BIG SCARE..please help!

Submitted by newtoenglishbulldogs on April 21, 2011 - 7:57pm

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Gemma is 10 months old now. Last night she was in a deep sleep and started to have a seizure, at first I thought she was just having a bad dream but then it got worse. I tried to move her upright but nothing helped. I was so scared that I don't know how long the whole thing lasted, thick drool was also coming out her mouth. After she had a hard time walking and it seemed like her left side was somewhat numb and also her left eye was drooping. This whole thing from start to finish probably lasted 25 mins until almost fully back to normal, during the last 10 minutes she wanted to eat and drink as normal also. I was nervous to leave her alone during the night so I stayed with her and she seemed completely normal. This am I do notice a little droop to her left eye lid but other than that she seems fine. I live in China so it is difficult for me to just contact the vet to ask questions. I plan to take her today but because of the language barrier I want to be a little informed as to what he may tell me.to do (test etc) Anyone this this could have been caused by choking or bad food? I guess i'm trying to hope for the best and that it doesn't happen again. I don't want to make it into a huge deal if it isn't and do tests that aren't needed.

Thanks

Lisa..and Gemma

I don't think bad food or anything...

Submitted by Kathy Chester N... on April 21, 2011 - 10:36pm.

like that could cause the drooping. I have seen one of my guys do a passing out/dropping to the ground while vomiting, but they always came right out of it and were totally normal afterward. Hope the vet can figure it out.

I just got back from the vet

Submitted by newtoenglishbulldogs on April 21, 2011 - 11:34pm.

I just got back from the vet and he couldn't find anything wrong with her. He said that all her airways were clear and he looked at her eye movement and said it was normal as well. The way he explained it was that she may have choked or something like that in her sleep, when that happened it sent a message to her brain that it couldn't get any air which caused the sezure. I hope it was just a freak thing and that it won't happen again!! Im just supposed to really watch her over the next couple days and if it happens again they will do xrays and more tests. Fingers crossed

Well, that's good news...

Submitted by Kathy Chester N... on April 22, 2011 - 12:59am.

Hopefully, it was an isolated incident. These bulldogs can sure give you gray hairs!

I thought I had good news

Submitted by newtoenglishbulldogs on April 22, 2011 - 4:51am.

I thought I had good news until it happened again shortly after I was home. Took her back to the vet and they don't know what is wrong, for sure her heart rate is now irregular. At this point the vet thinks it is a circulation issue or that she has epilipsy. I'm hoping to get more tests done tomorrow, i'd feel better if all the small things were ruled out first. The vet also recommended getting a CT done.

Bad, bad day, my sweet girl :(

Please keep us updated

Submitted by Monica-Maude-Gus on April 22, 2011 - 9:52am.

If it is epilepsy, there are lots of meds that can control seizures and keep Gemma happy and comfortable. I hope your vet can find out what is happening and Gemma can get back to her healthy self again very soon.

__________________

Monica, Maude and Gus

have you given her any meds?

Submitted by CathyandAudrey on April 22, 2011 - 12:57pm.

heartworm or flea preventitives?

__________________

Cathy and Audrey

No, no meds at all. In China

Submitted by newtoenglishbulldogs on April 22, 2011 - 7:14pm.

No, no meds at all. In China there aren't many fleas so I don't give her meds for that. I'm nervous, i'm hoping it is simple. I'm also wishing I had a vet in the USA right now, it would be a lot easier for me.

Thanks everyone. I'll give an update when I get back from getting blood work this am. She hasn't had a seizure since yesterday afternoon. That is good but not knowing when another may come on is the scary part.

UPDATE

Submitted by newtoenglishbulldogs on April 23, 2011 - 4:45am.

After blood work being done this am the vet's conclusion is that Gemma has epilepsy. When her blood work came back he did say her immune system was somewhat weak also. We were going to have a CT done tomorrow but we decided that we will try to control the seizures with some meds, if the meds don't take care of the problem then we will get the CT done. After all, the CT wouldn't tell us nervous system problems only if there is a growth or something similiar. Hope we made the right decision.

Underlying cause

Submitted by BuddaMom on May 2, 2011 - 1:29am.

I hope Gemma's seizures have gotten under control. It must be very scary for you both. I'd still try to figure out if there is an underlying cause, an electrolyte imbalance, underlying disease process, etc. There are so many things that can trigger a seizure.

Good luck!

Thanks. So far no more

Submitted by newtoenglishbulldogs on May 2, 2011 - 2:01am.

Thanks. So far no more seizures. You are right, I wish I REALLY knew what the cause was. As the vet backs off the seizure medicine I guess we will find out, hopefully she can get the doseage lowered monthly. Yes, i'd like to know the problem but being in China it is difficult to get all the tests done that are able to be done in the USA, plus the knowledge isn't as good either.