My foster siezured yesterday

She's beautiful!!!

Seizures are scary. My lab had one. I hope they are not thinking she can't be adopted because of this? You say she was OR can they contact the owner for information? If she was on seizure meds she needs to still be on them (so I am told).

I was told some dogs seize once and never again. My lab was last Aug none since (knock on wood) we ran the gammut of tests to see if there was a "reason" but it was ideopathic epilepsy (no known reason). She is not on any meds they don't want to unless the dog seizes regularly (more than once a month).

The stress I supposed could have triggered it. They can be completely normal a short time later.

She is beautiful! I hope someone with more real ideas pipes in. I am glad you didn't send her back.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

PS I have a friend with a dog who has a bad history of seizures he is on meds and is leading a normal active life. Won a medal at the ESPN Great Outdoor Games the last year they had them. Also won the Purina IDC in Dock jumping.
 

I have a feeling your shelter director probably thinks the dog was dumped there due to the seizures thus has had them before.  So, I wouldn't bank on her having just one, then never another, although even with multiple seizures that does happen.  I'm glad your rescue is willing to work with the dog, because an owner surrender that has seizures doesn't have much chance at a kill shelter.  Good for you for getting her out!!!!  She will probably be a special needs adoption, but many dogs do well on medication.  I even had a client whose dog was treated holistically by a local vet and also did well.  We'll keep our fingers crossed - she looks like a love.

I have a friend who does epi-dog rescue (it takes some doing but they ARE placeable!).  If you will email me, I will put you in touch with Rita and she can tell you how she does what she does.

It's more than possible she has a siezure history and that's why she got dumped.  Some people just can't handle 'flaws' in any way shape or form. 

Simply the stress of *maybe* having a new home, getting to "go" etc -- could surely have triggered a seizure.  "stress" isn't always bad stress -- sometimes it's just excitement.  Valerian root might help significantly -- it's not habit forming and right now while you are evaluating everything it could help tip the odds in her favor.  Health store item (get a good brand - ASK for their best brand).  Altho to be honest, Wal-Mart carries a *very* decent brand of valerian - I use it myself all the time.

 Give her two 3 times a day while you get her leveled out.  If seizures are fewer than 3-4 a month usually it's wise to control it with relaxants.  There are techniques, there are other things you can do -- and definitely things to do to get her into the right kind of rescue. 

Rita is awesome -- she'll talk you thru it.  She's had amazing success.  We control Kee's seizure type activity solely with herbals.  She's a different dog than the one who came to live with me 2 1/2 years ago.  I would take another seizure dog in a heartbeat!!  I wish I had room and I wish I was closer!!

 http://www.homewardboundgoldens.org/index.htm 

Above is the Golden Retriever rescue I am involved with. It souldn't be a problem to place her. They have had several siezure dogs over the years. They "never turn a dog away" I hear it all the time from other volunteers.

I will be calling the former owners today. I need to get back to the shelter to pick up her paper work and the number. I will k.i.t.

Golden Tails

So I am wonderig what else could cause a seziure so suddenly? her impond card said nothing about seziures. but hey did leave a # so I am going to call.

  Epilepsy would be a likely guess, although she should have bloodwork to rule out other disorders that could cause seizures. Epileptic seizures in dogs can be triggered by many things just like they can be in humans - stress, chemicals, food ingredients, noise and even patterns on the kitchen floor. This is a really good resource: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/

 I disgree with the advice to just start her on Valerian. She needs to go to a vet for bloodwork and for the options to be discussed. Also while you have her, keep a log of seizures you see, how long they last, if they are petit or grand mal and what is going on when she has them. My epileptic dog only had seizures when he was waking up and would have "clusters", meaning he would start to come out of a seizure and go right back into one. There is every good chance that she has had them before and will have them again, some you won't see but you can sometimes see the signs of them such as the dog having drool on them or there being pee in the house/crate. If she has multiple seizures per week or cluster seizures, medication is likely the best course of action. While there are dogs who have uncontrollable seizures, even on medication (mine was one of them :( ) most epileptic dogs can live pretty normal lives with their seizures controlled by medication, diet, herbs, environment or a combination of things. And some dogs have seizures so infrequently that it doesn't require much management at all. Glad the rescue is still willing to take her :)

Please take up Callie's offer to contact Rita - she is FANTASTIC. Such a wonderful person - I really enjoyed talking to her when I had my siezure pup.

I would contact the previous owner - explain what happened, and assure them she will not be put down for this- you just need more information on her to determine what medical attention she needs.

If she has a siezure again - a drop a caro syrup on her toung can help, as well as placing ice on the lower portion of her back (small of her back). Be careful, and pull the other dog away when she has a siezure - some dogs DO get aggressive during siezures.

I do believe a trip to the vet for some bloodwork is in order. Diabetes in dogs is not as easily detectable as in humans -I would have her glucose checked, in addition to other bloodwork.

Talk her through the siezures, let her know you are there. Keep your voice low, and steady. Don't get nervous - it only makes things worse. Be esp. careful afterwards -many dogs do not know 'where they are' or even who you are afterwards - and may be scared and very confused.

There is a lot you CAN do for her - it just takes a bit of work. She's not a pup - so her outcome should be just fine.

Keep a log of all her siezures, where she was, what time it was, what was going on. Different things can trigger a siezure - anything really, from cleaning products, to a different sent in the air. Stress is also another big one.

Shea was ADOPTED !!! I'll try and get some pictures of her and hew new family up here asap. HB (Homeward Bound) the rescue she went up to does thorough people checks before they adopt out, so I know she went to a great home!

Good! I really hope they are prepared to deal with the siezure issue. Were you able to get in touch with the old owners before placing her?

Yes, and unfortionatly at 3 yrs/o she had NEVER seen a vet! Never had any shots except for the ones the breeders gave her. No rabies, nothing! AGGHH! If I could have reached through the phone and choked her I would have!

Thier reason for giving her up was because they didn't have enough time for her. I'm actually glad they gave her up! I'm sure they wern't a proper hosehold with the no shot thing and all.

You also physcially SEE the negelact. While Shea was in our house with Max she attempted to tear through the carpet by the door to get out, and while she was outside (still w/ Max) she chewed up the molding on the outside of the door to get in. Can you say "seperation-anxity"???

That's acutally pretty normal behavior for a dog coming out of a shelter. I wouldn't lable it SA, as she may just be adjusting in her own way. Many dogs go through a stint of SA, but get over it within a week or so.

Did the bloodwork come back normal?

I don't know. I didn't take her in but she would have gone when she went up to rescue. I'll ask and let you know.

ok =]

This siezure stuff has me really interested, ever since Heidi. I've been doing a ton of research - so I can know what to do better next time (not that I really did anything wrong, I know there was nothing I COULD do really).