Seizures in Boxers??

[revelladee]

My boxer, Samson, started having seizures about 5 months ago and is on medication to control them........I was wondering if anyone out there has a seizure story and how they handled it and what you did for it.....

[SmoothCollieluver]

My gsd had eplipsey (sp?) what do you want to know?

[Rottweilerlvr]

When does he get seizures???( like is it during play time, when he gets mad, etc?) What did the vet say about it? I don't know much about seizures, maybe smoothcollie and others can answer more specific questions that you may have!!!

[Tori's mom]

Loki, our new american bulldog had a seizure about a month ago. We believe he may have had another a few days ago, but did not witness it. The witnessed seizure was proceeded by him throwing up, then flipping over and convulsing for about 9 seconds (I work in the medical field and am trained to time seizures). I just talked to our vet again today and they are advising a wait and see approach- I guess we just hope that things don't progress and get worse. What meds is your boxer on?

[revelladee]

He's on Phenobartitol 60mg. twice a day.....and the seizures are slowing down.....he was having about 30 sec. seizures everyday..and the only symtom were his eyes rolling back in his head.....a horrible sight to behold...no convulsions, no vomiting, no confusion...all was well when it was over..now it seems they are slowing down and the seizures are about one 10-20 sec. every couple of weeks...our vet said to hold him at this dose for now and keep records and should they increase or worsen, we would add potassium bromide.....I still don't know why this happens in a highly bred registered boxer.....when we were searching for a dog and looking into their physical histories, this didn't show up in boxers.....I was interested in breeding him, but we won't now......we'll just love him and do what we have to......one of my questions is..those of you who have seizuring dogs.....how long did you have them around?:(

[SmoothCollieluver]

It can come up in any breed. You can only try to rule out medical things when searching for a purebred. I had a gsd with ep, on much more pheobarb then your dog is on and she lived for 11 1/2 years after she was placed on it. I will warn you at least in my experience they do sometimes have problems as they get older. She had massive sezures which you didn't have and she suffered some brain damage that lead to some issues later in life. Even though your dog didn't have grand mauls that doesn't mean he didn't suffer some brain damage so be on the look out. Also pheobarb can cause incontince. Sorry I can't spell today i'm in a hurry to get to school. But over all she was fine, the meds got everything under control. Don't worry, sounds like your dog will be just fine.

[revelladee]

Wow ..thanks...I do have a great vet that I can get ahold of anytime......and so far, Samson has not had any accidents while we have been gone.....we have left him alone in his kennel for around 8 hours and all has been well.....I do know that we have to do lab work every 6 months and monitor his blood work. I just get irritated that we spent so much money on him and thought all would be well......but there is nothing we can do about it now...can't send him back:rolleyes: Love him tooo much.........glad to hear that his chances of hanging around are good

[DiggityDogs]

Things like this can pop up in any breed and any bloodline, there's unfortunately no way to rule out all medical conditions when buying a dog. You lessen the chances and you can be pretty certain with some genetic disorders that you won't have them, like hip displaysia, IF the breeder has done all the testing and what not, but there are some things you can't predict. Just like with people- some people have no family history of cancer, but still get it. It's an unfortunate thing, I'm sorry he's having seizures, it's a pretty scary thing to watch.

[nic188]

My dog Chief has epilepsy. He is also on phenobarb tablets twice a day. He hasn't had a seizure since the first week he started the medication. It's been 8 months now. His seizures consisted of him losing all control of his bladder etc and his muscles would tense up so he couldn't move and he would shake.

I think he has also suffered some slight brain damage from his seizures. He is now more clingy to us and sooks a lot of the time. He is also more clumsy and as he loves to walk right behind you it often means he trips over your feet as he is walking. This comes and goes.

He recently had his first blood work done since going on the tablets and the phenobarb levels were quite low so we know that the meds are not what is making him clumsy. As i said we haven't had any seizures for eight months now so things are looking good.

He is now four yrs old and hopefully will be around for many years to come as i can't imagine my life without him around.:)

[revelladee]

Well, on this past Labor Day weekend, Samson started having seizures again on a daily basis.....4 days in a row.....went to the vet.....lab work being sent to Dallas...adding potassium bromide now to his meds....waiting the results of his phenobarbitol levels...he may not be digesting that as he should.....and he's gained more weight...he's at a hefty 87 pounds.....and he is walked daily for 2 miles and plays hard in the backyard in the evenings.....he looks great except for these seizures:(

[DiggityDogs]

Have they checked for things other than epilepsy? Seizures can be caused by other medical conditions as well. A friend of mine's dog started having seizures a couple of years ago and they found a tumor on his heart. The vet said he thought the two were related. Not to scare you with it, but I just hope they're looking at more than just the bloodwork.

[revelladee]

Yes....they checked it all out a couple of months ago..what did they do about the dog with a tumor on his heart??

[Rottweilerlvr]

Well, on this past Labor Day weekend, Samson started having seizures again on a daily basis.....4 days in a row.....went to the vet.....lab work being sent to Dallas...adding potassium bromide now to his meds....waiting the results of his phenobarbitol levels...he may not be digesting that as he should.....and he's gained more weight...he's at a hefty 87 pounds.....and he is walked daily for 2 miles and plays hard in the backyard in the evenings.....he looks great except for these seizures:(

Mom, why didn't you call me about Samson's update today?? He has gained weight, but this is his maturing and filling out year so I wouldn't be to worried about that. Since you won't call me for a update, how long did Smithers say until you would hear back on the results?? :D Love you!!

Your eldest

[DiggityDogs]

Yes....they checked it all out a couple of months ago..what did they do about the dog with a tumor on his heart??

Well, they started him on medication, but sadly, she left him in the care of some moron while she went out of the country for 5 weeks. This moron stole the money she left for the utility bills and took off on vacation with my friend's car to colorado springs, while having a 'friend' care for the dog. It was the middle of summer, the electricity got disconnected, and the dog was found dead in a hot house without so much as a window open for circulation. The moron promptly disappeared and, best we could find out, is living in either new york or pensylvania. The worst part was that this moron had worked for her for over a year and she completely trusted this person. So, the meds were working to control the seizures, but it was only a matter of time for him.

[SmoothCollieluver]

omg diggity.

[revelladee]

That's horrible!!! Hey Rottweilerlvr...I thought we weren't suppose to let on that we are related:eek: Lab results should be here tomorrow, maybe even this afternoon....depends on FedEx.....one day at a time:rolleyes:

[revelladee]

Lab work in...phenobarbitol levels good, a little on the low side...adding KBr for a month and then checking blood levels again...dang that stuff is expensive...vet has to mix it up .....if he continues to have seizures, it will be ok to up the PB ......poor guy......although, he has been good the rest of this week....

[Kaybie's Mom]

I also own a boxer but thankfully (knock on wood) she is very healthy so far besides some allergies. Anyways, I just thought I would suggest you try out Boxerworld.com and ask your questions there as many people on that site are very knowledgeable about Boxer specific questions. Just a thought. Good luck with your baby, I hope all is well.

[revelladee]

I have the most awful time getting on the web site of Boxerworld.com......I usually give up....it says it is redirecting me and it takes forever!!!! Your boxer is a sweetie.....they are the most adorable puppies...I would own a litter full....someday;) My Samson has had a good week....still fat and sassy, and you wouldn't even know that anything is wrong....we just do what we have too...I just thought that when all my kids left home, things would be easier......and cheaper..dang it:rolleyes:

[Rottweilerlvr]

I just thought that when all my kids left home, things would be easier......and cheaper..dang it:rolleyes:

lol... :D That's funny!!!