So we bought a Bullmastiff pup and picked him up last Saturday. We’re in the Fort Worth area of TX, breeder is in Austin. He started having what I think are focal motor seizures Sunday and it’s happened multiple times since then. We’ve been to our vet four times trying to chase this down, finally did bloodwork today, we’ll have the results in the AM. The breeder, very kind and amicable couple, are beside themselves. They’re very concerned and want updates. I don’t know what to do, they offered us another pup and they would take ours back to care for. We’re attached to this little guy but he was quite expensive and I’m not really thrilled at the thought of potentially taking care of an epileptic dog for 8-10 years.

Suggestions? Hopefully the lab work will show us something in the morning.

Sorry man that sucks big time. I hate to say it but the best thing to do might be to trade out for a healthy pup.

quote:

Originally posted by cheeze:
Sorry man that sucks big time. I hate to say it but the best thing to do might be to trade out for a healthy pup.

Very hard call. I tend to agree, I just don’t want to admit it.

The faster the better in my opinion.

So sorry to hear that the new puppy is having medical problems. Am sure that you will do what is best for the pup. Prayers sent.......................................................... drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by drill sgt:
So sorry to hear that the new puppy is having medical problems. Am sure that you will do what is best for the pup. Prayers sent.......................................................... drill sgt.

Thank you sir

Man, that sucks for you and the puppy. No easy choice, but I would likely swap it myself, being so new.

Whatever difference / advantage you thought you saw in the one you picked would likely be forgotten n-months into a healthy puppy.

Hard call and raw deal for all, regardless. Sorry.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
Man, that sucks for you and the puppy. No easy choice, but I would likely swap it myself, being so new.

Whatever difference / advantage you thought you saw in the one you picked would likely be forgotten n-months into a healthy puppy.

Hard call and raw deal for all, regardless. Sorry.

True. Good point

I agree, sounds like the breeder is ethical. At least making it sound so. I always have a bit of skepticism when it comes to them. Once you get the info you will know what to do. Wish you the best. That is a tough one.

I would see what the bloodwork shows before swapping him out but then I get attached easily.

Regardless of what you choose, sorry you're having to deal with this. It's a lose/lose as far as what choice you make from where I'm sitting. Either way could lead to heartache.

My English Setter/Jack Russell mix started having seizures infrequently (a couple every six months...usually back to back in a few days) when she was about five. She turns eleven in a few weeks.

Our vet wants to place her medication to mitigate it if they become more frequent...so far they never had.

That said, if you aren't attached yet, I would make the tough choice now. Seizures are no fun to deal with especially if you have small children or another pet.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

Sorry to hear about your dog.

My wife and I took care of a cat the had epilepsy for over 10 years. We had to give her phenobarbital 3 times a day. She would still have occasional seizures. She was one tough cookie.

I hope things work out the best for you and your puppy.

Well we’re up at 1:45 with him having another episode and the subsequent crying and howling. This is just terrible. I sure hope it’s something treatable, whomever has him. Thank you all for the kind thoughts and advice.

…. and he just did it again at 3:30.

So sorry for your puppies issues. My nearly 3 year old chocolate lab has Epilepsy and suffers from seizures.

There are several medications out there to treat it, but you could still see some occasional seizures.

Our guy still has one about every 6 weeks or so, but they aren't nearly as bad as they were prior to the medication.

Good luck and I'll say a prayer for your family...

I’m so sorry your new pup is struggling. I would make arrangements with the breeder to exchange pending test results. You’re right, you really don’t want to deal with this. I took in a young rescue dog with idiopathic seizures..of course the family dumping her never mentioned it until we contacted and asked about it, then it was “oh, yeah, she does that”. Every time was a nightmare, every time she was exhausted and terrified after (me, too). Then she’d recover and be the most amazing dog ever.
I spent years and $ trying to figure it out, and always felt like a failure when the next one hit. What did I forget? What did I miss? What could I do differently next time? She was with me til her teens.

Check your home and yard for anything ingestible that it may have eaten- if you haven’t already. Review diet, etc make sure water is always readily available.
It does sound as though the pup came with this problem.. I wonder if there’s any way you can hang in Austin for a long weekend to visit with the breeder and spend time watching both pups, just to be sure. Not sure if you’re planning on breeding, but I’d be extra cautious if this does turn out to be medical- maybe the pup took a bad bump on the head, etc, but if it’s hereditary.. it can be heartbreaking for whoever has to deal with it.

I won’t make any comments on whether to keep him or get a new puppy, but I have a question.

If he’s started on flea & tick meds, which one are you using? If it’s nexgard (or any other oral flea & tick meds) stop using it. Nexgard is the most common one but they all have a chance to cause seizures. I won’t elaborate much more than this (to avoid causing panic/confusion) but if you’re curious about it a google search can answer questions.

I’ve also read some of the flea & tick collars are starting to cause seizures as well. This is why we have chosen to use topical meds…it’s messier but less likely to cause these issues.

I would return him and get a full refund (I wouldnt pick another one) . But that is me.

Prayers sent, I hope whatever is decided works out. I had an epileptic Lab, it’s tough to go through.