my dog and my epilepsy

[kimba]

Hi, I was wondering if Lab/pit bull mixes can sense if your gonna have a seizure?
I havent slept good in past few days at all and feel tired and just "weird" My dog is nervous around me now. He is backing away from me, looking at me strange and whining (more than usual). He always wants to be around me or my husband (husband at work). I don't know why he is acting that way but again, I do not feel good at all today. Kinda aura-ish but really tired. Thank you for any info

 

[Nakamova]

There are service dogs trained to accompany people with epilepsy. Other members here have mentioned that their pets seem to respond to their seizures or pre-seizure states.

You might be interested in this thread:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/dogs-who-can-predict-siezures-1007/

 

[Molly97]

While not able to sense my seizures per se, my miniature schnauzer girl Abbey is very sensitive to my overall wellbeing. She's only 2 years old, so this could change.

My last dog, a miniature schnauzer Molly, could definitely tell when a seizure was coming. We taped me for a short time and found out that just before a seizure, I would have this great gulping of air which made a weird noise. It was that noise Molly was responding to.

Just be glad you have a dog who is that tuned to you.

 

[Naomi55]

I'm not familiar with specific breeds being able or unable to predict seizures, I don't see why it's not possible the dog is responding to something, although you just said you've been feeling weird, and that may be what the dog is responding to. I have a 1.5 year old puggle (pug/beagle mix) who witnessed my seizures for the first time last month - she wouldn't leave me alone for two days. Normally she sleeps at my feet at night, but spent the two days after the seizures draped over my chest. Dogs are wonderful friends.

 

[draggrif]

I think my dog can tell if I'm going to have a seizure. She gets upset and leads people to me (what few people understand that a dog is trying to lead them)

 

[Ori]

When I regain consciousness after a seizure, one of my two dogs, Shadow, is usually lying on my chest licking my face.

 

[ddr1166]

Our pup <<<here licks my husbands face after a seizure. During the seizure she lays down quietly next to him. The first time it happened, she barked profusely during the seizure, then sat down and waited for it to pass, then licked his face.

The other funny thing was our old cat (18 yrs.) who isn't my "husband's" cat (he's been my baby since 6 weeks old and normally sleeps on my head/pillow), sat down next to him the night of his seizure and curled up next to him! Animals are great, aren't they?

 

[sandi]

There is some research that indicates seizure start much sooner than when you feel your first aura's ect. Whether this is an increase in electrical activity or a chemical change I'm not sure. My dog has an extremely sensitive nose-She's a sniffer , Many times she will begin sniffing me and go away be a dog and play-Other times she sniffs me , licks me frankly can bug the piss out of me.
And Hubby and I have documented that maybe not at that minute but later in the day -I have a spell.When I have a spell , she stays with me.
It is very possible that your dog is reacting, I have known female dogs to know when there owner is pregnant as well.
You'll have to keep an eye out and see.What soothes her behavior.
I usually just try to tell Dee I' okay and re-assure her . Sometimes I'll pet or Lay down with her, as long as I'm close she is at ease.

 

[valeriedl]

I don't know if my cat knows if I'm going to have the seizure because I usually don't remember anything that I was doing before I had it. But I know after I come out he won't leave my side. He usually lays down on me and won't go away until I feel better.

My husband just got done with his radiation and chemo for cancer a few months ago for cancer and has been given a clean bill of health, but he is having some serious side effects from the things that he had gone through. If he is having a really bad day, usually hurting or feeling sick, that cat won't leave his side either. He will sit on his lap and will actually have to be pushed off when my husband needs to get up. He'll follow him around and is back up with him when he sits back down.

It was sort of funny the other night, my husband wasn't feeling good at all and I was rubbling his back. The cat jumped up on his back and "helped" me.