Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 11/21/2009

Question
Recently my husband & I (and our chihuaua) made a move from CA to WA. During the drive I started noticing the "chewing gum" that she was doing. She wouldn't eat much during our drive so we were feeding her deli cuts and whatever else we could get her to eat or drink.

Shortly after getting to our new destination, after returing from breakfast one morning we found she had pottied in her crate (which she has never done) and while my husband was walking her (I got stuck cleaning the crate! haha) our dogs legs locked up.

We frantically drove her to the emergency vet, and she was fine by the time we got her in the car.

She is a happy healthy dog.

The next day, my husband was home with our dog and he was getting ready to head to the gym. Took her out. And a few minutes later she did the same thing.

The Vet started her on Potassium Bromide.

I'm wondering if she has epilepsy, or if this is stress related.

She is still doing the "chewing gum" all the time before she falls asleep.

What should I do during a seizure? & Will she have to be medicated her whole life, or once we get settled can we ween her off the meds and see how she does?

Thank You,
New to this seizure stuff Mommy

Answer
Brittany -

You should have your dog's bloodwork evaluated after being on the potassium bromide for thirty days and whenever your vet determines it is necessary to review her bloodwork.  There should be a certain amount of potassium bromide in her system in order to regulate the seizures and bloodwork will help you to determine if she is taking the right dose.

I do not recommend just taking her off the medication.  Your vet can determine when or if  the medication should be discontinued.

When she is having a seizure, you should just try to help her relax and provide her with a quiet environment after the seizure.  There is not much you can do when an animal has a seizure.


Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM