ADP

Got woke up at 1am this morning by a load of noise downstairs, was certain it had to be someone breaking in, uh - oh theyve come for the scooby, but no it was the dog having a fit!

I didnt see it but my mum went down and he bit her in the comossion(by accident) and proceeded to flip out for a few mins, he then settled down a bit and recovered.

Anyone else had this happen? If so did it happen again or was it a one off? The dog is a labrador and is 2 years old.

Cheers


Andy

scoobyangel

i had a puppy that had a fit, but she was very very ill at the time with luekemia.


you should take your dog to the vets as they can be "epileptic" so best to get it checked... if it should happen again though you have to make sure they cant hurt themselves and then leave them to it unfortunatly, like a child in the same situation.... its more distressing for the owner then it is for the dog.

ragnarock2

My parents dog occasionally has fits. The vets basically said (after various checks) that he is OK, some dogs have this problem, it may happen again, it may not! The best thing to do is chuck a towel over them, and do not stand too close (they may lash out in confusion). When they come round they are still dazed & confused so be wary!
Still best to be safe - get him checked out!

[Edited by ragnarock2 - 2/21/2003 12:04:00 PM]

rich1231

Im not trying to be the bearer of bad news but you need to go to the vet as soon as possible. My Boxer who was 11 at the time started having fits and we took him to the vets. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Please dont waste any time.

ScoobyJawa

This is very common on lab's. My ex had one that was epileptic (sp???) but best get some tests done at the vets to make sure, at least that way you know.........

XRS

We had a lab that had fits. It seemed to start when she was aged about 5 after she had a booster injection that she reacted to. They can be distressing for anyone who witnesses them, but ours was always OK after, and she lived to the age of 15.

Although the vet said don't let her eat or drink anything during the fit, we found that if you gave her a drop of milk in a bowl the usual labrador greed overcame the fit and with the concentration needed to lap the milk she would come out of it more quickly.

As recommended above though, go and talk to your vet about it.

Jen

They're all right Andy mate - my lovely Lurcher (bit of a Heniz 57 really ) has some form of fits (undefined), however, a short trip to the vets and she now has her "pills" which she has to eat twice a day - she loves it as she gets bread with the pills inside, and if you forget she'll come and remind you She's going on 11 now...

However - don't panic, we had the same problem with one of our cats - terrifing as he was sat on the stairs then went ridgid and fell to be bottom unconcious (sp?!) still, an emergency appointment at the vets the next day and nothing could be found wrong with him - since then? Nothing, he's just as annoying as he always is...it is very common, but best to get checked out for anything that could be wrong - after all, it's only gonna cost a few quid and for a lovely 2year old lab it's got to be worth it

Let us know how he gets on

Jen

GarnetFox

My old mongrel Banjo had fits for a few years, due to advancing old age. He used to wander around dazed for a couple of minutes, then his limbs would stiffen and he'd topple over. He'd then shake and paddle the air with his feet, but after 2 minutes he was up and wandering about and wagging his tail.

The vet said that it was just old age and told us to keep the house quiet during a fit, and just stroke him gently until he came round. Then he started gettign senile and the vet tried him on some new tablets called Vivatonin, which she said increased blood flow to the brain. It cured his senility and the fits stopped then too!

He started getting fits whn he was about 12 years old, then lived on till last April, when he was sent to the big lamp-post in the sky at the grand old age of 17. So fits are not always a very bad thing, but it's best to get your dog checked by the vet anyway.

Tiggs

17 X 7 = 119....good going!

GarnetFox

Very good going! His spirit was still there when we had to have him put to sleep, but his body was saying 'nap time at last, im an old dog!'.

He was a rescue dog from the RSPCA, was found wandering the streets at 10 weeks old and then a few weeks later came to live in the Foxy lap of luxury.

Would post a photo but TurboSport's gone all posh and I'm waiting for a password. :rolleys:

ChrisB

Tobie, our Cairn Terrior has suffered a couple of fits. After the 2nd one a few months back, we took him to a vet.

IIRC, a tumour was mentioned so he has various pills and stuff in his food each day now (lactose fluid IIRC)

He's not had another one since the treatment has started and the old chap is still going strong. He's about 15 years old now

[Edited by ChrisB - 2/21/2003 1:19:44 PM]

TopBanana

My parents' golden retriever used to fit every so often. I think it's fairly common. He used to be a bit unsteady on his feet for the next hour or two and need a lot of attention but other than that it wasn't a problem. You have to restrain them somewhat when they do it so they don't damage anything

PG

one of my Boxers has had a couple of fits (loss of bladder control ect) It is deffo worth checking out however if the dog is very well( tightly bred ) this can be a problem ....but not too serious. Get it checked out ! As mentioned it could well be Epilepsy (sp) or similar but only a vet will be able to tell you that.

All the best
Paul

ScoobyJawa

Vivitonin is superb stuff

They are using it on animals at the moment and trying to push it through for use on humans soon - so I heard.
As above, it increases the flow of blood/air to the brain. Our old Border Collie called Whiskey was on it for several reasons in the last few years of her life, and we're in no doubt that it was responsible for her seeing the rip old age of 16 (and still young at heart )

ADP

hi all

ok dog been to vet, seems fine apparently he could never have one again, equally he may get more in which case if regular would need some drugs, but basically its nothing to worry about

ADP

hi all

ok dog been to vet, seems fine apparently he could never have one again, equally he may get more in which case if regular would need some drugs, but basically its nothing to worry about

PG

glad to hear

GarnetFox

Yay! Good to hear!

Here's a pic of my very old, old dog who would agree that Vivatonin is great if he was here and could speak.

GarnetFox

And now the older version (he was about 5 in the previous pic, here he was about 15):

breezer

Yep, more distressing for the owner than the dog. Our Bernese Mountain Dog suffered with them occasionally. He used to come out of it half dazed and would take a few mins to remember where he was again and even who you were if he didn't know you very well, but otherwise was fine. He was a thoroughbred.

wiltshire_boy

Hi,

My Sister shows and breeds Curly Coated Retrievers and they seem to be very prone to this as well. It can be very scary when it happens, though as you said they seem fine afterwards.
Agree with the towel over the head and staying close and stroking them through it with soothing words.
My sister and Mum (who also has Curlys ( )) ended up finding a vet (in Calne, Wiltshire) who specialises in complimentary therapies for animals and recommended acupuncture. It didn't take many sessions to notice a real difference with much less frequent and severe attacks. (Mmmm...i only used to get a bottle of lucozade and tucked up in bed when i was ill).
It might be worth seeing if anyone in your area offers a similar service.
Just found:- Assoc. of British Veterinary Accupuncture 01444400213- Mrs Jill Hewitson. East Park Cottage, Handcross, Heywards Heath, Sussex RH176BD.
Roy.

Edited to add details.

[Edited by wiltshire_boy - 2/24/2003 3:38:16 PM]