Dempsey just scared the life out of my dad with an S.O.S. attack

It was the first one he'd seen close up, as there have only been two before this. I think he was worried he was dying or having a seizure! Me and mum just spent five minutes explaining exactly what it was and that it was nothing to worry about.

Demps didn't have breakfast this morning, so his blood sugar levels would have been slightly lower than normal. He then decided that somebody was in the garden (there was nobody there, but oh well) and went tearing down to have a look. He was already excited and up in the air, as his master had just come home! Then went tearing back upstairs, got to the kitchen and collapsed in the usual way - neck stretched out, violent shaking and mouth foaming.

Woops! No harm done. Just hope dad isn't too worried!

It's strange. I've seen a dog fitting (once) and this is nothing like it! Plus, once the initial blood sugar deficit is balanced he just gets up & carries on as though nothing has happened.

The first time scared me, the second time not so much. This time it was "Qh, dear, never mind. He'll be ok in a minute"   

My poor oh, though, was really scared that Dempsey was having some sort of fit & that he was really ill. I hope I've explained it well enough for him not to worry!

Poor dad! im sure that was terrifying. Hope the demps is ok

He's fine. Had his afternoon walk as usual, and has just polished off his dinner! If it goes the way the other two episodes went, then he'll just be a little more tired this evening & back to full (pain in the arse) strength tomorrow!

Caryll wrote:It's strange. I've seen a dog fitting (once) and this is nothing like it! Plus, once the initial blood sugar deficit is balanced he just gets up & carries on as though nothing has happened.

The first time scared me, the second time not so much. This time it was "Qh, dear, never mind. He'll be ok in a minute"   

My poor oh, though, was really scared that Dempsey was having some sort of fit & that he was really ill. I hope I've explained it well enough for him not to worry!

Other way around for me, really. First time didn't bother me. Second time scared me, as it meant there was obviously some sort of condition there. Third time was just a breeze. Just said, "Oh dear!" when I saw him and got a couple of treats to wave under his nose.

It's similar to a fit, in as much as there are tremors and collapse, but otherwise the symptoms aren't there. There's no aura or period of confusion before or after.

Hayley wrote:Poor dad! im sure that was terrifying. Hope the demps is ok

They're both fine!

This would have terrified me as well. Poor Dempsey, and poor Mr Caryll.

I know you better than to ask this question as I am sure you have explored the phenomenon thoroughly, but as you mention low blood sugar I will:-

Is it certain that no diabetes is involved? Thank heavens I am not diabetic but I have a fast metabolism and if my blood sugar levels run low for any reason I am desperately, desperately tired but I don't shake violently.

However, if Kuchar gets over-excited (which he is prone to do!) he will after the event flop down on his side and pant heavily. I'm not worried that he's having a fit or anything, but I do worry that he's gone beyond his limit of endurance. He is only fed once a day - in the evening. Should I feed him more often?

Is this a bull-breeds thing?

Poor Dempsey.
Do you guys not some days want to clobber his breeders to death?

Lynda it is better to split your dogs meal into 2 or even 3 if you have the time. Less volume, better digestion.

Thank you Shisa. I am going to try splitting Kuchar's meals into 2 - one in the morning and one in the evening.

LyndaW wrote:This would have terrified me as well.  Poor Dempsey, and poor Mr Caryll.

I know you better than to ask this question as I am sure you have explored the phenomenon thoroughly, but as you mention low blood sugar I will:-

Is it certain that no diabetes is involved?  Thank heavens I am not diabetic but I have a fast metabolism and if my blood sugar levels run low for any reason I am desperately, desperately tired but I don't shake violently.

However, if Kuchar gets over-excited (which he is prone to do!) he will after the event flop down on his side and pant heavily.  I'm not worried that he's having a fit or anything, but I do worry that he's gone beyond his limit of endurance. He is only fed once a day - in the evening.  Should I feed him more often?

Is this a bull-breeds thing?

Definitely nothing to do with diabetes, thankfully! Sudden Overexertion Syndrome is purely a condition in very deep-chested dogs - large Staffords, EBTs, sometimes Boxers. It occurs when a huge rush of adrenaline surges through the body and the blood sugar levels drop. The large size of the lungs means that more air needs to be taken in than other dogs in order to get enough oxygen around the body. When one of these episodes happens, not enough air is taken in, leading to short-term weakness and muscle contractions.

If you're concerned, you can split his meals into two. This is good anyway, as digestion is improved and he has a steadier flow of energy throughout the day!

Shisa wrote:Poor Dempsey.
Do you guys not some days want to clobber his breeders to death?

Lynda it is better to split your dogs meal into 2 or even 3 if you have the time. Less volume, better digestion.

It wasn't actually the fault of the breeders! As far as genetic health problems go, he's been very lucky! Although both of his parents were properly health tested, so most of the EBT genetic illnesses were ruled out before the mating.

LyndaW wrote:Thank you Shisa.  I am going to try splitting Kuchar's meals into 2 - one in the morning and one in the evening.  

Beat me to it!

Kuchar isn't large Staff by any means - long legged to be sure, but not burly.

Starting tomorrow, he is getting a breakfast of half his daily ration of Wainwrights Tray.

Thank you all.

He should be fine! It's not a very common condition, so even in bully breeds, it's not something you'd see every day - or even more than once in a lifetime!

Enjoy, Kuchar!

I would have been terrified as well. Glad he's ok now and hope your dad's ok too I had read about that happening with bull breeds but it would still be scary to see it.

Do you have the link to where you've read about it? I've never been able to find anything online, as Dempsey's vet (believe it or not) was the one who discovered, named and researched it! It'll be interesting to see if he's published his research!

He's fast asleep on the sofa now, all tucked up and warm!

I don't think it helped today that he's had a bad stomach, so was probably a bit under par anyway.

Probably!

Eleanor wrote:Do you have the link to where you've read about it? I've never been able to find anything online, as Dempsey's vet (believe it or not) was the one who discovered, named and researched it! It'll be interesting to see if he's published his research!

He's fast asleep on the sofa now, all tucked up and warm!

Oo I really can't remember. It might have been on one of my bored google browse moments. I done quite a bit of googling because Millie has stopped breathing a couple of times and the vet focused on why I was trying to wake her up. I end up with little bits of useless info, more of a oh yeah that rings a bell. it might even have been you or Caryll saying about it on another forum   

Your vet should publish it he sounds like a really good vet to have

Ahh, right! Is Millie okay now, by the way?

He's an incredible vet! He's extremely knowledgeable, open to new ideas and theories (which he researches himself to ensure that they're credible) and is also a university lecturer at the place I was at last year!

I believe he's going to publish his work, but he needs to gather enough research first. Dempsey contributed to that!

Poor Demps and a hundred thumbs up for you guys for being so understanding and caring. I don't think a lot of people would be so patient with their dogs issues.

Thank you!

Tbh, it's just a big relief that it isn't serious!

I must admit that we're really lucky with our vets. I try to see the head honcho because I like the discussions we have, and Dempsey's good with him. But they're all good, and none of them are scared of BTs!

When we first got Demps we went to another vet (a bit closer) and they were all very wary of him, even as an 9 week old pup!

And expected him to wait in the car park in the middle of winter, as a young puppy, because the receptionist claimed over the phone that he had Kennel Cough - this was after being told that he had a cough. That was it. Oh, he has a cough? Yes, it's Kennel Cough.

Hmmm. That's when I changed vets!  

And never looked back!

Eleanor wrote:Ahh, right! Is Millie okay now, by the way?

He's an incredible vet! He's extremely knowledgeable, open to new ideas and theories (which he researches himself to ensure that they're credible) and is also a university lecturer at the place I was at last year!

I believe he's going to publish his work, but he needs to gather enough research first. Dempsey contributed to that!

She is ok now, it hasn't happened in a long time. There are a couple of vets who are really good at our practice but it's a large practice so it's just the luck of the draw who you get to see. It's great you have a vet who listens to you and understands you know your dog

Glad she's okay!

It's the same with our vets really, unless we make a specific appointment to see Dr. Jagoe.