seizures...and anti-seizure meds

trini

trini

Forums Sage
As many of you know, my little shelter boy, Mickey, had an MRI done on his spine and brain 3 months ago due to episodes of stumbling, falling and losing motor ability that were thought to be spinal related and painful. Brain MRI was normal, spinal showed 3 different abnormalities. Mick had been doing well on 1 dose of Gabapentin 100mg daily (supposedly to help with any pain due to spinal issues) until 2 weeks ago when suddenly he went through 4 "episodes" in just over a week. I was able to get a video of one of these episodes and took it to the neuro surgeon who was working with Mickey. After watching the video and consulting with 2 other canine neuro specialists who also viewed the video, their dx is probable seizures...not spinal related at all.

I have had 2 dogs with seizures, one with grand mal clusters, one with psycho motor and focal seizures, but never seen seizures that present as Mickey's are doing. However, I know seizures can present very differently depending on many factors.

Little Mickey has now had his Gabapentin dose increased to 3 pills daily at 100mg each...and his Dr. says that can be safely doubled to 6 pills daily if needed. I had been unaware that Gabapentin had anti-seizure potential as well as it's more traditional use as a nerve pain med. Hopefully the increased dose will help little Mick and keep us from having to put him on other anti-seizure meds that have some degree of negative side effects. According to the neuro specialist that Mickey sees, Gabapentin has not been shown to have any negative long term side effects.

If indeed the Gabapentin works to control Mickey's seizures, it might mean that seizure control could be obtained for many dogs without the use of the more traditional anti-seizure meds. I will post if this does work for little Mick in the long run.

Luckily Mickey remains a happy, love life, always smiling little guy in spite of so many health issues.

Trini
 
Please keep us posted on Micky and the use of Gabapentin to control seizures.
I hope this ultimately works for him and the need for more conventional meds are not needed.

Could you explain the differences between grand mal clusters and psycho motor and focal seizures?

Thanks!
Dani
 
fuzbuttsheltie said:
Please keep us posted on Micky and the use of Gabapentin to control seizures.
I hope this ultimately works for him and the need for more conventional meds are not needed.

Could you explain the differences between grand mal clusters and psycho motor and focal seizures?

Thanks!
Dani
Click to expand...

Thanks for the good wishes for Mickey.

During a grand mal seizure the dog loses consciousness, loses control of all bodily functions, eyes are open but "blind", no blinking, uncontrolled body movements...typically leg thrashing and mouth chattering. Cluster grand mals are when the seizures repeat, with little to no recoup time between. Clusters are very dangerous since the dog's brain can easily overheat....this is an emergency situation and can be deadly if the clusters can't be stopped. There is typically a very defined post seizure time where the dog is conscious but still "blind", confused, and not fully stable in movement and needs to be kept in a safe area where he/she can't fall down stairs or get hurt in other ways. The longer the duration of a grand mal, the longer the recoup time...which can last from several minutes to many hours.

Focal seizures usually involve one part of the body only...often present as an abnormal, repeat movement of facial/mouth muscles. "Fly biting" is often clumped into the classification of focal seizures. The dog remains fully conscious and although they may seem tired after the seizure period, there is seldom a defined recoup time.

Psycho-motor seizures tend to present as if the dog "sees something" that causes a fear reaction...but there is nothing to see. The dog will suddenly stop and stare at a blank wall or into space...back up as if afraid...stare...back up...this fear reaction process can last from minutes to several hours. The dog is conscious, but doesn't respond to any attempt to interrupt the process of "see...fear...back up".

The above descriptions are from my own dog's seizures...if you google canine seizures you will get a much more in depth description of the entire range of seizures. It would take pages to type it all out here.

Grand mals are definitely the scariest and have the most risk to the life of the doggie.

Trini
 
I'm sure glad to hear this medicine increase seems to offer Mickey much needed relief, will keep your baby in my thoughts and prayers. :fl
 
Gabapentin has been long used in humans for seizures....was actually originally developed for epilepsy. I use it in many of my patients with focal seizures and as an adjunct in partial or mixed seizures....lower side effects and good tolerability.

Hope it works for your dear pup.....sending love your way!:hugs
 
Mitchy said:
Gabapentin has been long used in humans for seizures....was actually originally developed for epilepsy. I use it in many of my patients with focal seizures and as an adjunct in partial or mixed seizures....lower side effects and good tolerability.

Hope it works for your dear pup.....sending love your way!:hugs
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info...I didn't know it had that history of use for human seizures. It is interesting to see how many "human" medications are now being used in vet work too.

And thanks also for the good wishes for our wee Mickey.

Trini
 
Sullivan said:
I'm sure glad to hear this medicine increase seems to offer Mickey much needed relief, will keep your baby in my thoughts and prayers. :fl
Click to expand...

:smile2: Thanks...I have told Mickey he has some good SN friends all wishing him well.

Trini
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top