My Chihuahua has SEIZURES! What is it???? Help!

[chilover]

My 10 year old Chihuhua seems to have some kind of seizures. I just got the little guy about 1.5 month ago from a rescue. He is old and a little wobbly on his legs but very spunky and active for his age. He's been to the vet and he is pretty healthy except his stuffy nose which I think is yeast related and hi is on special diet for it. He is also getting fish oil, probioticks, and Prozyme with his food. He seems pretty happy and has healthy appetite. His legs give out a little when he tried to lift his leg to go potty but he can run pretty fast when he wants to and even climbs a couple of stairs.
About 2 weeks ago when I was giving him a bath he started shaking and falling forward on his face in the bath tub. I got him out but his back legs kept shaking and his front legs were just locked straight and he kept shaking for about a minute. It stopped and I didn't think much of it. I just thought he got upset from taking a bath (he is not fond of them). But about 2 days ago it happened again. He just started shaking and falling over like he can't stand up. It passed really quickly and he was just fine. But it happened again today. His back legs start shaking and his front legs are just straight as they can be and he can't stand up. His breathing seems to be kind of irregular at the time of the seizurew, but it's not like he is choking or anything..
It passed agian very quickly, but now I'm worried. What is it????? Anybody knows what it might be. Should I be conserned?

 

[showpug]

You need to take him to your vet...defiantly sounds like seizures. He could be epileptic and need medication OR he could have something wrong metabolically. Either way, they are going to need to run some bloodwork on him. Poor guy, I hope he's okay

 

[wildwings811]

I also feel he may be eptileptic and needs to see the vets ASAP hope he is feeling better soon

 

[chilover]

Wel, I took him to the vet and they did x-rays and blood tests. Blood work is not back yet but his x-rays look ok except for some arthritis in his spine and neck. But I guesss that's to be expected in an older dog. The vet gave me Epitrol to give for seizures, which is an herbal alternative to Phenobarbitol or whatever else they give to epileptics... The little guy is doing fine right now. I just have to wait for blood test to see why it's happening...
I guess he might have been having seizures all along and I had no idea, since I'm not around all day long... I feel horrible! Well, you just never know with a rescue dog..
Does anybody have an epileptic dog?
...As I was typing this the vet called and told me that everything in blood looks fine except liver function-- liver enzyme is very high - 450. I don't exactly know what it means but the vet said we need to do a sonogram to see is there is a tumor or a mass in the liver. He said that liver might cause seizures but he is not sure... and that sonogram would be the next step. But if it doesn;t show any tumor than what?
I don't know what to do. He is an old dog and he was found roaming the streets of NYC so he could have been eating all sort of crap. I dont know his history.
Any vets out there? Anybody has an opinion, please?

 

[BagelDog]

My black and tan dachie has seizures. She stumbles and falls around, then gets very confused. She acts like she doesnt recognize us, but is fine after a sleep. Usually dogs are a lot more disoriented after a seizure than your seems, but I don't know. Just make sure he doesnt fall in any water when he has then, and comfort him. Also, pepper usally has to go potty really bad fter a seizure, so keep that in mind with your dog. Anyways, has he had any more other than that one?

 

[chilover]

My black and tan dachie has seizures. She stumbles and falls around, then gets very confused. She acts like she doesnt recognize us, but is fine after a sleep. Usually dogs are a lot more disoriented after a seizure than your seems, but I don't know. Just make sure he doesnt fall in any water when he has then, and comfort him. Also, pepper usally has to go potty really bad fter a seizure, so keep that in mind with your dog. Anyways, has he had any more other than that one?

He has had 3 in the last month. I have only had him for about 2 months now. He doesn't loose conciesness and it passes very quickly. He seems fine afterwards.
The only abnormality they found in his blood work is elevated liver enzymes.
It could be anything from what I gather. The vet says to do a sonogram. I don;t know what for-- to see if there is tumor?
Is your dachie on medication for her seizures? and if yes, what do you give her? Do they know why she is having them?

 

[poeluvr]

my vet unfortunatley wasnt too aware of the seriousness of my dogs seizures, my old dog had two, we brang him to emergency, they said it is ok for him to have a few if he has anymore theyll put him on meds, he had one after that which gave him brain damage, then another that killed him, while back at emergency. Always keepo in mind ur instincts, not only the vets

 

[wildwings811]

Your vet probably wants to do a sonogram to rule out and cancerous tumors and find out why the liver is not functioninig normally I would suggest getting it done that way you know what you are up against

 

[chilover]

Well, we are back from the ultrusound. It showed no tumor. Thank god! But there are some degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys and his prostate is enlarged (might be due to him not being neutered). And the vet now thing that Beasley is at least 10-12 years old after looking at his insides.
He sent us home with some herbal liver and anti-seizure meds. And said to come back in a month for a recheck. He thinks the next step would be liver biopsy but it's risky for such an old dog because it has to be done under anestesia. I think it's good news but we are not out of the woods yet.
At least there is no tumor..

 

[Manchesters]

Well, we are back from the ultrusound. It showed no tumor. Thank god! But there are some degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys and his prostate is enlarged (might be due to him not being neutered). And the vet now thing that Beasley is at least 10-12 years old after looking at his insides.
He sent us home with some herbal liver and anti-seizure meds. And said to come back in a month for a recheck. He thinks the next step would be liver biopsy but it's risky for such an old dog because it has to be done under anestesia. I think it's good news but we are not out of the woods yet.
At least there is no tumor..

Boy, there is some key I punch that will erase every frigging thing I have typed. Pisses the heck out of me!!!!!!!

Anyway, ONE MORE TIME.........the liver will regenerate. Keep him on a good quality low protein diet, and he should do well. As for seizures, many dogs of the various toy breeds are susceptible to low blood sugar. When he has a seizure try putting some honey or pancake syrup onto this tongue. The thicker the substance the better. You don't want him to aspirate or choke on it.

As far as the seizures, unless he is having multiple seizures every day, medication is not needed. If a dog only has one mild seizure once or twice a week it makes no sense to keep it drugged 24/7. It is also very common for dogs of the toy breeds to have seizures. It is not necessary to become very upset or panicked about it!

Best of luck to you and your little killer Chihuahua!

 

[Renee750il]

You know, not many people would be willing to rescue an older dog like you have. I think it's wonderful of you. And you're willing to invest enough love in this older dog to make the latter part of his life a good one, full of love and care.

 

[chilover]

Well, Renee, I was just fostering him for a rescue but nobody seemed interested in adopting him, probably because of his age, so he is just kind of stuck here. I just wish my other Chi got along with him better. She is such a princess and doesn't want to share attention. And Beasly is such a trooper and a real character. Breaks my heart to see him suffer.
But I think he's ok now. The meds that the vet gave me are chinese herbal formulas. My vet is Chinese acupuncturist and herbalist as well. I don't think they'll hurt him. He looks much better than when I first got him. So, we'll see how he does on this herbs. Thanks everone!

 

[chilover]

Boy, there is some key I punch that will erase every frigging thing I have typed. Pisses the heck out of me!!!!!!!

Anyway, ONE MORE TIME.........the liver will regenerate. Keep him on a good quality low protein diet, and he should do well. As for seizures, many dogs of the various toy breeds are susceptible to low blood sugar. When he has a seizure try putting some honey or pancake syrup onto this tongue. The thicker the substance the better. You don't want him to aspirate or choke on it.

As far as the seizures, unless he is having multiple seizures every day, medication is not needed. If a dog only has one mild seizure once or twice a week it makes no sense to keep it drugged 24/7. It is also very common for dogs of the toy breeds to have seizures. It is not necessary to become very upset or panicked about it!

Best of luck to you and your little killer Chihuahua!

Thank you, Manchesters.
He is on Nuera Meat lamb canned all natural food because of yeast. I was thinking of switching him to Duck&Potato but vet said not to right now and wait and see how he does on the herbs. I did ask him if Beasley might be hypoglicemiac but he said that his blood chemistry was normal aside from elevated ALT. I was giving him local honey with his food but my vet told me to stop. I'm not sure why.
But if he starts having a seizure again I'll try giving him honey. thank you for the advice. I hope it won't be needed.

 

[Manchesters]

Hypoglycemia

It is not something that any test will show unless the creature being bled out (I hate blood tests) happens to be low at that time. Hypo comes in spurts, and then clears up.

What is the protein content of what you are feeding him? Also, what is the situation involving the yeast? Hope the little guy continues to fight!!!!

 

[Doberluv]

I'm so sorry your baby is having these seizures. They are very upsetting to watch. I know. My old Lab had them a lot in her last year or so of life. Her liver was failing. The vet didn't put her on any anticonvulsant because he said that will just wreck her liver more. So we went along for a while and her health just went down hill and I could no longer see a very good quality of life. She was my Bon Bon (Bonnie) and I still miss her and tear up talking about it. It's only been since after X-mas. Those seizures are awful to watch. I feel for you. You are wonderful to have taken in this dog and given him a nice life in his old age. I do hope he'll be OK. It might not be the same thing at all. Convulsions can be caused by soooo many things.

Best of luck for you and your little guy.

 

[chilover]

It is not something that any test will show unless the creature being bled out (I hate blood tests) happens to be low at that time. Hypo comes in spurts, and then clears up.

What is the protein content of what you are feeding him? Also, what is the situation involving the yeast? Hope the little guy continues to fight!!!!

Protein content is 7% in Lamb and 5% in Duck&Ptato. I read it's best to have a low protein food for liver problems? no? I also make sure he gets snacks throughout the day so his blood sugar doesn't go down. Just in case. he is not complaining about this part. He has great appetite! I don't know where he puts it-- he is so skinny!
I am bathing him with Maloseb shampoo about 1 time a week or less. and flash his ears with Maloseb flush which helps a lot. I heard however that the anifungal medication in the Maloseb products might cause seizures, so I'm switching to a natural colloidal oatmeal shampoo. I still don't know what to use for ears though instead of Maloseb. If I don;t flash them they start to smell. There is less discharge than before though! And his skin cleared up. He is still congested in his nose, but there is no discharge. His eyes are clear as well. Overall, he is doing much better! Even his coat looks shiny now! You should have seen him when I first got him 2 months ago! He looked like an old rag, poor thing! and could barely stand up!

 

[chilover]

I'm so sorry your baby is having these seizures. They are very upsetting to watch. I know. My old Lab had them a lot in her last year or so of life. Her liver was failing. The vet didn't put her on any anticonvulsant because he said that will just wreck her liver more. So we went along for a while and her health just went down hill and I could no longer see a very good quality of life. She was my Bon Bon (Bonnie) and I still miss her and tear up talking about it. It's only been since after X-mas. Those seizures are awful to watch. I feel for you. You are wonderful to have taken in this dog and given him a nice life in his old age. I do hope he'll be OK. It might not be the same thing at all. Convulsions can be caused by soooo many things.

Best of luck for you and your little guy.

Thank you so much! I am so sorry for your loss! It is so sad!
I hope my Beasley have a few good years left in him. I don't think is on his last leg yet. I'll do my best to make his life sweet at his old age. He is a trooper and he survived the streets of NYC and he is only 5 lb! So, I think, with proper care he'll be ok.
thank you again for your kind words!

 

[Renee750il]

But I think he's ok now. The meds that the vet gave me are chinese herbal formulas. My vet is Chinese acupuncturist and herbalist as well. I don't think they'll hurt him. He looks much better than when I first got him. So, we'll see how he does on this herbs. Thanks everone!

I'm glad to see someone making good use of the alternatives to standard western medicine. The drugs we use are so profoundly harsh and insulting to the integrity of the body. His overall health will probably be much better doing caring for him this way.

 

[Marla]

We had a cocker spaniel who started with seizures at the age of three..She lived to be 17years old. We dealt with the seizures never got used to them She would probably have one a week. We had her on Barbitol for 10 years but then took her off because possibly could damage liver. After taking her off she never had any more that usual and no less. We miss her terribly but she had a good life even with her health.

 

[bubbatd]

I wish you well...it's so hard to see them when they have seizures. I'm wondering if he got into some poisons when on the loose. Bless you for taking him in !!