seizures in a dog / brain tumor

[dreamingon]

Hi my daughter has a staffie who is less than two years old.

He started having epileptic fits couple of months ago, just one a month but last week he had cluster fits resulting in an overnight stay at the vets.

He was disorientated for a few days and just kept pacing the room bumping into things.

He had an MRI scan this week and the vet has not yet given conclusive results but has said that it is one of three things. A brain tumor, a result of the cluster fits (she does not think likely due to the size) or generic.

His medication has been increased and touch wood he is now back to normal.

Does anyone have any experience of this type of thing or know what the prognosis may be if he has a brain tumor but is ok now, could he live with that for years or does it normally get worse quite quickly.

I have told my daughter not to google but I know that there are some knowledgeable people on this board who may be able to share their experience good or bad.

Thank you.

[SohowdoIdothis]

I don't have any good outcome stories only bad, sorry, I think she may well have to make a tough decision, but that the deal when you own animals, you have to be the one to make the choices for them.

[orangeyellowgreen]

Seizures in a young dog are normally epilepsy and cluster fits occur when they are not getting the required dose of medication. It's not usual to do MRI scans unless there are other symptoms.
Get the dog to a vet who knows about epilepsy (they don't all) He should be on medication to control seizures. Other possibilities, like a brain tumour, should only be considered if his condition changes.

[dreamingon]

Thank you for your replies. The vet who carried out the MRI did increase the medication for the epilepsy as she said it was only the minimum dosage. The results are back today so fingers crossed it will be the epilepsy rather than anything else.