Paroxysmal Dyskinesia

My lab Bailey

my 8 year old lab Bailey has been diagnosed with this . I would be interested to know more about it .

 

Sorry for the delay in responding to the thread - I've not been on the forum for quite some time due first to laptop problems - and then to health issues. Sorry to hear that you believe Bailey has paroxysmal dyskinesia Audrey - I will be in contact with you via "conversations". Also apologies to anybody else who has tried to contact me via "conversations" in recent weeks

 

Hi everyone I have 1.5 year old black lab that sounds like she has this same thing except I did a genetic test at the university of Minnesota and they called exercise induced collapse, it sounds Lmost identical to everyone else except maddie temperature sky rockets every time. One time it got all the way to 112 degrees so I was just curious if anyone else's lab gets a temp spike like that. I know this is an old forum so I'm not sure anyone uses it anymore but I thought o would try anyways. Thank you in advance for any info ]

 

Hi Dp14 - welcome to the forum (and yes we do still use it! - though this is a fairly old thread)

The condition that the Uni of Minnesota produced a test for is Exercise Induced Collapse. As you say - it is indeed genetic, and dogs with EIC usually collapse with over-exercise, or when excited, and frequently a combination of both triggers. EIC can usually be managed reasonably well if owners are able to control the dogs environment and level of activity.

If you look at the Minneosta webpage you will see that they also mention a condition which they describe as "atypical collapse in labrador retrievers". These dogs do not have two copies of the DNM1 gene which is considered responsible for EIC - and their episodes tend to look somewhat different. The Minnesota researchers are of the opinion that this may be a rare form of epilepsy.

However, veterinary neurologists here in the UK think differently and do not accept that this is a seizure disorder. They believe that dogs having these episodes are actually suffering from an episodic movement disorder - paroxysmal dyskinesia.

UK neurologists are currently researching this problem condition (also thought to be genetic) but at this time there is not a test available. Forms of paroxysmal dyskinesia are also being found in some other breeds.

Re the overheating issue - my own dog (who incidentally is an EIC carrier and whose episodes used to be triggered by excitement/exercise in the early years) does sometimes become overheated during an episode of PD if it is a particularly prolonged/severe episode - but not during an average episode.

Of course there is another collapsing condition - canine stress syndrome (formerly known at malignant hyperthermia) in which a collapsing dog can have a serious elevation in body temperature (there is now a DNA test available).

Research by Minnesota into EIC showed that some EIC labs do indeed have high body temperature during an EIC episode - but that similar elevated temperatures can also to be found in non-EIC labradors that have been exercising.

I am sorry that Maddie has EIC - but hope now that you have a diagnosis of EIC and you are aware of her possible limitations - you and she can make any necessary lifestyle adaptations and that she can live a healthy and active life.

 

Hi Paddy,
Just found your post on google search and have found it incredibly useful. I like the rest of the owners of our beloved black labs found it extrememly distressing when my Lab Pepper had her first seizure December 23rd 2016, followed by secound one New Years day 2017, she has had two more that ive seen (don't know if it happens while out or over night) over the last two weeks. Pepper is 6 years old and ive always considered her very fit and well, she had a litter of eight puppers last easter with no problems at all. We saw the vet after her secound seizure and she had lots of bloods taken which came back normal. I was also told to try a gluten free diet, not sure thats helped but willing to try everything. Im very happy to share any infomation with you if it helps.

 

Hi Louise - just spotted your post. Sorry to learn that you think Pepper may have PD. I have to dash out right now - hope it will be OK if i get back to you this evening.

 

Does Nex Guard or Interceptor plus affect or increase Paroxysmal dyskinesia? Any evidence of this?

 

No evidence of this as far as I am aware.

As far as my own dog is concerned, I use no flea/tic treatments - indeed I try as much as possible to keep him away from any chemicals. This is because we know that he has environmental allergies as well as some food intolerances - so it seems to make sense to not expose him to any possible additional stresses on his body.

 

Paddy,
I created an account on this site solely to talk wth you based on your post.
I run a small rescue. A couple weeks ago I took in a new dog. He is a mini poodle (maybe cross) of approximately 7 years of age. He has very obvious physical deformities. Tonight, for the first time, we witnessed his "seizures." I jumped on google right after texting my vet. I have dealt with several seizure dogs and Bill didn't seem the same as those. He was awake. His spastic episodes weren't as violent. He did not lose control of bowels or bladder.
He goes to the vet again in the AM. Vet said we would discuss anti-seizure meds- now I'm not sure thats a logical route?
Anyways- do you have any guidance? I'm reading the very limited literature accessible so person experience would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Hi - I have to say that I have no knowledge of paroxysmal dyskinesia in poodles - though it is becoming recognised in quite a number of other breeds now.
Without a video clip of the episode it would be very hard to make a diagnosis. PD could be a possibility from what you describe - but a mild focal seizure could also be likely. In confirmed epilepsy vets don't normally prescribe medication unless the dog is having episodes at least once a month - or having clusters. Epilepsy type meds are not helpful for labradors with PD. But of course with this being a rescue dog I would think that you probably know nothing about his background. I suspect that at this time the vet will probably recommend a "wait and see" approach. I would be happy to chat with you further but have to dash off for a doctor's appointment right now - please let me know how things go with the vet. You are doing great rescue work - and certainly going the extra mile in trying to establish what is happening with this poodle. Catch up later
June

 

Hi! I believe my black labrador Monty has suffered episodes of paroxysmal dyskinesia from about 7 months old (November 2015), we self diagnosed after researching his symptoms as blood tests came back as normal and I wanted to be well informed rather than just agreeing to an MRI / medicine. Monty leads a life as close to nature as possible - raw diet, no chemicals etc but we are seeing an increase in the number and severity of his seizures. I cannot find the original information I read about PD so I am wondering if you could point me in the direction of any additional information please? I remember reading that PD diminishes with age, but I wonder how true that is? We have also noticed milder episodes when Monty is excited - he just seems to stagger along lopsided, is that consistent with PD too?

I also noticed that you were asking for information on any dogs with PD so please let me know if we can provide you with any more information or link into the research being conducted.

Many thanks,
Tracy

 

Hi Tracy - welcome to the forum. Sorry to learn that your dog appears to be having episodes of paroxysmal dyskinesia.
Another Monty (and black)!
It is certainly true that a large percentage of labradors do show spontaneous improvement over time - and some actually go into remission. There are others that continue to have these episodes all of their lives (my Monty is now 13 years old and still having them).
I wonder if it would be OK if I get back to you via "conversations" a later today as I'm in a bit of a rush right now. I am interested in hearing more of what has been happening with Monty and I will try to let you have more information about the condition, and attempt to answer any questions you may have.
Chat with you later
June

 

Have sent you a PM Tracey - hope to hear from you again soon.

 

Hi
my 6 year old female lab, Georgie, has just been diagnosed with this condition. The vet has recommended a gluten free diet. Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

Hi - sorry to hear about Georgie's diagnosis. Would be interested to hear more. If you would like us to have a chat please make contact via private conversation. Hope to hear from you soon

 

I'm no expert here, but would be surprised if this would be helpful.
Have you heard anything about dietary exclusions being helpful @paddy ??

 

It's very early days but there is some research being conducted into the possibility of gluten sensitivity being involved in paroxysmal dyskinesia in labradors. This follows on from the recent identification of a similar condition found in border terriers (formerly known as CECS) as being a gluten sensitive movement disorder. My own Labrador has been found to have high levels of gluten antibodies. He is now on a gluten free diet but so far his antibody levels have not fallen to normal range. A gluten free diet certainly would be worth trying - especially as there is currently no treatment for PD in labradors. If going down this route it is essential to ensure that the diet is truly gluten free in every respect (Inc treats) - and that there is no scavenging

 

Interesting. Thanks Paddy.

 

Hi, I believe my golden retriever has paroxysmal dyskinesia. He had had wobbly turns since I got him at 7 months mostly brought on by exercise. He gets quite excitable around other dogs! I now mostly walk him on the lead and he only gets to free run when no other dogs, apart from my other retriever, are around. Last Christmas he had a major wobble and I took him to the vet who did a blood test and was diagnosed with mild epilepsy. Nothing showed up on the bloods and as the wobbles got more frequent he was put on Pexion. They can now very between weekly to lasting a month without one. I also think sudden movements affect him such as me coming home or the doorbell ringing. He jumps up and his back legs go funny. I am not sure if Pexion is helping and would love to stop it but should I. Thanks for listening

 

I`m really sorry to read about your dog , what an awful worry for you . I`m equally sorry that I don't know anything at all about the disease/syndrome , but just wanted to say how sorry I am x