Why is my 15-year-old Shih Tzu having seizures and acting confused?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Seizures can occur due to many reasons that go from a toxicity, metabolic diseases, inflammatory diseases and even tumors including brain tumors. I highly recommend that you have Casey evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. Diagnostics that will be recommended will include bloodwork and advanced imaging such as an MRI. They would also be able to start her on anti-seizure medications to try to avoid the onset of more seizures. Good luck and have a good day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Skittle! You should take her in. I would try to video tape an episode on your phone for the Vet to see. She needs an exam and blood work. I worry they are focal seizures. Common causes of focal seizures in a geriatric Golden are: low blood sugar from a tumor, metabolic conditions like liver or kidney failure or a brain tumor. I wish Skittle the best!

I am concerned that there is something more going on with Bob. Especially with his age if he has never had seizures before he could have gotten into a toxin or it could be a brain lesion. If Bob is not on any medication for seizures I would talk to your veterinarian about starting some. Twelve seizures in three days is a lot. The only way to give you a definitive answer is an MRI but seizure medication will hopefully help. Regarding Bob's skin I would have your vet take a look to see if it's an infection or not. If the seizures do not stop regardless of medication we always have to evaluate how Bob's quality of life is at home. I hope Bob feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The falling/lethargy episode you described may have been a seizure. This may be due to toxin ingestion or epilepsy, which does occur occasionally in older dogs. Head shaking may be related or unrelated as an ear infection. I recommend having Sami seen by her vet who can perform bloodwork and x-rays and prescribe anticonvulsant medications if the seizures continue. I recommend bringing a video of the episode if you are able to, as his will be really helpful in determining if the episode was truly a seizure. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Hello, sorry to hear about Buella. Seizure in older dogs are always concerning for some form of brain disease. Unfortunately, a brain tumor is something that is highly considered and one thing to rule out. Other potential causes include having inflammation of her brain or an infection. Less likely causes include severe liver disease or low glucose. All of these causes however would require that your vet obtains bloodwork and potentially an MRI to examine her brain and look for any tumors. If she continues to have these episodes, she should be seen by her veterinarian soon. Alternatively, you may be able to start anti-seizure medications and see if this helps control her episodes as long as she is otherwise eating, drinking, and acting like her normal self. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Poor Jackie! Unfortunately in an older dog who has no history of epilepsy, seizures usually mean something serious is going on. They can be caused by a primary brain lesion such as a tumour or they can be caused by the effects of toxin build up from organ failure, most often liver. They can be caused by other reasons such as high temperature or poisoning but the previous reasons are more likely. You need to get Jackie to a vet as seizures can damge the brain badly. The vet can examine her for clues as to a cause. Bloods can be useful to ascertain if it is organ failure. With a brain tumour clinical signs such as neurological signs can point to it, but mri tends to be the only full proof way to diagnose it. The vet will be able to administer meds to stop the seizuring then can decide the best treatment for her depending on the underlying cause. I will warn you that it is not going to be a case of curing her, but tryong to make her comfortable and manage symptoms. It is possible that her condition will be beyonf help and you may have to make the decision to put her to sleep. Good luck and give Jackie a cuddle from me.

It sounds like your dog is experiencing either seizure or aneurysm like activity, or may be experiencing cardiorespiratory problems. Both of these warrant immediate attention and can result in death if they go untreated. Prognosis is unknown until more is known about the cause of the symptoms. While I understand your position, please understand that without attention this may not have a good outcome.