My Lab-Seizure or Stroke...Something Happened

[whitetailslayer]

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?

This raises an eye brow. I'll ask! Thanks!

[czechgrubworm]

Please keep us posted on Drake..

[DawgOnIt]

Hope all turns out well!

For some of you mentioning your dogs having more frequent siezures, there is a heriditary desease that can now be tested for known as Exercise Induced Collapse.

"Description of exercise-induced collapse
Affected dogs can tolerate mild to moderate exercise,
but 5 to 20 minutes of strenuous exercise with extreme
excitement induces weakness and then collapse.
Severely affected dogs may collapse whenever they
are exercised to this extent; other dogs only exhibit
collapse sporadically. The factors important in inducing
an episode can vary among dogs.
The first thing noted is usually a rocking or forced
gait. The rear limbs then become weak and unable
to support weight. Many affected dogs continue to
run while dragging their back legs. Some of the dogs
appear to be incoordinated, especially in the rear
limbs, with a wide-based, long, loose stride rather
than the short, stiff strides typically associated with
muscle weakness. In some dogs, the rear limb collapse
progresses to forelimb weakness and occasionally to
a total inability to move. Some dogs appear to have
a loss of balance and may fall over, particularly as
they recover from complete collapse. Most collapsed
dogs are totally conscious and alert, still trying to run
and retrieve, but affected dogs can appear stunned or
disoriented during the episode. It is common for the
signs to worsen for three to five minutes even after
exercise has been terminated.
Most dogs recover quickly and are normal within 5
to 25 minutes with no residual weakness or stiffness.
Dogs are not in pain during the collapse or after
recovery. Affected dogs are not stiff or sore or limping
upon recovery.Note: A few affected dogs have died during exercise
or while resting immediately after an episode of
EIC, so an affected dog's exercise should always
be stopped at the fi rst hint of incoordination or
wobbliness."

Here is a link to the full borchure:

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vdl/prod/groups/cvm/@pub/@cvm/@vdl/documents/asset/cvm_asset_117797.pdf

You can take the samples to submit for the test yourself, and the expense is usually less than $100.

[charrell71]

Prayers up for Drake. Let us know what you find out.

[agvet2004]

Hope all turns out well!

For some of you mentioning your dogs having more frequent siezures, there is a heriditary desease that can now be tested for known as Exercise Induced Collapse.

"Description of exercise-induced collapse
Affected dogs can tolerate mild to moderate exercise,
but 5 to 20 minutes of strenuous exercise with extreme
excitement induces weakness and then collapse.
Severely affected dogs may collapse whenever they
are exercised to this extent; other dogs only exhibit
collapse sporadically. The factors important in inducing
an episode can vary among dogs.
The first thing noted is usually a rocking or forced
gait. The rear limbs then become weak and unable
to support weight. Many affected dogs continue to
run while dragging their back legs. Some of the dogs
appear to be incoordinated, especially in the rear
limbs, with a wide-based, long, loose stride rather
than the short, stiff strides typically associated with
muscle weakness. In some dogs, the rear limb collapse
progresses to forelimb weakness and occasionally to
a total inability to move. Some dogs appear to have
a loss of balance and may fall over, particularly as
they recover from complete collapse. Most collapsed
dogs are totally conscious and alert, still trying to run
and retrieve, but affected dogs can appear stunned or
disoriented during the episode. It is common for the
signs to worsen for three to five minutes even after
exercise has been terminated.
Most dogs recover quickly and are normal within 5
to 25 minutes with no residual weakness or stiffness.
Dogs are not in pain during the collapse or after
recovery. Affected dogs are not stiff or sore or limping
upon recovery.Note: A few affected dogs have died during exercise
or while resting immediately after an episode of
EIC, so an affected dog's exercise should always
be stopped at the fi rst hint of incoordination or
wobbliness."

Here is a link to the full borchure:

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vdl/prod/groups/cvm/@pub/@cvm/@vdl/documents/asset/cvm_asset_117797.pdf

You can take the samples to submit for the test yourself, and the expense is usually less than $100.

This is definitely underdiagnosed. Unfortunately, there are alot of vets that have not even heard of it yet. Thanks for adding, it is a very good piece of information for those on this site.

[huntinfool]

My female Chocolate lab has seizures and they are exactly as described above. I don't think that something in Drakes kidneys is the cause of the seizures. But rather maybe they found something else that needs to be addressed.

My female will have a seizure while just lying around and sometimes will have one or two at a time. She will loose control, have spasms, toes curl inward, her tounge will turn a blue color, will shake, and drool. Then it takes her several minutes to recover (unless she has another one) and then she wants to go outside and go to the bathroom and eat grass. Never know when it will happen either.

[Take Dead Aim]

Have you treated your dog with flea and tick medicine lately? If so, what brand and type?

[whitetailslayer]

UPDATE: Drake is back at the house and doing just fine. He also didn't mind the left over ribs I had at lunch... I bet he was thinking that he ought to have these spells more often with all of this King-like treatment he's getting. Anyway, the doc did do a blood culture and urinalysis which noted enzymes in his kidney. The way that she described it (or at least the way I understood what she said) is that having epilepsy is hard to understand what causes it or why it happens. She said that these enzymes can get into the bloodstream and could lead to having epilepsy. Long of the short is that she gave Drake a detox medication in powder form to be issued 2x daily with food. As someone had suggested, I asked if I should keep a log of when I see these spells happening and for how long. We have scheduled a follow up appt. on the 2nd of Oct. to check. He is on flea & tick medication along with heartworm, etc.

[Cottonfish]

Great to hear he's doing OK now........I'm pulling for Drake.

Stu

[agvet2004]

Glad to hear he is doing well. What is the name of the medication she sent you home with? I am just curious.

[Huskysibe]

Glad to hear he is doing well, I love my dogs like they are my children.

Billy

[whitetailslayer]

Glad to hear he is doing well. What is the name of the medication she sent you home with? I am just curious.

Epakitin

[TXMountainLion]

probably a seizure...my dachshund has them frequently. The vet told me it has to do with protein synthesis with different types of dog food.

[d arrow]

Glad to hear Drake is doing ok, he's one pretty dog.

[Rudyl]

One of my Cocker Spaniels has them and now that I've seen the EIC post, it usually happens right after we let them out and she starts running crazy. She's fine after a couple of minutes but it sure is scary.