Update Border terrier siezures.. CECS video horrible sorry

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rushyj

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I put a post up a few days ago about broder terriers suffering from CECS a disorder very similar to epilepsy that effect this breed... Many people PM me for more details. unfortunately my little dog has another episode later that day. I have to record to video any seizures she has for a vet who is researching CECS apparently her symptoms are classic.

I have put the video on here to raise awareness in this conditions and it is not something I have done lightly this little dog is my baby and it is only on here to hopefully help others.

During this video she is mid attack. She is completely on her belly with her legs stretched out behind her. Her whole body is cramped and she is almost incapable of moving. She is fully aware of what is happening and fully concious.

Please let people with border terriers know the more publicity this gets the quicker we can find some way to treat or relieve this problem. PM me for loads more info and websites.

 
Poor wee thing. It's a bit difficult to see because it's upside down. But I'm sure it's very distressing.

Is there anything that can be done?
 
Poor little girl. My labrador used to have attacks very similar to this, but it only affected her back end, which was very upsetting for her!! I hope you manage to find a treatment soon for her!!
 
Thank you... I know my daughter was about to come in and was trying to stop her and film at same time.. hopefully they will find something it is diet related almost like tying up in horses. One the bright side when she is ok she is as bright and naughty as a good border should be...
 
We have had Borders for years, from 1980 and have had a similar thing happen but ours almost black out completely, are completely rigid and don't know what's happening to them at all, so this video, while distressing to yourselves, I actually found very mild. That is in no way meant to denigrate you at all, just saying how it was with ours.
They would happen at any time, on a walk, waiting for their tea, even from waking up when they would stagger out of their bed and collapse in a heap, but they all took the same course and would usually last ten minutes. A bad one was 25 min's when I thought we had lost her, she went so limp and still halfway through it but rallied.
Vets we consulted thought it was a sudden lack of oxygen to the brain which tallies with our findings of when they happened. Skye could be on a walk with you or waiting for her tea to be put down, perfectly alright, then you'd hear a little cough and she'd be flat on her side in a fit. Straight after the fit, she'd have a drink and be back right as rain and you would have to pinch yourself that it happened. She lived until she was 14, started fitting six months after her one and only litter (of two) when she was nearly three and might have had two in a month or none at all for over a year ever since until her death. It was frightening and worrying at first but then we got used to them and found out the best way was to hold her steady in our arms so she couldn't bang into anything and only put her down once she was fully aware and able to answer to her name with a wag of her tail. Because they were so random there was no medication to help and we'd never have got her to a vet in time during one so we just had to take their advice which was what I've just told you. Holly, a Border we had put down just before Christmas, was nearly sixteen, had never had a fit or anything wrong with her in her life until the November when she had very similar to Skye except that she frothed at the mouth as well; she was never right properly after that, went very senile for want of a word and it was kinder to put her down, although heart breaking. Holly was a great great niece of Skye's through Skye's dam who never fitted but it's a possible link from many generations back.
Hope that's given you a new insight into it.
 
My cocker used to have siezures, although ***touches woods*** I've not seen him have on for ages.

I can't remember what the vet called them now though. He wasn't like your dog though. He would stand splayed legged and swing his head from side to side whilst "crying". Used to last for a few minutes, then he'd be sleepy for a few hours before returning to normal.

His started after a GA to remove part of his tail due to "wagtail" when he was 11 months old. He is 13 1/2 now.
 
Oh my god.
My border had what I would call a fit this morning , I have never seen one before.
I went to see what the noise was, she was in her cage door open as useful. She was ridged front legs stretched in front trembling. I lifted her out she had no idea i was there comforted her till she stopped shaking. put her down on the carpet and she acted like she was drunk falling over and panting a lot. this all took 10mins. she has slept soundly nearly all day but is bright enough when awake.
I looked for information on the internet but this has been more helpful.
What do i do about it now? should i take her to the vet. she is 7 years old.
 
Sadly it sounds like the same thing.... search for CECS on the web the full name is Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome try this website.

http://www.borderterrier-cecs.com/

Make sure you do speak to your vet to rule out anything else though but sadly it seems like a condition border terriers suffer from. I know how you feel the first time it happens you could cry. My biggest fear was any mental damage after a fit but touching wood she seems normal when not during an attack. If yours is similar to my girl. When it first sets in they try to stretch the back legs out this is to relieve the cramping in the bowel allow them to do this then support and cuddle so they do not bump into anything. It is exhausting for them and they are very tired after.

PM me if you need any more info or even a chat. Hope your dog is ok
 
It's always a good idea to get her checked out in case it is something different I think; I know I would.
It is frightening the first few times and hopefully they won't change format, at least none of ours did, it was always the same routine but you reminded me how sleepy they are afterwards.
In our case, it's not been the end of the world and you couldn't even call it anything else than just unpleasant for all concerned. It certainly didn't stop our Borders from leading a full, happy and busy life so I hope the same can be said about yours.
 
Rushys
Thankyou for that information I found it interesting but i am not sure it is what Pippa had, as she blacked out completely. I watched the videos and although similar not the same. I checked the diet page and she is already on a recommended diet. Not that that proves anything.

I think she had a seizure, more like MFH_09 described it.
 
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