Grand Mal Seizure (Sammy)

[skinsey]

Yesterday I took Sampson and Delilah to the groomer for the first time - both were doing great. Just after they finished bathing Sammy - the groomer told me his eyes rolled back in his head and he had a seizure - he had several after that. She is a dog breeder and they run a day care so she knew exactly what to do. When I picked him up he was very disoriented. My vets dropped off some Valium and I gave him a shot. He slept well and appears to be okay today.

I went through all of the old posts on seizures on newf-net and it was very helpful and reassuring information. I am going to call UC Davis tomorrow to see if they want to do any other testing on Monday when I take Sammy in for his post-op evaluation. My vets are researching a theory based on the "newfy shakes" and some connection with that. I don't fully understand it yet but I'll pass on whatever they find. They suggested perhaps an ekg.

He's fine for now. They said it could have been a one time shot brought on by the stimulus of the groomer (a new place) and Sammy is overly sensitive anyway to new places, things, noises, well, just about anything I guess.

Just a note: newest way to administer valium is rectally - it apparently absorbs much faster through the mucus membranes.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Poor Sammy,
It could indeed have been overstimulation. If the lights are very bright, if he got excited and got too hot, etc. Especially if he is very sensitive.
FYI the quickest way to administer any med (if available) is rectally. Enters the bloodstream much quicker than any route other than IV.
Please keep us posted. You stated he was going for a post-op visit. Did he have anesthesia recently? Sorry, I am still trying to read old posts and catch up on what's happened to everyones nesfs. That could be a big factor as well. Some people (and I assume animals) are greatly affected by it.
Anita

 

[bridge2itnf@aol.com]

oh, i am so sorry to hear that about Sammy, prayers being said for him, give him a kiss for me.

 

[Leslie]

Poor Sammy. Bailey had seizures when we first got her and they are scary. We managed her holistically for a few months and there's been none since then. I hope that's the case with Sammy too.

 

[Pam G]

What a scare!! Poor Sammy. I seem to remember someone posted on Newf L last year about her dog having seizures at the groomers. I'm trying to remember who it was. I hope this was just an isolated incident and won't happen again. Please keep us posted.

 

[Angela]

I sent you a PM.

 

[ardeagold]

Oh my goodness Sharon! That's terrifying!! Poor Sammy.

Is it possible that this seizure was chemically induced from something the groomer used? I've heard of that happening before. Once the chemical is removed, the seizures stop.

I'd also make sure that his thyroid is checked. Get a blood sample (not just the in-office test the Vet can do), and have it sent to Michigan State for a Full Thyroid Panel. It's the most comprehensive thyroid test available.

Thyroid problems can cause seizures...

Give Sammy and Di a hug from me, and let him know our gang sends big slurps.

Please let us know how he's doing.

[ 01-19-2006, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]

 

[Erika]

could someone please explain newfie shakes...about twice now Gerik's head has shook for a few minutes and then stopped..he did it last night.hes ok while it happens,not disorientated but very tired afterwards.......hes been checked since he was 3 yrs old and they found nothing according to his previous owner, our vet found nothing either.Any ideas Its very scary!!! today he is fine running and playing

 

[sarnewfie]

i call that vibrating head, when they are so happy to see you be with you, emmett used to vibrate in the muscle on his head for certain people he saw, i am sure 5 gs mom that could be what it is, put your hand on his head next time he does it, does his jaw vibrate to? emmett used to chatter his jaw and vibrate the top of his head, it didnt last long, but, everyone who had seen it was special, and knew what it meant ;0)
So sorry to hear about sammy, normally when the stimuli is the groomer or vet, it is as stated above, and, you can prolly expect this to be reacurring each time he goes.
a friend with a newf in town has the vet do home visits becouse the clinic is suspect to kick off seizures in her old boy, he was bought at five weeks from a mill in milwaukee.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Sorry to hear that Sammy is having more problems. Hopefully this was an isolated incident. Please keep us updated. Meeka sends love and kisses to her brother (and sister).

 

[Erika]

thanks Sar it was really scary.he is an old guy and I just worry about every little thing.....Hope Sammy is doing OK.didnt mean to cut in on this thread thought Geriks shaking could be related to this topic, Erika

 

[skinsey]

The "newfie shakes" I was referring to are the leg tremors that occur whenever he gets excited or always when he is trying to get up from laying down - or when I am rubbing him, etc. There is apparently a chemical in the body called "Malin(sp?)" and there is a belief that not enough of this will call tremors and possibly seizures. More as I get it. I saw on one of the older posts that the UK found the marker for epilepsy in dogs. Anyone know if a test has been developed yet to detect the marker? Would be one more thing to require before buying a newf pup?

 

[Sailorgirl]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. My last dog had epilepsy from the time he was 3 until he died. We managed the seizures with phenobarbital. Of course if I knew then what I know now I would have taken a different tack. In any case... they are about the most horrible things to have to watch and my heart just goes out to you. I'd do a google search on canine epilepsy and gather all the info you can.

 

[Newfs Forever]

Poor Sammy.

Sending good thoughts from NH.

 

[Blacknewfs]

Sorry to hear about Sammy's seizure, I hope it will prove to be a one time episode. As others have said, stress, excitement and new environments certainly can trigger seizures. We had a dog who used to have seizures at holiday times when family all gathered together and there was lots of action and excitement in the house. He was fine any other time. He lived to be 17 years old, and never had any ill effects from the seizures.
Good thoughts coming your way...keep us updated.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

That must have been so scary for you and Sammy!! I wonder if there could be any link to the flourescent lights? I know some people are very sensitive to them, as they are rapidly blinking yellow light, so I wonder if it could be the same with animals?

 

[Annie Milliron]

OMG, poor Sammy... thank goodness he was with people who knew what to do. Like everyone else, I hope this is just a one time thing. Sending prayers, good thoughts and

 

[Erika]

thanks newnewfmom

 

[Pam G]

Just a thought here. Have you called your breeder to see if she's had any epilepsy in her lines? Hopefully, it isn't epilepsy but it wouldn't hurt to give her a call.

 

[blstarke]

How is Sammy doing?