I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?

[Be as you are...]

Hello guys. Here is the situation. I have a 14 mo. female who is the best dog God ever created :7 But, we are having a little issue.

We first noticed that she had really extreme "puppy dreams". While asleep she will twitch, whine, whimper, bark etc... We just figured it was nothing. A couple of times she has pee'd on our beds. I thought it was a behavioral thing, or figured that my kids were not properly supervising whene we were not home.

She normally sleeps between my husband and I at night. We kick her off when we are ready to sleep and she normally crawls back up around 3 or so in the morning.

Last night she was asleep on my husbands feet, and her "puppy dream" actually woke him up. Then he felt his feet get real warm and real wet... :9 ok- so I thouhgt that was a little funny. He jumped up which in turn woke her up and we realized that she is doing this in her sleep.

My son has epilepsy so I am fairly familiar with the human side of this, but I don't believe that if a dog or person is having a seizure you can wake them out of it, so while I doubt she has epilepsy I am not totally ruling it out.

I am taking her to the vet next week to see what she has to say but wanted to get some opinions here if you have one.

TIA- this board has been very helpful!

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[Devil Dog]

RE: I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?


I'm not familiar with Epilepsy in dogs, except that I found out when someone wanted to breed to my Black Dane, along time ago...that in people it is NOT a genetic thing, whereas in dogs it is.

This breeder had 2 Champion Black Dane bitches....both of whom had Epilepsy.
When I told him no to the breeding...he got irate. First at my refusal to breed and second that I had found out.

With your girl...it is normal for Danes to have very vivid dreams, sometimes violent acting out.
As for the release of urine...maybe part of the dream or a slight urinary problem.

Good Luck...and when you find out, please let us know.

Dee :P :P

[Ellen]

RE: I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?

There are a number of videos online. Try a search of "canine epilepsy video". Good luck!

[trainer]

RE: I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?

From your description, I think you can safely rule out epilepsy. My Zack had seizures before he finally left us and no you can not in any way wake them up from a seizure. Puppies (and dogs) "run" in their sleep. My 5 year old Abby runs a lot as well as barks and sometimes howls.

Bill Carnes
www.skylarzack.com
www.k9goodbehavior.com

"Unnatural diets predispose animals to unnatural outcomes"
Dr. Tom Lonsdale

Causing pain, either physical, mental, or emotional to an animal to force him to act as you think he should is wrong. It was wrong yesterday, it's wrong today, and it will be wrong tomorrow. Doing so only reflects the ignorance of the trainer. There IS a better way.

[pipersmommy]

RE: I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?

Hello,

I had a dalmation who suffered from epilepsy. Her seizures were very violent, and there was no mistaking them for dreams. I would just hold her head and "try" to help her through them. Also, they were not limited. She had them during day and night. Are you seeing any "odd" behavior during the day? Just a thought.

Although she did loose bladder control during her seizures, like Trainer, I don't think it's a seizure, as you would know it and not question it.

becky
Life is a wonderful journey!

[Be as you are...]

RE: I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?

Thanks, that is what I figured. I certainly know when my son has one- there is no mistaking it. Although in my son's case, a seizure will only hit at night, or immediatly upon waking in the morning. So it was easy to jump to that conclusion.

I have not noticed any odd behavior during the day- just "dane" stuff

Maybe she is just a really deep sleeper... dunno.

:+

[Be as you are...]

RE: I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?

How do they test for epilepsy in dogs? EEG?

[Dodger257]

RE: I think I need some opinions... Epilepsy?

My Sophie has grand mal seizures. No, you can not wake them from it. In fact, when they are done, they do not know anything. Not even who you are and they can become violent, because they are very scared. Which she does.

As far as testing for epilepsy, it is a rule this out and rule that out. There is no specific way of diagnoising. We had several tests done, bloodwork, to check different levels of this and that, and basically, the vet said all was good and that he would have to say it was epilipsy based on the fact that they couldn't find anything else wrong with her. We could do other tests, like exrays, mri's etc. but he didn't feel they were needed. Just a waste of money since all bloodwork turned out ok. So he put her on phenobarbital twice a day for a month. Then down to 1x per day for 2 weeks. Now she is 1 pill every other day. He wants to get her on the lowest possible dose. So far no more seizures. This med makes her very sleepy, so she is finally becoming herself again.

To me, it sounds like your baby is just a very active dreamer. We have 2 danes, and between them we can and are kicked off of our bed if they are both activly dreaming at the same time. They have their own bed in our room, but generally end up in bed with us at some point during the night.

Good luck.