Ask the Veterinarian/Dogs and fits

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Expert: - 2/23/2010


Question
My friends dog, a standard poodle, has just had her first ever fit. The bitch is 4 years old and has had no previous health problems. A blood test has shown protein , low sugar and high cholesteral and the vet thinks it¬s WOBBLES. Could you please tell me what this is and how it is likely to effect the dog.

Answer
Wobbles is pretty rare in dogs and seizures are not related to them generally. Standard Poodles are not even on the list for this disease. From wikipedia:"The disease tends to be gradually progressive. Symptoms such as weakness, ataxia, and dragging of the toes start in the rear legs. Dogs often have a crouching stance with a downward flexed neck. The disease progresses to the front legs, but the symptoms are less severe. Neck pain is sometimes seen. Symptoms are usually gradual in onset but may progress rapidly following trauma." As you can see, seizures are not even mentioned.  

More likely the dog is developing epilepsy, which is not uncommon and age 3-5 is when dogs are generally first affected by seizures. It is a common finding but can be controlled by inexpensive drugs.  

Low blood sugar can indicate hypoglycemia in a dog, which may or may not be related to the seizures. High protein however, has been found to be associated with seizures unrelated to epilepsy or can exacerbate epileptic seizures.

My question to you is this-did the vet take xrays of the neck of this dog? You cannot diagnose 'wobbles' without radiographs of the neck area.
Did he do any kind of tests for diabetes? Yes the dog had low blood sugar but so do diabetics when they go into a coma.
Did he check for kidney or liver function?
Abnormal proteins and ammonia in the blood can cause seizures and the liver creates ammonia in the blood stream from too much protein which can lead to seizures.

So these are the things you need to take to your friend and the vet. If this vet won't do these things or insists that it wobbles, I would see a new vet.  

I would be grateful if you would keep me informed about this dog's progress and diagnosis.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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