Freaking out - Finn (UPDATE)

Oh my gosh I am so sorry :( The video is pretty scary. I do not want to sound like an alarmist but the first thing that came to mind for me was a distemper relapse? Maybe a possibility if his history is unknown or he is unvaccinated for it. I hesitate to even say it because it is such a heavy thing to say and I am in no way remotely professional, but this and "chewing gum" is what our vet told us to watch a distemper dog in our family for. Whatever it is fingers crossed and prayers coming it is nothing major!

Does it stop if you offer him food or a treat?  Good that his behavior is normal and he's able to stand and walk.  Is he able to follow more complex behaviors like following a couple of obedience commands in succession?

Any new medications, flea treatments, new routes on his walk, changes in the environment other than the couch?  Had he been running around or playing roughly or slipped on something or jumped on or off anything, even as slight as off the couch?  Your vet will be testing his range of motion on his neck - that's not something I would be playing with right at this moment. 

I am only asking questions in hopes it helps prompt thoughts of what it could be.  Watch for vomiting, or looking like he feels nauseous.  I would think I'd probably keep food relatively light in case he DOES get nauseous from whatever is going on.

Tonight might be best searching for a neurologist in your area - at least to know these resources when you go into your vet appointment in the morning.

(((hugs))) - you must feel terrified right now.  The fact that he's alert, acting normally and moving normally otherwise is all good.  I know someone else has had a similar issue - search our forum for "head shaking" in the meantime.  (((MORE HUGS)))

Tink's had something not unlike that going on but not so severe.  We took her to my holistic vet last night who does chiro and she found her neck was actually pretty badly subluxated ...

However, I'm seeing the "twitch" back again (and that's kinda what i"ve been calling it). 

Have you tried rubbing Finn's neck?  Is there a sore spot there? or a *warm* spot there?  I would definitely go to the vet.  I dunno if you have any openness to try a TCVM vet but for neuro stuff like this it can absolutely rock. 

Ms. Tinkerbell is definitely going back.  Her's is too close to pre-seizure-y stuff for my liking (and pugs can be SO prone to seizures) and I don't want her on drugs when herbs should do nicely.

For a first step until you can get him seen, I'd massage the neck.  Do you have anything like peppermint oil or even an all-night grocery where you can find "green alcohol" (it's rubbing alcohol with a little wintergreen in it -- pretty easy to find).  That might enable you to massage some of the tension out of it.  Something like that can **definitely** be caused by an irritated nerve or inflammation.  It looks scarey but you do *not* want to resort to any sort of drugs if you can help it.  The side effects can be huge and sometimes a vet will prescribe something just because the owners are freaked.

I'd also try a relaxant -- do you have any valerian root?  Do you have any Hylands Calms??  Give BOTH if you have them (or either/or) -- *and* do the massage.  You might be able to release the tension on whatever is causing the problem.

If Finn seems sore or reluctant for you TO massage then *don't* -- but if it seems to calm him go ahead.  It can help a great deal.

I was searching around the internet and there were a few posts on various forums that it ended up being low blood sugar.

Just wanted to send my good vibes to you and Finn.  I have no opinions or advice about what it might be.  I too would be cautious about manipulating his head or neck in case there is some sort of injury in that area.  There are a lot of possibilities as to what might be causing this and I hope your vet or a specialist can quickly figure out what's going on.  (((hugs)))  Kisses for your sweet boy.

Thanks for all your replies and good vibes.  When we came home from the e vet he started running and playing with Chief.  He is always a pretty rough player and he could have jumped off of something, but he doesn't really seem to be sore in his neck.  He seems perfectly fine today.  I am going to call my vet to see if we can get in this morning before I have to go to work.  The only problem is that Finn is awful at the vet since he doesn't "do" strangers well.  We are working on it, but it is a S.L.O.W. process.

I just hope she can tell me something.  I will take the video with me as well.

 It almost looks like a seizure to me. I know dogs can have seizures and be aware of what's going on around them. I've just never witnessed that personally.

Good luck at the vet's and let us know!!!

JackieG

Just wanted to send my good vibes to you and Finn.  I have no opinions or advice about what it might be.  I too would be cautious about manipulating his head or neck in case there is some sort of injury in that area.  There are a lot of possibilities as to what might be causing this and I hope your vet or a specialist can quickly figure out what's going on.  (((hugs)))  Kisses for your sweet boy.

Thinking of you and sending "it's minor" vibes !

3girls

It almost looks like a seizure to me. I know dogs can have seizures and be aware of what's going on around them

I was thinking petite mal too. I didn't really see much to make me think neck injury. Usually a pinched nerve is more they get "stuck" in a position or are unwilling to move out of a certain position? it's more than trembling from a pain response too, to me it appears so.

I hope your vet can get you some answers...what was on the TV Georgie? SOME kinds of "light" activity on TV's or other sources can cause children and adults prone to seize...to have one. Maybe something to consider? Just brainstorming.

eta: try googling "simple focal seizure" and see if that might fit what you saw? LINK

We were watching The Mentalist when it happened the second two times, but we sit pretty far away from the TV (although I don't know if that has anything to do with it).  He does like to watch the TV though, always looking for those pesky dogs that appear in our livingroom. 

Anyway I'm calling the vet in about 2 minutes when they open.  Hopefully they can help me out.  I'm glad I got it on video since I have no idea how to explain what was happening.

Lest I am mis-understood --- I was *not* saying to manipulate his neck at all -- simply to massage the musculature around it.  I does look like a petit mal seizure to me as well, but it would be better *for you* to be a pinched nerve. 

Seriously -- you don't want the vet to diagnoses "seizures" and rush to put him on any sort of seizure meds -- the sides effects of those are serious, and immediately habit-forming.  There are other things you can do.

Bloodwork to rule out low blood sugar would be a given, I'd think.

calliecritturs

Seriously -- you don't want the vet to diagnoses "seizures" and rush to put him on any sort of seizure meds -- the sides effects of those are serious, and immediately habit-forming.  There are other things you can do.

If the dog is, in fact, having seizures, you need to know.  That doesn't mean you have to put him on any meds right away.  Any vet worth his/her DVM degree will tell you to keep a log of when it happens and what happens exactly before the dog is put on anything.  You can certainly get a second and third medical opinion before you make any decisions.  I think it is a good thing you caught Finn on video - that will help.