Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures Hi Caroline, So sorry to hear this, especially since you went through it with your previous dog. I do hope it can be controlled without too much difficulty.... I hope the change of diet will help with the skin issues! And like you said, maybe with the other issue too. Anyways, welcome here as well from me, Lisa, and 18 month old Simba!
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=Lisa link=topic=4703.msg58052#msg58052 date=1393729062] Hi Caroline, So sorry to hear this, especially since you went through it with your previous dog. I do hope it can be controlled without too much difficulty.... I hope the change of diet will help with the skin issues! And like you said, maybe with the other issue too. Anyways, welcome here as well from me, Lisa, and 18 month old Simba! [/quote] Thankyou Lisa can't believe how incredibly kind everyone is wish I had found this site earlier, I am hoping we can make a differance with the diet plus some natural remedies have consulted with a lovely lady who has dealt with these issues for past 15 years don't know if I can mention her name due to advertising ( maybe someone could advise me ) but she guides you through everything, takes full medical history then does a 3 hr home visit etc...feel very optimistic.....would sell my house to put my lovely girl rightX
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4703.msg58027#msg58027 date=1393710379] I'm not experienced enough to help but wanted to say welcome and sorry to hear of the loss of your staffie, I've met many sweet, lovely staffies, they certainly don't deserve a poor reputation just good and loving homes like yours. All the very best with your girl, looking forward to seeing a picture [/quote] Thankyou for your lovely welcome and message, yes staffs are the loveliest of dogs ours was such a gentleman everyone loved him..not a bad bone in his body, sadly they get into the wrong hands by the wrong people. Xx
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=Stacia link=topic=4703.msg57974#msg57974 date=1393704229] I have now found the name Paroxysmal Dyskinesia. [/quote] Thankyou so much for that will google it and see very kind of you x
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures I believe that a carb free diet used to be used (with some success) to treat children with epilepsy before modern drugs were available. Jaq would be able to tell you more about that. I'm not in any way trying to make comparisons as dogs and people have very different physiologies. Nor I am trying to guess your dog's diagnosis. Just an interesting aside Was it your vet's suggestion to give it a go - I think it's a good idea by the way
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures If it is epilepsy, I found this very helpful indeed with my epileptic GSP. Owners support - Canine Epilepsy Website www.canineepilepsy.co.uk/owners/Owners_spec_help.htm Phyllis Croft Foundation The Phyllis Croft foundation for canine epilepsy (PCFCE) was founded to bring support and comfort to owners of dogs who suffer from ... the phyllis croft foundation for canine epilepsy (pcfce) - Clare ...
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=editor link=topic=4703.msg58132#msg58132 date=1393769259] I believe that a carb free diet used to be used (with some success) to treat children with epilepsy before modern drugs were available. Jaq would be able to tell you more about that. I'm not in any way trying to make comparisons as dogs and people have very different physiologies. Nor I am trying to guess your dog's diagnosis. Just an interesting aside Was it your vet's suggestion to give it a go - I think it's a good idea by the way [/quote] Thanks for reply vet not very concerned about diet really, we are just determined to try to rule out any possible problems with diet. Have spent past week reading as much as we can and feel very confident in trying this. We are doing it via a professional so will report on progress.
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=Stacia link=topic=4703.msg57961#msg57961 date=1393701763] There is another condition in dogs which sounds very much like your dog, unfortunately I cannot locate where I read it, it was similar to exercise collapse but not that! There was even videos of the dog having an episode. [/quote] My dog has paroxysmal dyskinesia - a movement disorder which manifests in seizure-type episodes, during which he is fully conscious and responsive. Once the episode is over it's just like nothing ever happened. I think this is probably the condition and the video clips that are mentioned - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdifQO2qevg Caroline - please let me know if you think your dog's episodes are similar.
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=paddy link=topic=4703.msg58190#msg58190 date=1393786378] [quote author=Stacia link=topic=4703.msg57961#msg57961 date=1393701763] There is another condition in dogs which sounds very much like your dog, unfortunately I cannot locate where I read it, it was similar to exercise collapse but not that! There was even videos of the dog having an episode. [/quote] My dog has paroxysmal dyskinesia - a movement disorder which manifests in seizure-type episodes, during which he is fully conscious and responsive. Once the episode is over it's just like nothing ever happened. I think this is probably the condition and the video clips that are mentioned - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdifQO2qevg Caroline - please let me know if you think your dog's episodes are similar. [/quote Hi thankyou so much for that, have just watched the clip and it is almost identical to Lola's episodes, my husband is busy looking the condition up as I speak, please god it isn't as bad as epilepsy!! Plus why didn't our vet consider this my description of what happened must mean something to them?? How old is your dog and how often do these attacks happen? Don't even know how we would get a diagnosis other than god forbid video the next...hopefully not!! Am going to read up on it now but thankyou so much another lady suggested this condition also x]
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures Paddy, it must have been you I saw but not sure I could cross post it on this forum, so very pleased you have done so.
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures Glad to hear the video is helpful. Your vet has probably not come across the condition (most vets in general practice are not familiar with paroxysmal dyskinesia in labradors) as there is currently nothing in the veterinary literature about it. However, I am very hopeful that this situation will be remedied before too long. At this time there is no specific test for PD - it is a matter of excluding everything else. It would be useful to your vet, and to any veterinary neurologist to whom your dog may be referred, if you were able to get a video of an episode. I know that starting to video at such a time is the last thing you would want to do - as you need to be giving comfort and assurance - but it really could help with a diagnosis. It would also be useful if you could keep a diary of anything and everything connected with Lola - hopefully it may give some clues as to whether anything specific is triggering the episodes. Paroxysmal dyskinesia is believed to be a movement disorder rather than a true seizure. Monty began having these episodes in 2006, at the age of two. He will be ten in June, and his most recent episode was four weeks ago. I would be happy to share his story with you either via pm or email?
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=paddy link=topic=4703.msg58265#msg58265 date=1393795216] Glad to hear the video is helpful. Your vet has probably not come across the condition (most vets in general practice are not familiar with paroxysmal dyskinesia in labradors) as there is currently nothing in the veterinary literature about it. However, I am very hopeful that this situation will be remedied before too long. At this time there is no specific test for PD - it is a matter of excluding everything else. It would be useful to your vet, and to any veterinary neurologist to whom your dog may be referred, if you were able to get a video of an episode. I know that starting to video at such a time is the last thing you would want to do - as you need to be giving comfort and assurance - but it really could help with a diagnosis. It would also be useful if you could keep a diary of anything and everything connected with Lola - hopefully it may give some clues as to whether anything specific is triggering the episodes. Paroxysmal dyskinesia is believed to be a movement disorder rather than a true seizure. Monty began having these episodes in 2006, at the age of two. He will be ten in June, and his most recent episode was four weeks ago. I would be happy to share his story with you either via pm or email? [/quote] Hi and thankyou again. We will try to video any other attack which may happen..we are in the process of putting her on a raw meat and bones diet to see if that will be of benefit. As we lost our last dog through epilepsy a few weeks ago we are desperate to explore every avenue possible. Mitch our last dog had really bad seizures, always when he was asleep, he urinated frothed at the mouth even bit his tongue once..it's a horrible illness which I would not wish on anybody. Am so glad I joined this site, or should I say my lovely son joined for me, it's very comforting to know others have first hand knowledge of this. How often does your dog have these episodes? Why I wonder is it the dogs who have the best care and loving owners who have these health issues?? Maybe they are sent to us because we look after them. Being rather in a time warp with all this technology ( took me weeks to learn how to text at first ). And I'm not kidding not sure what pm means but would love to know more about Monty what colour is he? Lola's a very pretty fox red. Will get my son to put a photo on of her. Where do you live? We are in Teesside . Much appreciate your help and concern x
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures PM means personal message or private message - it's kind of like email but you send it and read it here on the forum If you look up towards the top of the page you will see "My Messages". If you click on that you will see that you can send and receive messages - to and from individual members.
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures Caroline - I have tried to respond via pm but we seem to have a problem in that I'm being told that I'm not allowed to send personal messages : You can contact me at june_lawson@btinernet.com Looking forward to hearing from you soon
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures Hi June, personal messages are available to anyone that has made 20 posts or more, so you should be fine to send messages now. Let me know if there is a problem. Pippa Edited to add, I have now changed that to 15
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures Thank you Pippa - I thought it must be something like that. I have now been in contact with the OP via email - as she would not have the required number of posts either.
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures Just another thought, if your dog doesn't have fleas I would not give Frontline routinely, I don't like the idea of chemicals unneccessarily in a dog's body.
Re: Young Labrador suffering with possible seizures [quote author=Stacia link=topic=4703.msg58331#msg58331 date=1393843232] Just another thought, if your dog doesn't have fleas I would not give Frontline routinely, I don't like the idea of chemicals unneccessarily in a dog's body. [/quote] Thankyou for that yes it's probably quite a good idea we don't really know what we are letting our dogs ingest do we. Typically it's just been put on so will give it a break and see. Lola starts her new diet tomorrow so let's see if that helps. Had lots of positive feedback since I joined so thankyou to everybody Caroline x
Hi! Wondering if my recent experience and insight may help you further. The following was recently emailed to a veterinary neurologist who has conducted extensive research into PD. I’m currently pinning all my hopes on a gluten-free diet being the answer:- FOR THE ATTENTION OF MARK LOWRIE – DOVECOTE VETERINARY HOSPITAL, DERBYSHIRE:- “Dear Mark, Believing that my Labrador dog (Bess) has been misdiagnosed as having idiopathic epilepsy and therefore facing the bleak prospect of anti-epileptic drugs with all their terrible side effects, I keenly seek your help - being aware of your extensive research into Paroxysmal Dyskinesia (PD). I first became aware of PD four years ago when Bess had her first seizure and was diagnosed as being epileptic. However, since my previous Labrador suffered from epilepsy for almost three years, I’d witnessed well over 20 canine epileptic seizures – and to my mind, Bess’ symptoms were nothing like any of those. This prompted me to conduct extensive internet research before agreeing to my then four year-old dog being ‘sentenced’ to the likes of Phenobarbitone, which had ruined my previous dog’s life (and mine!) with its side effects of lethargy, weakened legs, increased hunger and thirst etc, etc, etc. Since Bess’ symptoms perfectly matched those listed on endless internet forums and websites, for the last four years I have declined any medication – her symptoms having never worsened. However, a couple of weeks ago she suffered a significantly worse seizure, which led to a referral to a veterinary neurologist earlier this week. The neurologist insisted that Bess has idiopathic epilepsy - despite my detailed account of endless symptoms that perfectly match PD and showing him a video of a dog whose PD movements exactly match Bess’ (see: ) - I’ve never been able to shoot a video of Bess’ seizures, always being too preoccupied with consoling her). The neurologist ran through all the symptoms of idiopathic epilepsy, asking if Bess exhibited any, I answered no to all and asked if it was more likely that my dog has PD – yet the diagnosis remained as epilepsy. I declined the offer of an MRI scan to rule out a brain tumour, the neurologist assuring me that Bess showed no physical symptoms of such – symptoms that I’ve been careful to look out for since her seizures first began. Prior to this neurology appointment, I conducted further research into PD – the first time I had done so in four years – and was amazed to see so many new references and greater insight into the condition, including those people on the Labrador Forum (see: https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/paroxysmal-dyskinesia.11861/) and your own research report (a section of which follows – the bold sections indicating symptoms shown by Bess). This all strengthened my conviction that Bess has PD - not epilepsy. My new research also gave me more hope than before, when I read that a gluten-free diet could combat PD. Bess has suffered with an allergy-related stomach condition since a year before her first seizure, the exact nature of the allergy has never been identified, so maybe it’s gluten that’s causing her seizures. I was also relieved to learn from my latest research that the more significant seizure Bess recently had didn’t necessarily mean that she has epilepsy after all, but that PD seizures can vary in size and affect the entire body rather than a single limb. Now not knowing which was to turn, I’m keen to seek your guidance – and would of course be delighted to share Bess’ case study with you for research purposes. Kind regards, Amanda Garner. (Par, Cornwall).”
I am very interested in your post Amanda. I would like to hear more of Bess's story - would you like to talk further via private conversation?
