Border Terrier Seizures...NOT epilepsy!!

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rushyj

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I have a five year old Border Terrier bitch. She started having what looks like epileptic fits about 3 months ago. The vets tested her and could not confirm this. I have been looking on the internet and was astounded at the amount of Border Terriers this effects. There is research going on in germany and canada into this problem but it seems it is a problem that effects Border Terriers. I am also amazed that every vet I have spoken to is not aware at all of this condition. The dog remains conscious which excludes epilepsy.

It is horrible to see. The dog goes into spasm down the length of her body. This is caused by extreme cramping of the muscles including cramping of the bowel. The distinctive signs are the dog stretching their back legs out behind them and crooking their tail. The muscles along the back come up also. The dog is aware of what is going on but has no muscle control to do anything. With my dog it can last from 5 to 20 mins then she is absolutely fine again.

This is a quote from one of the research web pages..

"Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome ( CECS or formerly known as "Spike's Disease" ) is a recently recognized canine health problem and hereditary canine disease in Border Terriers. It may previously have been confused with canine epilepsy. It is also being considered to be a metabolic, neurological or muscle disorder."

It is controlled by diet and the dogs can become symptom free. If your dog is experiencing these symptoms please mention this disorder to your vet there has got to be more awareness!!!!!.... I also have loads of sites you can look at that are very helpfull PM me if needed...
 
My border, now 10, had 2 seizures about 6 or 7 years ago and lots of "pre-seizures" at about that time, where she went very peculiar and was then totally exhausted and a bit upset (sorry not to be more specific but I don't know how to describe). Her seizures sound like your dog's but maybe not so long. Thankfully she must have grown out of it as the last one was in Feb 2003. The vet wasn't very helpful and said the only remedy is anti- seizure drugs but she would be like a zombie so I did nothing to treat it.

I was told by a friend to give her something (anything) to eat or drink as soon as she looked pre-seizure-ish to change the chemical balance. I've since heard that seizures can be associated with dehydration, but that's just anecdotal.

Borders have become so popular in the last few years that I fear that unscrupulous breeders may be ignoring the problem when deciding which dogs to breed from; also if it doesn't develop until 3-5 years old, many dogs will have already bred by that age.

If you don't find a cure, I really hope your dog grows out of it too. Good luck
 
Thank you.. She is a bright and gorgeous little dog (like all Borders) just horrible to see her that way ..
 
Interesting.
My 8 year old bitch has had seizures as you describe, but not for a while and since a bit of a lifestyle change. Makes you wonder if something at the time was triggering them, even something daft like the water content. My vet never suggested it was anything other than seizures that would respond to medication, but I didn't want to mess her insides about when she was coping with the occasional moments. As you say, she was conscious and it was the muscle spasm that was distressing,at no point was she in the state true seizure dogs get to. Thank you for the heads up.
 
My border has exactly these "episodes". Not often, once every few months or so. As you say she is completely conscious but unable to control her movement and muscle spasms. Usually last about ten mins or so and then she's fine.

Thanks for the info, I'll defo look into it. In once sense very pleased it's not epilepsy. We hadn't pursued it further with the vet because they are so irregular so didn't want to put her on drugs as they seemed to have more side effects than benefits.

Thanks again!
 
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