Does anyone here have experience with dogs and seizures?

[faerywings]

I am sorry for a bummer of a topic on a Monday morning but I am hoping that someone has advice.
A bit of backstory: One of my dogs, Ray is old. She turned 15 a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in November. She had been losing weight for a few months, did a bunch of blood work and the kidney function is very low, plus she has anemia and increased phosphate levels. After discussing options with my vet, we decided to not treat to other than dietary changes and phosphate binders, basically focusing on quality of life.

Two days ago, she was all twisted up on her bed and her legs were "tangled" for lack of a better word under each other and were very stiff. The poor girl has severe arthritis so we thought maybe she slept wrong. Yesterday, she was walking and she fell over onto her side and I wasn't able to get her up. My DH came in and straightened out her front paws and helped her to her feet. He thought that it was because she sleeps most of the time and has been progressively getting weaker.

I remembered later on that the vet said that she might experience seizures. That is making me think that maybe that is what happened. I did some googling and she isn't having any of the twitching/"paddling" of her legs, mostly immobility and tightness of her limbs.

Does this sound like it could be seizures? If so, is there anything we can do for her?

We know that she is at the end of her life. *heart clenches up a bit* We don't want her to suffer. We don't know *when* is the right time. But if it is seizures that gives us a time frame in a way.

Thanks for any help/advice you may have

 

[felis]

Is that Epilepsy? They gives meds for that, but they have side effect, so have to be controlled at first week until they realize the right one for the concrete dog/cat.
You shouldn't takes online advises, Chris, call your vet.

Here is a very detailed description:
https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/epilepsy/understanding-canine-epilepsy.html

 

[bcgal00]

No advice but sending hugs. Such a sad time with poor Ray.

 

[taxed4ever]

My heart breaks for you Chris! So hard to see your beautiful dog going through this! No advice to give either, not sure there will be anything that you can do at this stage of the game, but I hope that your vet can give you some good advice! :hug:

 

[faerywings]

Is that Epilepsy? They gives meds for that, but they have side effect, so have to be controlled at first week until they realize the right one for the concrete dog/cat.
You shouldn't takes online advises, Chris, call your vet.

Here is a very detailed description:
https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/epilepsy/understanding-canine-epilepsy.html

It isn't epilepsy, I wish it was, then I could treat it.
I was talking to my BFF whose dog died from acute kidney disease and she didn't have seizures but uncontrolled shaking. It's part of the organs beginning to fail. Ray has been "good" so far today but unfortunately she probably only has days/weeks left.



Thanks for the good thoughts and advice- if it happens again, I will def. call my vet.

 

[felis]

It isn't epilepsy, I wish it was, then I could treat it.
I was talking to my BFF whose dog died from acute kidney disease and she didn't have seizures but uncontrolled shaking. It's part of the organs beginning to fail. Ray has been "good" so far today but unfortunately she probably only has days/weeks left.

Thanks for the good thoughts and advice- if it happens again, I will def. call my vet.

Uhh, I'm so lost in translation of terms. I know that kidney failure provoke some epilepsy type, but really can't be sure in english.

I'm so sorry Chris! You know you have my thoughts with you!

 

[faerywings]

thank you sweetheart!!! xo

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Oh Chris, I'm so sorry. It's a scary thing! Actually, Daisy has had 3 seizures and they scare us to death each time. We flipped out the first time until our DD told us that her Doodle has had a few of them, too. The vets have said there's nothing we can do about them and since they're so infrequent (she's 5 and has only had 3). There's no preventative for "infrequent" seizures. We were also told that some Doodles experience them.

When Daisy has had hers, we just get down on the floor with her and hold her and talk to her until she stops shaking. We can see when one is coming on - she totally loses her balance, then falls over, shaking and stiff-legged. We've tried to look back and see if we did anything to trigger hers, but all we could figure out was that they were probably heat related, since she had all of hers in Florida. (We're hoping that was it - DD's Doodle is also in Florida and I can't even imagine how over-heated the little things get in that heat!)

Give Ray a big hug from me and if she has another one, just get down on the floor with her and sooth her. They're very frightened when they're having one and they need that reassurance that it will be okay.

Hugs to you all.

 

[Jeannette]

Oooh, I am so sorry. It's so hard to see your beloved friend suffer. I hope you will find something to help her, but do remember animals take life as it comes. She is already helped by your presence and your love. You will feel when it's time to say your final goodbye.
Big hugs for you!

 

[AZK]

I'm so sorry you are all going through this, Chris. As others have said, consulting with your vet is the way to go. {{HUGS}}

 

[zanthia]

chris , so sorry you are going thru this. I wish i could offer you some advice but cannot - please do contact your vet

sending you hugs

 

[VickiStegall]

We had a little bitty Rat Terrier who ate a whole bag of chocolate peanut clusters and would randomly have seizures the rest of her life. It was like you describe - body just all compresses/twists/sticks out in odd directions/totally locked up/bulging eyes/pulled back cheeks. Terrifying but she lived fine other than that for a very long time. It is so sad and makes you feel so bad for them though. Big, big hugs!

 

[vickyday]

Our poodle has seizures. He used to have them more often, but since we got married 2 years ago, he doesn't have them as often, for whatever reason. He knows when he is going to have one as he comes to Mark and sits at his feet acting needy. Mark holds him while he goes through them. His front legs always want to go above his head, so Mark holds them down. Asher goes through a spell of shaking, panting, is unstable and will usually throw up afterwards. His flea medication was causing his. That medication was changed. It is hard to watch him go through them! Sorry your fur baby is experiencing them!

 

[felis]

I'm sorry, girls, I don't want to be offensive BUT, If I'm understand the seizures right, it's not like you said it: something that common happened to some bred. We talk for already sick dog and this is new sign in his ethology.

 

[faerywings]

it's OK, Felis. It is helpful to know that other people have had this or something similar happen to their dog. I think I am looking for answers to a question that is unanswerable at this point. I wish dogs could talk.

The positive news is that Ray didn't have any issues yesterday and had a relatively "good" day. She ate well, didn't fall over, let me snuggle with her lots. And that is my answer so far. I have to take it one day at a time. Not easy but I don't have much of a choice.

 

[Danesa]

Oh, Chris. I had tears when I read your post! I know how you love your babies and they are so lucky to have you as a mama. I know it's hard on Ray and the family. I think your loving touch is what she needs at this point and you are providing that to her. Big hugs, sweetie!!