[Dailydrool] Seizures

[Michele S. via Dailydrool]

Ruger started having seizures at age 2 (he is now 8). His seem to be stress related and happens 2-3 days after a really stressful event that scares the beegeebees out of him. Like the fire alarms going off, someone stepping out from behind something and scaring him. Ruger is the more sensitive hound, a little on the high strung side.  I started doing several of the tips that I found in the literature when I researched canine seizures. Like using unscented, clear & free laundry detergent on all of the laundry but especially their bedding, I don't use dryer sheets or any other fabric softener. I split up their heartworm and flea prevention tablets and give them at least 3 days apart from one another. I quit using Freebreeze, or other deodorizers. I don't use bleach on their bedding. I don't use harsh chemicals to clean the house especially the areas the hounds reside in. I now steam mop the floors and use other all natural cleaners.Vinegar and water is an excellent cleaner and deodorizer. Beds are aired out with sunshine and fresh air after being sprayed with a 10% vinegar and water solution. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and germ killer. It is supposed to kill more germs then most chemical based household cleaners. Use a 50/50 vinegar/water solution to clean showers and toilets. Everything else use a 10% vinegar 90% water solution to wipe down counters, and spray carpets and bedding to kill germs and to deodorize. The vinegar smell will dissipate quickly, and is not as irritating to sinuses like a lot of the chemical cleaners. Plus it is soooo much cheaper. I also put about half a cup in the washer when I wash the dog beds. After that I use a whole cup of vinegar to clean out the washer after washing doggy stuff and before washing our clothes. I also put them on better quality food and treats. I make most of their treats like cookies, chicken & liver jerky and try to use drug free chicken and other all natural or organic ingredients as much as possible. Also we try to keep Ruger as stress free as possible and if there is some sort of stressful event I go ahead and give him a valium right away. Did all of this help Ruger? I don't know for sure, I have to believe that it does...but I do know these preventions didn't hurt. And the bonus of most of all of this is my allergies have been a lot better since I started doing all of this. Now his last seizure came after he went into our master bath room to find Todd who was taking a shower, about 7 days before I had for some stupid reason used scrubbing bubbles to clean the shower. He walked in and immediately walked out...within just a few minutes of walking out he had a seizure...first one in two years. I would also keep a journal...logging date, time and duration of the seizure, also a 3-5 day history...just jot down anything and everything that you can think of that happened during the last 3-5 days. if you haven't already I would go ahead and take any dog that has a seizure to the vet for an exam. Tell the vet what happened. If he has another I would definitely take him in. Seizures are one of those crazy things that can be caused by numerous things, they  may never have another one. Seizures: worse case they can be put on anti-seizure meds depending on the number of seizures that he has a week. Our vet only wanted Ruger on those meds if he was having 2 or 3 seizures a week or more.Our vet also gave me 2 syringes of valium to keep on hand, to be given rectally when he seizes if it last more than a couple of minutes to hopefully help bring him out of the seizure. And to hopefully prevent having a cluster of seizures. He also gave me some valium tablets to give him after a seizure to help him from having another. But other than attempting to pad the area so that he doesn't bash his head or hurt himself form the thrashing about you do sort of wait it out. But if it last more then 3 - 5 minutes or if he has multiple seizures back to back you need to get him to a vet. Seizures are scary things but you need to remain calm and softly talk to the dog to ensure him that he's okay and that you are there with him...you must be careful because some dogs will bite or snap either during a seizure or when they start to come out of it...they are just scared and disoriented. With Ruger he usually seeks me out before a seizure, his eyes are kind of funky looking...kind of wide eyed, and he tries to crawl up in my lap if I am sitting down. I just try to protect his head and if on the couch gently hold him and stroke him and softly talk to him...telling him "its okay, momma's here." It seems like forever but he usually comes out of it within just a couple of minutes. maybe 3 at the longest...if it goes longer than that I would give him rectal valium. As soon as he starts I try to get the hubby or I have had to call a neighbor to come help me (luckily my husband has phones in almost every room close to the couch, the bed, in the kitchen or my cell phone is usually close by too)....to go get Ruger's meds and get it ready if I need it. 
Michele Momma to the Bad A** Basset Brothers
Colt ATB, "Ruger gets possessed by a demon sometimes"
Ruger "I don't like dancing the funky chicken dance"
Xander: "I like chicken"
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