experience and endure though.

[Texas Tracker]

Next time feel his head they will get real hot durring a seizure. Put some ice or frozen peas on his head so his brain dosn't cook. My old lab had them.

[whitetailslayer]

I couldn't wait for the vet to call me so instead I just called her. The response that I got from the receptionist is that Dr. Buford found something in Drake's kidney and is getting a prescription made up. Any thoughts on the function of a kidney creating this type of spell???

[topwater blowup]

Prayers for the fury child, and your family

[scooter1982]

sounds like seizures to me. i had a golden, after he was around 7 or so, he started getting them. he had them quite frequently, but always came out of them ok. they are tough to watch him have, but after he was never any worse for wear. apparently they are common in the breed. he's 16 now and still alive and kickin' at my parents house, he still has seizures, and is still a good dog. good luck with your lab.

[agvet2004]

Rod is spot on. Sounds like a seizure, especially if the symptoms passed and he seemed to return to normal. Epilepsy/seizures are common, especially in labs. They can be a one time event and as frequent as every day. Your dogs is the right age for epilepsy. A seizure every few months is not something that we usually do anything about. If it becomes more frequent, then we recommend medication to control the seizure.

A single seizure is not likely to cause any problems. If they last a long time (5 minutes or more) or happen back to back, then problems can arise. The majority of seizures last only a minute or less, it just seems to be much longer.

If it is a seizure, I would recommend keeping a log that includes date, time and length of seizure. This will help in gauging whether or not he needs to be on medication.

Some people get concerned that the medication will keep their dog drugged or change him in some way. This is not true. Some are lethargic/sedate for a couple days once they start, but return to normal faily quickly and show now outward affects.

Sorry to run on. I hope everything turns out well. Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

Mike

[agvet2004]

I just read your new post. I don't like to make assumptions on someone else's diagnosis without seeing all the info, but I am not sure what her statement means. Maybe the receptionist heard wrong. I am not exactly sure what kind of kidney problem that will cause a seizure can be fixed by a prescription. We typically only see seizures with severe renal failure and that is highly unlikely in your dogs case (doesn't fit the history or signs) and a prescription can't fix it.

Did they run full blood work? i.e. a CBC, Chemistry, and electrolytes? Did they do x-rays? A urinalysis?

[Atfulldraw]

I once called the vet on my breeder female Golden "Scout"

The receptionist told me that the neutering had gone well and HE was resting comfortably.

Scout was in for a day of boarding, a panel of shots, and a nail clippin' (Not a male clippin')

wrong dog.

[whitetailslayer]

Thanks guys for your words and prayers. I'm gonna go pick him up at lunch and take him back home. It was definitely a big scare for me as I knew it probably was for Drake as well. He really is one of the family and not just a dog to me (as I'm sure most of y'all have the same relationship with your pet). Yes I get frustrated with his protective demeanor and obsessive barking, but I don't have to worry about anyone treading into my backyard unwanted...although all he'll do is lick you to death.
Thanks Mike...if I have any further questions or concerns, I'll let you know.
Ryan