Seizure

[Baby Dragon]

Miles had his a seizure last night, the first that we have ever seen. Thankfully, I was home and my husband and I were able to get him to the vet ER quickly. It subsided before we got there, but they wanted to keep him for 24 hours to observe. They did blood work to rule out toxins or electrolyte deficiencies, everything came back normal. He's still there now and has not had another one. He is eating and drinking normally, and we will be picking him up in a few hours.
He got a Bordatella vaccination yesterday at our regular vet, but he has gotten this every year in the 3 years we've had him and never had a reaction. He's about 6, but because he's a rescue, we're not 100% sure of that.

What I can't seem to stop worrying about is what if this happens while my husband and I are at work?? Miles is usually home by himself during the day, and one of us comes home to let him out in the afternoon.

I searched the forum for "seizure" and have started to keep a notebook with the seizure info as suggested in a number of posts. I'm not sure what I'm looking for as far as answers from you PVers. I think I needed to vent to people who could understand and sympathize. Sorry if this post is all over the place, but I'm very upset. I haven't been able to get him having a seizure out of my head

[tall grass pugs]

I would be upset too. But keeping a diary of the events is a good solution step. My guess? He is old for PDE, and most other conditions are readily treatable. It will be interesting to see what his regular vet says, be sure to ask about the shots and any reaction. Hugs to all.

[Bethy]

He is at the prime age for epilepsy, which is very common in all canines, not just pugs, although pugs seem to have a high incidence of seizure activity. I, myself, have three seizure pugs. Two are on a low dose of phenobarbitol, which has eliminated their seizures altogether, and one just has a very mild seizure once in a great while, so he is not on any meds at all.

I wouldn't get too worried, because he is past the age at which PDE usually rears it's ugly head, so I would guess that he will live a long and happy life. Seizure activity can be easily controlled, especially if his seizures are only occasional.

[shaynapug]

You've gotten great advice.

As for leaving him....I would not give him run of the house. I would make sure that he's comfy....and not around anything that can hurt him if he does go into a seizure. If you have him on meds, as stated he should live a long, normal life! Some vets don't medicate with the first seizure...others do.

Seeing your boy doing well and being with you a LONG time!

[Baby Dragon]

Thank you all for your advice. He's back home now, snoring on the couch next to me. The emergency vet did not prescribe any medicine because this was his first one. I will keep an eye out for any more seizures or strange activity. I think I will make a vet appointment if he has another seizure.

[Squeezable Beasties]

Glad to know he is back at home with you! Everyone has you covered pretty well, with great advice!

Full blown seizures are very scary to witness, especially the first few, but let's think that in Miles case, that the first _known_ seizure in the three years he has had you, will also be the only one!

While not proof of causation, it does certainly seem worth noting that his only known seizure to date did occur so proximate to his trip to the vet, and the vaccination.

For your journal, you might also think about what else may have triggered this during the past day, and even the past weeks: (food, treats, treatments - flea, heartworm, house/yard/car work - paints, pesticides or other chemicals..... ).

Not to worry you, but it is possible that unobserved seizure activity has occurred, and so, as already recommended, keeping him in a seizure safe environment, especially while unattended, would not only be a great idea for him, but can also help reduce your anxiety, a bit.

As another human anxiety reducer, you might ask your vet for a few Valium at this point (no, for Miles...), so that in the unlikely event that this occurs again, you can end the tail end of the activity possibly sooner that it would subside on it's own (and prevent even less likely, but possible cluster activity), with out the delay, anxiety, and expense of a trip to either the vet, or worse, the ER. Besides, it gives peace of mind!

Our 12 year old EPI Pug has been on Potassium Bromide for around two years now, and it is working very, very well! I wish we had started her on it sooner. We do have Valium (pills and suppositories) though, just in case.

Be prepared, and try not to worry too much.