Apollo has epilepsy, or at least appears to have the dog version.
I was on my computer when I heard a thumping sound outside. I found Apollo stretched out on the ground on his side, with his front and rear legs swinging around like he was trying to run. His hind legs kept hitting some roof tiles I had piled up there, and that is what I had heard. He didn’t respond to me at first, but within a minute or so he got shakily to his feet, though he kept falling when he tried to walk.
I got him to the vet within 5 minutes, and by that time he was already steadier on his feet, but salivating and pacing around agitatedly.
The vet ran some blood tests looking for possible causes, and most of them have come back negative. We’re still waiting for the Valley Fever and Tick Fever tests to come back, but she said that 90% probability it was epilepsy, or the dog version of it. Apparently it is not uncommon, especially in Siberian Huskies, and this case showed the classic symptoms.
If it happens more than once a month then we will have to put him on anti-convulsants. Less than that, and we just try to keep him from harming himself or others when he seizes, and live with it.
It was a scary sight, seeing him on the ground like that. The first thought that went through my mind was that he had got into some insecticide or anti-freeze, or that someone had poisoned him. It was a great relief when he seemed to recover so quickly.
I’ll post an update if either of the final tests come out positive, but otherwise assume it is just a genetic condition.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Donna // Jan 21, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Poor Apollo. (And poor Daryl to have to deal with that scary situation.) I hope all the tests come back okay.
2 Daryl // Jan 21, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Although it might be preferable to find out that it was caused by a treatable condition, rather than something genetic.
3 Don // Jan 22, 2009 at 12:15 am
I bet that was very scary. I remember when Judi’s dog went down with Parvo. The outcome wasn’t as good but it was so scary seeing the dog just lying there not able to get up. In his case he didn’t.
4 Robin // Jan 22, 2009 at 8:39 am
Poor Apollo! That is a sad diagnosis. Keep us posted.
5 Heather // Jan 22, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Sorry to hear about Apollo. That doesn’t sound good. I hope they are limited to 1x month or less.
6 Richard // Jan 22, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Bummer. No dog or man should have to deal with such things. Have you talked to the breeder to see if there is any “family history”?
7 Dianna // Jan 23, 2009 at 3:38 pm
So sorry to hear about Apollo. I hope that was his first and last seizure, but at the very least that they don’t come often. I’m glad it wasn’t Gisele who found him. I know I would have freaked.