Hi all,

I have a labradoodle and she is going through something that I have no idea how to handle. This has happened twice now in a month and I am kinda freaking out at this point. She will wake up in the middle of the night and start having these episodes that are similar to a siezure but not quite. Her whole body shakes and her legs are spread pretty far apart to keep her balance. She walks with her head on the ground and it almost seems as if she were drunk. Her equilibrium is completely off. This will last for about 10 minutes and then she is fine...like nothing has happened at all. Is this something that is neurological or is she eating food that is contaminated? Is she having dreams that are just throwing her off? I don't know what to do. We all know that vet visits are very expensive so I don't want to have all these tests run to find out she is having "bad dreams", you know? Help!

How old is your dog? I had a Brithany that started out like your dog is and it continued getting worse for about three years until she went into a grand mall seizure and we had to put her down. I don't mean to scare you, but this was my experience with the condition. She really started out having these seizures after taking a prescription that she was allergic to the sulfer in the drug. I would just keep an eye on her and see if she has another one and how close they are. I know it is expensive to go to the vet's, but this may have to happen to find out the cause.
Best of luck
Karen

Thank you for the input. I called the vet and he gave me a few things to look for the next time it happens to narrow it down a little. I really don't want to go through that again though...so scary!

Did you determine what was causing the problems??

Adina
www.DoodleKisses.com

[wishbone]

Then seek some more expert advice from behaviorist and other vet. Don't be afraid for things can be prevented at early stage. Good luck, saying a little prayer for your baby.

oh that was scary...hope your dog will not go to that point just like what Northern gal dog's go through...Wishbone got point second opinion is a better idea to make sure...

[lil mutt]

that's scary i think its time you bring your pet to the vet and have her checked up.

Go on AllergicPet.com - Information and products for allergic dogs, cats, and other pets and read about their product for seizures. Also check other people's testimonials.

I know exactly how you feel and I sympathies with you. My dog was diagnosed with epilepsy in December 2007. No matter how many times I go through seizure with her every single time is equally stressing and horrifying. She has been on fistful of epilepsy medication for months but they don't seem to help. I have placed the order (capsules) from above site and will give it a go for a few months. We have been using their drops for some time now and I don't now whether it is pure coincidence but every time she has seizure we would give her drops straight into her mouth end seizure will stop within few seconds.

Good luck and please don't even consider putting your dog down until you try and explore every possible solution.

This really does sound like some sort of seizure disorder. Not all seizures are full blown grand mal seizures. There are temporal lobe seizures, focal seizures, which are forms of petite mal seizures. Sometimes a dog will have them very infrequently, sometimes only one and never again.

I had a Dachshund who had focal seizures about once every 3 months. They were very mild, never progressed to anything more serious, and she never required medication. She lived to be 17.

The next time your dog experiences one, if at all possible, get her to your vet so he can check for neurological signs, as well as other possibilities, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Seizures can also be a symptom of food allergy, hypothyroidism, and diabetes.