HI,
My 10/11 yr old black lab, has been diagnosed with Epilepsy, I took him too the vets 2 days ago, after a sequence of 4 fits in 24hrs, the vet took blood and they results all came back clear, she prescribed Epiphen and he started them yesturday, he hasnt had a full blown seizure since, but he is very restless and keeps having, what i can only describe as - ticks/mini fits, where he bites and snaps his mouth and loses balance,but then is fine seconds after, wagging his tail etc, I'm wondering if this is a result of having 4 fits in 24hrs, and am hoping once the epiphen kicks in they will subside, apart from this his appetite is normal and he seems fine... can anyone help me with regards to this?

I would suggest that you go back to the vet to discuss as they may be able to tweek or change your dog's medication.

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www.petvetcare.co.uk

Catering for Dogs, Cats, Small Pets and Poultry.

It may just be residual fits. After our dog has a bout she's all twitchy for a few days later. As the other person said- go back to the vets, I'm not being funny but it took us about 5 or so years to get Flos meds sorted out properly. (She has quite severe epilepsy).

Now she has a bout every 3 months or so, she recently had a very bad turn and was in the vets for 4 days and got put on extra meds. And she was still twitching 2 days after we bought her home but she's stopped since.
Just be very vigilant for the next few days.

Has the vet suggested giving you a stock pile of valium/diazipan (sp?)
We have these for when Flo fits at home and she gets one shoved up her bum. It's not glamorous but it knocks her out and being unconscious should stop her having anymore, if you see what I mean.

It will take time to sort the level of meds out in your dogs blood stream, but as long as you keep an eye on him and you keep nagging your vet- if you know your dog isn't right, if you know something is wrong -keep- nagging your vet. More meds, different meds- there are lots of medicine options.

Hope your pup is ok. If it's any consolation Flo's had epilepsy for 7 years now and apart from when she's having a bout, you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with her, she's lively and wonderful. It won't stop your dog loving life

xxx

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Mum to:
Ragdoll- Freija
Moggy- Icky
Hamster-Finnigan
WH-JRT- Merlin
My 2 boy Bettas- Qwigon & Chewy
and lots of fishies

It could be side effects from the medication.
I have epilepsy,and occasionally,my arm jerks,out of no where.It scares me to death.Its a bit like when you drop off to sleep,then wake up suddenly.
It is a side effect,but worrying,all the same.
Your dog is probably scared too,he wont know whats happening,and why he woke up in a different place than he was before. Its not a nice illness to have,but there are worse things,and its managable,with the right medication.

You might want to look on line,see if you can save money buying the same medication,once you have found one thats suits him,and he is controlled.

So sorry to hear about your boy and am sure the meds will all have it under control in no time.

My firends 6 year old shihtzu has epilepsy which started around two years ago and once diagnosed is taking the same meds as your boy with very good results. It took a few months to get the dosage right and she had a few fits before this was achieved. As it's early days yet for your boy you may find he'll have the occasional fit too until the vet finds the right dosage for him.

Little Syddy is doing very well on her medication and hasn't had a fit for a few months now - touch wood - and in every other way is normal, apart from the very occasional "vacant" look where she just gazes around and looks a little lost but even that is rare. It's a kind of Petit Mal and only lasts around 30 seconds at the most.

It's very disstressng for us to see but at least they don't know anything about it and apart from being a little confused afterwards they seem to get over it quite quickly.

Good luck with your boy and try not to worry if it takes a while for the medication to work properly. xx

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

my dog died from epilepsy fits and he was 1 i think

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Have: 4 Cats 3 Dogs currently
Have had: 6 cats

Dogs: German Shepherds
Cats: Ginger Tabby & Torbies

RIP: Ducati, Cheetah, Joy, Claire & Sapphire - Torties
Chloe - Black & White

Sorry but have just found out that syddy is now taking phenobarbitone and as I said is doing very well on it.

Here's a link my friend sent to me, also has the medication your boy is taking.
Canine Epilepsy Website

Merenwenrago - i'm so sorry to hear about your dog - poor baby and so young.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Thank you everyone for your replies, I've spoken to the vet and she suggested that I give the meds a few more days, and she's believes as do I that the little twitches may be a result of the 4 fits he had in 24hrs, and it will take him atleast a week - 10 days too be back to normal!! ( or as normal as my soppy lab will ever be ), it's not so much the twitching that bothers me as he seems very restless & whimpers alot . Just want my old Max back

Poor you and him of course - it's so upsetting to see your lovely baby like this i'm sure. Stay positive for him and you will have your old Max back, just takes a little time thats all.

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Hi when my border Collie started having fits I wanted support and joined the Canine Epilepsy they were so helpful and you could phone them with any problems they calmed me down many a time