My puppy Braddock is having seizures and I am not sure what to do!

lcambrosia · 11-13-2006, 10:51 AM

I need help! Braddock is not quite 6 months old and just started having seizures Thursday (11/9/2006). Between Thursday morning at 6:30am and Friday afternoon at 12:15pm, he has had about 8 seizures (cluster seizures). Braddock is a Border Collie that is deaf, he was cryp orchid(sp) (testicles did not descend), we had issues when he was about 3 months old of what we thought was obsessive compulsive disorder (he is currently on prozac). He would run the same pattern in the backyard and stop at certain points, pounce, bark, rip out the grass, drool and wouldn't pay attention to any commands. It gradually got worse and continued in the house, the car, the vet's office. After the Prozac and quite a bit of work we were able to almost stop the behavior in all areas. Then starting on Thursday the cluster seizures started, finally the alst onr on Friday he was administered rectal valium and Saturday started on Phenobarbotyl (sp), but he is continuing to have mild seizures about 4 to 5 a day. He now has reverted back to a small pup and forgets his training, urinating in the house, curious about things he has not payed any attention to for months, constantly looking for food and water no matter how much we give him and mounting the other dogs (he was just fixed and has never done that before). His blood work has come back normal, including a bile acid test for a liver shunt. The vet says they feel the prognosis is not good with all of the other issues. He is such a sweet little guy and we love him dearly. They keep telling us that he is to young for epilepsy, is that true? Could he have brain damage from the seizures? Can anyone please help!

Cheetah · 11-13-2006, 01:14 PM

The only thing I can think of is to keep taking him to the vet. Hopefully they can find out what's wrong. If they can't, I'd find another vet.

animalcraker · 11-13-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcambrosia

I need help! Braddock is not quite 6 months old and just started having seizures Thursday (11/9/2006). Between Thursday morning at 6:30am and Friday afternoon at 12:15pm, he has had about 8 seizures (cluster seizures). Braddock is a Border Collie that is deaf, he was cryp orchid(sp) (testicles did not descend), we had issues when he was about 3 months old of what we thought was obsessive compulsive disorder (he is currently on prozac). He would run the same pattern in the backyard and stop at certain points, pounce, bark, rip out the grass, drool and wouldn't pay attention to any commands. It gradually got worse and continued in the house, the car, the vet's office. After the Prozac and quite a bit of work we were able to almost stop the behavior in all areas. Then starting on Thursday the cluster seizures started, finally the alst onr on Friday he was administered rectal valium and Saturday started on Phenobarbotyl (sp), but he is continuing to have mild seizures about 4 to 5 a day. He now has reverted back to a small pup and forgets his training, urinating in the house, curious about things he has not payed any attention to for months, constantly looking for food and water no matter how much we give him and mounting the other dogs (he was just fixed and has never done that before). His blood work has come back normal, including a bile acid test for a liver shunt. The vet says they feel the prognosis is not good with all of the other issues. He is such a sweet little guy and we love him dearly. They keep telling us that he is to young for epilepsy, is that true? Could he have brain damage from the seizures? Can anyone please help!

If your vet hasn't given you a direction of what could be causing the seizures, especialy after all the test that were done, I would take him to another vet for a second opinion or maybe even a specialist. 4-5 seizures a day is defintely not a good thing.

blackgavotte · 11-13-2006, 02:26 PM

It could be that this puppy has a congenital brain problem... I want to call it a mis-wiring, or perhaps a brain tumour, young as he is. If you are not dealing with a vet that you trust, definitely go see another vet, but brain problems, as in humans, can be very hard to detect, and blood work does not usually show up this sort of problem. I feel for you, I know you love him but you may be having to face a hard decision soon, think of what's best for him in the long run, when making whatever decision you come to.

With every seizure he takes, yes, some damage is done, it may not be much, but the main issue is what is causing them in the first place? Its true that epileptic seizures don't usually start this young, and I am glad the vet ruled out the liver shunt. I tend to think brain tumour or just plain congenital wiring problem. Good luck with this whatever the outcome. Sorry for your bad luck here.

LoveLilly · 11-13-2006, 02:26 PM

I would get a second opinion.

3dogsplus · 11-13-2006, 04:36 PM

There are many things that can cause seizures in young dogs including infection, parasites, encephalitis, hydrocephalus and yes, tumors and epilepsy. It is always difficult to diagnose as they can't tell us if there is anything that precipitates the seizures. I agree with the idea of referral to a specialist - either a neurologist or internist. They may want to do a spinal tap and/or MRI/CT scan to try and make a diagnosis. In dogs, epilepsy is a dianosis made by ruling out the other possible causes.

Good luck

lcambrosia · 11-29-2006, 01:33 PM

I am sad to report that our beautiful baby boy has gone to sleep and we miss him very much.

blackgavotte · 11-29-2006, 02:27 PM

So sorry to hear of your loss. Can you share with us what the problem was, or is it too painful to talk about?

mistyinca · 11-29-2006, 05:39 PM

I am so sorry for your loss.

nicole84 · 11-29-2006, 08:15 PM

i'am so very sorry to hear of your loss.

Snowshoe · 11-29-2006, 08:32 PM

Oh wow, I'm so sorry

*hug*

I hope that when you feel up to it you will share your story with us. We'd all be very glad to listen.

Crazy Acre · 11-29-2006, 11:16 PM

so sorry to hear about your loss. He is in a better place and try to find comfort and peace in that..no animal/friend should have to endure senseless suffering like he did.

Crazy Acre · 11-29-2006, 11:18 PM

that was so nice of you to say that!!!

pupskersandhutch · 11-30-2006, 01:13 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your pup. My friends pup had the same problem and was actually had brain damage by the seizures . My friends dog is still alive though. I do feel sorry for what has happend if you NEED anything just let me know I'm happy to help.

Love MEgs