General Chat

My Jack Russell is nearly 16. She sleeps on my bed at night. Two nights ago, she suddenly stood bolt upright staring at the wall, jerked backwards and lay down and went into a terrible fit which lasted about 5 minutes. After that she was dazed and floppy for 20 minutes then as I got up to get dressed she jumped off the bed and ran downstairs and acted very agitated, going from room to room and then wanting to go out and then back in. I took her to vet who says it may be lack of oxygen to the brain - she has had a chronic cough for over a year which occurs usually when she is laying down but he does not think it is her heart due to her active life otherwise. She has been on various anti biotics for the cough which hasnt cleared it. She is now on medicine to open her bronchial tubes and allow more oxygen to her brain. I am sorry to ramble on but I am so terrified for her. I took her for a walk just now and I was so anxious she may go into another fit, especially when she was pulling and jumping. Is there a vet out there or someone with experience of this.

Many thanks guys. The terrible thing is last night I prayed she would go in her sleep because I cannot face making that terrible decision. We lost our other JR 4 years ago at the age of 16 after a series of heart attacks. I still cannot even think of that day we had the vet out to put him to sleep because I break my heart thinking of his little trusting face. Today Lu is as lively as ever, running up and down stairs following me everywhere and that awful fit the other night seems like a nightmare. But I am so terrified of another one. The trouble is I am being quite selfish about losing her because she is such a good friend.

Hello It is very frightening to see any beloved family member going through a fit be they human or canine and it can seem like it lasts a very long time. I do hope that your little friend is coping ok. I can only recommend that you let your dog take it easy (don't overdo the walking as dogs will oftenm keep walking just to please you). When a fit comes on make sure no hazards are nearby, darken the room and provide comfort and soothing words. Sometimes the fit can go on for a long time and it is best to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible if this occurs. Take care, Jo (veterinarian)

I'm sorry to hear about your dog, but as others have said, this might be some thing that happens now and then, but in between she is fine, you sound like a good careing owner, so see how she gets on and if all is well then don't think about what you might have to consider at a later date, if the fits start to get regular then that is the time to think about the future, but either way enjoy her company hopfully for many more years to come. Bev

She had a lot of blood tests yesterday but the vet said they were all fine. He said it may be neurological but at her age he would not operate anyway so it wasnt worth spending a thousand pounds to find out what it may or may not be. (I paid £100 yesterday for blood tests and some medicine - told hubby only £40!). She is such a dear little soul, goes everywhere with me. It is such a shame dogs dont live as long as we do.