Hi

I'm really hoping that i can get some advice here.

One of my dogs has suffered his second seizure in nearly 3 weeks, i've recently found out that epilepsy has been found in his line.  He is currently not on any meds, vets wanted to see if it was a one off before going down that road.  Both fits were pretty mild, only last a minute or 2 and came round quite quickly.

The second one was early this morning, and after coming round and being pretty manic in everyones faces, our other male boy went for him, we have had 3/4 incidents like this in the past 2 months, which we thought was a display of dominance as he is getting to the age of trying it on (3), they never cause any damage to each other, in fact the seizure boy doesn't retaliate at all, altho he did last night but I assume because he didn't know what was happening following the fit, it's just a lot of noise and wet necks, now we are thinking could it be that the other boy can sense a weakness in him, they had a spat on monday (now friday) and a bit of growling on weds evening which we avoided anything further by taking the boy who started it out for a walk to burn off energy

We separated them last night and re-introduced this morning which was fine

It's just such a worry now that i'm thinking can I trust them at all together, does anyone have any experience of how other dogs react to a fitting dog

Thanks so much

Vicki

Hello Vicki,
I'm so sorry to hear one of your dogs has had seizures.
In regard to your other dog attacking whilst he's having a seizure I have known of dogs seriously injuring a seizing dog. I would most definitely separate them when you have to leave them.
I hope your vet can get the fits under crontrol.

You must keep them 100 % separate when not supervised. I had a Cavalier bitch have an epileptic fit when we were not at home. When we came home the other bitch had attacked her and injured her so badly and stressed her so much the fit just did not stop, so she had to be put to sleep instantly. (Touching a fitting dog makes it worse so that alone is reason enough to keep them apart.) She was just one year old. It's nature to attack something that behaves out of the ordinary.

I can only reiterate what the others have said. My Golden used to attack his brother the minute he started fitting. This started after the epileptic one fell on top of his brother in a fit. At all other times they were fine together so whenever I went out, either I took the epileptic dog with me, or left them separate. I wish you luck. It is a devastating illness.

Apologies, it is not a fun disease for the owner, however at least it is something that the dog knows very little about it.  As others as said if your other dog is attacking after fits, you have to seperated when alone.  Dont feel angry at your other dog, it is a natural reaction.  I am lucky, my other dog moves into another room when my epileptic fits.
Something you might find useful.  You said your dog was very in your face afterwards.  If you find he is pacing and walking into things give him a honey sandwich.  it brought my dog's post-ickle stage down from 3 hours to about 4/5 minutes.

Thanks to you all for posting, I have put a crate up ready, we kept them separated all day then went to introduce them again but he went to attack him again :0(, im thinking he is scared of him, doesn't know how to react and is fearful of him and getting there first

We are crating them and taking turns with them, we took them out on leads to our local field, they seemed better but both of them you could tell were nervous of each other, we can't risk them in the house together at all, hence the crating, going to get a couple of muzzles in the hope we can make them both realise not to be scared and they're the same as they were

It is a complete nightmare, but we have to try everything before we have to make a decision whatever that may be

please wish us luck
Vicki x

A few year ago I had a rescue dog that suffered from a form of epilepsy, because of this he slep in my bedroon as I was worried what would happen if the other dogs were around, it was scarey enough for me, i didnt want them to experience this. I was fortunate that they only happened at night.

I had to rehome my dog who shows on here when I post as he started attacking my old male for what seemed no reason.  Soon after the attacks it came obvious that my old boy was not well (cancer) and I'm sure it's that the youngest knew well before us.  They'd be great together for ages but then Anton would all of a sudden attack.  Keeping seperate just wasn't the answer as there are times when you just can't do it and keeping them seperate just exacerbated the anxiety between them.

Keeping seperate just wasn't the answer as there are times when you just can't do it and keeping them seperate just exacerbated the anxiety between them.

keeping seperate for me was not a problem. My dogs problem only occured during the night, so the simplist solution was to have him with me in my bedroom.  My other dogs had never reacted, I prefered it this way as the petit mal fits were upsetting for myself, I didnt want the other dogs to experience this.

Thank you, we are praying that it doesn't come to rehoming, I braved it and took them out fir a long walk at lunchtime, they were great with each other, after it become clear he wasn't going to attack him, a few times they were both sniffing grass together, I'm hoping that they can learn to be friends again but I'd be happy if the end result they couldn't be together in the house but ok on walks/off lead, we have a bitch so at least we can alternate them with her so they have company

We are going to be taking the "fitting" boy to bed with us so then we can hear and be with him when he has another one

thanks again for all the helpful advice, you just feel so lonely :(

Vicki

if it was me I would not crate the dog that has the fits. med would help. it took a we while to get correct dosage for mine. sadly he still had the petit mal fits, but not so much. As I said before his were all during the night.

I would expect your dogs to be fine with each other out on walks, it's when they are in their own territory that things change. It's not your 3 year olds fault he is just doing what nature intended and it is instinctual to some dogs (not all) to turn on the sick, dogs can sense many illnesses something we can't do. I'm sure they will be friends often but the 3 year old who may well also have hierarchy issues, will also think nothing of turning mercenary if your dog has a seizure.

I agree with everyone else if you are not there to completely supervise they must now be separated. I also think it is a brilliant idea to have your older dog with you on a night that way you can keep a close 'ear' on him too.

It's awful when our animals are unwell and especially with added probs like this, but dogs act differently to us, wishing you all the very best.

Its usually possible by using a stair/baby gate to have the at risk dog separate but have the company of the other dogs while your out, with just that safety barrier between them.

I I would not count on the bitch not reacting to the fitting dog too, so separation from others when your not supervising.

Just to add to what has already been said, I would not crate my epileptic in a metal crate.  I'm far to scared that a foot would go through the bars and do some serious damage.  I do happily put her in a fabric cage when needed, but a fabric cage wont contain a dog having a bad time after a grand mal.

>you just feel so lonely :-(

Which is why CD is great Vicki.  Almost everything that people encounter with their dogs, will have happened to one or other of us!  And just knowing that helps you not feel so lonely!  :-)

So, if it helps - my story.  First off, I have a houseful of dogs.  My favourite girl will be 6 in August.  She had her first seizure last October, like your dog, it was short and mild.  But 2 of my other girls went for her.  My bitch didn't know that though, she was totally unaware once she came out of the fit.  My vet said not to medicate, as it was so mild.  She had a 2nd fit 6 weeks later, and a 3rd fit 6 weeks later, then I had her spayed.  She sailed through the spay, and at her check up the vet was pleased.  2 days later she had the worst fit I had ever seen and it lasted for ages. 

I would find it a lot easier to look after someone else's dog when having such a severe fit.  With it being my own I was just shaken to the core.    Within hours I was seeing the first vet I could to get her drugs.  I was no longer willing to "see how things went".

After 6 weeks on phenobarbs I had a blood test done, and the vet doubled the dose.  I have had to reduce her food, as, naturally she has gained weight.  It is now 3 months since she had any problems, although I am fully aware that she could have further problems.  I'm just hoping that if/when it happens that it will be very mild.

When the dogs have to be left for short periods I leave my girl in the living room, away from the rest of the gang.  At night she comes to bed with me and I feel secure in the knowledge that she is safer this way.

I took her on holiday with me, and 3 other dogs just recently.  She was perfectly fine going for walks with the others and running on the beach.  The others only saw her as something to attack when she acted "strangely"  and I am happy that I can manage this situation, even with all my lot.

So please don't feel lonely!  :-)  :-)

Thank you for your reply,

it has been a hard few days, been so tired worrying, but it is helpful to know that others are and have experienced this.  We have now separated our house so that neither boy can be together, and they seem fine (think I am not helping as so worried about them fighting now) but have been walking them together and did let them off together on weds night, they didn't act normally as in kind of ignored one another but at least there wasn't any aggression which is great.

We are keeping him in the kitchen on his own at night should there be any seizures, the last night we had him upstairs he panted the whole night, its just far too hot up there for him, with the carpet, he prefers to be colder, being a saint, they prefer to lay on cold floor, and that's why the fighting is so scary, it's not quite as easy to get them apart due to their size

The poorly boy actually went flying on the weds as our girl (who is very boisterous off the lead) whapped into him so hard, he was very stiff that night so kept him nice and quiet for the next day or so.

Well i have noticed that he does seem to be a bit more lethargic, I wouldn't say struggling but definitely a lot slower on walks etc, I could understand if he was on meds that might cause this but could it be the epilepsy, does it cause symptoms other than the actual fits? and he is only 4 and a half but a Saint so middle aged really :0(

Other than that we are coping, it's just awful I come in and look at him thinking omg have you had one, there's no way of knowing, and until we see another one we can then try the meds but i'm worried that he's had more but we haven't seen and he should be on meds already, but the only thing is I know he's not suffering when he has them he's no idea so a small bit of comfort, its all just so draining :0(

Thanks again for everyones support

Vicki x

>does it cause symptoms other than the actual fits

I am no expert, but my girl had no other symptoms prior to going on medication.

>it's just awful I come in and look at him thinking omg have you had one

Well as far as I'm aware, my girl had only one while alone.  I 100% knew she had fitted as soon as I saw her.  She was oblivious that she'd had one, wagged her tail and welcomed me.  But her throat and front were a total mess with dried spittle.

Hi Vicki

My labrador is 5 years old and four weeks ago had her first seizure. It was terrifying and I sat trying to sooth her and stroked her until it was over. Took her to the vet immediately and he told me it was normal for labradors. After some blood tests he said he couldn't prove she was epileptic and we should wait and see what happens. When she had the seizure one of our other dog's attacked her. The two of them were doing well and adjusting to their new life (we moved into my mother's home after she passed away suddenly to take care of my grandmother) and suddenly my mom's dog started reacting negatively towards the Lab. We put it down to stress and a severe change in lifestyle as my mom's dog has been on her own for 4 years now. Last night I had all of my dog's sleeping in the bedroom, not a normal occurence, and I heard the same sounds coming from my labrador, and immediately my mom's dog launched into her and started attacking her. The second seizure wasn't as bad as the first one, but still completely traumatic. I have found a vet who specializes in seizures and we are seeing him tomorrow, hopefully with some solutions.  I found your posting through my searches online and almost felt relieved that someone else was experiencing the same thing. I have four animals now, a puppy added to the mix, that my mother's dog actually alerted us to, someone had thrown her into our yard and she had fallen in a crevice in the ground. All the animals get on well, but my mother's dog suddenly changed her attitude towards our labrador. I'm beginning to realise possibly it's not a jealousy issue, but that she senses the seizures before they happen, with both occurences she has changed her attitude towards the labrador before the attacks happened. It just didn't make sense at the time.  Hope you came right with your dog's in the end. 

I had an old lurcher and he had fits for two years. On the day that we were moving house he had a fit outside the back door. My jack russell attacked him and was literally tearing at his throat, I couldn't get him off and my finger was bitten to the bone. When I eventually managed to get the dog off him he had puncture wounds all on his throat and neck region. Yet these two dogs were always great with each other, never any aggression and slept in the same basket. His injuries did heal but he was put to sleep five weeks later as the vet said he had come to the end of his lifespan and his organs were failing.

dogs attack the weaker or insecure. Your mums dog can sense this, its instinct.

>It was terrifying and I sat trying to sooth her and stroked her until it was over.

Totally the wrong action to take.  A fitting dog does not know you are stroking it, and seizures don't last as long if the animal is left in peace and quiet.  (Only helping if an animal is fitting and banging itself against something causing damage.)

You can't soothe a fitting animal.