I have a 1 year old labrador who has been healthy until last week. He was playing when he had a 'funny turn', he flopped on his side and went rigid, he recovered after about 20 seconds and carried on playing although he was abit quiet/stunned. He has continued to have these about once a day since. They are always conected with exercise or excitement, he plays and then drops/slids to a sit then down and his cheeks puff as if he is trying to push air out, he recovers quickly and carries on. His blood tests are nornal and his resting heart beat is normal. I don't think it is epilepsy as he remains consious. Does anyone have any ideas? We are keeping a diary at the moment.

>>I don't think it is epilepsy as he remains consious.

In the cases that I have seen the dogs didn't lose consciousness.
Sorry, not much help I know :-(

John, please stop lurking ... I know you can help on this one.

Leigh

Yes, please John! I miss you! :) WE NEED YOU HERE!!

Hi Sandra, I’m sorry to say that it has all the classic symptoms of epilepsy. The fact that he appears not to loose consciousness means nothing I’m afraid. The actual period of loss of consciousness can range from a minute or so down to milliseconds. (The “Drop Out” often experienced in children) although a dog can be down for much longer period the rest of the time is the recovery period rather than the unconscious period. I speak from a certain amount of experience having lived with an epileptic Labrador from the start at around the age of yours until her death at nearly 14 years old. Unfortunately there is almost nothing a vet can do to confirm it unless it happens actually in front of him or her. Heart functions return to normal almost immediately. After a fit the various “Bits” recover at intervals not all at the same time and one of the last parts of the dog to recover is the sight. This is the reason why people always say not to get too near until the dog has recovered just in case the dog bites out of fright. In the case of my own dog, contact always seemed to reassure her that she was safe and if she could feel an attack coming on she always tried to get to us before passing out.
The reason I’m posting again is because if this is as I think then I feel it is essential for you to see your vet as soon as possible. If he is fitting once a day then he really is in need of medication to bring the condition under control. It could well be that things will improve in the near future but could return again in a short while (usually reoccurring at around 6 week intervals) I managed to get by without medication, but Bethany was only fitting a couple of times in a period.
Full blown epilepsy is not the only reason for fitting, poisons are another. A dog belonging to an uncle of mine fitted after swallowing a length of string and continued until she managed to pass it. All of which adds to the need to see your vet relatively urgently. Please keep us posted on developments
One last thing, if it is Epilepsy, this is not the end of the world even if it seems like it now. As I said, I lived with it for nearly 14 years and if I could have her back I'd grab the chance with both hands, epilepsy and all!!!

Regards, John

Right, I’m off to lurk again :(

Well said John your help is very welcome and appreciated im sure X glenys

Thank you John ..... please stay

John

Lovely to hear from you. We know you lurk but you are sorely mmissed. Please come back.

Pam n the boys

Yes John agree with above sentiments please pretty please

Hi Sandra

Sorry to hear about your problem, you must be really worried. Although I agree with John this it sounds like epilepsy it could also be a heart related problem. You say that the seizures are brought on by exercise, a friend of mine had a dog several years ago who developed similar symptoms at about 8 months and was discovered to have a hole in his heart it only came to light during exercise when the heart has to work harder and he would experience "fainting" spells from which he recovered quickly.

Let us know how you get on when you have been to the vet!

Lucy

P.S. John it great to know you are still lurking

John,

I agree with the others your input is very much missed here.

I know if I ever have a problem with my Lab it will be you and my vet I will ask for advice.

Karen

Nice to have you back John offering your helpful advice again. If you plan on staying around and you are going to Crufts why not sign up for a name badge :)

Sandra go to this http://www.italiangreyhound.org/seizure.html all the information you will need is there, also reference as to why it does not turn up in early tests. sorry my typing isent up to eight pages . mari .. leigh perhaps you can sort this so sandra can go to it direct

Thanks to all of you that have given me advice. I took the dog to the RVC on Thursday for a series of tests, all have shown NAD so far, he is due to stay there until Tuesday.
Sandra

Good luck I'll be thinking of you with fingers crossed he is ok

Me too Sandra. please let us know what happenes

Regards, John :)