[Doppelganger0337]

So today I took Bandit to the vet because he had a weird episode last night that I was concerned about. Basically he was laying like he usually does (on his back with his hind legs spread and his head cocked to the side) but he seemed odd... I don't really know how to explain it but I was worried and started feeling his head and his neck was very stiff and I couldn't get him to move or straighten his neck. I stood him up and he stood frozen for a moment before finally shaking himself off and seeming going back to normal, maybe a bit more tired?

When I took him to the vet I had a few other questions to clear up while I was there. They gave me a whole sheet of paper clearly explaining the dosage of Benedryl I can give him to try and help his spring/summertime itching. I explained to my vet about Bandit's raw diet (He had never heard of it before, but said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and only made sure I was giving him meat that's safe for human consumption, which I assured him I do) He actually commended me on Bandit's weight and said he was in perfect shape! That was great to hear after all the comments at home about thinking he isn't getting enough calories or he's too skinny.

But, back to the main issue a vet tech told me that she thought he might have pinched a nerve. But the vet said that he believes it was a mild seizure. The testing to find out what caused the seizure was very expensive and he didn't recommend it because he believes it would most likely come out as idiopathic (I think?) and that just means we don't know what causes it. He sent me home with some medicine to give him if he has another episode. I feel bad passing on the testing but I really can't afford it right now and I'm going to wait and see if he as another episode like that.

I really like this vet's laid-back attitude on PMR, he had never heard of it but was extremely respectful when he voiced his concerns and never tried to sway me away from it. I'm concerned with the difference in opinion between the vet tech and the vet when it comes to what caused his episode last night. But I tend to believe the veterinarian because, well he's a veterinarian and he was also much older and obviously more experienced then she was.

Bandit seems pretty lethargic right now but I think that's because of the extended car rides (almost an hour each way!) because the BF said he was super energetic this morning. I's super hot in the Panhandle today and neither car has the best air conditioning, so I think he's just tuckered out.

I think I'm panicking and overthinking things. But having a vet confirm my suspicion that it was a seizure is freaking me out pretty badly. I honestly don't know what I would do without this dog!

 

[Chas]

I think you found a good vet, giving you all the options available and giving the reasons why he suggests a particular course of action is great. Don't feel bad for passing on the testing, if the results were likely to be idiopathic then it wouldn't change the treatment at all and would just cause Bandit unnecessary stress.

The vet tech isn't a diagnostician, I suspect they were trying to reassure you? The vet would consult with them and use their observations as well as his own to come to a diagnosis. I doubt the pinched nerve was missed as an option, in the notes you'd probably find it as a differential diagnosis.

You can always call them with questions, they are usually happy to respond.

 

[Doppelganger0337]

I think you found a good vet, giving you all the options available and giving the reasons why he suggests a particular course of action is great. Don't feel bad for passing on the testing, if the results were likely to be idiopathic then it wouldn't change the treatment at all and would just cause Bandit unnecessary stress.

The vet tech isn't a diagnostician, I suspect they were trying to reassure you? The vet would consult with them and use their observations as well as his own to come to a diagnosis. I doubt the pinched nerve was missed as an option, in the notes you'd probably find it as a differential diagnosis.

You can always call them with questions, they are usually happy to respond.

Thanks! I think I was holding onto what the vet tech said because it sounded much less scary then unexplainable seizures. I definitely think I was right about the car rides making him tired yesterday because this morning he was super zoomie and playing when I took him potty.

 

[Jenibelle]

Before I even read about the vet saying seizure, the word "seizure" immediately popped into my head after reading your dogs symptoms. I'm going to assume it was probably the seizure that made your dog tired, not the car rides. Seizures take a lot out of them, but they tend to perk back up rather quickly as you've seen!

Don't worry about it too much, if possible. My dog also has rare seizures. Sometimes the frozen ones like you explained, sometimes actual thrashing ones which are much scarier for the human to witness.

He isn't on medication. His are so far and few between that the vet agreed that the side effects would be worse than the benefits. Other than the rare seizure, he's very fit and healthy. I wouldn't worry about them shortening your dogs life unless they get much more serious!

 

[Doppelganger0337]

Before I even read about the vet saying seizure, the word "seizure" immediately popped into my head after reading your dogs symptoms. I'm going to assume it was probably the seizure that made your dog tired, not the car rides. Seizures take a lot out of them, but they tend to perk back up rather quickly as you've seen!

Don't worry about it too much, if possible. My dog also has rare seizures. Sometimes the frozen ones like you explained, sometimes actual thrashing ones which are much scarier for the human to witness.

He isn't on medication. His are so far and few between that the vet agreed that the side effects would be worse than the benefits. Other than the rare seizure, he's very fit and healthy. I wouldn't worry about them shortening your dogs life unless they get much more serious!

Thank you! His seizure had happened the previous night but I didn't have the money for the emergency vet so I waited. The medicine the vet gave me is a pill I'm supposed to give rectally if he is having a seizure that will lessen its severity and duration. He said unless it becomes a common thing we won't do any preventative medication.

 

[Jenibelle]

Hopefully it won't happen again! I'll keep you and him in my thoughts.

 

[Doppelganger0337]

Hopefully it won't happen again! I'll keep you and him in my thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[IamBentley]

Our pug had a seizure one night too, really scary.
But our vet said the same thing: most of the time it is a one off without any explanation as to why; to keep monitoring him and if it happens again, we would do more testing.
So far, no more seizures. I almost have the feeling this is not too unusual in dogs somehow?
However, I hope it never happens again because that was an awful experience, for the pug and myself..