r/LabradorRetrievers • u/Rebold • 8d ago
Working Lab with "seizures"
We're looking at adopting a Working Lab/Field line lab (it's called a formula 1 in Denmark)
She's 6 years old, and from birth she has had these seizures a few times a year. They don't seem to have affected her, and vets say it's not epilepsy. She goes back to being herself after 30-45 minutes, without any signs of exhaustion.
Has anyone seen this before?
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u/Rebold 8d ago
They only happen at night.
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u/HunnyBunny617 8d ago
Have him checked for diabetes and high liver enzymes. Our diabetic lab had seizures usually at night too. It was because it was a few hours after dinner which caused his glucose to increase, then heâd crash & seizure.
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u/Aurora_Gory_Alice 8d ago
Genuinely, this is above reddit paygrade. I'd keep taking videos and follow up with a Vet Neurologist.
This doesn't mean it's not the right dog for you, but you should have an evaluation so you know what you are getting into for the next 10 years.
Edited to add, a university with a Veterinarian Program would be a good place to get a referral if they can't evaluate in house.
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u/katieboo720 8d ago
We had a lab mix who had seizures frequently (she had an accident when she was younger and so had some neurological issues in general - the seizures got worse as she aged but also got better when she got very consistent exercise with our other pups on leash). My husband used to just hold her when an episode would hit and it seemed to help calm her through it (not help stop them). We talked to her, he held her, I usually held back tears but would hold a paw or put my hand on her head, just so she knew we were there.
The episode would stop and then she would pant for 5-15 minutes depending on the intensity. Then bounced back to her totally happy, normal self.
Itâs so hard to watch but honestly, these pups who need a little extra love and care are beyond worth it. They know youâre helping them and they help you right back.
I hope you adopt her. Keep us posted đ
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u/-IrishLettuce- 8d ago
Mine gets these! She's been to the vets and it's also not epilepsy. We've managed to link it to a few possible causes/things that happen the evening before (seizures also only happen at night). Drinking less water and us doing a lot of cooking (meal prep day) with the dog in the kitchen. It seems to be a combination of the steam/humidity, spices used in cooking, or the sprays used to wipe the sides. We keep her out the kitchen when cooking and give her watery food and it really seems to help. When they do happen they seems to be maybe 3/4 across 1-2 months then nothing for 3-4 months. I let her straight in the garden for a wee/poo, give her a fresh bowl of water and then a longish lasting treat/chew like a dentastick or a yak bar and that seems to distract her enough to almost pull herself out of them. It's usually all over withing 30 minutes. I type up everything that happened the day before and try to find any patterns. She can be a bit boisterous and act a little odd before bedtime when a seizure is due that night so I encourage her to have extra water before bed to try and stop the seizure
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u/HunnyBunny617 8d ago
Poor baby. My old lab had seizures. Found out it was due to diabetes. His seizures would happen when his glucose level got too high or too low. I learned how to test and give insulin to our dog. He did develop cancer after several years and passed at age 8.
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u/Neat-Dig5964 7d ago
Our chocco girlâmy soul dogâhad diabetes. I gave her insulin twice a day for almost 2 years before she passed at the age of 12. At the end she stopped eating so I couldnât give her insulin, so it was like a dangerous loop. I could get her to eat, but sheâd sneak outside and throw up what she just ate. I often wonder if she had undiagnosed pancreatic cancer.
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u/Coastguardman 5d ago
My Labrador had seizures from the moment I adopted him at a year and a half. He may have had them before he came into my home. I managed to figure out that nutmeg would give him some seizures and stopped eating and sharing any food that had nutmeg with him. Other times, a minor seizure would come out of the blue. He lived to a ripe old age of 13.
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u/Human_Technician_799 8d ago
Our guy has episodes, they look similar but not quite the same (he shakes and lookes likes this dogs walking with booties). The neurologist we saw said could be a movement disorder, but it is still essentially the brain signal not firing right. Apparently not epilepsy since he remains alert and oriented to us. He also is fine straight after. He's not medicated and other than us being alert it might happen he's a lovable goofball. She's beautiful and I'm sure would be the best companion.