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Shih Tzu seizures...?
It is obvious from reading the many posts that there are NOT any "sure fire" remedies for dog seizures. My 12-year old Shih Tzu has been having an increased amount of "cluster" seizures over the past few weeks. With her being her age, it is probably best to put her "down", even though it is the furthest thing that I want to do (I decided not to get my own medication in order to afford a $458 emergency vet visit).
Today, as of this post, has been the longest duration of a seizure. I've read one post about someone's dog that ate dark chocolate and went into a seizure, and one of the comments made is that the owner should be at the vet versus wasting time on Ask or on the internet doing "self research". In this regard, the 24-hour emergency vet that I took my dog to was more focused on other things (for a dog her age) other than the seizures...so with that in mind (even though I do love my dog), I think it is best that she is put "down".
There is no remedy, and the "treatments" only SEEM to sustain the animals' life for a short period of time, resulting in the inevitable fact that the animal dies. Since we (as humans) do not know if animals are in pain (except do to some severe trauma, e.g. stepping on its tail, or something along those lines), it seems best (not only for myself) but for my dog that she no longer suffers(?).
So, my question to any who read this is (if this was you): would you put your pet out of its "misery" or continue to suffer (yourself) watching your pet (possibly suffer as well) convulse, urinate, fall down when trying to walk, have severe twitching, etc.?
If you (the reader) choose to provide your experiences and medications given, feel free to give your information, but the question being posed is whether to put your pet "down" or continue to watch these occurrences?
To add, the first time I noticed her having a seizure was maybe 2 years ago, and (to my knowledge) it only happened once then...of late, the seizures have been multiple times daily, increasing in duration and amounts.
Thanks...and by-the-way: the name that you see (WhoCares) is the name that I use when responding to certain news/media posts, so please do not consider it in your responses.
@Happy - last night, rather this morning (Sunday) I was up until 3a trying to soothe her from one of her most lengthy seizures I've witnessed (started at 10:30p Saturday night). The only reason I was up until 3a was because I had taken my own medicine and could not fight the drowsiness any longer. My alarm clock woke me @ 6:30a and I heard my dog hassling but could not locate her - she had crawled behind her travel cage that was in the corner of my bedroom and could not find her way out from between the wall and the cage. She was obviously thirsty so I brought her water dish into the master bath since that is her spot to re-familiarize herself to the area. After nearly 2 dishes of water, she stopped hassling but was still having convulsive seizures. I gave her a scoop of vanilla ice cream (for the sugar) and after about 15 minutes, she calmed down & went to sleep.
@Andy: no pet owner want to put their pet down, so you are absolutely correct in your observation. I am taking her Mon
2 Answers
- Anonymous9 years agoFavorite Answer
I'm so sorry you're going through this. My Bulldog has idiopathic seizures where just his head shakes, they're not sure why it happens but it's a Bully thing. I'm usually the calm one in the house but when they happen I immediately start crying wich I'm pretty sure just makes it worse for the dog bc he can tell I'm upset. Going through this, I can't imagine seeing his entire body convulsing.
Before making the decision to put your dog down, I'd take her to your regular vet and see what they say. That way you can make a well informed decision. Is it seizures from kidney failure, does she have epilepsy? Then you can find out what medications they might give her along with the effectiveness and side effects. I think you need to find out what she's got before you can decide whether or not she's suffering.
That being said, my childhood weenie dog (17 years old) was having seizures due to kidney failure and I did have to make the decision to put her down but I will say that by the time she started to have the seizures she'd already gone deaf and blind a few months before. She'd become my moms dog after I went to college and I had a hard time getting her to put her down. It's a hard decision but sometimes it's the right one. Good luck and God Bless.
Source(s): Dog Owner for 28 years - 9 years ago
Is she living a happy life when she's not having seizures? If her quality of life is otherwise good, I would see if their were some other medication you could try since it sounds like you don't have much faith in what she's on now. Sometimes we need to get a second opinion when we're not satisfied with our regular doctor, so why not see what a different vet says? You might someone else who has experience with seizures and could offer more helpful advice or treatment. I honestly wouldn't give up quite yet. Besides, you don't really sound like you're confident that putting her down is what's best right now. I think you'll know when it's time, if all else fails.
