Rectal diazepam administration has been used successfully for many years in epileptic children; the technique has adapted well to veterinary patients. Cats may also display petit mal seizure … It comes from plants and trees, so you might think it’d be safe. You will notice a jerking of the body, arching of the back, the twitching of muscles and violent chomping, tongue chewing or frothing at the mouth. If your dog is going to exercise, it’s best to keep it as low key and sedate as possible, like a walk around the neighborhood. Close Dogs Community 10.4k Members ... Last night he began what looked like some focal seizure activity. But, even a small amount can poisonous! For dogs, the most common infectious diseases would be canine distemper or a parasitic infection such as with Toxoplasma or Neospora. When your dog has a canine seizure, the signs are distinctive. Mouth chewing/smacking with alot of drooling that lasted for only 10 seconds each time and happened about every hour. My dog had been having a bubble gum seizure for over 30 minutes. A. Treatment to suppress seizures may also be needed using one of the medications discussed below. If a seizure has lasted 5 minutes or more. Chewing gum contains a sugar alcohol called xylitol. Many dogs fully recover from post-seizure side effects within minutes. Giving your dog chewing gum is never a good idea. This has been the first line therapy for canine seizure control for decades as it is effective, reasonably priced, and can be given twice daily which is relatively convenient. A seizure occurs when the cerebral cortex, a part of the brain, functions in an abnormal way. Diarrhea In later stages, the disease affects the brain and nerves, and dogs may show the following signs: 1. A classic example would be the "chewing gum" fit that frequently is seen in canine distemper infections but can be seen in other seizure disorders as well. During the seizure, the dog falls to the side, and its entire body freezes. He may lose consciousness, and he may hallucinate. Epileptic seizures in dogs are characterized as repeated episodes of seizures. Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. It is important not to put yourself in danger around a seizing pet. He may lose consciousness, and he may hallucinate. It is not meant to replace medications by any means, just give them a nutritional boost. What can I do to - Answered by a verified Dog Veterinarian Usually basic blood work is done to rule out metabolic causes of seizures but more sophisticated and expensive testing (such as advanced brain imaging) is forgone as the presentation is fairly classic. Chewing Gum Seizure? For example, ‘fly biting’ or ‘chewing gum’ seizures cause a pet to snap their jaw, while nothing else is affected. Classically, true seizures are preceded by an aura, or special feeling associated with a coming seizure. It turns out that while phenobarbital may be a superior seizure drug for people, potassium bromide may be superior for dogs. There are several potential cause of canine seizures. This drug is a sulfa class anti-seizure medication that is rapidly becoming a first line treatment choice but might also be used to supplement more traditional therapies. Can chewing gum really kill your dog? Your dog's muscles will contract uncontrollably, and his jaws may begin to tremble or snap as if he were chewing gum. *** POST-ICTAL DISORIENTATION IS THE HALLMARK OF THE SEIZURE ***. This medication was used for human seizure control nearly 100 years ago but was eclipsed by the development of phenobarbital. Miniature Schnauzer(Photocredit: Morguefile.com), Basset Hound(Photocredit: Morguefile.com), Cocker Spaniel(Photocredit: Morguefile.com). when the brain itself is normal) are called Reactive Seizures. There are, however, some emergency situations: An isolated seizure at home probably does not require more than staying out of the way and keeping the pet from hurting himself but if either situation above occurs, then first aid is needed: Rectal administration of diazepam (valium®). They seek DNA samples from epileptic dogs and their close relatives if possible. A CT scan or MRI would be the next step. Vomiting 7. Seizures resulting from identifiable brain abnormalities are called Structural Seizures. Agitated behavior 4. Some brands of gum contain fairly small amounts of xylitol, and it would take up to 9 pieces of gum to result in severe hypoglycemia in a 45 pound (20 kg) dog, while 45 pieces would need to be ingested to result in liver failure. Phenobarbital is a medication that cannot be suddenly discontinued; if you are interested in discontinuing seizure medication, be sure to discuss this thoroughly with your veterinarian. The group has a substantial library of useful resources which can be viewed at: 3850 Grand View Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90066, Inspired by the VIN community, part of the VIN family. Paralysis The disease will var… For more information on levetiracetam, click here. Dogs with petit mal seizures chew imaginary gum, snap at imaginary flies, gaze up at imaginary stars, chase their tails, or suck their flanks. The short answer is, yes. In 2016, there were more than 250 cases of xylitol poisoning in the UK reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service – and most of these were down to dogs getting their paws on chewing gum. The rectal route avoids any danger of being bitten while trying to administer medication. It is best not to wait for frequent seizures in these cases as each seizure makes the next more difficult to control. This drug is popular for refractory epilepsy in dogs because it has been shown to be fairly reliable and has minimal side effects potential. Epilepsy in Dogs and Cats. Consciousness may or may not be impaired. The diet employs medium-chain fatty acids as a fat source (fats come in short, medium, and long-chain types which relate to the length of their chain of their carbon chain) and it turns out that MCT's have a direct anti-seizure effect. If the dog has a visible structural lesion on a CT, MRI or even a radiograph. Look for treats and toys that aren't hard, like: rubber balls, thin rawhide strips that bend, as well as rubbery toys in which you can hide treats. Side effects of the drug include sedation, which is usually temporary during the first 1-2 weeks of medication use and wanes as the patient's body adjusts. GENERALIZED (GRAND MAL) SEIZURESThis is the most common form of seizure in small animals. Seizures can be a sign of serious health issues in your pet. Fever 2. Sugar-free chewing gum should never be eaten by dogs, due to the ingredient Xylitol. Common Ingredients of Gum After looking at several different brands of chewing gum, we found that these were the most common ingredients: • Sorbitol • Gum base • Maltitol • Mannitol • Xylitol Last friday he did the same drunken walk but layed down and was i think having a seizure his gums were pale white i put him in a cold shower and he would snap out of it and eat ice cubes. It is a lucky pet that never has another seizure after beginning medications; but an occasional breakthrough seizure (as disturbing as it may be to watch) is rarely of serious concern. Diazepam can also be given nasally but there is a greater chance of being bitten. Your vet can offer you guidelines based on your dog’s specific condition.. The seizure is also typically followed by a post-ictal period during which the animal appears disoriented, even blind. When dogs with seizures are started on phenobarbital, approximately 31% of them can be expected to be seizure-free. This is a support and news group for owners of seizuring dogs. Fly-biting is an example of a psychomotor seizure. Most such tumors are operable if found early. Seizures 3. When your dog has a canine seizure, the signs are distinctive. The dog's gums may also be affected: ecchymoses (dark red splotches on the gums) and petechiae (dark red specks on the gums). Lethargy (tiredness) 5. Watching your dog experience a seizure is both frightening and disturbing, especially if it is unexpected. Labrador retrievers and Golden retrievers are also predisposed to epilepsy but tend to begin their seizures relatively late, closer to age five. Seizures resulting from metabolic problems or toxicity (i.e. Xylitol is an ingredient used as an artificial sweetener in sugar-free gum. For more details on phenobarbital, click here. In breeds for which seizure control is difficult, it is probably best never to stop medication (German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Keeshonds, Golden retriever, Irish Setter, St. Bernard). Chewing every day on tooth-friendly goodies is another way to help prevent gum disease in dogs. This means that certain diagnostic tests are especially important in dogs of one age group while other tests are going to be more important for dogs in another age group. There are no monitoring tests recommended for its use and an extended release formula allows for twice daily use. Potassium bromide is associated with pancreatitis and probably should not be used in patients with a history of that disease. The electrical activity starts in one area (called the "seizure focus") and spreads outwards through the brain causing involuntary movements and loss of normal consciousness. Approximately, 70% will have >50% reduction in seizure frequency. Particularly important in small dome-headed breeds (Pomeranian, chihuahua etc.) A classic example would be the "chewing gum" fit that frequently is seen in canine distemper infections but can be seen in other seizure disorders as well. Schnauzers, Basset hounds, Collies, and Cocker spaniels have 2-3 times as much epilepsy as other breeds. A. Reduced appetite 6. Nasal discharge 3. Because it is a sulfa, it is vulnerable to the side effects associated with sulfa antibiotics: mostly tear production/dry eye issues but also some immune-mediated reactions. If the dog has a history of brain injury or trauma. SEIZURES AT HOME (WHEN IS IT AN EMERGENCY?). The focal seizure usually attacks one side of the body or one limb in particular. Sometimes, the dog’s consciousness becomes impaired. If your pet is diagnosed with epilepsy, it is important to keep a seizure log to track the time of the seizure as well as the duration. Aa. my dog has some bumps under her mouth and one on the side of her mouth. WHAT IS A SEIZURE AND HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR DOG HAS HAD ONE? My dog had a "chewing gum fit"? PSYCHOMOTOR SEIZURES (ALSO CALLED COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURES) Psychomotor seizures are focal seizures where the seizure is more like an episode of abnormal behavior than an actual convulsion. Involuntary jaw motion may bite you and in the period of post ictal disorientation the pet may not recognize you and may snap. Some dogs may drool, run in circles, pace, or become aggressive while in the grip of a canine seizure. There are presently four main medications that are used in suppressing seizures in dogs in the United States: phenobarbital, potassium bromide, levetiracetam, and zonisamide. Any involuntary behavior that occurs abnormally may represent a seizure. Some lab test changes are associated with phenobarbital usage and need to be recognized as such. Here are some basic concepts concerning how age is an important consideration: ANIMALS LESS THAN AGE SIX MONTHSSeizures are usually caused by infections of the brain. A. Additional initial signs include: 1. Approximately 80% of dogs on phenobarbital will experience a >50% decrease in seizure frequency. Focal seizures involve involuntary activity in only one body part. Special referral is usually necessary for this type of imaging. Fainting animals are usually up and normal within seconds of the spell. It appears to work best in combination with other seizure medications rather than as a sole therapy but many dogs are able to use it as a single agent. A Keynsham family’s dog nearly died after munching his way through a tub of chewing gum. they were... (34701 views) Cat struggling to breathe. There is some expense associated with such testing. As scary as seizures are to witness, it's important to understand that the seizure itself is not very dangerous for dogs unless one lasts for more than about five minutes or they occur in clusters. Liver failure may occur in severe cases of toxicity due to the dog's low blood sugar. If the seizures or their post-ictal disorientation periods are particularly severe. He may even lose control of his bowels and bladder. Consciousness may or may not be impaired. Canine seizures are usually not painful to your dog, but if they continue for longer than two minutes they could put his health at risk. If your dog is experiencing seizures you should take them to the vet immediately. There are many potential causes of seizures: toxins, tumors, genetic disease such as epilepsy, infections, even scarring in the brain from past trauma. The pet's consciousness is disturbed by this type of seizure as the pet appears to be hallucinating or in an altered state. 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