Poor vet care

[atthedisco]

Hi all,

Not quite sure why I'm posting but think I'm just at the end of my rope with worry!

My little ddog has had roughly 3 grand mal seizures in his 5 year little, all with over a year between them. In the past vets have said only come back if the seizures become more frequent. Then in the last 6 months something strange has started happening with ddog, it's almost like a mini seizure, though he is awake each time. Symptoms are shaking, head bobbing, unable to walk or stand and limbs quivering.

I've just been to the vet and after showing her a video of one of these episodes she said it's 'attention seeking behaviour' and he's putting it on so that someone will film him. ?! I'm flabbergasted.

I'm obviously going to get a second opinion but has anyone hear heard of anything similar? I'm driving myself crazy with worry 😟

My initial thought would be done kind of absence seizure. I would definitely recommend a second opinion. Your vet sounds crap.

Hello. I’m a vet, and wouldn’t dismiss this as attention seeking. I would find a different practice. Do you have insurance? Referral to a veterinary neurologist may be necessary.

What the...? That is ridiculous to suggest that's its behavioural.

Coincidentally I've had two dogs who have had unexplained seizures.

My late dog underwent allsorts of tests and an MRI scan and all inconclusive. Her seizures were all when she was under 6 years old. She had 4.

My current dog has had 3 seizures, all mild. The signs you describe are what I've seen my dog do, too. His tests were inconclusive and the vet suggested it might over exertion like a spasm. I was asked to try and film it, I did and that's what they concluded from what they saw. The times he had them did lend themselves to that theory. He is 10 now and hasn't experienced any for 2/3 years.

Christ, find a new vet sharpish.

Thanks for all your replies, I'm just so worried about him.

I am definitely going to transfer to the other vet's practice in town and get a second opinion there. But to be honest I'm furious my current vet dismissed us in this way, she didn't even examine ddog in any way, look in eyes/ears/listen to heart. I can't believe I paid £40 to be told he's making it up when he's clearly unwell.

I'm going to try and research into absence seizures as I'd never heard of them, thank you for the heads up, @romdowa

Sounds similar to my old boy (he’s almost 16 and his only started this year) and the vet thinks they are probably partial seizures, which may progress to full seizures in time. She sees him monthly for a full MOT and has done lots of checks, full bloods and is consulting with a specialist veterinary neurologist.

Find it odd the vet thinks your dog is capable of what sounds like an Oscar winning performance for attention and not trust you'd know what was abnormal behaviour for your own dog.

My friends dog had some kind of awake seizure he'd shake and lose balance and has been fine since medicated, he wasn't insured so didn't see a neurologist or have any scans.

Perhaps if new vets diagnose something they missed you could try complaining to practice manager for refund of the waste of time consult, though you may just be relieved to have escaped to a better vets by then.

I had an epileptic dog who had partial seizures, cluster seizures and frequent full-on seizures which were fairly well controlled with medication. I met many different vets, some who were knowledgeable and helpful, others who knew next to nothing about it.
It’s frightening and worrying so you need a good vet.

Thank you all, I think that's a good idea about considering speaking to practice manager in time. I am now in the process of switching vets and have a new appointment for Friday.

Thank you for those who have shared similar experiences, it's the most awful thing to watch my little buddy so fragile and vulnerable. Seizures are awful.

I'm not a vet... but am pretty experienced with seizures (my job is with severely disabled children, many of whom have epilepsy) and I would stake my salary that your dog is having smaller seizures and that your vet is bloody awful!

Fingers crossed the new vet is better!

I have an epileptic dog. Your vet sounds crap. Change your vets. Dogs can have focal seizures as well as epileptic mine does. Not every seizure is paddling about. Change your vets they should be taking it seriously.

Our puppy has epilepsy and the vets have been great. The first time she wasn't sure and said it could be a panic attack but once we filmed them he was immediately referred to a specialist. I don't think we'd cope if the vet ignored them, it's harrowing to watch.

In fact if anyone is further down the line than us and can give advice I'd be very grateful. We're just trying to get his phenobarbital levels right which is tricky as he's still growing.