Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Chihuahuas and seizures
I have had my chihuahuas for only 2 and 3 years and up until now, have had no problems what-so-ever, but tonight, I had something very scary happen to me. My son had called me to get some keys out of his room for his friend who was coming over to pick up the car, and when my dogs heard a knock at the door, they did their very normal thing of barking. Shorty was barking fiercely and I quickly closed the door after they left and suddenly, I noticed him underneath my kitchen table barely able to walk. He was having a seizure. Oh my goodness, I had never had this happen before and since my hubby was working, my daughter and I was left to deal with this. We really didn't know what to do. We picked him up immediately first of all, and then, along with talking to him and stroking his head, I thought that maybe giving him something to eat would perk him up. In a hurry, I remembered that I had some boiled chicken that he always loved to get, so I grabbed a small piece of that and he ate it. After a few minutes of total uncertainy, he seemed to come around. I put him down and he was like normal. This was a horrible experience for me, so i wanted to write about it, just in case you have something like this happen to your chi. I looked around on the internet about chis and seizures and it seems that it is something that many can experience, and it also seems that people have given them karo syrup or honey on their gums to help get them to come around. Others have taken them to the vet and gotten medications for it. Unknown to me, I just gave him a little bit of food and I knew that if he was going to be alright, he would eat it. He did so I am now relieved. Have any of you experienced seizures with your chihuahua?
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Oh my....I'm sorry that your precious chihuahua was having a seizure. I am glad that Shorty was okay though.
Our chihuahua, Zac, has had a number of seizures and it seems to be linked to eating beef. We feed him chicken and he stays well, but occasionally escapes to visit a neighbour across the street, who feeds him, despite our requests not to do so,and a seizure soon follows. He usually comes to my husband when he feels it coming on - once we were alerted in the middle of the night by our other dog, also a chihuahua cross, who woke us to "tell" us something was wrong. My husband cuddles him, and talks soothingly to him while it is happening, and can sometimes avert a major seizure this way. He has to be held in a towel because he usually loses control of bowel and bladder, and salivates copiously. He has a bath afterwards, and recovers quickly. The vet agrees that it is probably the beef that he is reacting to.
My husband did the exact same thing but last night was ours last one. He wasn't hypoglyecmic or epileptic. The vet couldn't narrow his down and wouldn't give meds until they could. He just started into a seizure and then he couldn't breath and then stopped breathing on way to ER Vet. He was only 6 months old.
My Teenie will be eight years old on October 1st. She has had seizures since she was a puppy. The vet says they are petite not mal. He suggested I try a salt compound he prescribed. I got lazy and quit giving it to her as she really didn't like it. Early this morning she had a more violent seizure but it only lasted 3-1/2 to 4 minutes. Her previous seizure were less violent but lasted 5 whole minutes. Guess I'll try the salt compound again. Any suggestions? I love her dearly.
It is so scary when your dog has these siezures. Our little Tater, she's almost 6 years old, has started having them more often latley. She had only had about3 in her whole life up until a few months ago. I was thinking that she was just getting all worked up because my mother in law had just got a new chi chi puppy. Tater just loves him, and they would play, pretty rough,for a long time.
Then when they would stop playing, and lay down to take a nap, she started having a siezure. Then it happened again, once again it was after Willie had been at our house and they played for about an hour. Tater had gone to lay down in bed, and I noticed that wierd look in her eyes. You know like she is not really seeing you, but looking straight at you, and kind of glazed over. So I layed down by her, and talked to her, and rubbed her. They only last about 2-3 minutes. (seems like longer) My parents also have a chichi named Baby, and she has always had siezures. Hars last almost 5-6 minutes, and some of them have been very scary. Their vet, and mine told us about holding them and gently talking to them. Their body gets really hot also (hotter than usual), so I kind of blow around (not into) her face, and belly to try and cool her a little bit. Or I sit in the chair close to a fan to do the same thing. All of our dogs have always been cared for by a vet, always got all needed shots and care,(Mostly spoiled), so we just don't know why they tend to have these spells. Oh, and they are always very tired after, and seem to sleep more than usual, and Tater can sleep a lot usually. I am glad we are not the only ones who have been going thru this.
We have a 4 year old Chi names Baby, who until today, was in perfect health. I came home from town to find my mom setting on the couch holding Baby (who was in full seizure mode)! I rushed her to the vet, who gave her two doses of valium then sent us home. Much to our dismay....1.5 hours later, Baby was still convulsing, losing control of her eyes, not focusing on anything, jerking profusely...so I called another vet....she is now in the Puppy ER on IV fluids and medication....awaiting blood work and a final opinion of what was/is going on with the little sweet heart! Will update further once we find out more!!!!
My boo bear Gus is three years old.. and has seizures and has had a lot of them. It is almost like all the muscles in his body tighten. He cries, and salivates a lot. They last anywhere from about 1 min to as long as a little over two. I have noticed if he gets too hot, too cold or overwhelmed, sort of like panicking (if someone strange is at the house or multiple people)the seizures happens. We took him to the vet and she prescribed phenobarbital once a day. The dose depends on your dogs weight and how frequent they happen. This has defiantly helped with the seizures. But if he misses a pill he always has a seizure. I highly recommend looking into the phenobarbital. I pay about $20 a month for a months supply. I give it too him at night and it makes him sleepy. But it has really helped and I am very thankful!
HI I HAVE READ EVERY ONES STORY AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF YOU ..MY CHI IS ABOUT 3YRS OLD AND IS ON phenobarbital AND PREDNIZONE AND NOTHING IS WORKING HE IS STILL HAVING SEIZURES...I CANT EVEN TYPE THIS LETTER I AM SO UPSET AND DEVISTATED ...HE IS MY LIFE BESIDES MY KIDS AND HE IS JUST LIKE MY CHILD ..I LOVE HIM THAT MUCH AND THE THOUGHT OF LOSING HIM IS JUST UNBEARABLE TO ME ..SO PLZ IF THERE IS ANY ONE OUT THERE WHO HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR US ON HERE PLZ COME FORWARD..IT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED..THANKS
DEPRESSED DOOGY MOMMY
Hello everyone I just wanted to post my babys story here.
My dog Cassie has been healthy her whole life until October 2008 at 3.5 years old she has a massive seizure and had to be hospitalized then she started seizing evey fifteen mins so the put her in a induced coma. She has had ever bloodtest done they can find nothing wrong with her she is on Pheno, Potassium Bromide and Valium twice a day it has not helped her much. The vet said she is the worst case he has ever seen. My poor puppy has been in four induced comas since October.
oh my ! I am so alarmed to hear everyone's story about their babies having seizures...it is so scarey. Well, it's been awhile since Shorty has had any but the last one he did have was mild. I wonder what could be causing this.
I am very sorry that your chihuahua had to go through that. I am glad he is okay.
Hi my little Penelope just turned a year old on January 1st. Up until 2 weeks before her first birthday she was fine, then she had a seizure. I thought it was hypoglycemia. But 2 weeks later she had another one. They are not violent just scary. Her last one happened this past Saturday I work for a vet and he said it was epilepsy. But what form is yet to be determined. She is a small girl, only weighing in at 2lbs. So the next seizure she has we are testing liver functions, and checking full bloodwork. I am hoping for the best, good luck to all you guys!!
The best thing is to go to the vet and get seizure medicine, phenobarbital. But the thing with this med. is if too much, he will have a seizure and if too less of a dose he will as well. The vet can draw blood to see what the best dose is. But you have to give it to him or her around the same time. For my chihuahua, Gus I give it to him around 8-9P.M at night. Has only had one seizure in over a month. I also notice if he gets too hot or get startled he will have a seizure.
Hello, I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. I have a 4 lb little Chi, she is 11 months old. She started having little seizures when she was really little, but her seizures have not gone away and there getting pretty bad. The last 3-5 minutes, and then sometimes she just starts screaming. The vet has been running lots of test, her liver seems to be ok. But her sugar levels keep coming back low. We do the Karo Syrup, and all kinds of natural foods so she does not eat bad. But she is very picky, we normally cook for her because she hates dog food. But now she is on boiled chicken, baby food (no Onion powder), treats, karo syrup, and she starts anti seizure meds tomorrow. But I have now noticed that her energy level is low and her stools are dark and not as solid as they used to be. Her urine is also very strong. Does anyone have any suggestions, Her vet bills are running us a fortune. She is are baby, she has her own stoller, blankets, baby toys, clothes, she really is the baby. Just not sure what to do, thank you all for having this site.
I am so sorry to hear about your baby, Tinkerbell. Before my Prissy passed just recently, she wasn't eating either. The vet told me to give her boiled hamburger meat, and boiled chicken too. She loved eating scrambled eggs and boiled white rice. Sounds like she needs some other source of protein...have you tried any good quality canned dog foods to see if she will eat that? They say that dog food has vitamins in it but am not sure what exactly. As far as wet food, mine liked the chunky dog food with the little bit of veggies in it. How many meals a day are you feeding her? You might break the meals down into 3 or 4 times a day so that she always has something to munch on. I hope that the meds help her....I will keep her in my prayers.
Thank you so much, I have started buying her different canned dog foods, just trying to get her to eat them. She loves the boiled chicken and the baby food. Today she did eat a little dog food, not much but some. We are feeding her 3 times a day, but she is so little she does not like to eat much. Today was the first day of meds, she is tired but if it works I will be happy. Just sad shes only 11 months old and she has no life, no play time like a regular dog. And I have two other dogs that she loves to play with and shes not allowed because it burns up her sugar. Thank you again for responding to me, I'm hoping maybe there will be something that works for her, I will hate to loose her.
Does anyone think that these seizures could be related to vaccinations in any way? My Chihuahua had her first seizure about 2 weeks after her distemper combo vaccination. She is 3 1/2 years old now. It has only been about a month and the seizures are happening much more frequently. I am at a loss, I would like to be able to do something to help her, but it doesn't seem as though anyone really knows the cause or cure, and yet it seems that this is very common.
I kind of wonder if the seizures have anything to do with the flea medicine drops that you put on the back of the neck...it seems that since Shorty hasn't had any flea meds at all, he is much better! Now, I wonder if anyone can shed light to this or the question above about the vaccinations??
I am so sorry to hear everyone is experiencing the same things as me and my Mio he is four years old. Last night he had another horrible seizure that almost had me in tears! I panic when these happen because I could not handle it if I lost him. He does not have seizures often but when he does they are very strong and last about 5 mins. I am thinking about the "beef" that someone posted earlier. Since Mio loves his treats and usually the beef ones are his most favorite I may cut those down and give him more chicken. I have taken him to the vets to see about getting him meds but they want to run more tests on him since the last time they did blood work they found a spot on his liver but not sure if its because of the seizures, or if that is the reason causing these. What I normally do is hold Mio and give him pancake syrup which normally works but I'm just so scared if he ever has one again, that I might not be able to help him with. I pray for all of you and your chihuahuas I know how you all feel since these little angels are like our children to us. Best thing we can all do is help each other and share information to help better educate those who do not know what to do in a time like these.
Bless you all and your Chihuahuas.
Hi everyone, I feel for all of you. Having are babies sick is no fun. Tinkerbell's seizures have calmed down since they put her on the meds. However if she get scared or does not eat well she will have a seizure even though she takes meds. We have completely changed her diet she gets no dog food at all, and if i buy dog treats for my other dogs i will give her a couple of those but not much at all. She eats chicken breast, brown rice and either broccli or green beans. thats breakfast and dinner. she does really well on that, and because her meds make her tummy sick the rice and the chicken keep her tummy calm. Not sure if it will work for everyone but it works for her, and then at least 3 times a week she gets the Nurocal paste. and that helps her when shes not feeling up to her self and tired. hope this helped.
My chi, Peanut is a little over three years and lastnight was his first seizure, I was in my room when he came to me barely able to walk, watery eyed and shaking! A horrible sight I never want to see again, it broke my heart! He is a very mellow right now and his seizure lasted three minutes, we took him to a vet and the vet said he was at that age to get seizures, I have tried to search for 'causes' and haven't found a single answer! My heart is broken, I do not want my dog on ddrugs that do not seem to be working! Prayer is my hope! <3
Superb blog post, I have book marked this internet site so ideally I’ll see much more on this subject in the foreseeable future!
Wow! I just read everyone's account of seizures in their blessed Chihuahuas. Thank you! The info will be very helpful. Thumbalina is about 2 years old and started having seizures a couple of months ago. They became more frequent, so she went to the Vet today and was put on Phenobarbitol, after all her blood work checked out perfect. I so hope this works. Since you have all experienced this, you have my sympathy. It really is frightening.
I just today put my Tinkerbelle down after her seizures left her with severe side effects among those not being able to recognized us and having poor motor skills it really sad she was only 2years old and her seizures left her wipeou t. my other chi has seizures just not severe, Tinkerbell was also on pheno and I didn't help her . just a bad day still feels like she going to be coming through the door and lay on our lap.
I am soooo sorry to hear about your Tinkerbell....makes me so sad. Losing a beloved chi is very hard. (((hugs and prayers)))
Thanks to everyone for your stories. It has been very helpful to me. My chi named Elle is about 5 years old and has now had seizures 2 nights in a row. They usually only last about 30-45 seconds, but she convulses violently, salivates a lot, and if often disoriented for several minutes afterward. The Vet ran tests, but were unable to identify the cause. We love our little Elle so much and can't bare to see her this way, but we're afraid that there may not be a permanent solution. If there is another seizure then we'll have to place her on medication and I've heard mixed reviews about their effectiveness. I wish you all the best and hope your pups get well soon.
hi, I'm so sorry I know how you feel, Tinkerbell has at least 2 seizures a month, and have now changed her diet that we are hoping helps. Chicken breast, ground beef, zucchini, carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, green beans. You cook it all together in a crock pot. So far tinkerbell loves it and she has not had a seizure in two weeks. keeping are fingers crossed.
This has helped a great deal! I was speaking with my mom today who has been "babysitting" Maia, my Chorkie who will be 4 in June. She basically had her first seizure today and wasn't breathing or moving her front legs, they were kind of stif and up by her ears and her mouth was clinched. She's always been in good health and suh bit I do know that she needs her teeth cleaned and her dentist mentioned that if she didn't have this done it could effect the brain (decay into the gums equaling gum disease).
Another thing I read here that really makes sense is the flea treatment. My mom uses a Hertz spray that works great with crazy active dogs, but Maia is 7lbs and if ingested could be bad for her. Good point on that one!!
Basically the other dog and her were playing and he was licking her in the ear and she started seizing.
I have a beautiful babie girl.**daisie** chi. Who is 6.5 years old.
When she was 4 i had no choice but to seperate my 9 babies because it was getn impossible to care properly for them all. I only gave them to family members so i could check their well being.
daisie had 3 litters of pup at 4. I strongly advised my sister she could NOT breed her! She was to old and had the max litter of pups. That's when she had her 1st seizure. She was then left at my house for me to take care of.. i had NEVER experienced this in 16 years of chi's.
I'm not sure but I'm thinking It's due to the amount of litters. She also *ate* her pups but regurgetated them.
It is 10:30am and she's had 9 seizures. She was taking phenebarbital which slowed them down but didn't stop them..but it stopped her. She couldn't do any normal activities my others could do and she slept so much. This wasn't normal.for her.
I'm extremely lost and don't kn0w what to do!!
(Make that 10 since 4am)
She screams now, and loosing all control. She even bit my toe thinking it was food.
Right after she has a seizure she seems to be starving and runs around...lost kinda. Full of energy for a short while.
I NEED HELP!!! ANY ADVISE TO KEEP HER SAFE AND WELL IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
I'VE TAKEN HER TO VETS BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING THEM!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME!!!
I DON'T WANT TO -PUT HER DOWN-
....ALSO I'M LEAVING MY EMAIL ADDRESS IN CASE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME...
*****HAPPYGX272@YAHOO.com*****
_____THANK YOU_____
.....DEVISTATED AND HURT
I have a 4 yr old and he started too shake and his chest pounding fast and head jerking I don't know what this I hope someone out there can tell me his name cocoa
It sounds like he had a seizure they can come in all different ways. My little girl is not 3 yet and she has epilepsy so bad she takes 3 medications, sometimes she just gets tremors other times she gets uncontrollable seizures, and sometimes she even has whats called pain seizures. I would watch him very closely, you can give him Karo syrup when it happens, just put some on your finger and put it on the roof of his mouth, be careful not to get bit, my little girl seems to know when she needs it because she sees the bottle and then just licks it up, until shes had enough.
It does help. I would let your vet know definitely.
My Pom/Chi Jazzmin just turned 7 in November. She's been having seizures for as long as I can remember. But the vet said its definitely neurological. Usually wat triggers them is play fighting with other dogs, or sometimes our big dog gets wound up and will run over her and sends her into a seizure. She hasn't had one since she gave birth to my puppy, until last night. It was a long one too. But all we can really do is hold her and talk to her, she usually calms down and falls right to sleep in our arms. Never wants food or water, she doesn't really know what's going on around her. So afraid one of these times we are gonna lose her. and I really hope my baby (her baby) doesn't ever get them!
I have a 12 month old Chi, Henry and i love him to bits on Saturday morning Henry had his first fit! It was the worst moment of my life. I went to his bed and pIcked him up as normal and cuddled him in my arms. His head then went back and he started screaming and fitting. He didn't lose control of his bodily functions or anything and straight after he started eating and then went to his bed to lie down. A little while later he was running around and playing as normal and he has been fine ever since! The vets are going to run tests but I'm so scared it will happen again. What can I do?
Thank you EVERYONE for posting your stories and experiences! It has been so helpful! I am so sorry for those of you who have lost your babies because of these seizures. My little "Wee-man" Diego had seizures just 3 days ago...two back to back, and one three weeks before that. It's so scary to watch your little baby go through these. We took him to the ER Sunday after he came out of the seizures to have a full work-up on his blood and IV fluids/monitoring and it was just heartbreaking to leave him for a few hours. He just turned 3 August 8th (only a wee 6 pounds) and the vet said that it's common for epilepsy to show at this age but I'm also worried that it may be some other factors involved. The first seizure 3 weeks ago, he had rolled off the couch and grazed his head on the claw foot of our coffee table...needless to say, the coffee table has been removed from the living room and put into a closed extra bedroom...it's just like having a toddler hitting the table, you remove it if it becomes a hazard. Immediately after barely hitting his head he seemed dazed, but within a minute, he was back to running around and his wild playful self. He was eating and drinking like normal and playing with our other Chi. Then 3 days ago after our evening walk, he suddenly shot off the couch, straight into the air into a seizure. When he seemed to be coming out of it he went into another one to where he was drooling and whining. It was heartbreaking. We rushed him to the ER immediately where they tested all his blood levels and for any parasites/poisons, and they all came back good. The only thing he needed was IV antibiotics for a minor urinary infection. Now, I'm on edge watching everything he does. The vet said to log any other seizures/or activity of the likes. One thing I have notices is that yesterday, he went and hid by the door shaking uncontrollably, as if he was terrified or cold, and he is extremely clingy following me everywhere I go in the house (luckily, I am home all day). We are trying to narrow down what is going on with him. Thankfully, his breeder is a wonderful, loving, and caring person who keeps in contact with all her "adoptions" so she is checking to see if any of the pups from his litter has had any seizures. His mom, nor dad, has never had any issues, nor have any of the other pups they have had. We are beginning to thinks it's one of two things - hypoglycemia, or a bruise on his brain from when he slightly bumped the coffee table. As slight as the bump was, he is so small and the location (above his right eye,which would be similar to our temple) could do more damage than we ever suspected. For now, we are monitoring everything we can with what he does and I am setting up an MRI or CT scan to have his head looked at. He has a fenced in yard or is on a leash, and there are no chemicals he could have gotten in to. It's devastating to see him go through this. My chihuahuas are like my other children. They are part of our family and we love them so much. I have owned a couple different breeds of dogs in my 40 years, but Chihuahuas are so special. They are the most wonderful little dogs I have ever had. I couldn't imagine my life without these little ones! <3
Im sorry your going through this. My little girl is 3 and she has been having seizures since she was 3 months. They are horrible. Get some karo syrup and keep it close by. Also a cool rag helps. As soon as he starts shaking get some syrup in his mouth and cool his head off. It does help alot. My little girl takes 3 meds a day plus is now loosing her sight its really rough but there are babies and im so glad there are sights out there like this to help us
Hello my name is Cari, and I have a Chou a u a, his name is"40"! He is 12yrs.old. and, my story is just like shorty dogs story. About 2-3 times (in a 60 day cycle) "40" has these spells where he can't walk, acts drunk, his front legs stiffen and come way up over his head and his eyes look as if they are about to pop out of hishead. I pick him up get a cool wet towel and wipe his face and head, I tell him it's OK and then offer him something soft to eat ( shredded chicken, mashed up hot dog, etc) and after he eats, he seems to come around and back to normal until next time! I have never taken him to the vet for any reason. Just wanted to share my story hope you and your babies have a great long life together! God bless all animals!
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