Is my German Shepard dying - Page 4

Excellent, site, Stinky. I'm bookmarking it. Not all epileptic dogs present with full blown seizures. I owned a dog  years ago with focal seizures. She would fly bite, her eyes would glaze over and her head would bob from side to side. A few years ago I handled a veteran dog, not a GSD, that would get a far away look in her eyes and begin to tremble. I found that if I caught her quickly enough I could prevent the trembling if I talked to her, petted her and fed her treats at the same time. Some dogs will progress to full blown seizures.

One other possibility to consider because he "snaps out of it" is some sort of a sleeping sickness, narcolepsy type infection from a fly or other biting insect. I have never known a human or dog who had a true seizure disorder to come out of it when calling a name or clapping etc.

Interesting case. Keep us posted.

Hodie, I think you could be on to something. It is like he is having a bad dream, like doggies do, only the twitching can be more intense and it happens right when he nods off, not when he is in a deep sleep.

One other interesting observation is there has been some atrophy of his temples, etc. In laymens terms, his head has changed shape a little, a bit concaved where his temples are.  

I'd strongly recommend reading the entire website Stinky has given us. There are some dogs that do respond to outside stimuli that may prevent them from progressing from the aura stage. I've handled one of them and seen it myself. This is a very complicated disease with many different and varying symptoms. We all hope that our dogs will never get epliepsy and tend to look for other more benign causes of neurological issues;  never overlook the obvious initially. A trial period of phenobarb or another anti-seizure drug may prove it one way or the other.  I just read a very similar story about another young male GSD, symptoms almost identical to your dog's that eventually led to full blown seizures. The vets were puzzled and after many different tests, phenobarb was prescribed and last I heard the dog is doing much better.

Good luck with your dog. I feel for you.

I agree with Blitzen that it is possible that this is some sort of seizure activity. However, for it to come on so suddenly and continue with such frequency is also not the norm. I would be trying antibiotics, temporary steriods and yes, if all else fails, a trial of phenobarb and/or potassium bromide. These meds often take a while to take effect at a dose level where the dog can function. The good news is that the blood work was ok, according to the owner. So that leaves finding a cause which is most probably going to be neurological at its' root. I would hate to be in another country and have something like this happen. So yes, we all feel for you. i hope your vets can help you figure it out.

I hope and pray that this dog will be OK and get this under control.Just reading about it brings this overwhelming feeling of despair and its not my dog so I can only imagine what you are going through watching this poor little guy.It sounds like things are at least starting to have SOME light shone on them with the blood work at least.Having a couple of wonderfull people as Hodie and Blitzen trying to help research it is great,I dont know who else better to help you.I sincerly hope for the best for this little guy.Please keep us posted on his recovery.

I once owned a beagle that had one grand mal seizure at about 6 months old, it was at least two years later that he then would have these mini seizures I called them.  He knew they where coming and would find me, he would snap his jaws and walk around with an extreme gait like he was marching.  I could talk to him and comfort him and it would pass.  My talking to him would not snap him out of it but it would  calm him.  He was in no apparent pain and they would only last 3/5 minutes.

enlosandes,

From what you're describing, it sounds like it could be tetanus. It's VERY rare in dogs, most vets will never see a case of it in a dog. It could not hurt to bring the possibility up to your vet and have him treated. If it is tetanus, you'll see an improvement quickly, although full recovery can take months.

please read this thread in particular and see if it sounds similar to you : http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=477198&page=1&fpart=1

another helpful link in general:  http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=415513&page=1#Post415513

Sorry, but you will have to copy and paste the links.

Good luck, hope he does better.