Jun 30 2010

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Is My Dog Having Seizures?

Filed under: Ask the Pet Doc » Questions,

This question for our Pet Doc comes from the concerned owner of an 8 month old Chihuahua named Whisper.

My Dog Is Having Seizures - Help!

I think my little 8 month old Chihuahua Whisper she is having seizures. She acts like she is in her own little world sometimes. She loses her balance, and doesn't eat for a while after she comes out of it. And sometimes her nose will be dry and warm. She goes around eating sticks all the time. This started about two months ago and hasn't really changed.

Our Pet Doc Responds

Thanks for the great question. I agree that there is a strong possibility that Whisper may be having seizures. Classic seizures are broken down into three phases/stages. Those are classified as:

The Three Stages of Seizures

Preictal (pre-seizure)
Ictal (seizure)
Postictal (post-seizure)

There are many manifestations of these stages and not all dogs will act the same. Many times the pre-seizure activity will include hiding, trembling, anxiousness, and attention seeking behavior. The seizure can be anything from a mild tremor to what most people think of when describing seizures. That would be lying down, shaking, losing control of bodily functions, etc.

The post-seizure activity is almost always seen as a time of disorientation, loss of balance, fatigue or lethargy. If Whisper is in fact having seizures, and again it sounds very possible, then it is of the utmost importance to try to find out what may be the underlying cause for the seizures. Your veterinarian will most likely request to do bloodwork, urinalysis, and possibly other tests to include radiographs. Based off his or her findings your veterinarian will be able to help you either diagnose the underlying cause or control the seizures with medications.

Concerned Your Dog is Having Seizures? See Your Veterinarian

So in closing my recommendation would be to take Whisper to your local veterinarian. Questions you should be prepared to answer include:

When did the seizure symptoms start?
Have they changed?
How many times have you seen the seizures?
What is the frequency of seizures within a week, a month?
Are you aware of any consistent predisposing factors that may occur after eating, exercise, are associated with sleeping, etc.

I hope this helps and please keep us informed!

Jacob Mireles, DVM, aka the Pet Doc

View Comments

I think my dog might be having seizures too!!!!

Submitted by a hound with a fashionable sense on January 2, 2011 - 3:48am.

She's a little Yorkie about to turn four months old. She will start laying down a lot all of a sudden, and then just start staying laying down. She won't get up for nothing and then her paws will be stiff and she can't walk. When she tries to lay down she will roll off her bed with no control because her arms and legs are stiff. Or she will try to walk then just lose her balance and fall to the side.

I feel useless when this happens. But she always gets over it and is running around playing after a while - it usually last quite a while too. It scares me real bad sometimes! Someone please help she's sooo tiny and such a good puppy. I don't know whether I can take her to the vet because I don't know if I can afford all the tests all at once.

My Zeek has seizures?

Submitted by a hound with a fashionable sense on December 6, 2010 - 11:38pm.

Hi, My dog Jack Russel terrier has mild seizures. Head movement side to side. Six the first day lasting 10 to 60 seconds each, long story short. I have done about six hours research now on the Internet and today saw a neurologist. He wants to do a spinal tap for viruses and then an MRI. The vet put him on Pheno two days ago and he has had two small episodes since. All my research indicates a chance of a brain tumor? Is there anyone with these same mild seizures? Should I see another neurologist?

PS. Going crazy.

Thanks, Roger

Our Pet Doc responds

Submitted by Fashion-Hound on December 13, 2010 - 5:10pm.

Roger, have you discussed your concerns with your veterinarian? Have you told him/her that there have been episodes since starting phenobarbital? Your veterinarian should have a list of differential diagnoses he/she is working through. Ask your vet to share them with you and bring up your concern of a brain tumor.

If you have already gotten a referral to a veterinary neurologist, then your family veterinarian felt it necessary for your pet to visit a more specially trained doctor. Talk to the vet and express your concerns and if you aren't happy or satisfied, then seek a second opinion. There is nothing wrong with either.

Also beware of what research you come across on the Internet. There are lots of helpful and useful sites and discussion forums available but always remember that the best thing to do is visit and speak with your veterinarian directly.

Jacob Mireles D.V.M. aka the Pet Doc

Good to know

Submitted by a hound with a fashionable sense on June 25, 2010 - 4:08am.

I had no idea there was so many different types of seizures. I like learning all I can to help out my doggies! Our thoughts go out to the Chihuahua named Whisper in this article - I hope she's doing okay!

Thanks Pet Doc!

Submitted by a hound with a fashionable sense on June 10, 2010 - 3:04am.

This is great. I never thought I would find such a useful resource on pet questions while being able to purchase a nifty dog collar at the same time.

I also like how easy it is to find the Pet Doc questions and answers - having their own dedicated section. Thank you Dr. Mireles for all your hard work!

My dogs haven't had any seizures yet, so I'm hoping I won't need to revisit this article anytime soon, no offense