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Original poster

Fitting screaming dog

82 replies

Seeleyboo · 21/01/2020 19:48

Putting here for traffic so apologies if this is wrong.

My elderly chihuahua has had two seizures that I know of. I witnessed one today.

She went stiff and shaky and made this awful sound of screaming. A noise she's never made. Was that pain or fear, I don't know.

She lost control of her faculties after but she doesn't have much control these days anyway.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so how did you deal with it.

I accept this may the end of the road for her as she has multiple health issues and I'm not prepared to put her through extensive tests.

I must state that she seems very happy and responsive even when dealing with her problems.

Many thanks.

OP posts:
RyvitaBrevis · 21/01/2020 21:16

Call the vet. Went through this recently with an elderly dog. The vet said she could potentially prescribe a medication for seizures which may or may not help, but in a very old dog it would be prolonging suffering and the decline would only continue, so the decision was made to pts. Seizures can be caused by brain tumours (thinking about your comment about your dog not having much control these days). Make sure she is comfortable in the meantime and keep an eye on her. It is so sad. Flowers

Beautiful3 · 21/01/2020 21:20

I'm so sorry op. You must be devastated. Our cat had fits like this, the night before he died, I made him comfortable, he died the very next day. Flowers

MyNameIsMrsGrumpy · 21/01/2020 21:21

You need to see a Vet - not just a telephone call!

I’m surprised they didn’t ask to see the dog.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 21/01/2020 21:26

Get to the emergency vets, tonight. By law, all UK vet practices must have out of hours cover, but it may be provided at a different site. Check the website, or ring and listen to the answerphone message - the details should be on one of those.

Notlonely · 21/01/2020 21:35

If the vet has been consulted and is happy to not see her tonight - why do you guys keep insisting you know better than the vet?
I'm so sorry op. I had my dog pts last year and we miss him lots. We didn't want to put an old dog through the invasive tests and operations the vet recommended. Pts was the only other option as I couldn't watch him suffer. Hugs x

Honeyroar · 21/01/2020 21:35

I’m glad you rang them. Have a snuggly night together and see what tomorrow brings.

LoobyLou1976 · 21/01/2020 21:58

The vocalisation / crying/ screaming during the seizure itself is very common and not necessarily a sign of 'pain', as it is paddling of the limbs / running motion.
If it happens again I would gets her to the vets ASAP for anti seizure meds / possible PTS if that's what you have decided. Especially if the seizures are lasting a long time or she doesn't come out of it quickly. Seizures can be exhausting for the animal.

Pardonwhat · 21/01/2020 22:01

If you think she’s in pain take her to the vets!!! The poor thing.
And I’d also seriously consider letting her go peacefully.

mummymayhem18 · 21/01/2020 22:07

Hope your dog is ok. Always scary when they're is something wrong as they are part of the family.

missmarplesapprentice · 21/01/2020 22:08

My chihuahua cross is being managed for epilepsy (he's 6). You did the right thing calling the vet to talk through options.

Don't listen to the posters who say rush to the vet. You've done the right then by phoning them and if they are happy to leave it then leave it.

The first seizure is heart breaking and on my dogs first I couldn't stop crying. I took mine to the vet that morning but by that point he was pretty bright and the vet couldn't really say much.

The key info they told me was
-to track any seizures,
-keep them secure and comfortable during them,
-if possible film them
-and should any fit go on for a prolonged period of time then bring him in.

Every epileptic dog (if that's what it is) is different and with mine he is described as atypical as his way of fitting isn't standard.
Is be very wary of certain tests, especially as your dog is elderly. I had some completed but when they started mentioning scans etc I drew the line. Most seizures are managed with medication regardless of what a lot of tests say so I went down this route. Now he's seizure free for nearly a year (fingers crossed it sticks) under regular vet care.
My dog was 2 when this started so possibly very different. Seizures so also develop in some dogs later life but they are still very happy dogs who have a good standard of life.

You know your dog best and wish you all the best. X

SmudgeButt · 21/01/2020 22:10

wishing you the best with your pet. I'm not a dog person really but as a pet owner know how much the silly things mean to us all. I hope you can sort your fluff friend and that things go well for you both.

missmarplesapprentice · 21/01/2020 22:11

It's also worth noting that some people have uploaded videos of their dog seizures onto YouTube and lots of forums discussing people's options and advice. It's not the most pleasant viewing but I did find it helpful in how to deal with it.

Cherrysoup · 21/01/2020 22:14

Brutally, I’d pts. Better a week early than a week too late. It’s very distressing for the dog.

Writersblock2 · 22/01/2020 00:32

Bless you. I’m sorry you are dealing with this and it must be so hard. As a pp said, snuggles tonight and vet tomorrow, to see what you can do. I dread the day similar may happen to my chi (he’s just turned 9 and he’s the love of my life). Sending you best wishes from both of us.

Keeoe · 22/01/2020 01:44

One of my greyhounds had his first fit last January aged nearly 8 (very old for 1st fit and epilepsy diagnosis). He had another 2 after that, last one April 6th '19. He's been on phenobarb since, none after that, touch wood. I hold my breath every day hoping today isn't the day he has another. Its terrifying, but is eminently manageable, on the right meds. Sending love to you.

Thestrangestthing · 22/01/2020 01:48

This happened to my mums little yorkie. She was a fair age and had to be pts. Sorry op.

Pretenditsaplan · 22/01/2020 02:02

I hate to bring it up but if it happens and i didnt id feel terrible. Some dogs after a seizure aren't "with it" and can become scared and lash out. So just be very careful as she comes round and be ready to move away if she shows any signs of fear or aggression. A relatives dog had this happen whilst out on a walk and a passerby tried to help even though she warned him to get back (it was a massive old english sheepdog). He didnt and while the dog was coming out of the seizure he lashed out and bite the guys face quite badly. She had to have him put to sleep because the idiot tried to say it was her fault even though shed been very clear not to go near him when it happened and the stranger insisted 'he knew best'.

CarolinaPink · 22/01/2020 02:29

A similar thing happened to my 8 year old otherwise healthy terrier two years ago. The following morning she died. I hope all goes well for you and your dog. Don’t let her suffer if the vet thinks she may be in pain or fear Flowers

Sadiee88 · 22/01/2020 07:21

@Seeleyboo agree the scream may not be pain, but would still want a vet to see the dog. I’m sure your dog means a lot to you and you don’t want them to suffer. So sad, x

Graceymac99 · 22/01/2020 07:28

My dog had a number of seizures and following an extremely rapid normal MRI (a human would never be seen as quickly) she was prescribed phenobarbital and remain obit for 3 years. This helped to reduce the seizures but she was never seizure free. It is very hard to witness. The animal is not aware of it during the seizure but would be exhausted afterwards just like a person would be. Obviously there can be other serious medical issues that can cause seizures do you would any to rule them out.

Graceymac99 · 22/01/2020 07:29

Sorry typing on my phone!

Original poster
Seeleyboo · 22/01/2020 09:44

Thank you all. She will be running over the rainbow today to find her pot of gold at 4.30.

OP posts:
Pardonwhat · 22/01/2020 09:49

Seeleyboo

It’ll be one of the hardest days of your life, I don’t envy you.
But the feeling of relief you’ll feel for her knowing that she’s peaceful will hopefully go some way to helping you hold it together Flowers.
Selfless choice.

Scoose · 22/01/2020 09:53

I'm so sorry seeleyboo

Lolwhat · 22/01/2020 10:11

My 4 year old chihuahua passed away in October from seizures, we never found out what the cause was, she needs to have 3 in 24 hours before she needs a vet x

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