So Missy might have Epilepsy

She had another episode (I can't call it a seizure as it isn't really a seizure) Saturday night.
The symptoms are strange as she looks like the world is spinning with her. She lies down flat and grips with her claws, she hides her head when I hold her.
We haven't started any treatment. When she has another 'episode' I'll take her in immediately so we can do blood tests to completely rule out blood sugar, kidney or liver issues first. The tests need to be done as close to the 'episode' as possible.
Because she's healthy the blood tests are really just formality. The vet said if there was any issues we would have had other symptoms and because of her age and breed he's fairly confident we're seeing the start of epilepsy and he 'episodes' are Petit Mal seizures.

If the blood tests come back clear and she has another 2 episodes in a month we have to start treatment with Phenobarbital and all I'm hearing is liver damage and disease! Great drug but ... great risk.

Oh, no Poor Missy! I really hope she doesn't have any more episodes

Oh, poor thing!

How old is she now?

Just over 4 years.
I've spent the morning studying up on epilepsy in dogs... sigh.

I hope she doesn't have any more episodes; have you tried filming them to show the vet? I'm sure all you think about whilst it's happening is to keep her comfortable and reassure her, but it may be useful.

She's had 5 episodes to date (about a year) and they have caught me completely by surprise every time. I want to film it.
I do keep a 'diary' (memo on my phone) so I can keep track of when, what time, how long, what happened etc...
It's not fun to see your dog like that.
I don't know how people cope with full on Grand Mal seizures.

How horrible for you both, my heart goes out to you both

Has your vet considered a possible ear problem? My (admittedly elderly) mum has disabilitating vertigo attacks and the cause is her inner ears. Just a thought.

Poor little girl

He did check her ears and couldn't see any problems.
For now it's basically a step by step procedure to rule out probable problems until the answer isn't or can only be epilepsy. I'm taking her everywhere with me so she can be monitored 24hours.

I suppose it's just a matter of wait and see for now? Is there a problem with epilepsy in the breed?

Yes, some lines do have epilepsy.
She is from (supposedly) epilepsy free lines. I went through a lot of trouble to find a really good breeder as I was planning on showing and breeding MinPins at that stage of my life.
I keep in contact with the breeder and she says she's never had a dog with epilepsy.

It's possible it's something else - did your vet have any ideas of what else it could be?

There's a list of possible things.
Epilepsy
Hypoglycemia
Blood pressure (although her heart is very good)
Various Vestibular diseases or issues
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Diabetes

Wish I hadn't asked.

I don't know much about the treatment for epilepsy, is it complicated?

Keeping you and Missy in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you Eleanor

Caryll wrote:Wish I hadn't asked.

I don't know much about the treatment for epilepsy, is it complicated?

It's not so complicated but is a very strict treatment. You can't miss or be late with doses or stop treatment once started.

Good luck, Theresa, I hope it goes well for you & Missy.

Thank you.

How did I miss this?

Molly has just been diagnosed today after a seizure this morn. Trying to get blood info....
I hope missy is ok. Molly is on 1/2 tab twice a day for life for now from today.

Poor Molly. Good luck to her mum

Missy had another attack/episode/seizure that's not a seizure last night. She's at the vet for tests....
Feeling very stressed!!!

Oh, no!

Have they no idea at all why it's happening? How is she in herself right now?

She's perfectly fine. Her normal self.
I haven't heard anything from the vets yet. I showed 1 the video I made and he found the 'seizure' very weird. She's having a bunch of tests done: liver, kidneys, glucose before and after meal, heart, lungs.
I'm completely stressed out.
I am keeping positive that it's nothing life threatening or that needs life threatening meds.

Keeping fingers and paws crossed for positive news.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you and Missy as well! Hopefully it's something easy to diagnose and treat!

Had she had anything to eat before the incident & had she had any high excitement/exercise?