Fits in Jack Russells - Help please - vet or not?

TheBlackMoth

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As you know I have two little Jack Russells.

We just found the bitch unable to stand up on her front legs and then she started shaking all over and seemed unable to stand at all. This lasted for about ten minutes and now she is back to normal.

We have rung the emergency vet and we can take her down - but I am worried that they wont be able to find anything as she now seems completely normal. It's not that I wont spend the money (probably £150) but that I don't want to put her through the stress of a longish car journey that might not help.

My inclination is to monitor her for the weekend and go to the emergency vet if it happens again and if not take her to our vet on Monday.

Any advice will be gratefully welcomed.
 
Did the vet give the impression they thought it best to see her? Personally I would take her, just to get her checked out, as it could have been caused by many things, including some sort of poison. Glad she is okay now, hope it isn't anything seriou.?
 
I would take her, I think - it does sound like a regular fit, but it could have been something like a stroke. I know vet visits can be stressful but it is best to try and deal with these things asap. Really hope she is okay!!!
 
The vet was very non committal. They said that they might not be able to find out what it was as she wasn't doing it any more but to bring her in if we were worried. She is behaving perfectly normally now.
 
I've (touch wood) never had any experience in dogs having fits but if it was me, I'd take her in as I'd rather have the hope they could diagnose (or even just monitor) her tonight than worry about it until Monday. Just my opinion (and I am a worry-wart) but it's what I do. Hugs for you, it's not a nice situation to be in. xx
 
Sounds like an epileptic fit, which are not uncommon. There's a useful article here, with a description of what a fit looks like, it sounds just like what you witnessed:

http://www.vetontheweb.co.uk/pet-clinic-detail.asp?id=452

Especially this bit:

"By the time you describe over the phone what has transpired, the dog is often up and aware and looking for that rawhide chew toy it was working on just before he was interrupted." :)
 
I always err on the side of caution with these kind of things, better that than the sick feeling when you know you could have done more...
 
Sounds like an epileptic fit, which are not uncommon. There's a useful article here, with a description of what a fit looks like, it sounds just like what you witnessed:

http://www.vetontheweb.co.uk/pet-clinic-detail.asp?id=452

Especially this bit:

"By the time you describe over the phone what has transpired, the dog is often up and aware and looking for that rawhide chew toy it was working on just before he was interrupted." :)

Thank you very much - that describes it completely. Looking at that it seems that she had a very mild fit.

She is curled up asleep with me now after having a little battle with her brother. We are going to monitor her carefully and take her to the vet for blood tests on Monday. If she has anymore we will be straight to the emergency vets.

Thank you all for your help.
 
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