Everything you are describing sounds exactly like my little Pomeranian, who has infrequent seizures. It's quite possible that your dog didn't slip on the steps but was experiencing a pre-seizure episode. Some dogs run and hide during this time and then the seizure hits. When the actual seizure hits, my dog gets a horribly fearful look on her face, with eyes wide open, staring straight ahead, hearing nothing. She will fall over stiff as a board sometimes but other times, she'll manage to stay upright but it's like she is paralyzed and in another world. Sometimes she trembles but sometimes not. She comes out of it as if absolutely nothing happened. It is very weird and very upsetting to watch. Fortunately, her seizures are very infrequent so I have not had to put her on seizure meds.
Stress can trigger seizures and most rescue dogs are under a great deal of stress. Going from the only home they've known to a shelter, then into foster care and then to a new home sometimes takes a heavy toll on them. I've pulled dogs and within hours of getting them home, they will start seizing. The last little chi I pulled was as friendly as can be, giving kisses and being my shadow but still with an undercurrrent of apprehension. The next morning, she suddently started whining, ran under the coffee table, started shaking like a leaf and within a minute she was in a full blown seizure, foaming at the mouth. This went in on for what seemed like forever so we ended up at the er. She had a bad tic that wouldn't stop so they gave her valium to relax her muscles. That bought us enough time to get her to our regular vet. She was eventually prescribed phenobarbital and is living a wonderful life with her adoptive family.
If you haven't already done so, I would highly recommend that you contact the rescue and ask them if they observed this strange behavior while Pete was in their care. I also recommend that if Pete should have another one of these episodes, you contact your vet immediately and let him/her know that you suspect Pete may be having seizures.
I've included a link below to information on seizures. You'll find a blurb on the pre-seizure phase which reads as follows:
Bless you for adopting precious Pete and I wish you both many years of happiness together.
Glynda
Stress can trigger seizures and most rescue dogs are under a great deal of stress. Going from the only home they've known to a shelter, then into foster care and then to a new home sometimes takes a heavy toll on them. I've pulled dogs and within hours of getting them home, they will start seizing. The last little chi I pulled was as friendly as can be, giving kisses and being my shadow but still with an undercurrrent of apprehension. The next morning, she suddently started whining, ran under the coffee table, started shaking like a leaf and within a minute she was in a full blown seizure, foaming at the mouth. This went in on for what seemed like forever so we ended up at the er. She had a bad tic that wouldn't stop so they gave her valium to relax her muscles. That bought us enough time to get her to our regular vet. She was eventually prescribed phenobarbital and is living a wonderful life with her adoptive family.
If you haven't already done so, I would highly recommend that you contact the rescue and ask them if they observed this strange behavior while Pete was in their care. I also recommend that if Pete should have another one of these episodes, you contact your vet immediately and let him/her know that you suspect Pete may be having seizures.
I've included a link below to information on seizures. You'll find a blurb on the pre-seizure phase which reads as follows:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2105&aid=433
Bless you for adopting precious Pete and I wish you both many years of happiness together.
Glynda
