Boris and Fern

My Dog's Name

Boris and Fern

My Dog's Age When Seizures Began

8 and 5

My Dog's Breed

Bullmastiff x Staffordshire and Italian Greyhound

My Dog's Diagnosis

None and Idiopathic Epilepsy

About My Dog's Seizures

Fern was about five when she had her first seizure. We didn't do much about it - I was young and my parents didn't know a lot about seizures in dogs. The breeder told them that epilepsy was common in Italian Greyhounds and that there was no treatment for it - one day the dog would have a fit and die, she claimed.

As Fern got older her seizures steadily got more severe and more frequent. At one stage she was having as many as two a day, three times a week.

Boris had a severe fit one day, out of the blue. He lost control of his bowels and bladder and suffered a few more seizures over a short time.

My Dog's Diagnosis and Treatment

Fern was diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy after a series of tests, including blood tests for thyroid function. Her thyroid was slightly over active. She now takes half a 30mg Phenomav tablet morning and night and her fits have been under control since - her behaviour and appetite radically changed for the better also. She still has occassional seizures, but they are not as severe.

Boris was seen by a vet the same day as his first seizure. He was kept in for observation, and was hyperactive. We did some research for causes, but the vet sent him home and refused to do the tests we asked for. He prescribed Valium for the hyperactivity, and it failed to sedate him. He had several relatively minor fits over the weekend and we took him to another vet for a second opinion. The vet did the tests, sent the dog home with us. The next morning he suffered another seizure, fell into a coma and died. We do not know the cause and the tests came back normal. I suspect a brain tumor or stroke, but have not been able to find enough examples or information to know for sure, and we decided against an autopsy.

Advice

• For Fern, we noticed a possible trigger - heat and/ or dehydration. We also came to recognise warning signs - her appetite would disappear, and she would vomit bile within 24 hours of having a fit.
• Obviously I have learned to seek a vets advice, and to seek second opinions if not satisfied.
• Always put the dog first - sometimes, nothing can be done, and sometimes it can, but the animal's quality of life is most important.
• Watch your other dogs - they can sometimes tell you when their friend is about to fit.