Dog scare

SarahMarie1 · September 2014

Last night our two year old cocker spaniel Maddie likely had a seizure while sleeping in our bed. We think it wa a vaccine reaction she had as the shot gave her tummy issues starting on Saturday right after the shot. She was trembling uncontrollably and couldn't walk! It was so scary. We took her to we vet and got home by 3. Needless to say I'm exhausted! Hoping it's a isolated incident.

Eliz77 · September 2014

I hope all turns out OK with Maddie! What vaccines did she get? I have a seizure dog so I know how scary it can be. Good luck!

rshamos · September 2014

I had a seizure dog and he lived to an old age. Of course, get check ups with your vet. But my Frankie did just fine! It always scared me when he would have them. I'm sorry you have to go through this! Scratches behind the ear for Maddie!

SarahMarie1 · September 2014

Vet didn't think it was a vaccine issue but it seems sensible to at least consider it as all this started after her shots. She had the rabies and distemper shot. Distemper is actually a few vaccines in one shot. There are a lot of clinical reports of seizures in dogs who have more than one vaccine at a time, especially the rabies one. Vet said to make sure to let then know if she has another one or two to start exploring meds. Her bloodwork all came back normal so that was a relief. I took the day off to make sure she was okay. Here's a pic of her! She thanks everyone for the well wishes!

SarahMarie1 · September 2014

Whoops didn't work. Here she is. I hate posting on the iPhone.

ColeyCannoli · September 2014

Oh no! I'm so sorry. My kitty gets seizures and they are terrifying to watch. But the vet said they don't actually feel anything during the attack, just leaves them confused. I hope that never happens again to your pup.

BayCamp · September 2014

I had a dog that had a couple seizures but never had them again. It was just a fluke. Hope this holds true for your pup.

Eliz77 · September 2014

SarahMarie1 said:

Vet didn't think it was a vaccine issue but it seems sensible to at least consider it as all this started after her shots. She had the rabies and distemper shot. Distemper is actually a few vaccines in one shot. There are a lot of clinical reports of seizures in dogs who have more than one vaccine at a time, especially the rabies one. Vet said to make sure to let then know if she has another one or two to start exploring meds. Her bloodwork all came back normal so that was a relief. I took the day off to make sure she was okay. Here's a pic of her! She thanks everyone for the well wishes!

Unfortunately, cocker spaniels seem to be a breed more prone to epilepsy, so definitely something to watch for. Vaccine reactions are really rare but they do happen. If you think it may have been a vaccine reaction, I would spit the two vaccines up (combo one time, rabies another) and see how she reacts. Some vets will even do a dexamethasone shot with the vaccine to prevent chances of reactions in the future.

In the meantime, watch her closely! If she does have another seizure-try to time how long it lasts-both the thrashing phase and then the "rebooting" phase. Any seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes is considered dangerous. When my guy has a seizure, we immediately grab ice packs and place along the base of his neck and his spine. This seems to help with his recovery since it keeps his body temp from rising too high (during seizures, temp will rise, which is a big part why longer seizures are so dangerous). In the early months, I kept a journal to detail length, if anything seemed to trigger it, etc. He's now controlled with multiple medications, but it has not been an easy journey to get where we are.

I hope this was a one time event for Maddie! You'd be surprise how many things could trigger one seizure and never be an issue again. If you are concerned, a full blood work up (blood chemistry, CBC, titer check for lyme, checking blood glucose or for thyroid issues) could help rule out any underlying causes. Been there...

JunkieBrewster · September 2014

Poor puppy!

Eliz77 · September 2014

I just meant at least by splitting them up, if it was indeed a vaccine reaction, you'd know which was the culprit and potentially lessen chance of reaction. My Sheltie was given both rabies and the combo one time and had a slight reaction not even 12 hours later-lethargy and puffy eyes. Never had them given on same day again and never had another reaction. Maybe just a coincidence, but I never chanced it again. I personally only do rabies and yearly titer level checks for distemper/parvo/lepto/lyme once my dogs were vaccinated as puppies. I don't do groomers or kennels, so I don't do bordetella. I did vax for canine flu/bordetella a few years ago when we had that big outbreak and I was showing my dogs quite a bit. I'm a big believer they need to be vaccinated by all means, I just don't see the harm in titer level checks and vaccinating as needed. My dogs are now 11 and 8 years old, and we've had some health issues (Aussie is epileptic, Sheltie has lymphangestasia), but they are otherwise doing well!

Sorry for getting o/t! I've personally never associated my dog's seizures with receiving any vaccinations, but every time I spoke to a new vet about his case, they would ask me if he had been recently vaccinated, changes in diet, flea/heart worm preventative, etc just to rule anything out.

Eliz77 · September 2014

katehgee said:

Vet didn't think it was a vaccine issue but it seems sensible to at least consider it as all this started after her shots. She had the rabies and distemper shot. Distemper is actually a few vaccines in one shot. There are a lot of clinical reports of seizures in dogs who have more than one vaccine at a time, especially the rabies one. Vet said to make sure to let then know if she has another one or two to start exploring meds. Her bloodwork all came back normal so that was a relief. I took the day off to make sure she was okay. Here's a pic of her! She thanks everyone for the well wishes!
I completely agree with your veterinarian. I HIGHLY doubt distemper, hepatitis, lepto, parainfluenza or parvo had anything to do with a seizure. Especially 5 days later. Vaccines reactions usually consist of lethargy, vomiting/diarrhea, hives, etc. and if your dog has never had a rxn in the past it is even less likely. Rabies has very little reactions- I haven't seen one in 10 years. And unfortunately it is required by law. I would not question the vaccines, personally. Distemper, lepto, and parvo are very serious and potentially life threatening diseases.
Are there dog anti-vaxers? Is that a thing?

Of course! I'm not an anti-vaxer at all but I don't vaccinate yearly (I only do rabies). I do check their titers yearly and my dogs have been well within normal ranges. If they weren't, I would booster them for sure. We've been exposed to kennel cough, flu, lepto, parvo and who knows what else over the years from going to trials and classes. Crazy how people can chance it.

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