It was Christmas Eve 1998, and I had just drifted off to sleep when suddenly, the bed began to shake. At first, I thought JoJo, my 14-year-old Chihuahua/Pug/Manchester Terrier mix just had a bad itch. But the shaking increased, and when I heard his breath drain off to a tight, high pitched wheezing, I knew something was dreadfully wrong.
When I switched on the lights, I was struck by the sight of JoJo fighting in the grasp of something that I would soon learn was called a grand mal seizure.
Seizures are an almost inevitable symptom of a brain tumor, which in JoJo's case was pronounced to be a meningioma. Brain tumors are the most common cause of seizures that begin in dogs that are more than five years old.
Seizures and meningioma.
Seizures in dogs who have brain tumors are different, and in many ways, more difficult than those related to true epilepsy. Medications may help for awhile, but as the tumor grows, the seizures are likely to become more frequent and more violent.
Meningioma is not a malignant condition, and the tumor does not invade the brain. However, the pressure of the growing tumor causes vascular "accidents" that can cause disruption of the brain's activities, death of brain cells and even death.
The pressure on the brain and the vascular accidents that result are the main cause of seizures related to meningioma.
JoJo's seizures.
Our JoJo suffered from grand mal seizures. In this type of seizure, the dog loses conscious, drops to the floor and becomes rigid. He may paddle his legs and champ his jaws. He may also foam at the mouth or vocalize.
Your dog cannot breathe during a grand mal seizure. This means that if the seizure is not controlled within four minutes, brain damage will result. If seizure, or series of seizures, continues unchecked, with no periods of consciousness between episodes for more than 30 minutes, it is called status epilepticus. A dog in status epilepticus requires immediate veterinary assistance. If a seizure persists for more than three minutes, find help immediately!
JoJo's seizures frequently came in clusters, that is, a series of seizures that occur within a short period of time. This type of seizure can be life threatening, and is very difficult to control. With a cluster seizure, the dog regains consciousness for at least a brief period between seizures. This is the main difference between a cluster seizure and status epilepticus. If your dog is known to cluster, and if drugs to control cluster are not immediately available, you should seek veterinary assistance with the first seizure. Don't wait for a second seizure occur since cluster seizures can build momentum with each episode.
Seizures after surgery.
Removal of your dog's meningioma will relieve the pressure and prevent the vascular accidents that cause many of your dog's tumor-related seizures. Don't be surprised, however, if seizures continue to occur, although they may be less frequent and less intense. The amount of residual seizure activity will depend on factors like the size of tumor, its location and the amount of damage it caused. Your dog will probably still have to remain on seizure medication, although, hopefully, at a reduced level. If seizures begin to build in frequency or intensity, be sure to tell your veterinarian. These may be a sign that the tumor is returning, and that your dog's treatment needs may need to be readdressed.
Resources for seizures
Canine Epilepsy Resource Center - If you don't know anything about seizures, or helping dogs who have them, this is a good place to start. You'll learn the facts about seizures, and seizure terminology, and you'll learn practical tips about caring for a dog who has seizures. This site, and the related EPIL-K9 List (see below) have connections with leading researchers and practitioners in canine epilepsy, and you'll find links to their research here. You'll find it all at http://www.rt66.com/~dalcrazy/Resources2.html
EPIL-K9 The Canine Epilepsy List - If you're baffled, upset and confused about seizures, join the club. You'll be able to ask questions and share information with other people who share their lives with seizure-prone pups.
Although most of the information concerns dogs with idiopathic or "true" epilepsy, you are sure to meet at least a few people whose dogs suffer from brain tumors. Most importantly, you'll learn all sorts of ways to help your dog weather seizures. You might also help yourself hang on to your sanity.
It's stuff only people who have been there would know. Great support for those subjects you can't or won't mention in polite conversation, or for those feelings that other people just can't understand. The list was started by Alicia Marcinczyk in April 1996. It is is owned by Maureen Setter, Marion Mitchell and Alicia. To subscribe, just do the following:
Send an email to: listserv@apple.ease.lsoft.com
Subject: (leave blank)
Body of message: subscribe EPIL-K9 (your-name)
This list generates quite a quantity of mail, so if you're busy, my suggestion would be to go on digest mode. This consolidates several letters into a "packet" that you can browse or delete. You'll receive directions on how to do this when you subscribe.
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