Expert: Marie Peppers / The Boston Terrier Lady - 9/7/2008

Question
I have a female Boston Terrier, Callie, who is just shy of turning 10 months old. I've had her since she was 3 months old.

In the very early morning (3:30 am EST) on 9/1, I awoke to find her small body convulsing beside me in the bed. Once the seizure ended, I rushed her to an emergency pet clinic. They did some blood work, although I'm not sure how extensive or in depth it was, and diagnosed it as idiopathic epilepsy. I contacted our normal vet and scheduled a visit ASAP, which was Thursday the 4th.

She didn't order additional blood work, as she wanted to first see what panels the other clinic had run. But, she said that she doesn't medicate for seizures until the animal has had more than one in any month or in any one day. She instructed that I begin a seizure log to track future activity, if any, and unfortunately I had to put it to use not even a full week later.

On Sunday, 9/7 at 7:10 am EST, Callie had another seizure. I handled this one much better, having an idea what it was and knowing how I could best help her. More troubling, however, is that at 5:50 pm EST on the same day (9/7) while taking a nap with me, she suffered another one!

Each one has exhibited the same characteristics: (1)She has been asleep just prior to the onset of each of the three known seizures. (2)They have lasted from onset to end (where she's alert and herself again) about 3-5 minutes. (3)Frothy saliva begins pouring from her mouth before she loses coordination, balance, and what seems like total consciousness. (4)Then the actual convulsions begin with the entire body thrashing and jerking, while the muscles remain tightened and tense. (5)They stop and she regains consciousness.

Callie is an AKC Registered Boston. Is this medical issue of idiopathic epilepsy hereditary in nature? The information on the internet is somewhat conflicting on that fact. Would one or both of her parents have exhibited signs of this illness?

Answer
Hi - I understand your concern for little Callie.... This can happen to many breeds, it is not just a Boston disease.  It is hard to say if this was hereditary because she has not exhibited a seizure until 10 months old.

I believe she has had enough now to be treated with a small dosage of phenobarbital 1-2 x per day - also, she will need blood tests in about 30 days for the blood level of this drug.  Once they get her regulated she will only need blood work every 2-3 months.
The drug is also very low cost.

I have had many customers, at my Doggie Hotel, with seizure activity.  With good medication, we don't see seizures too often at all. Make sure your baby is on a good vitamin supplement and quality food. The Immune System and Good nutrition is a big plus.

I refer many of my clients to NuVET Plus - here is the link.

http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html

Anyway, tell your vet that you want her on Phenobarbital right away.  She has had enough to prove that she needs some medication control.

BEST wishes...

Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net
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