Strange behaviour…….thoughts?

[Naya]

Tonight Harley had a ‘strange episode’. It happened for the first time about 8/9 weeks ago. She led down on the floor in the living room and slept for a few mins. She then tried to stand up which took 2 attempts and she still didn’t stand fully, she was swaying slightly but staring at the floor, head very near the floor swaying slightly, licking her lips. She then started pacing slowly looking disoriented. I got on the floor and she buried her head in my chest, still not stood properly. She then stared at a chair, didn’t turn or respond when my O.H called her name. This went on for about 5-7mins (even though it seemed far longer). Afterwards she led down whilst we gave gentle rubs. About 10 mins later she was fully alert again and wanting food. She also had a big drink. She seems completely back to normal now, albeit A bit sleepy.
I am going to call the vets in the morning, but was wondering if anyone had any ideas?

 

[JES72]

I don't know what it could be. So sending hugs as it's obviously quite worrying.

 

[Loraseal]

Has she drank enough through the day?
I don't really know but calling the vet tomorrow is the right thing to do. I know it must be a worry though.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Poor girl.
I'm wondering if it could be a type of seizure?
What happened last time @Naya ?
I know its unlikely to be your first thought, but a video of funny turns is normally really useful.

 

[Candy]

Poor girl.
I'm wondering if it could be a type of seizure?
What happened last time @Naya ?
I know its unlikely to be your first thought, but a video of funny turns is normally really useful.

My first thought was also some kind of seizure. Not that I have any experience of this in dogs, just people. The vet sounds like a good plan though.
Hope lovely Harley is OK.

 

[Naya]

I don't know what it could be. So sending hugs as it's obviously quite worrying.

Thank you. It is very worrying.

Has she drank enough through the day?
I don't really know but calling the vet tomorrow is the right thing to do. I know it must be a worry though.

She has drunk a normal amount today - since this ‘thing’ she drank quite a bit.

Poor girl.
I'm wondering if it could be a type of seizure?
What happened last time @Naya ?
I know its unlikely to be your first thought, but a video of funny turns is normally really useful.

Last time was very similar (vacant staring, head close to the floor, stumbling, disoriented) but only lasted about 2-3 mins. I did mention it to the vet last time and they said to let them know if it happened again, which I will in the morning. I did manage to video a little bit, but it was right at the end as she was becoming more ‘present’. I didn't think at the start. I was wondering about some sort of seizure - I hope not, but some of the signs do point to this .

My first thought was also some kind of seizure. Not that I have any experience of this in dogs, just people. The vet sounds like a good plan though.
Hope lovely Harley is OK.

Thank you. I will call the vets first thing as even freaked my OH out and he’s usually the calm one, but not this time.

 

[jazzmynn]

Sorry to hear about her episode. Maybe a Google of “vestibular disease in dogs”. Our previous dog Jazz suffered from a couple of episodes but then returned to completely normal. Scary to watch…

 

[Atemas]

Can’t help answer your question but hoping the vet can

 

[Anne123]

I can’t help you and I think the vet is the best thing to do! Finn sleeps sometimes very deep. When he does he is also a bit wobbly when he stands up, a bit disorientated walks two or three steps, lay himself down and sleeps further…

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

How scary for you. I hope you can get a definitive answer from the vet - the not knowing bit makes it worse. When you know what it is, hopefully you can help her manage it.

 

[MellowYellow]

It sounds a bit like a sort of mini epileptic fit, though it could also be an episode of vestibular syndrome... Poppy gets little episodes like this; we think it is like a 'pre-fit', if that makes sense, and that in her case it doesn't escalate into a full seizure due to her meds.

It is worrying in any case, but hopefully the vet can find out what it is. I know this is horrible and scary, but the best thing you can do is be calm and reassuring for dear Harley, and see what the vet says. I hope you get answers soon xxx

 

[Stacia]

It does sound a little as a mini epileptic fit, but only the vet can say. If it is, don't worry, there is good treatment and Harley certainly won't need that yet.

 

[Cath]

Poor girl and poor you. Sending lambies and love

 

[edzbird]

How did you get on with the vet @Naya ?

 

[Jacqui-S]

I hope you are all ok @Naya

 

[M.F.]

So sorry to hear. My first thought was also a seizure, especially the vacant staring and drinking after. Can you see any pattern between this one and the last? I always suspect poisoning because that was our experience with Snowie—he’d have a seizure after getting tick/flea products. When we stopped those, the seizures stopped.

Best of luck. And thinking of you xxx Thankfully it appears very mild if it was a seizure.

 

[Selina27]

@Naya, how are things ?

 

[Cath]

How is Harley @Naya

 

[Naya]

Thanks all for asking after Harley. She is 100% back to normal - demanding and cheeky.
I spoke to the vets who think it is possible vestibular syndrome, but without bloods and scans cannot confirm. We’ve agreed with the vet to monitor her and ensure we video it if it happens again. We don’t want to put her through more medical procedures unless we have to as she is already so fearful at the vets.

 

[jazzmynn]

Hi Naya, I was hopeful it would be vestibular rather than a seizure. Not that you want her to have either one, but I think a vestibular episode is less hard on them as long as they’re in a safe space, and recovery is generally fairly quick once the episode passes. If it dos happen again, and she’s safe, a short video of her will help the vet identify. It’s so scary, and definitely looks like a seizure or stroke at the time.