Crating the epileptic dog

MotherOfChickens

MotherOfChickens

MotherDucker
Joined
3 May 2007
Messages
16,639
Location
Weathertop
Visit site
would you?

New little rescue dog is epileptic. She's not crated atm (except when travelling in the van) but there might be times when it is useful eg when we are visiting family etc or when we have family visitng us (OH's side are not doggy at all. I've not seen her have a seizure since we got her and the kennels she was in hadn't either but she might have had one the other night (she was asking to go out at 12.30am and then woke OH up wining at 3.30am and was clingy).

my gut feeling is reluctance but anyone have any experience? She's quite wee, about 20kg and just over knee height, it would be a 42 inch crate.
 
Yes I would. For her own safety. It's a quiet, dark space, will protect her from resident dogs when you're not around (fitting dogs can be attacked or even killed by lifelong pack members).
 
No experience of epilepsy in dogs. Considering that any other dogs present, whilst the sufferer is mid-fit may very well attack them, and it would be a possibility and should be guarded against, I would otherwise share your reluctance. From my 'very' limited experience of epileptic humans, the attacks come on without warning to the bystander, so short of keeping the dog in a cage, I can't see that transferring the animal mid-fit would serve much purpose. It would also seem to me that there could be further risk to the dog were it in a cage whilst having a seizure, a risk of injury.

Alec.
 
CorvusCorax said:
Yes I would. For her own safety. It's a quiet, dark space, will protect her from resident dogs when you're not around (fitting dogs can be attacked or even killed by lifelong pack members).
Click to expand...

thank you-atm she's kept in the kitchen overnight which is gated to the living room where the old dog sleeps. She's a terrible counter surfer though, and bin raider!

OH thought a crate in the living room for her would be an idea-would also ensure old dog gets his rest and I wanted to check. Old dog is used to being by radiator and his huge tuffie is too big for the kitchen so didnt want to change him about.
 
Alec Swan said:
No experience of epilepsy in dogs. Considering that any other dogs present, whilst the sufferer is mid-fit may very well attack them, and it would be a possibility and should be guarded against, I would otherwise share your reluctance. From my 'very' limited experience of epileptic humans, the attacks come on without warning to the bystander, so short of keeping the dog in a cage, I can't see that transferring the animal mid-fit would serve much purpose. It would also seem to me that there could be further risk to the dog were it in a cage whilst having a seizure, a risk of injury.

Alec.
Click to expand...

thank you. Not having seen her have a seizure, I don't know what form they take or how she behaves beforehand. I do have her full vet history though (she's been a very well cared for pooch) and she's been stable for the last 18 months on the phenobarb (she was less controlled on a previous drug). Does make her hungry though! Stepson is epileptic so we do have experience there but I am concerned about her injuring herself. The dogs have been kept separate when we're not about so far.
 
It's a predicament! My initial thought was it might get hurt in a cage getting legs or claws caught in the mesh but maybe there are other kinds of crates? I don't know as I have never crated my dogs. You may find http://www.canine-epilepsy.com has some useful information for you.
 
I don't think anyone was suggesting transferring a dog in the middle of a fit. That would probably end up in a bite.

If she's a bin raider, then it would probably be better for her own safety. You can't stop her cutting herself on a can or swallowing something sharp if you're not in the same room as her.

A fabric crate would be safest.
 
oh, we've been putting the bin in the utility room which she can't get into! I am just trying to make it better for everyone.

I profess I hadn't thought of a fabric crate having never had one, how daft am I!
 
Bless her. I have an epileptic 12 year old Golden retriever. No experience with crating as I don't use it but didn't want to read and run. x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top