I'm losing my mind because we're still in Hawaii. I got a call this afternoon from one of our house sitters that Shadow was "twitching and drooling" and my vet wasn't answering the phone. It was after 8:00 PM back home, so I sent her directly to the E-Vet and told her to describe exactly what happened.

Turns out she'd actually had 2 seizures today, and she's spending the night under observation. They called later this evening to update me, saying Shadow was acting more normal and she hadn't had anymore seizures. Her blood work all came back completely normal, but they have one more liver test to run that she has to be fasted before they can do it. She's going to be seen by the neurologist first thing in the morning, so hopefully we'll have some answers then. The bloodwork indicates its most likely not a toxicity or metabolic issue, and from what I've read inherited epilepsy often manifests before a year old. Neither parent has a history of seizures, but they are both well under 2 years old and since she's a rescue we have absolutely no clue what her lineage is.

I'm hoping some of our members with vet experience, as well as other folks who have had to deal with this will chime in. I'm really hoping that this was just a one time occurrence and we won't have any more issues, but I'm also realistic with there being 2 in a day. There may have been another very brief episode shortly after we left as well. We do have black widows around the house, but she didn't present with classic widow bite symptoms. She also was deprived of oxygen at birth due to fluid aspiration, and had to be resuscitated. She may have gotten slight brain damage then. She also had a really bad collision with Ghost in the yard about a month ago, and I've read that post concussion seizures can take several weeks to manifest. Like I said, looking for some input from you guys who have some experience with this, and I'll update as we get more information. I also love that I'll be on airplanes for like 10 hours tomorrow night...

So sorry to hear that Meredith. After our recent ordeal with Faith, my heart dropped when I saw this thread. I don't have experience with epileptic dogs, but wanted to say that you're in my thoughts along with Shadow.

Do you know how long the seizures are lasting? Is Shadow acting normal outside of her episodes?

I know dogs can live decent lives with epilepsy but I just haven't ever dealt with it first hand. I can't imagine how you're feeling, wish I could give you and Shadow a hug.

Unless it presents itself again, you won't get many hard and true answers I'm afraid. I'm sorry to hear this... The woman who I think was Ewes breeder emailed me about 8 months ago letting me know that her female had started presenting with seizures. She then went around and had a litter 3 months ago but that's a different rant. So it's in the back of my mind too.

It can be managed with medication if she starts presenting... I know there's a whole thing with seizure diets so I would start my search there. I'm glad you're seeing a neuro for her, I hope that provides insight.

I'm so sorry Meredith. It must be heartbreaking and scary that you aren't there with her to figure it all out. I have no experience with seizures, but I just wanted to say I hope you get some answers. How is your house sitter dealing with it? When are you heading home?

Im sorry.. I would be freaking out if i was on vacation. Sounds like shadow is doing better.. Please keep us posted and try to have a good vacation still.

My only experience with seizures was with my parents golden. He had 3 or 4 sporadically when he was around 1-2 years old. It turned out that it was the pesticide they had been using on their trees in the back yard. They were having them sprayed by trugreen. The vet wasn't able to find anything, but we figured it out through correlation. He would have them within 24 hours of the application. Once they stopped spraying the trees, the seizures stopped, so for him, it was environmental. I hope its something simple like that for her. Maybe try to think if there is anything new in your house/yard that could cause it, new chemicals, carpets, drapes, stuff like that. I'm praying for you guys!

I'm glad to see this update today. I thought of her all last night after we spoke and was hoping for positive news. With luck this is a minor incident, please keep us very posted.

Oh Meredith hoping everything turns out okay.. DO keep us informed..

So sorry to hear this..hope everything is ok, keep us updated.

Oh Meredith I'm sorry, I got a knot on my stomach reading your post. We're all pulling for lil Shadow.

First, so sorry to hear. I know this can be very hard. First, take a deep breath. It is good they subsided.

I agree on environmental things and sometimes it will not present in test. It could be a one time thing and it is over. Most likely I'm thinking they won't be able to give you that answer (indicate it was a one time thing), so you will need to continue to watch and see what the neurologist indicates. Typically, I don't think they medicate with one occurance. Though I may suggest to have pheno pills onhand and how to dose if a seizure comes up as the sooner it is in bloodstream, the more likely it can prevent additional seizures.

Are you familiar with seizures? Have you witnessed one? If not, possibly watch some videos. It is hard to watch, but may prepare you since you didn't experience these 2 seizures. The important thing is to stay clam, keep your hands away from the mouth, and ensure the dog's head is safe. I usually will put a pillow, blanket, sweatshirt or in rare cases my hand just below my dogs head, away from her mouth. When I must hold her head, I sit behind her back in the middle to avoid her legs kicking me and mess from both ends. It last a few minutes at most, but then the aftermath is about 30 minutes. Once she is fully recovered after 30 minutes, typically it is bath and shower time as it can be messy. During recovery, I sit with her as she will try to stand up but have almost no coordination. Possibly causing falls, so I just speak in soothing voice and keep her laying down. Sorry if this is too much information, but this is honestly the hardest part to deal with, so I thought it may help.

She doesn't appear to remember what happened. Also, there are warning signs. For my dog, it is a weird daze that last for many seconds where her eyes are open, but she seems gone - glazed over. Then, she becomes stiff and locks up. After years of dealing with it, I was always on the look out since it was always same routine especially if she was on stairs or carpeting as I would be able to get her to safe place.

With how tramatic it looks, when it is all said and done, my dog Lexi acts like nothing happened.

With the said, my dog has been on and off pheno for years. She is currently off of it and knock on wood doing good at 11 years old. She had some liver issues, so no seizure meds now as they can impact liver (though her pheno tests were fine). I keep it onhand if seizures start up. What is good is for the longest time when my dog was not medicated, she could not be put in stressful situations without seizing. This meant going for walks and runs as she as lower confidence and it would cause seizures (seemed unique to her), which is hard for her since she is higher energy but we played fetch and frisbee a lot. At this time, she is still doing good on walks and has not had seizure in over a year. The vet said maybe the liver meds (denosyl) flushed something out that had been in her system for a long time (seizures started when she was much younger years ago). She continues to be on denosyl (which kind of bites as it is more expensive but in the end it is safer for her). Her last bout of seizures lasted 2 days and generated 15 seizures every few hours. My vet is not sure what happened to stop the seizures, so only suggested related to liver/denosyl, but she had done multiple full blood panels over the years.

I also asked about her food all the time. My vet indicated it should not cause or impact seizures. I tried different foods without success, but never a raw diet.

Wishing you and shadow the best and that the neurologist can provide additional insight for you!

I'm so sorry, i hope everything is ok.

Thanks guys.  I just got off the phone with the neurologist and we had a fairly lengthy conversation. He said she's for all intents and purposes back to normal, but he is concerned about how quiet and chill she is. I've wondered the whole time we've had her about that, she just doesn't act like a normal Husky puppy.

Anyway, he said with the age of onset being so young, it's probably not idiopathic seizures. There is one liver function test pending, and if that comes back normal she will get an MRI. Thankfully this came at the end of our vacation, and our flight back is in about 3.5 hours. We will land back at BWI at 0630 tomorrow morning.

I swear, I'm never going on vacation again. The last time I went away for this long, my cat died.

I'm so sorry Meredith! Being away from home can only make it that much worse.

I hope it isn't anything to severe, and if it turns out she is an Epi-Husky, she can be managed with either holistic means or through medication.

My thoughts and prayers on with you and your pack!

Sending good vibes your way, Meredith. I hope Shadow will be okay.

Liver function test came back normal, MRI is on Friday.

I know I talked to Dr. Miller about seizures and she had a case where a dog had severe seizures and often. The dog was admitted to the ER where she cared for the dog and they actually found that it was managed more efficiently via holistic means in this particular case. I can't remember who I asked for - maybe it was you? If you want me to ask again, let me know.

I'm hoping you'll get some answers with the MRI or maybe this is a one-time thing? In any case, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Shadow and hoping for a good outcome.

Wow Meredith I am so sorry to hear about what's going on! Poor baby, I hope you find out what's going on with her soon. Keeping you guys in my thoughts and hoping Friday delivers good news for you!

Meredith I was sick when I read this I am so sorry that poor little Shadow is having these problems! I'll keep her and you guys in my prayers, please let us know how it all goes on Friday, and please safe travels home!

Shoot, I'm sorry I missed this thread, I hope you can get it all figured out! I hate going away from the dogs for any amount of time as I'm always worried something will happen. At least ur sitter caught it and she got taken in. Having delt with sierra having them it is a scary thing to watch, she has had them due to stress, un known and from meds. Her last one was her birthday in march. Hope u get home safe and take care of shadow.

Do you know if any of the other puppies are having these issues??? Would it mean anything if they were or if they weren't??

No, I've contacted the other owners and so far no one else is showing symptoms. If it turns out to be something potentially hereditary I'll be sure to let them know though.

Meredith I am so sorry I just caught this thread as I missed it. I wish I could be of help but my only experience is with "old age" siezures. (16yr old husky). It is scary but hopefully you get more information with the MIR. Safe travels. You guys are in my thoughts please keep us updated

And she just had another one. I had her and Lulu out in the yard to go potty and I heard her sort of flop down and it started. Looked to me like a classic grand mal, as far as I could tell it lasted around a minute but I didn't have anything with me to keep track of the time.

Poor Shadow, hope you gets some answers soon Meredith!