[silentlore]

Hello everyone, many of you know me as the one who has gone through some hard times with my family and with feelings of not being adequate enough for my Bailey. But thanks to many words of encouragement and monetary help which I am SO thankful for and Bailey of course sends her thankful *AROOOO!*

I actually got a part time job working in the evening (I'm a stay at home mom to my 3 year old Quadruplets during the day of course) but I've been working 2 evenings a week at a new PetCo which gives me money to care for Bailey and some extra money to help out at home plus a Discount on pet supplies, cant beat that! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Anyway, sorry, I felt I should update first.

Anyhow, now for my concern:

This morning I opened Bailey's crate in the morning as I normally do, generally she goes and takes a drink of water and we go outside for her to go potty and we go back in and I feed her.

This morning when I opened her crate she stayed laying there instead of bolting out like she normally does, I had to coax her out and she kinds hobbled out. I decided I'll just take her out to potty real quick and we can get back in and she can eat, I put her leash on and began to walk off, only to find that she would not walk with me, she stumbled, and with much coaxing I was able to get her to slowly follow me to the stairs in front of the door, she would not walk down the stairs, so I picked her up and took her outside, she went pee and kinda fell while doing so but she got back up. (now of course I KNOW something is wrong) I get her back in usually she BOLTS upstairs while I make silly noises and asking her if she wants her "hungries" and usually she jumps up and down getting excited about her food... instead when I went up the stairs she didn't follow and just layed down on the floor by the door. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif

I went down and picked her up and brought her to the kitchen by her food (I noticed that she was salivating, dripping from her mouth abit) I gave her, her food and she ate it, I went about my buisness. I then called to her because usually after she eats she'll come find me, I called to her and she didnt come, so I went to the kitchen and couldnt find her, I looked around the kitchen and I found her laying on the floor next to the toilet in the bathroom! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif

I picked her up and brought her to the livingroom and layed her on the couch, she was quite limp seeming like she really didnt want to move. She was also quite cold, her ears and feet more cold than the rest of her, I put a towel over her and of course I was bawling to my husband that I KNOW something is wrong, he keeps telling me she's just tired or something.

I know my dog, and she was not acting right. This was the first hour of the morning, then at some point a noise set her off she jumped up from the couch from under the blanket I had laid on her and was wagging her tail, I gave her some of her BilJac treats and her tail was wagging, she did her sit, and shake and now seems COMPLETELY normal, just like she normally acts.

My husband seys "see I told you she was ok"

I am glad she is acting normal now... but I am still concerned for how she was acting this morning.

Does anyone have any experience with anything like this?

 

[silentlore]

Well, I just got off the phone with Bailey's Vet Clinic as I just needed some peace of mind that she is o.k.
They said her symptoms sounded like the period they go through after a seizure and she asked if she had ever has a seizure. I said not that I've noticed, and that she was in her crate at night. She said to check the crate for urine or feces as during a seizure dogs will unvoluntarily urinate and deficate. Indeed all of her bedding inside her crate was soaked in urine, I hadn't noticed that. :doh: /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

She said that mild seizures are harmless and that I should keep an eye on her, she asked if she was on any meds or if she could have gotten into any poisons, I told her no as this place is a fortress with 4 toddlers, all that stuff is securely locked away. She said that if it happens again I definately need to bring her in.

Does anyone have experience with their Beagle having Seizures? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif

 

[janna]

I don't have any experience with seizers, but I read your post, and I am glad Bailey is o.k. I would definably keep an eye on her and take her to the vet if you notice anything wrong. Hugs and kisses from the girls and me. keep us posted.

 

[debannib]

Louri,
So glad to hear from you! Just sorry you had such a scare with Bailey.....

there are several members here with seizure experience, and lots of resources on the net too. I hope it was a one-time thing, but if not, come back here for help. It's scary when our 'kids' don't feel good.

Hugs and best wishes to you, Bailey and the kids! :wave:

 

[BookerMoose]

What a scary thing for you to experience - and I'm glad Bailey is feeling better now.

Both of our older beagles have infrequent (2-3 times a year) seizures and the description of Bailey is definitely consistent with their post-seizure reaction - especially the point where they finally seem to just "snap" back to normal (which is always such a relief). Luckily both Booker and Moose have relatively minor seizures (they don't lose bladder or bowel control) - but the few minutes during the seizure are still terrifying and we always feel so helpless because there is really nothing we can do about it besides holding them and trying to reassure them they are not alone.

Our vet has always told us that as long as the seizures do not become more frequent, more severe or start to last longer, there is really nothing to do but keep an eye on them. One thing they have always suggested, though, is to try to film them when they are actually having a seizure - because seeing the seizure is the absolutely best way for the vet to really know what is happening.

Hopefully Bailey won't have another seizure for a long, long time (if ever), but if she does and you do have a way to film it that would probably be a good idea to help with a diagnosis moving forward.

Good luck.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Hi, Louri! Good to hear from you and get your update. So sorry to hear that Bailey has had a rough spot -- calling the vet was a good thing and you are fortunate that your vet is willing to do a consult over the phone. Symptoms do sound seizure-related. Not sure when you'll find time (with your gang and now new job) to check the web or read articles but, if you do, here is the best website I have found with regard to seizures:
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/site_map.htm

The folks who run this website are wonderful and you can even have an "angel" e-mail you privately and answer your questions. There is a link on the website for a log to use. It is really, really important for you to chart Bailey's symptoms, starting with this first event. Trying to remember symptoms six months down the road is next to impossible and even the smallest things are important.
As others have pointed out, lots of dogs have an occasional seizure and do not require medication. Frequency and severity are key. That said, there are some good tips on the website even for an occasional occurrence. Please give yourself and Bailey hugs from Maggie and me!

 

[Murphys Dad]

It definitely sounds like seizure related behavior to me. Our Spook has seizures which were infrequent until he had cluster seizures on Thanksgiving. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif At that point the vet put him on phenobarbitol, and so far he hasn't had another seizure. :happyhappy:

The website Judy linked is very good, and the great folks there sent me great information so I was able to discuss my concerns with the vet. If Bailey does need medication at some point, phenobarbitol is inexpensive and effective. Bloodwork is needed a couple of times a year to monitor levels, but it's well worth it not to see Spook seizing like he did on Thanksgiving.

 

[jassy]

Hi Louri,
So glad to hear from you again and that things are better for you and your family. Poor Bailey, she has had a tough time. I am glad there are people here who can give you help and advice with the seizures.

 

[K & G]

Sorry to hear about Bailey's seizure. As has been said, there's lots of good info and helpful medications out there. Hopefully this will be a rare occurance.

 

[jdetmering]

Wow Louri-I can see why you were concerned. And with the little ones in the house-boy I bet you are busy ! I thought I was busy-working full time, full time nursing program, 9 1/2 yr old son, 2 beagles, a hubby to be, you know, but having all those little ones in the house-it can put it all into perspective.

I am very glad you did contact the vet-and they told you what to look for. I doubt you have to be expecting another seizure any moment-but definitely keep your eye open. Honestly-for me personally-that is why I dont have the beags in a crate or anything. Mine sleep with me. I know, probably not the healthiest thing-but my little maggie has slept with me since the day after she was born and Harley since I got him at 6 wks old. Just the way it is. It was always my way of keeping an eye on them-between bathroom training and everything else.

Well-keep us updated and let us know how it goes and if your beag has any more seizures.

Hugs
Judi

 

[angelaH]

Louri, good to hear from you again. So sorry to hear about Baileys problems, very common with beagles. Our first beagle, Bilbo, had very bad seizures and eventually had to be carried in a rucksack. What helped her for a couple of years was powdered glucose. At the first sign of an attack (nodding of the head, shaking etc) we would put glucose n the palm of our hand, Bilbo would lick it like made and the attack would stop. Later medicine helped, but finally at 14 the attacks got worse and she died in the middle of one. Sounds like you have a good vet.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Louri, I'm sorry to hear about poor Bailey! Amber had a seizure once and then never again until she was very sick at the end. The vet said she most likely ate something she shouldn't have and that the seizure was a reaction to it. I know how frightening it can be. There is a lot of info out there on helping seizures and several members here who deal with them too. I hope that Bailey just got her nose into something she shouldn't have and that this is a one time deal. Let us know how she's doing. I'm glad to hear that you and your family are doing better as well.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Quote:Originally posted by A doghouse:
What helped her for a couple of years was powdered glucose. At the first sign of an attack (nodding of the head, shaking etc) we would put glucose n the palm of our hand, Bilbo would lick it like made and the attack would stop.

A similar suggestion is to have Breyer's all-natural vanilla ice cream on hand. A dog's blood sugar drops dramatically as a seizure is starting and during a seizure, thus the lethargy that you see after the seizure itself has stopped. A spoonful of Breyer's perks them up quickly.