How much would you investigate?

[fankino04]

My girl is pretty senior but still happy and active (few things currently going on that has had a few vet visits but nothing that seems to effect her much). For the last few years she has had these twitching episodes, I day they remind me of when someone shudders for no reason and says "oh someone just walked over my grave". They only last a second or so and she doesn't seem bothered by them, is confused or disoriented etc. Recently they have become much more regular but still only for a second or 2 and now I notice that sometimes her leg twitches when she is resting. Whenever I have mentioned it to the vet they say not to worry about it and if they become full seizures then she can go on meds to stop them. Should I insist on more investigation? I imagine that would be quite pricey and is unlikely to find anything treatable....

 

[twiggy2]

I wouldn't, I would not see the point

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Tbh if the vet says 'don't bother', I wouldn't bother. I had an epileptic dog, meds changed her personality so much that I stopped them and just made sure that if she had a seizure when I wasn't there, she would be safe.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I suspect that her symptoms is too mild for them to be able/want to prescribe any medication (possibly due to the risk for side effects, such as what Pearlsasinger mentioned), making further investigations pointless at the moment, because the results wouldn't change the current treatment. Which is to wait, and come back if her symptoms gets worse.

But I could be wrong, maybe you could call your veterinarian, and ask if they could clarify why they don't think it needs to be investigated further at the moment.

 

[DiNozzo]

My parents Yorkie is like this. He regularly (at least 3 times a week) sort of stiffens up shudders for a second and then looks around and is fine. He's 13 now, not doing investigations because he hates the vet.

If he ever looked confused or worried I'd make them take him, but he's quite cheerfully ruling his universe.

 

[fankino04]

My parents Yorkie is like this. He regularly (at least 3 times a week) sort of stiffens up shudders for a second and then looks around and is fine. He's 13 now, not doing investigations because he hates the vet.

If he ever looked confused or worried I'd make them take him, but he's quite cheerfully ruling his universe.

Noodle is up to 3-4 times a day now but as I said they haven't got any longer in length and she isn't bothered, so I guess no point worrying about what might happen in the future.

 

[DiNozzo]

Noodle is up to 3-4 times a day now but as I said they haven't got any longer in length and she isn't bothered, so I guess no point worrying about what might happen in the future.

The terrierist may well be more- he lives with my parents! They aren't the most observant. He's happy, completely blind, should be crippled from a slipping hock(?) joint, but isn't, and is still the most arrogant, egotistical, funny little ruler/emperor I've ever met. No point upsetting him!

The only long term thing he's ever been on is yumove which has definitely helped him in terms of movement but not seizures!

If they're only a second or two, I really wouldn't bother. Does she ever lose her balance when she has them?

 

[fankino04]

The terrierist may well be more- he lives with my parents! They aren't the most observant. He's happy, completely blind, should be crippled from a slipping hock(?) joint, but isn't, and is still the most arrogant, egotistical, funny little ruler/emperor I've ever met. No point upsetting him!

The only long term thing he's ever been on is yumove which has definitely helped him in terms of movement but not seizures!

If they're only a second or two, I really wouldn't bother. Does she ever lose her balance when she has them?

Occasionally she ends up lying on the floor, she drops on all 4s like a dog that has an amazing "down" command, she then generally goes into a crazy 5 minute tail chasing session after it. They used to come on when she was being very focussed on something but now they just happen with no pattern that I can find.

 

[DiNozzo]

Occasionally she ends up lying on the floor, she drops on all 4s like a dog that has an amazing "down" command, she then generally goes into a crazy 5 minute tail chasing session after it. They used to come on when she was being very focussed on something but now they just happen with no pattern that I can find.

I wouldn't worry if she's not at risk of falling and damaging herself that way.

 

[GSD Woman]

Occasionally she ends up lying on the floor, she drops on all 4s like a dog that has an amazing "down" command, she then generally goes into a crazy 5 minute tail chasing session after it. They used to come on when she was being very focussed on something but now they just happen with no pattern that I can find.

Honestly, it sounds like a type of seizure. Whether or not you want to spend the large amount of money that an MRI would cost is up to you.

 

[fankino04]

Honestly, it sounds like a type of seizure. Whether or not you want to spend the large amount of money that an MRI would cost is up to you.

I just don't see a reason to spend the the huge amount an MRI would cost on something that doesn't seem to effect her and apart from medicating against the actual seizures wouldn't be anything treatable, just wanted to check people's thoughts in case it was likely that an MRI / further investigations might show something that is treatable (as in curable, or a degenerative condition that medication can slow down)

 

[GSD Woman]

fankino04,I think you're making the sensible decision. I just wanted to let you know that it sounded like a type of seizure. Good luck with her.

 

[TheresaW]

Aled used to do something similar. In hindsight, I think it may have been his spine having a little spasm. It never seemed to bother him, and the vet wasn’t concerned. We eventually lost him to arthritis in his back end.