cornell Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Tia is my sweet and loyal girl who has been my heart dog for 11 years. She has the best smile, the brightest eyes, can beg, and even talk. She also has a lovely long coat with a happy swishy tail. 3 months ago we found her slipping or tripping on tiles. After a few weeks we noticed that she started to jolt for 3 seconds when eating or drinking or while she was snoozing. She would also lose balance and tip over if there was a loud noise like a fork hitting a plate. Although she started to manage this better and we laid non slip matting over most of our floor boards she still experienced about 10 3 second jolts a day. This never happened when she was out on walks or visiting others so other people think that I am nuts. :p The vets told me that she was a mystery but she is an old dog and these things happen. While I was prepared for her slipping and falling I was not prepared for her first full on uncontrolled seizure. Tia was her happy usual self and walked off after a smiley pat. She slipped on our floor boards, fell on her side, had a seizure with her mouth completely wide open with froth and blood. This lasted for 2or 3 minutes before she scrambled up and ran away to a corner and became very aggressive (she has never shown signs of aggression) We managed to take her straight to the vet where she paced and was uncomfortable. She would not allow the vet to examine her at all. She did not settle for a good 3 hours later nor did she seem to recognise any of us including our other dog. It was strange to see her sleep so deeply afterwards. This morning she is still sniffing me as if she doesn't know me which is heart breaking. Do you have any idea what kind of seizure this might have been? vetibular? cerebellar intention tremor?? As you can imagine we are very distressed and have no idea of what to expect and are looking forward to any insights that you could offer us. I have no idea when or where the next one will occur but I do know that it will happen. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to contribute and maintain this forum. I feel as though I have entered a dark fog not knowing what is going to pop out at my lovely girl next. Does anyone know of a brain specialist in Adelaide?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 At that age the odds of it being a brain tumour, secondary to another cancer, are pretty high. So get x-rays done first to check for major cancers before heading off to a neuro specialist. If it is not just epilepsy then the prognosis is not likely to be very good. The problem with anything wrong inside the head is the dog cannot tell you how she feels and dogs with intense head pain and confusion can be very dangerous. Even if it is something that can be treated at great expense, the dog will not be able to tell you if she feels better or not. I lost a 10 year old last June to extensive cancer. Looking back over her last 6-8 months there were subtle neuro signs that did not seem to add up to anything. She was perfectly well apart from a very occasional cough. When we found all the tumours and fluid in her chest the vet did a chest drain and during the procedure she had a seizure. She had been ill a few days before but was quite bright when I took her for the x-rays and chest drain. It was as if I had taken a well dog into the surgery and a gravely ill one out. She never really recovered from the seizure and a week later yelped when I touched her head. I had her pts immediately because she obviously had intense pain in her head, most probably from a brain tumour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
❤LovesPoodles❤ Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I can't help in anyway sorry But I just hope for the best for you and Tia and that someone here can shed some light and help you out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 I lost a 10 year old last June to extensive cancer. Looking back over her last 6-8 months there were subtle neuro signs that did not seem to add up to anything. She was perfectly well apart from a very occasional cough. When we found all the tumours and fluid in her chest the vet did a chest drain and during the procedure she had a seizure. She had been ill a few days before but was quite bright when I took her for the x-rays and chest drain. It was as if I had taken a well dog into the surgery and a gravely ill one out. She never really recovered from the seizure and a week later yelped when I touched her head. I had her pts immediately because she obviously had intense pain in her head, most probably from a brain tumour. Thanks for your reply. I am so sorry to hear about what you and your dog went through. It seems to be such an unfair ending for such a wonderful life. I am in the process of collecting as much information as I can, talking to everyone about it, gathering the best team of professionals and we shall be sorting more tests out tomorrow. Thanks also to Krystal and Coco!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilaryo Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 How distressing for you! I hope you find out quickly what the problem is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 How distressing for you! I hope you find out quickly what the problem is Thank you for your sweet message! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 IF she does have another one, it might be worth taking a video of it to show the vet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hi Cornell. I don't have any value added info to give you. I can only tell you that my father's Golden of many moons ago had mini-seizures - we just didn't know enough to recognise them and when he had a Grand Mal, the Vet of the times told us we must let him go, there and then. I admit it was a huge long-lasting seizure and perhaps he was right, but I wished I knew enough back then to know that we could have investigated more. My previous girl Kal (bhcs) also ended up enduring Grand Mal seizures. Hers is a long story but to keep it short, there are reasons why the Vets and myself suspected brain tumour (she had a known tumour elsewhere). I kept her on palative care for a few months but the complications of the other (adrenal gland) tumour left me with little option than to let her go before she suffered from the rupture of the adrenal gland. I think each case is subject to its own journey to its own destiny and this is where we need the Vets, with their good knowledge and expertise to help us out (not to mention the trusted DOLers with their individual but excellent knowledge, which is why you're here, I know). I truly wish for you one that is not encumbered by too many rocky roads and where you find treatment grants Tia an extended stay with a smooth but pleasant and happy ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 It has been fun and games trying to capture her jolts on video as they only last for 3 seconds. As for a major seizure I'd rather be there to comfort her. The vets seem to understand what she has been through with the big one. It was a kind and thoughtful gesture on your part though so thank you :D Erny I always dreaded Tia's 10th birthday as often this is the time where I have seen most pets become seriously ill. So for a long time I have been nervously expecting this axe to fall. Many vets are suspecting a brain tumor due to her age so I am not surprised. To have your heart broken twice in the most awful circumstances is so cruel. I definitely have a new understanding. Sadly my pets have slowly but surely deteriorated bit by bit over time in old age and it was so hard to let them go but in this case Tia is such a happy girl with loads of energy to see her change within seconds was devastating. She seems a little brighter today so that is a good sign. I will always continue to fight for her and bug the vets and specialists and even the DOLers for as long as she wants me to. Thank you for your lovely wishes and may you never have to deal with anything like this ever again - I think you've had your fair share!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harley Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Poor Tia:( and poor you, it must have been so hard to see her confused and scared like that. I wish you luck with finding someone who can help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Thanks for the warm fuzzy Harley!! Tia's sunny personality is improving step by step so we are so thankful to have our precious girl back But the jolts seem to be increasing We are putting a lot of things in place now to try to solve this puzzle so it is now a matter of crossing our fingers to see what will work. In the meantime we need all of the warm fuzzies and prayers that we can get. Have a wonderful day with your pups! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodlecrazy Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 My 13 year old girl just had a major seizure first one ever Scared the s--t of me she wasn't coming out of it grab the keys grab her straight to the vet 10-15 mins away still not out it he gave her a shot of valium She is still really wobbly but he assured me that was the Valium She has meds for a week then report to vet the meds to hopeful stop another one I didn't ask how long till the Valium would take to ware off it's fair to say I was just a tad stressed If they continue he will do bloods to see if there is a underlining problem we can't see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 Holy cow! I am so sorry to hear this!! I have just done a DIY crash course in seizures. Here are some tips and short cuts for you. Your vet might suspect a brain tumor due her age. However, seizures are caused by so many things. They might requested an MRI so they can confirm or rule out a brain tumor. MRIs are costly and might require her to be put under for roughly 2 hours. They might also request a blood test to help with the diagnosis. Many references suggest that you *insist* on a full thyroid check including T3 and T4. During a seizure it is helpful if you try to stay calm (which is easier said than done) or you will add to her tense energy. Stroking and calmly telling the dog it will be over soon also reportedly helps. Please Google the term ocular compression which can help a dog come out of a seizure more quickly. It will be helpful for you to start practicing now. If you have someone in the room with you ask them to apply an ice pack (not a frozen veg pack) to her head but also in the middle of her back. Try to keep her as cool as possible. During a seizure you might try putting some honey and some rescue remedy in her mouth IF it is safe. As soon as possible try giving her some natural preservative free ice cream eg Vanilla Hãagen Dazs with rescue remedy on top. "You should use a good all-natural, preservative-free ice cream, such as Hãagen Dazs and please only use vanilla. It takes only a very small amount - too much can do more harm than good. For dogs under 50 pounds, a teaspoon or two is plenty; 50-100 pound dogs can handle about one or two tablespoons; and dogs over 100 pounds can have a scant 1/4 cup." - http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/site_map.htm You can give her a meal after the seizure as she is likely to be ravenous to make up for the calories she has just burned. Buy some rescue remedy from the health food shop to help settle her. Do a Google search on the importance of magnesium and vitamin B6. Take lots of notes about the times of day, the weather, the phases of the moon, what they had to eat. Did she give you any signs before the seizure? Avoid grains in his diet as starch can be a factor. Do not feed your dog pork or any meat with nitrates in it. Join the forum at http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/epil-k9.html You can also check out this site for info on seizures http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/golden-retrievers-seizures/108429-seizures-101-basic-information.html It took a good week for Tia to fully return to her sunny normal self. I wish you the very best for your girl. Please keep us updated as we really need to learn from each other. GOOD luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodlecrazy Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Thank you so much for all the information I will start working on them now My vet said we may need to do bloods Interesting that you mentioned grains as she has been on Vets all Natural for the last month So that was a very important tip for me will be stopping that right now I certainly will keep you up dated and good luck with your girl I did stay calm holding her and talking to her till I got to the vets then bang hit me 10 years we had an old Boy that had seizures but Tammy's through me she was all sorted twisted when she snapped out it And couldn't stand at all so I thought oh no heart attack or a doggy stroke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 I thought oh no heart attack or a doggy stroke Thank goodness that did not happen! When you see it for the first time it is excruciating because you tend to think the worst. Keep her cool today. It's gonna be a hot one. I will be keeping Tia damp, following her around with a fan and putting the air con on full blast. Some people have noted that their seizures are much worse in summer. I have just started feeding her Taste of the Wild and BARF patties. I hope that you both have a GREAT day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodlecrazy Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 (edited) Well this morning she can hobble a little wanky but at least she can stand Carried her out for wee which she did She ate two small bowls of Natures gift puppy this morning She is such a doll still wagging her tail I need to keep her bowll movement soft as she had a rectanal prolapse about 18 months ago Even though she was on VAN she had puppy food mixed with it Funny I bought barf patties in the shopping I was hoping this morning she would be all good but thinking about it Her attack was big and is going to take time to heal I need to remember that I put all the a/c on at 7 to make sure she would be comfortable Sorry about bad spelling Edited January 16, 2012 by Poodlecrazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Good luck, Poodlecrazy. I hope she continues to show some improvement and regains some strength. Know that you're not alone and that people will be sending you good wishes with hopes of good reports on her progress. There are so many people on this forum who understand what you are going through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodlecrazy Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Thanks Erny Yesterday I was not confident she was going to be ok at all I rang the vet he said her meds are to strong for her cut her down to half a tablet About 10.30 last night she woke up took her out for toilet and she was walking heaps better Still not perfect but that doesn't bother me Slept on my bed spend most of the night licking me which is a good sign for her that's her way This morning she has eaten again lol I can now see my old girl coming back She must know where I' am at all times then she is settled can't find me panics Good excuse for me to sit with her and watch the tennis all day I really thought I was going to loose her this time Vet said she has a strong heart beating really well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornell Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 This morning she has eaten again lol I can now see my old girl coming back She must know where I' am at all times then she is settled can't find me panics Good excuse for me to sit with her and watch the tennis all day I really thought I was going to loose her this time Vet said she has a strong heart beating really well That sounds very familiar!:D Continued BEST wishes for a speedy recovery!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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