I think Murphy had a seizure this morning.

[WendyZ]

This morning my shih-tzu (10 yrs. old) was sleeping beside my bed. All the sudden he started yelping, he rolled on his back and one or a couple of his legs stiffened. Then he lost control of his bladder and bowels. It lasted 30 sec. or so, not long. I sat him up and just pet him saying it's ok. He was dazed for a few minutes, just setting there. Then he walked with me to the family room.

First I thought maybe he caught his leg under the bed (he sleeps halfway under my bed sometimes). I thought maybe it scared him. But after talking with my sister. I started wondering about a seizure, so I looked online. Really hard to tell. He's been perfectly fine healthwise, except for his eyes. He has dry eyes, so we put this oinment in everyday and he's on his way.

Just wondering if anyone else has had their dog do this and any thoughts you could offer. I jotted notes down on what happened. Figured I keep my eye on him and if it happens again before he goes to the vet (which is this fall), I'd take him in sooner. My sister did say that it could not happen again or it could...time would tell. Sure was scary to be awakened like that though.

 

[grinningghost]

So sorry to hear about Murphy.

Our dog gets seizures, and what you're describing sounds alot like Cheyenne's. I know they're starting because she stiffens up and can't move very much, she just kind of lays there all tensed up.

Her eyes get very glazed over and her jaw locks up. She drools alot too. They don't last too long, sometimes 5 to 10 minutes, but after them, she's really spacey - it takes her a while to shake them off.

She's been on phenobarbital for several years now. They do help cut down on the frequency/severity of the seizures. I give her the pills wrapped up in cheese (which she loves).

Call your vet and get him in. They can probably diagnose him and get him some medicine if needed.

Give him a big belly rub for me.

 

[WendyZ]

Thanks grinningghost! I planned on calling them in the morning to see what they tell me.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by WendyZ
Thanks grinningghost! I planned on calling them in the morning to see what they tell me.

They have countless things to help dogs with seizures. I'm sure they'll find something to make him feel better (and you too).

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Two of our miniature poodles have had epilepsy. Toby (who passed away last year) would have a seizure maybe once a year but they would last for a few minutes. His littermate Lacy, who's still with us and on phenobarbitol, would have them more frequently but would be shorter.

She was put on the phenobarbitol after one severe seizure a few years ago, and the medication really helped. Like grinningghost, we give her the pills with some cheese.

Good luck and give your little furball a scratch behind the ears from me.

 

[Kama89]

My little terrier mix has had seizures off and on for the last couple of years. As has already been described here, she stiffens, loses control of her limbs, tremors and loses control of her bladder. The first time it happened, the vet suggested giving her a bit of Karo syrup. She almost immediately came out of the seizure! For the last year or so, with every seizure (maybe one every month or two) we would give her a bit of Karo syrup. Everytime, it seemed to snap her out of it within a few seconds. Two weeks ago, she had a seizure; again the Karo worked. But two days later she had another, and another and another... rolling in and out of them all day. Off to the vet we went. She is now on Primidone. No sign of seizures since, but she still loses control of her bladder on occasion. Poor baby. The vet suspects epiliepsy. My question was: "Then why does the Karo work?" He said they don't really know, but whether the cause is epilepsy, blood sugar or anything else, quite often the Karo helps shorten the duration of the seizures. Interesting!

 

[WendyZ]

Thanks guys! I'll let you know what the vet says. Right now my baby is acting like himself.

 

[KathyTX]

My old Labrador, Sambuca, has had occasional seizures for many years. They are quite infrequent now- it's been months since I've been aware that she's had one.

They do sound exactly like you've described- the stiffness, the vacant look, the drooling, occasional loss of potty control, and she's exhausted afterward.

But we've seen no real lasting ill effects from them, and she's now in great health for a 13 year old girl. She was probably 3 or 4 when she had the first one.

The vet says that many different things could trigger the seizures. Because ours were only occasional and didn't seem to cause any ill effects, we never pursued testing or medication for Sambuca.

Definitely talk to your vet and have the little furball checked over. But don't worry too much, it may be something that never occurs again, or that occurs only very occasionally and causes no lasting ill effects.

 

[Pugdog007]

Definitely take him to the vet. Also... you may ask your vet about cyclosporin for the dry eyes. It's much better than any ointment I've used. 2 of mine are on it now and it works wonders.

 

[hercamore]

Our situtaiton with seizures was similar to KathyTX dog.

My beagle had them for years (one day a month). It was strange. We never put him on med. They quit after a few years.

Check with your vet for sure, and also maybe had his throid levels checked.

herc.

 

[WendyZ]

Just wanted to give you guys an update on Murphy. I called the vet this morning, told them my long story. She said that it sounds like a seizure...his symptoms were the same. Since it's his first one. She is going to put it his file. I also made a note of it and put it in his papers. If it happens again, I'll take him in and they'll do a blood work up on him. Rule out everything. Then if a pattern starts, they will put him on meds for it. She was great. Explaining everything out to me and things to watch for. She said it might not even happen again or something could of triggered it. Then I have to figure out what that something is. So I am to watch him closely and not change anything in his routine or diet. She said they had one dog that had one once a year around the holidays. Come to find out the owner gave him beer and that set it off.
So I'm hoping for the best and time will tell. It was helpful to talk with her. She said what happen to him didn't hurt him...it's the grand mal seizures that are dangerous.

Pugdog007....Murphy is on cyclosporin. You're right it is a miracle oinment. His eyes are soooooo much better!

Thanks for all the advice and well wishes. Murphy and I really appreciate it!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I do hope Murph does well. You had me scared for a moment there about my own health. My best for your little guy.

 

[WendyZ]

LOL Dan!!!

 

[danacara]

Hope all turns out well with Murphy the shih tzu, but I have to echo Dan - I read the subject line too fast and though that this thread was about Dan Murphy! My heart was in my throat!