I'm looking for some advice/support. Our 12 yr old vizsla has very occasional and mild seizures, the isn't on any medication as so mild. She had one on Saturday and was fine afterwards, however on Tuesday evening started to behave strangely, very clingy and seemed very distant, she then proceeded to start to walk extremely carefully and generally not be herself. We took her to the vet yesterday morning and she appeared much better once she was out of the house? The vet confirmed there was nothing physically wrong. She has continued to act strangely, not barking, very lethargic, and generally distant. However when we take her out her confidence significantly returns. We did have an episode like this just before Xmas but put it down as an isolated occurrence (and had a number of tests which were all negative). This is obviously upsetting, she is eating (with encouragement) and in my heart I feel she might just need some time but was wondering if anyone had any direct experience of post seizure behaviours. Thank you

Post seizure behaviours can take on many forms. Some dogs are quiet and calm afterwards and some are very hyper or as I used to say about my dog 'wired'. Seizures can take on several forms and not all are the 'classic' (drop to the floor, shaking etc). My own dog after several years of having 'classic' seizures, had started to have the type you describe (clingy, quiet and 'the-lights-are-on-but-no-one-is-home type) too. Both types would pass in time and he would return to 'normal'.

My advice to you would be to remember that the latter are seizures too and you need to take as much care around your dog, as you would if it was a classic seizure. I had a bad habit of cuddling my dog when he was like this (he always turned to me when he was afraid or upset about something and a cuddle would make it better), until the Vet pointed out to me how much danger I was putting myself in - so be very careful. When he was like this, I just allowed him to lay quietly and not make to much fuss around him - just keep everything calm and let the process work its way through. He had several of these seizures over a 12 month period, and then they changed again to where he was 'seeing monsters' and became very fearful - snapping and lunging at imaginary 'monsters'. I would not worry to much about not eating if it is only over couple of days but keep an eye on water in take (especially if it is hot).

Sadly, quite a few members have dogs whom have seizures and I am sure they will be along shortly to share their advice/stories with you.

Huge thanks for your reply. I am taking her to the vets again soon just to get checked out as she appears to have developed what sounds like a cough or frog in her throat. It's just strange as the seizure was on sat evening, she was fine on Sunday (but had been sick as had found used tissues in the bin so was nil by mouth!) was loud and starving on Monday and Tuesday which I just put down to hunger and then this started on Tuesday evening. So upsetting and completely out of character and so many days after the initial seizure. Thanks again though really appreciated

Seizures are probably one of the worst things to happen to our dogs because they look awful and because we are so helpless to do anything about them. My dog would be ravenous for several days before a seizure and then not be able to keep food down for up to a week afterwards! As his seizures got worse we had a hard time keeping weight on him.

Do you keep a diary? If you don't I would start one and write everything down: Date & time of fit, what happened during the seizure & for how long (time the seizure), what she was like before & after the seizure, how long it took her to recover.Write down anything that you feel is relevant and that may help you spot future fits etc. It does help to have a record & you (and your vet) can see what is what.

Fingers crossed she will be back to herself soon and/or the vet gets to the bottom of it!

We used to keep a diary but they were so infrequent we stopped but yes we should restart. Took her to the vet earlier and she had a slight temp to accompany her cough which could all be linked to her strange behaviour. Thanks again for your reply.

Maybe she has just picked up a 'summer' bug then! Let us know how she gets on :)

She seems a bit brighter this morning and managed to manoeuvre herself under the duvet with us in the night. We bought some tinned chicken & rice last night which went down well. Blood and wee tests back today.

Just wondering how your girl is doing and what the urine/blood test results were like. Hope all is well.