It happened again :(

[Nishasmom]

Originally Posted by KatarinasMom

After each seizure he had been pretty disoriented, and for a few days after the last seizure he didn't want to be around anyone and was very "jumpy". This was the total opposite of his usual personality.

Thank you, this part is very helpful; it would explain why Nisha stays "out of it" for so long. We finally got her to chase her ball for a while ; we really had to beg her .

I don't care if she has epilepsy; I just want to know whats wrong so we can fix it! If I catch it on video I will post a link. Thanks again, I will keep everyone posted on her "progress".

[TrinaJ]

Paige,

I've not been online for the past few days so this is the first I have heard of what is happening to Nisha! How frightened you all must be and poor Nisha, no wonder she is scared, she has no idea what's wrong with her either. Your poor baby is definately going through something and it really does sound like a seizure to me, rather than rabies, esp if she's been vaccinated aganist it and hasn't been bitten. I dont know much about Rabies at all as we dont have it here in Australia. I do know that the become aggressive and Nisha doesn't sound like she's become aggressive, she has become scared.

I hope that the vet can figure out what is causing it and get her on meds to get her back to normal asap.

You are all in my prayers!

~*hug*~

Trina

[Nishasmom]

Thanks Trina,
It really calms my fears when people say they do not think Rabies. And you are right, she is not becoming aggressive, but instead scared...sometimes terrified.

[Weily4Life]

I am so sorry to hear you are still going through this with Nisha. It sounds absolutely frightening, you must be absolutely exhausted. From the sounds of it, I am thinking seizures also, because of this article I found. Here is an excerpt with the link for the rest of the article:

Seizures are one of the most frequently seen neurological problems in dogs. A seizure is also known as a convulsion or fit. It may have all or any combination of the following:

Loss or derangement of consciousness

Contractions of all the muscles in the body

Changes in mental awareness from non-responsiveness to hallucinations

Involuntary urination, defecation, or salivation

Behavioral changes, including non-recognition of owner, viciousness, pacing, and running in circles...

...Despite the dramatic signs of a seizure, the dog feels no pain, only bewilderment. Dogs do not swallow their tongues. If you put your fingers into its mouth, you will do no benefit to your pet and will run a high risk of being bitten very badly. The important thing is to keep the dog from falling and hurting itself. As long as it is on the floor or ground, there is little chance of harm occurring. If seizures continue for longer than a few minutes, the body temperature begins to rise. If hyperthermia develops secondary to a seizure, another set of problems may have to be addressed.Canine Seizures

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

It really calms my fears when people say they do not think Rabies.

Rabies:
"Once clinical disease manifests, there is a rapid, relentless progression to invariable death, despite all treatment."

This is not what's happening with Nisha, so I don't think rabies, either. If your vet had the slightest doubt about that, I'm sure you wouldn't have missed her concern because I'm sure the blood would have drained right out of her face at the mere possibility.

[fostermom]

Just to reinforce what was already said, I got a call from the family that had adopted one of my fosters...Gizmo was having seizures. I drove over and spent the day with the family...post-seizure, Gizzy's behavior was definitely abnormal...I'm pretty sure the vet told the family that sometimes they experience (temporary) partial blindness after a seizure and that they are very disoriented..with Gizzy it took several days for him to start behaving normally.

[TrinaJ]

Originally Posted by fostermom

Just to reinforce what was already said, I got a call from the family that had adopted one of my fosters...Gizmo was having seizures. I drove over and spent the day with the family...post-seizure, Gizzy's behavior was definitely abnormal...I'm pretty sure the vet told the family that sometimes they experience (temporary) partial blindness after a seizure and that they are very disoriented..with Gizzy it took several days for him to start behaving normally.

What you are describing would freak anyone out, person or dog....if this is the case no wonder Nisha is acting this way after the episode. Temporary blindness would scare the hell out of me and would also explain why she just wants to stay in her kennel, that's her safe place.

Keeping you and Nisha in my prayers.

[fostermom]

I've heard of adverse reactions to flea medication, heartworm meds...is there anything that she was given just prior to her first episode??? I'm also seeing toxoplasmosis implicated (causes inflammation of the brain)...and I read that lead is the most commond household toxin ingested by dogs.
Why Does my Dog Have Seizures

[rottie40]

HI Nishas mom ,
What a worrying time for you
Sounds like a 'petite mal' to me - (small fit)
I have seen them before as I run a boarding kennels
My first Rottweiler had epileptic fits? and they do stay disorientated and jumpy for days my boy was very aggressive too, even with me!!
Is Nisha a growler/grumbler??
Hope you get things sorted VERY soon
Much Love

[Nishasmom]

Thank you (everyone) for all your research; I too am spending HOURS on end searching the net ; my eyes are starting to hurt! I haven't given Nisha any flea meds since last summer; her heart worm meds are given on the 15th so, I don't think that was it.

I am really leaning more towards seizures/epilepsy now too. As far as lead poisoning goes, our house is newly painted (with lead free paint ). Nisha is not one to "chew" up walls, ect. The outside of our house is rock. I wonder if she could be ingesting lead through anther source...although the vet said if it was a toxin, her white blood cell count would be elevated. (**If this is wrong, PLEASE tell me )

She is back to her normal self this morning ! I have never been so happy to see the "zoomies" ! I had to work today, and I am so nervous about leaving her! I took everything off her (collar) and put her in her kennel; at least I know if she does have an "episode" she is in her "safe place".

I am prepared for the next one; camera is always in site...I WILL get this on tape. Is it weird for epilepsy to just "appear" one day? I think she can feel them coming on... hence the whining, frantic looking around, ect.

[rottie40]

Yes they DEFINITELY feel them coming on!!
Have seen odd behaviour before a fit many many times
Think positive if it is epilepsy hopefully you will be able to control it with meds
How old is Nisha??
Sending healing thoughts

[Nishasmom]

rottie40, Nisha is 15 months old. I will be fine if I KNOW she has epilepsy, even more fine if I KNOW it is genetic and not some unknown thing in our environment. Unfortunately, it is hard to tell why, or even if she is actually having seizures.

If it is seizures, is the best medicine Phenobarbatol (sp?). Are there any "natural" options? Someone mentioned to me to try a holistic vet; we found one in town...haven't made an appointment yet, but I am keeping her info on hand.

[fostermom]

Could there be any mushrooms in the yard she is eating???
Are you using ceramic bowls?? Levels of lead can be high in the glaze.
Have any pesticides been used lately????

[Nishasmom]

*Maybe mushrooms; I haven't seen any recently, but I have seen them before. Again, since the "toad" scare, she has not been outside unattended
*We used stainless steel bowls (same ones her entire life)
*No pesticides have been used

[fostermom]

I think you may have already said, but what are you feeding??
Are you feeding raw at all (I just read about a parasite that can be acquired from feeding raw that can be implicated in seizures)? Has she drank out of standing water or a stream lately??