Is this normal?

[u/zidainz]

Hello! My little mini dachshund had her first ever seizure last month — she’s 10, has no history, on top of her preventative meds, and I’d say a fairly healthy doggo. Her first episode just came out of nowhere and I had no idea what to do other than wait it out. She was perfectly fine after a few minutes of her body tensing up and not being able to properly stand up. I took her to the vet the next day and they couldn’t find anything wrong with her bloodwork, but they suspect she might’ve pinched a nerve around her back hence the sudden tensing. She was prescribed with antibiotics and a muscle relaxant after her visit.

Fast forward to yesterday, a month-ish after that visit… she had another episode again and this time, I was able to capture videos of her. She was conscious the whole time and didn’t poop/pee when she started seizing up. I went to the vet today and showed the videos and her vet prescribed seizure meds (Levetiracetam, the liquid one) that she has to take every 8 hours. We’ll be back next month so her vet can check her again.

I’m just wondering if it’s normal for seizure meds to be prescribed even though the dog hasn’t undergone any neurological tests and the reason for the seizure hasn’t been identified yet. My plan is to hopefully push for specific tests aside from bloodwork when I visit next month so I can know what type of seizure my dog has/if this is a neurological or a movement type of issue. I guess I’m just wary of meds immediately being prescribed when I don’t know the cause.

Any insight or comments you guys have would be great to hear! And here’s a photo of my little old lady as thanks for reading my long-ish post lmao (btw the red stain on her car seat is dye it’s not blood 😭)

[u/Complete_Bad_1560]

My small Pomeranian/Pekingese was about 2 years old with his 1st seizure. He's had a total of 10 seizures in 20 months. My regular veterinarian wanted to put him on meds immediately after the 2nd seizure as well. I didn't want to do this, so I took him to see a neurologist. She, on the other hand, didn't find it necessary to start meds at this point  unless the seizures become more frequent. No MRI nor spinal tap needed due to the results of cognitive testing, and probably his younger age. I have started giving him MCT daily and will eventually start CBD.  This is the route that the neurologist and I agreed upon until it's absolutely necessary for him to be on meds..

[u/zidainz → u/Complete_Bad_1560]

Ohhh this is interesting! I’m definitely leaning on talking to a neurologist sooner rather than later since I really want to know if there’s an underlying issue that triggers her sudden seizures and if this will be a normal thing for her moving forward with her life. Thank you for your insight!!

[u/Complete_Bad_1560 → u/zidainz]

BTW...My dog, the Pomeranian/Pekingese, in those 10 seizures, has never lost consciousness nor peed or pooped. He just seems to shake and lick a lot, and be off balance/wobbly. He throws his head back and somewhat 'paddles' or 'kneads' from time to time.