Buster had another wee turn

[Jim & Geraldine]

Buster had a wee turn on Monday, the first for a wee while and the vet now thinks he has epilepsy. He said it is very mild and he doesn't need medication at the moment. We have to keep an eye on him to see if we can figure out what is triggering them.

[kendal]

aww poor buster. let us know if you hear anything more.
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[Jack]

So sorry to hear this. I met a beautiful Red Staffie boy just recently who suffers with epilepsy but if kept FAIRLY calm (you can NEVER keep Staffs entirely calm despite your best efforts), with the right diet and medication he was doing well. He's only 18 months old bless him so my very best to you ALL that you get this under control.xxx
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[Claire/Mark]

Poor Buster, let us know how he is doing

[Isabel]

Hope he will be ok.

[Janis]

oh jim i a so sorry to hear about buster! at least the vet's have their eye on it and he is not in need of medication at the moment!..........hope he and you are ok!

maybe he's missing his liver cake!
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[John Thomson]

Sorry to hear this Jim....hope that the vets can pinpoint the trigger and control this for wee Buster.

john
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[graceb]

Poor wee buster
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Grace & Dexter

[Jim & Geraldine]

Thanks folks. When Buster had his wee fit on Monday Jim got a fright because it was the first time he had seen it. It only lasts a short time but it seems to take forever for him to get back up. The vet thinks it could be excitement that triggers the fit. Trying keeping Buster calm is almost imposable!

[Jack]

Most epileptic fits are brought on by excitement, agitation, anxiety etc, in fact by pretty much any state other than calmness. Having Staffies I KNOW how difficult it is to try and keep a pup calm, as they stay in that puppy like state for most of their lives. Just as I know how scary it is to witness a fit, epileptic or otherwise. My old girl Mitzi had what the vet thinks was a stroke which caused her to have a fit in our back garden - we now know it was linked to her Cushings Disease which was then undiagnosed. Once we knew what we were dealing with we did huge amounts of research to help us help her. She didn't have any more fits but we think she did have a fair few minor strokes each one debilitating her further but somehow you do just cope. You get through it as you are completely focussed on just helping them. Mitzi began to walk in circles incessantly.

What I would recommend you do with Buster until you have this under control is exactly what I did with Mitzi, in fact it was the only thing to work for a long long time - when she got particularly agitated (and for you when Buster is fitting or coming out of a fit) is dim the lights, sit on the floor by his side stroking him gently, talk to him in a soft reassuring voice - as often when they come round they are completely freaked out and your presence, touch, scent and sound is vital to help them ease back into a calm state rather than risk them getting more agitated and further fits occurring. It does also "bring them round" quicker as well as more gently than just "snapping" out of it. Hope that is of some help.x.


PS.....teeny word of caution - watch out for a bite at this stage. Mitzi never did bite but I do know of dogs that have bitten their owners that they otherwise showed NO signs of aggression to when coming out of this fit/trance like state as they are so confused and out of it they can potentially lash out without even realising what they are doing - you know Buster best so you'll know if he's in this state
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[Lorna]

I hope Buster's condition can be controlled and he will thrive. I am sure you will be able to look after him really well.
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Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!

[jackdeb]

Poor Buster ......hope both of you are ok

Debs
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[Ross/Ali]

I agree with Jacks recommendation. My now sadly missed CKC Bradley suffered from epilepsy. Once he was on the correct dosage of medication he rarely fitted. If he did fit I found sitting with the lights down low, TV off and gently touching and softly talking to him helped me and him through his episodes. I agree, it can be quite alarming to witness but once you know how to manage him and yourself it gets a little easier.

Alison
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[Jack]

Ali, I didn't know about Bradley, so sorry for his suffering and for your loss, however recent or long ago that may have been

Glad though that you too found this worked for you both. My Mitzi was so much my baby that it was always me she came to when she felt off colour and my touch and voice she responded so well to. Mark's as well. We miss that little girl everyday but know that we were so priviledged to have had her in our hearts and lives.
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[jackdeb]

Sorry to hear this Jim.

Sounds like you will need to try and keep him calm.

That will be tough, hes a cheeky wee fella.

Hope the vet can help you get to the bottom of this.

Jack
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