Hi there..

I was wondering if Epilepsy is very well known in Dobermanns in the uk. I have a fawn/tan(af) Dobermann bitch 6 yrs old, who untill the other day was very fit and well, except for a patchy coat, but most dilute Dobes in this country have terrible coats.  She had a prolonged seizure at 4am this morning and even after she had come round it still took her another 3 hours to stop pacing and crying and trying to dig etc. We took her into our vets this morning to be checked up and he has run a full bloods test and also taken another sample to send off to be tested for hypothyroidism? The vet has put her on phenobarbs ( 2 in a morning and 2 at night).
Now the thought of her having Epilepsy is not upsetting me as much, as I have a 14 yr old daughter who has suffered with Epilepsy since she was a toddler, so although the fits look frightening to watch, I understand about what to do whilst Ember is having a fit etc (and keeping her calm and getting my kids out the way untill she has come round)
.. What I am finding very upsetting is the post seizure time- the pacing, trying to dig in corners and the unsettled whining which appears to go on and on untill she finally drops off to sleep.
If anyone has any info on dogs with epilepsy, and especially dobes I would be greatfull to know.
kelz.
I read something about magnetic collars being usefull for dogs with epilepsy, but whilst on the phone to my vet this afternoon when Ember was having another seizure he advised me NOT to use a magnetic collar untill at least the drugs have kicked into her system.

Kelz,

I think it is too early to draw any conclusions and I would wait for the results of the tests.  Six is getting on in dogs for epilepsy to appear.  Seizures can be caused by lots of problems and they need to be ruled out first.

had a dog with epilepsy, although not a dobe, but it did come on later in life.  She had her first fit when she was 13 years old, and died when she was 15 years old. 
And a 6 year old dobe is getting up there, so it can very well happen.  Hope all works out ok though, and that you get her fits under control.

Let us know!

Crespin

I know a lot of dobe people and have been on health seminars run by one of the regional clubs, ti certainly isn't a breed problem, but epilepsy is not uncommon in dogs as a species including total mongrels, only considered a breed issue if it appears more often than in the general population.

I too would doubt it was primary epilepsy this late in the dogs life.

Hi Again,

Ember had 3 more seizures last night, although these were not so bad, only her mouth was chomping and saliva drooling, and she came round from them pretty quickly, but she Isn't her usual self at all, her eyes dont look right - she has a vacant look about her, shes extra clingy. Her appitite is in over drive she just seems constantly hungry and wanting to eat.
I'm glad to hear its Not a breed problem, I've already lost my beautifull black/tan girls kai and Luna to Wobblers and Cancer at youngish ages (7 and 6)
I will let you know what the thyroid results is when i find out.
I am hoping to get the results of her thyroid test back either Monday or Tuesday, the other blood samples taken are all showing as shes in good health.
It did confuse me being told that Ember is possibly Epileptic, as I thought to myself well surely we would have noticed before now, she has never had a fit before this, never even had head tremors, and I know she hasnt had a knock to the head or anything  to possibly cause shock. I only have 2 dobes now (and a new 8wk old boxer pup) they all live in the house with me and my family, and as I dont work the dogs are never really on there own except when i am picking the kids up from school, or if we go to the shops etc.
my hubby wondered if bringing in a new puppy to the household could have triggered something, but Ember is not at all stressed out by Aura the pup, she allows the pup to play with her, she cleans the pup etc, and when shes fed up of playing she jumps up on the sofa out the way and goes to sleep. (its my male dobe that appears freaked out by having a small bundle of teeth running about the place ).

Now under active thyroid is not uncommon in the breed and of course this can cause fitting.  My Friend had two of her not well bred girls with under active thyroid and they were not related.  Both lived to over 12 years of age on daily syloxine.

I haven't got any advice but I hope you find out quickly and it is easily resolved. My best mate was called Aura (pronounced ow-ra) , lovely name.

Sorry I havent got round to posting before to let you know how Ember is..  The vet decided he wanted to spay Ember, as when she had more blood tests done her progesterone levels were very very high. Em was spayed on Tuesday-apparantly she had huge cysts on her ovaries and was brewing pyro(thats what the vet says), and so far (touch wood) since she's been speyed she hasnt had one seizure.(shes back to being her usual aloof I am the queen you are the servants type of girl)
her stitches come out on friday and hopefully if she doesnt have any more seizures for a month we can think about weaning her off the phenobarbs