My dog

[InsaneApache]

I know a lot of you guys have dogs, so I wanted to ask you all a question. This morning my eldest (he's 8)Yorkshire terrier had a seizure. Now I used to be a lifeguard and I know the signs of epilepsy. He definitely had a fit. During the course of which he hurt his front leg, probably a muscle spasm. The vet gave him a pain killing shot and some anti-biotics (to be on the safe side) he then informed me that it was quite common for 'Yorkies' to suffer from this sort of thing.

Now like I said he's 8 years old and the other (a lady 'Yorkie') is about 7 years old, neither of which has had anything remotely like this.

Has anyone else had experience of this sort of thing?

[Beirut]

My poor beloved dog had two or three seizures. Different times, different places.

The vet said he might have eaten something or simply freaked out due to some sort of doggie stress. Poor dog pissed himself and shook like a leaf for five minutes. I held onto him and he got back to normal several minutes later but it took a good hour for him to calm down completely. Never really figured it out.

[InsaneApache]

Yes, very distressing. I don't know who was more shook up, me or the dog.

He's back at the vets in the morning, so I shall try and find out more about it from them. TBH the guy we saw today was a bit 'up himself' and I wasn't exactly confident in his diagnosis.

Still on a Sunday you only get emergency cover.

[Lanemerkel1]

My dog's (12 Years old, Australian Terrier) breed is notorius for being allergic to Cats but nothing like this

[Xiahou]

A relative had a dog that started having mild seizures while we were dog sitting it. A vet prescribed some sort of tranqualizers that had to be given daily- they seemed to prevent the fits and she went on to live to the ripe old age of 17.

[KukriKhan]

I hope your little guy is OK.

Here's some Yank vets' thoughts on the matter:
http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/underlying.html

The good news is: often these things just pass, a little 'blip' in brain case blood-pressure. One hopes that's the case here; still: a trusted doc ought to check him out.

[drone]

I friend of mine had two German Shepherd dogs that had seizures. One had the real crazy kind (grande mal I think is the official term for it), and they basically had to keep him on phenobarb to prevent them. When it happened, he could be dangerous to himself and others. He lived to be 12, I think. The other dog (still alive) has petite mal seizures every so often. He gets this scared look on his face, and basically lies down and shakes mildly for a few minutes. Other than that, no ill effects.

Epilepsy in pure-bred dogs can be fairly common depending on the breed. The breed FAQ will generally state this, doesn't look like Yorkies are one of them.
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dogs-faq/breeds/yorkies/

[Oaty]

How well do you feed your dog. If you fed him too well, I mean table food, the dog will be weened from dogfood and will barely eat any regular dogfood. So if the dog has been kept strictly on dogfood he should be fine or perhaps at his age his teeth are getting too bad to eat dry dogfood. But if tablefood is common for this dog it's probably time to can the dogfood and learn from this mistake

I don't know how finicky yorkshires are in general. But my mom had a yorkshire that would eat only table food and so finnicky it had to be fresh and would quite often refuse yesterday's leftovers. Smart dog you could say.

Malnourishment can cause a siezure I believe or at least bad cramping that makes it appear to be a siezure.

[JAG]

My dog is 16 and she is a Yorkie, she had a seizure after some huge operations last year and the vet told us that it was sometimes common but she would get over it - and she has.

Yorkies are a tough breed of dog and go on and on and on, I hope your dogs have as long a reign as my dog is having!

[InsaneApache]

Thanks for the input chaps.

Update:

The little fella had an operation yesterday. He had split his nail down to the pad and it had to be removed. Now it is just possible that this was the reason for his behaviour. I mean, can you imagine how painful that is?

He's home now and looks like being on the mend. Spent last night stroking him (whilst watching CSI Las Vegas) and he was a lot happier.

The vet that saw him was much more 'switched on' and I was happier that someone with ability was looking after him. He spotted straight away the problem with his foot. I had tried to explain to the emergency vet about this but he seemed more concerned with his 'episode'.....still like I said that's what you get on a Sundays emergency cover.

@ JAG flippin' heck mate that dogs nearly as old as you, I bet you can't remember not having her. Does this mean I have another 7/8 years to look forwards to with 'em? Tha do for me...ecky thump.

Again cheers guys.

[JAG]

You are quite right IA - I can't remember any part of my life without Jade (my dog). She has always been there, she was such a sweet puppy, a super fast and energetic adult and a sleepy, sleeeeeeeeeepy old lady now. It is killing me being away from her at uni, but life must go on.

I am also glad your dog seems on the mend and fine, as I said before I hope he does as well as my dog has - and I am sure he will.

[King Ragnar]

Hope things turn good for your dog mate, My Springer Spaniel who is 9 has had problems latley which have made me very upset. The vet told us he numerous tumors on his intestenes and other areas. And his back legs are going which is common for Springers (hence the name lol), My dog once had a fit seizure thing a while back where he was constanly scratching his ears and crying and was generally being very unsettled, seeing him like this was very upseeting for my whole family, but all the best for your dog.

[InsaneApache]

I'm sad to hear that KR.

I have another guy at home, like Mourinho, I call him the special one. he is now 14 years old. A X Border Collie with a Retriever.

I really couldn't have wished for a better family dog, he has seen my kids grow up and now my grandkids.

A true friend I shall miss him when it's his time (which looks sooner rather than later)

I wish they could live to 20-25 years, that would be very nice.