Dog has fits

[Yai]

My 5 year old German Shepherd has had a fit once every week for the last 3 weeks. She has never had them before. What might be causing this ? We've been over to the vets (across the road) when she was fitting the first time to ask what to do, and they said if it got bad to take her over when she was calm. What could be causing them ?

[woofgang]

Yai, you must be very worried. Just as with people,there are lots of reasons why adult dogs start to have fits. The good news is that most of them are controllable with medication. The vet will need to ask some questions and do some tests and then will be able to tell you more. I would say that one fit a week was bad and there is the potential for the fits themselves to do her damage. do go.

[shybearuk]

Just a thought. Could be a reaction to the weather. Don't know if it could be something similar, but my nephew has fits when he overheats, and ends up totally rigid and gritting his teeth. If this sounds similar, get the dog in a cold bath ASAP, and get him/her to the vet after the fit. Yeah, I know that dogs and kids are different things, but, as I said, it's just a thought

[Yai]

Thanks for replying. Shybearuk, the first time it was a very hot day, and she is long-haired so we thought that might be why. Gave her lots of cold milk. Afterwards she was confused and went exploring the house sniffing everything. But this morning she had a fit and it was normal weather and raining, same the last time. Getting her to the vet is difficult as she barks at other dogs in there and usually we are moved to another room :) We'll take her soon as possible though.

[boviner]

hello this a bit long but bare with me please , epileptic fits result from a disruption of the electrical impulses in the brain. fits can result from numerous disese conditions. for example liver and kidney disease, poisioning,infection,fever but here we are concerned with idiopathic epilepsy( there is no apparent cause). in some breeds for example the German Shephard there is a genetic connection but epilepsy can occur in cross- breeds too. holistic medicine views epeleptic fits as a process by which excess energy is discharged. generally, excess energy is discharged by increased mental and physical activity hyperactivity or excessively boisterous behavior. in those dogs with a certain type of brain disorder this excess builds up until it is finally discharged by a fit. holistic treatment of epilepsy is by feeding a diet which is hypo-allergenic, chemical- free, low in protein and fat, and high in complex carbohydrate( brown rice is best for this). it is essential that the quantity of food meets but does not exceed the dogs energy requirement. hope that helps a bit if you need anymore info leave a reply . kind regards DR CAMPBELL.