Rose - Loki's last episode was on the same date at Pereg's, Friday 6 September [a nightmare of post-ictal behaviour until the "aftershock" one Pereg had the following day].

I wonder what it was that caused them to both seize on the same day? So far Pereg has been sz-free since then and is now on Day 18 and I never have any sign or fore-warning.

This epilepsy is such a horrid thing, and we always have to be on permanent seizure watch. Only someone like you and I [and Linda with her Loki] and other people with epi dogs know what it is like.

Pat - epileptic dogs do not "pick up on it if you were hawk eyed watching their every move" - they have seizures when the crossed wiring in their brains short-circuits. This happens whether you are on seizure-watch or not. The reason why is is necessary to be aware of what is happening is, in Pereg's case and that of most other epi dogs, is to make sure that they are safe during a Grand Mal seizure, by putting cushions or pillows or anything down so that they cannot hurt themselves by bashing their heads during a violent seizure.

You cannot just "forget" that your dog is epileptic and hope that they do not have any more seizures, you have to be aware all the time that it might - it will - happen again. And in most cases it is impossible to know when or why.

If you have never owned a dog with epilepsy, then no matter what you Google or look up on You Tube, you have to live with it to understand it.

Keep your hair on. I don't have to own an epileptic dog to SYMPATHISE with someone who has one! And from everything I read it is nigh on impossible to predict when they will have episodes in most cases. I do have human friends (two of them) who suffer with epilepsy. Their lives would be much more manageable if they knew when to expect an episode or for how long they will be episode free.

Brandykins said:
I was merely trying to say to her that she had nothing to recriminate herself for if she felt she should have picked up on some signals or other. That's all nothing more or less than that. I am not trying to take over as the epilepsy guru for advice or anything. Sorry I posted anything at all now you've jumped on me.

As for dogs not 'picking up on stuff' where their owners are concerned. That's definitely not the case with my dog. If I am keeping an eye on her for any reason (minor injury whatever) she KNOWS it! She also knows if anything is in the offing - no doubt picking up the vibes from me. Same as dogs seem to know when you are stressed or unhappy.

I just looked back at what I'd posted with a view to deleting it to stop this nonsense but as for the life of me I can see nothing other than me telling Brandykins not to beat herself up over not seeing warning signs I won't bother. But this will be my last post on the thread as it is a shame it has turned into a disagreement about what was intended as just a comforting comment.

Like you could not see anything wrong with comparing me to CM because I forgot to follow Pereg's usual routine after putting her food down.

Oh please folk no need to get at each other - Loki had the fits and you both kindly responded! I appreciate all the comments made here by everyone and I find each one helps me as well. So thank you to both of you.

And, Loki did refuse to go down the stairs last time and if I go to the other previous ones, she had done the same!

I will watch for that in future!

She refused to go out today but that may be due to her tiredness as she was on antibiotics as well for the infected callus on her elbow.

Again, to you both and everyone, many thanks for all the support and lovely messages you leave me for both Loki and I. xx

Sorry to hear about Loki's fits, Brandykins! Epilepsy is such a bummer, and different in every patient. You're the best placed to keep an eye on it. Are you keeping a seizure diary? Note down when it happened, any unusual things that might or might not have come into play (there was a loud party next door; stole an entire brick of cheese; aliens invaded; anything unusual). This can be very useful to specialists if you need to see one. Dates, times, and degree of awfulness should be tracked.

What are you doing for food? When our half Mal developed epilepsy, I was advised to eliminate corn and soy from his diet. Our vets said that while these were unlikely to cause fits in a healthy dog, they might contribute to the problem in one with epilepsy, so we switched to a premium food (that they all love, so never going back to anything else). No idea if it helped or not-- unfortunately cancer ate our beloved boy when he was only seven. But I'm sure it couldn't have hurt.

I'm sure you're doing everything you can for Loki and I hope her fits aren't too bad. No matter if they're just mild, it's still upsetting to her and to you. Best wishes to you!