Am wondering if other owners of black labs have witnessed a...

Answer by Brandi form Norman
Submitted on 1/10/2004
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We have black labs, our female is 10 and we have a male(her pup) is eight. Although we have never seen this in our female, our male has had a couple of episodes like what you are decribing. It was really scary, but our vet said that large dogs often have seizures as they age. They have always had the best of everything and I felt maybe it was something we had done or left undone. He assured us that most large breds have recurring problems of this nature. He said that if they become more frequent, such as three or more a month we could put him on meds that would prevent this. However, he said that the meds side effects are sometimes worse than an occassional seizure. I would just keep a little note on a calendar of when they occur. Happy Note: we have not seen any for the last six months.

Answer by Vicki
Submitted on 1/24/2004
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I have a female black lab she is 5 and this morning we woke up to a loud thud sound. When I look it was my dog laying there, shivering, body clinched,a dazed look in her eyes and shallow breathing. I sat next to her for comfort while my husband called the vet. Luckily our vet is a close friend and we have his home number which has come in handy more than once. Needless to say he talked us through her seizure and at the precise timing that he said she would come out of it she did. She stood up and licked me and put her whole body (86lbs) up against me and kept licking me. I assume her way of saying thanks mom for not leaving me. Within a few minutes she was her normal self playing with the other two dogs. I felt so helpless even though Ive been through this before with an English Springer we had that had diabetic seizures and received insulin shots daily until she passed on. I highly recommend seeking your vet the minute something is not normal, our vet is making a house call to get some blood to run test. He said she may never get another seizure and then she may we will have to see what the results are. I thank you for allowing me to share my experience and Ill keep you posted.

Answer by Kathy
Submitted on 2/2/2004
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I had a Black Lab mix , she was 17 when we put her down. She had cancer of the elbow or (in the elbow joint) Lady had her first epileptic seizure when she was 6 months old ,It looked terrible ,she shook ,Stiftened out like she was in alot of pain, But she was out she didnt know what was happening at all.Ten minutes later she came out ofit . The next time she had one she didnt come out of if right away ,we rushed her to the vet , he gave medication . with medication she lived a very happy life .Then Cancer hit Had nothing to do with the seizures. Hope this helps We had 17 Happy Years Lady was on phenobarbital but there are newer drugs out there. Get to a vet Good Luck

Answer by Kathy
Submitted on 2/28/2004
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Our three-year old chocolate lab had a similar experience. She started knuckling her hind legs (walking on the top of her feet rather than the bottom). I rushed her to the vet and within an hour she was completed paralyzed in her hind quarters. The emergency center where I took her told us that it could be a blood clot or a spinal injury - they were not sure. They put her on IVs with steroids and fluids - basically they told us she probably would not make it. We left the emergency center at 3:00 pm. At 11:00 pm they called and told us that she had been able to walk. They released her the next night. She has since seen our regular vet, and two specialists. Her x-rays did not provide an answer and none of the vets have been able to tell us anything. We just pray that she does not have another one.

Answer by Jamie Lynn
Submitted on 2/28/2004
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For Sherrie: Re:Dogs hind Quarters. I have a male Blk. Lab and he will be a year old on march 15th, I noticed about 3 months ago he was acting real lame in the evenings after long walks , and a good play. He would yelp some times as if some one had walked right up and kicked him, and when he would go to get up he would use his front legs to push the rest of his body up. So I took him in to the vet and what they found was that he has HIP DYSPLASIA. So now I call him the pivet dog.---So this is something you might want to check out with your vet. I always had thought that older dogs of the breed would get it, little did I know that my little guy not even a year old could have it as well. Good Luck!!

Answer by Jane
Submitted on 3/4/2004
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My 9 yo German Shorthaired Pointer had an episode last Sunday (it is now Thursday). My neighbours said that suddenly he started crying, then it stopped, he came inside quietly and after a couple of minutes started to behave as if he had stood on a prickle in one foot, then the other foot, then he started knuckling over on both back feet and his spine became hunched. Within another minute he was screaming. I took him down to the vet, by which stage there was no obvious sensation or control anywhere behind the shoulder blades. They gave him a shot of ACP & I had to pick him up a couple of hours later with a couple of syringes of ACP as he wasn't staying under it for long enough to get him through the night. Took him back the next morning. Xray of his spine (except for the neck) show nothing. By Tuesday morning he was regaining bladder control and was rather unsteady but had stood up on 3 feet, with one still knuckling over. As he wouldnt eat or drink at the vets and they wanted to give him time to see how it would progress, they sent him home. He is able to get around shakily but gets very tired after a few steps, the left rear leg, although vaguely useful with the pad on the ground rather than knuckled over, is really only a bit of a rudder and won't take weight (although the circulation has improved). He has regained bowel & bladder control, will drink, but not eat. Also something that I have noticed is that if he puts his head down a little to drink from an elevated bucket, he starts to almost tip up from behind? After a day of lying in a darkened house doing nothing (we have very hot weather in Melbourne) today I took him to work and put him in a crate with the dispatch guys to keep him interested in goings on to try to alleviate the depression he is in....I feel that this is the next thing to work on - the vet is amazed that he is even mobile..... I have no idea of the likely outcome as the only thing I can think that may have triggered this is a couple of sharp turns while chasing a ball 18 hours before the event....we wait and we pray. Jane

Answer by Rachel
Submitted on 6/7/2004
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I recently picked up a black lab that was dropped off in the country. On Friday we noticed that it was extremely difficult for him to get up. At one point my fiance had to actually pick him up to bring him outside. He still remained in fairly ok spirits considering. The vet said he is roughly 1-2 years old, & it is probably hip dysplasia & gave us medication for 2 weeks that should clear it up. If the meds don't do the trick, then we x-ray. If it is quite bad, there are several surgeries that are options. One is removing a muscle from the leg, & the other is removing the ball from the ball & socket joint. Today is Monday & he is slowly regaining his mobility. Another option is buying Glucosamine, Chondroitin, or shark cartilage. Glucosamine & Chondroitin should be bought in a combination. You can actually pick them up at your health food store & they help with arthritis.

Answer by Melissa
Submitted on 3/9/2006
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Our 13 year Chocolate Lab had a seizure today. I thought he was dying. I let him outside and happened to look out the window a few minutes later to see him laying in the snow shaking and straining his head while his legs were going wild. It lasted several minutes then he seemed to be dead, then in a stupor. He didn't recognize me and started snarling and barking at me then after a few minutes more he stood up and seemed to come out of it. We rushed him to the vet where they checked to see if he had ingested something and did a blood test. His sugar level came back extremely high so he's there for the night while they give him liquids, valium and wait to test his urine to see if he has diabetes. So hard to go through this w/our beloved pet. We're hoping for the best but bracing for the worst.

Answer by EmG
Submitted on 9/27/2006
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I have a 5 yr old black lab and he has had several severe seizures. Although it is common for large breed dogs such as black labs to have seizures, the vet fears that Jakes seizures may be coming from the physical abuse he suffered during the first year of his life before I rescued him. There is nothing that we can aside from talk calmly to him and monitor him in case he needs emergency help. He has given us quite a few scares but he seems healthy and happy and loves to play with our German Shepherd 9 month old. The other thing that the vet advised is that seizures can come from allergies to food. That seems to be the most common. We have changed his food to one that has little fillers and he is doing great. Good luck with all your pets and give them a hug from me and Jake. : )

Answer by April
Submitted on 1/8/2007
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I have black lab mix. He had similar symptoms at age 2. However, he has Addison's Disease. I brought him to the vet as I noticed something was not right. The vet said my dog is healthy. A week later, I brought him back again, this time the vet noticed something and said he needed to go to a neurologist, we would have to wait 4 weeks for an appointment. We brought the dog to another vet, at this point he was unable to move, but his body would shake uncontrollably. The vet hit is right on with his diagnosis, once the blood results were in, he started the dog on medication and he needs 6 pills a day ($1 per pill). I am being bankrupted but, I love my dog.

Answer by Kim
Submitted on 3/22/2007
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Hi I have a black lab that will be 5 this year. A few months ago he had a fatty tumor removed from his left side. He babied that side quite a bit. Then about a week later he was limping on the right side. I thought maybe he was trying to be easy on his left and ended up pulling something on his right. I have had it x-rayed, hips look great, no sign of any displasia, in fact he has been X-rayed every year since a pup to make sure hips are still healthy. It's going on 5 months still has a limp when he first gets up. Sometimes it's really bad sometimes it's hardly noticeable. I just don't want to over look anything serious. You know? I pray for all our dogs to give us happiness for years to come. Aren't Black Labs the BEST!!!?>>> Take Care Kim

Answer by rosiesmom
Submitted on 7/5/2007
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We have a black mix lab female, 3.5yrs... last jan 07 after a night we had a party... she started running around blindly... eventually taking out an accordian closet door. Figured maybe someone gave her chocolate or something... last night almost 6 months later. same thing. Awoke to her blindly running around, ending up under our bed, heavily panting and shaking.... both of us just held her and hugged her until she appeared stable about 20 minutes later... is this epilepsy? I put a dalmation cross down for this when the seizures basically went one to another even with meds... and this doesn't appear to be the same. No paralysis, just running blindly with a bare minimum of body shakes... If she;s running and we stop her the back legs keep going like she is running in a dream or something.. thanks tina know this post is old.... but...

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Question by Sherrie
Submitted on 11/10/2003
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Am wondering if other owners of black labs have witnessed a sudden paralysis of the hind quarters on their dog? My dog had it come on and last through the other night, yet he was perfectly fine the next morning. He couldn't walk that night, yet was running and jumping as usual 10 hours later. He's 10, in great health and very lively usually. Is this a symptom of something down the road?

Answer by GirlfromTx
Submitted on 1/4/2004
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my mother's pooch had this happen around age 9 (she's now 16 years old) and no, she's not a lab, but a Border Collie. Anyhow, she had some tests done at the vet and they concluded the dog was epileptic. She had experienced her first seizure. It is a possibility this is what happened to your dog. Seizures are completely controllable and mother's dog has had a healthy life for the past 7 years, though she's only been on meds for the past 4 years. They will only prescribe meds if the seizures become very frequent or lengthy. hope this helps! Get your poochie to a vet and have him/her checked out

Answer by Dawn
Submitted on 1/16/2004
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I have a black lab who is eight and have witnessed exactly what you were described. It has happened twice.

Answer by jack
Submitted on 1/22/2004
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My black lab [female] had the same problem when she was 12.She has since past on at the age of 14.

Answer by Steve from Oregon
Submitted on 2/16/2004
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I have a lab mastiff mix who's only one yr. old. He's very active and very spoiled and he's had paralysis in his hind quarters twice now. Our vet told us that its common in the large working class dog's and will most likely become displacia in later years. unfortunately, I'm told, dog's are put down and there is no real treatment. Sorry... hope my vet is wrong.

Answer by Valarie
Submitted on 2/24/2004
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I own a 3 yr old Female Lab/Akita mix, Shadow,who experiences seizures about once every 2 months.Her vet said that it is common for Labs to experience these seizures. I too, was terrified the first time I witnessed it. Medication is available, but once started on meds, she can never stop. As long as the seizures are not frequent, I would try not to worry.

Answer by Peggy
Submitted on 3/4/2004
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My very best friends had a black lab that was extremely intellegent. He also had the same experiences several times. He was in excellent health, visited the vet regularly, and according to his vet he was having seizures. They would start when he was standing and they would have to hold him up so that he didnt fall down. When it started, they only lasted several minutes, and gradually lasted longer. He also ended up having hip displasia. He lived to be the rip old age of 14.

Answer by Tiffany
Submitted on 4/8/2004
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We just experienced this today. Our black lab had her first one today. She is 4 and I was the one to walk in on it thinking my two dogs were wrestling in the house. It made me feel sick to my stomach and like I was gonna pass out. The vet with afterhours is like 45 mins away so the one we usually go to opens at 8 and my hubby is gonna call when it opens. She is fine now. Barking at stuff like she usually does but it is scary. I am glad I found I am not the only one.

Answer by lisa
Submitted on 4/26/2004
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Our black lab gets seizures every so often they seem to be getting more frequent, a couple of times he has thrown up yellowish stuff. Right after he is fine and during he tries to get up and see us but we just comfort him you feel helpless there is nothing you can do for the dog at the time. But he is fine now

Answer by troy
Submitted on 5/7/2004
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my dog Had two AND HE DIED.

Answer by kokopellidancer
Submitted on 5/23/2004
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My dog growing up had seizures/temp. paralysis of the back quarters and his back would bow up, and he could not walk. He did eventually have to be put down, but it was not until he was quite old and had been living with this occasional condition for years.

Answer by cattgirlsrock
Submitted on 5/25/2004
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SEiZuReS I've had two of my beautiful black labs die from seizures. First was my 4 year old 120 pound male. They started out once a month, gradually becoming more frequent until it was daily. The last seizure put him into cardiac arrest 6 months after the first. Then 10 years later I lost his mother the same way. She was 14 and so very healthy until the seizure. It only took 3 within 5 months for me to loose her. Medication did not help in either of my situations and whats worse is there is no answers. I still have two brother/sons and a granddaughter/niece of my two lost and fingers crossed I never want to go through seizures again.

Answer by Corey
Submitted on 6/11/2004
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My Lab is 12 you might know this already but usually Labs are known for their bad hips or back legs and my dog is still with us and she limps all the time because of her hips. i would just have your vet take a look at it and if you already have then I would suggest that you just let it be, and I am training to be a vet right now.

Answer by nichole
Submitted on 6/22/2004
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I have two black labs. Beau is 10 and Molley is a little over a year. The oldest one will limp now and than, and will make weird noises when sleeping...seeming like he's having seizures...turns out that he's just aging, and there's nothing wrong. you still might want to ask your vet.

Answer by BlackLabs4Life
Submitted on 6/25/2004
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My old dog who has since past away had those exact syptoms off and on for about a week and then they went away until she was put down and I too have no idea what it was

Answer by BY JOE SKIP
Submitted on 3/30/2007
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WE HAVE A CHOCOLATE LAB,WHICH SHE WILL BE THREE IN MAY.SHE SEEMS TO HAVE SOME KIND OF SEIZURE,SHE KINDA FELL OFF THE BED THE OTHER NIGHT,AND SHE STARTED BREATHING HEAVY AND HER EYES SEEM TO GET REALLY DILATED,HER FRONT LEGS REALLY STIFFEN UP AND HER BACK LEGS LOOK LIKE SHE CAN'T MOVE THEM.WE JUST COMFORT HER.THESE SEEM TOO LAST FROM ABOUT THREE MINUTES TO A GOOD THIRTY MINUTES.BUT ONCE SHE SEEMS TO GET OVER IT,SHE GOES OUT AND HAS A GOOD POOP,THEN SHE SEEMS TO BE FINE.SO IS IT THAT SHE COULD BE CONSTIPATED?

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Answer by Chris
Submitted on 6/26/2004
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I have a 11 year old black lab/ german shorthair mix, called Shadow., And occassionally he will not want to walk, or walk very slowly, and I will have to carry him up the steps, or to get into my truck, but usually by the next morning,it is like it never happened. I would not call it a seizure. This usually happens after exercise of some sort, sort of like when we wrench our backs. I just make him comfortable and make sure he takes it easy.

Answer by Ali
Submitted on 7/4/2004
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Our 2 year old black lab is currently experiencing the same thing. She is an epileptic who is on potassium bromide for it. Last night she lost use of her hind legs and now 24 hours later after $700 worth of tests she is still paralyzed and we havn'tbeen told why. We have her at home with us now and are praying she will snap out of it.

Answer by Rock
Submitted on 12/12/2004
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My year old black lab has had the same problem and I was told that it is a common problem in labs in the past few years. I was told it is exercise induced collapse.

Answer by Laura
Submitted on 7/7/2006
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My dog roscoe is 12 years old. Two nights ago, he started throwing up a lot. It continued the following day. As of yesterday, he layed in one position the whole day without food or water, or going outside. Today, he still lays in the same spot, breathing shallow. He drank water but won't move. Please help

Answer by Melissa
Submitted on 7/12/2006
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I have a 6 yr old black lab who also has seizures and It is very scary. It happens a couple times a month some months and then not again for weeks. It only lasts a few minutes and then she is back to herself. She's been having them for about 2 years now. I am glad to know she is not the only one! My vet told me there was nothing he could do for her unless I brought her in when she was having one- but she'd finish every time before we could get there.

Answer by Sablegirl
Submitted on 1/1/2007
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At 11-weeks our black lab was having seizures. She was on medication and they stopped. We took her off the medication and a year later..they are back. It is so hard to watch her when she is having a seizure. She is such an active, loving, and smart dog. I guess we will have to go back to the vet for more medication. Anyone have this experience where they come back?

Answer by nina
Submitted on 2/20/2007
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My friends black lab who is 3 years old has been having seizures over the last 8 months.At first they were frequent and now they are maybe once a month but last longer.His back legs give out and he can no longer hold himself up.Once it passes he is his old self.I was wondering how common this is?

Answer by dakota's mom
Submitted on 3/12/2007
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My dog was running toward the gate when a vistor came, yelped and his leg went lame. Vet thinks it is a clot. We are waiting to see if he is fine tomorrow. He's nine.

Answer by Chucky Shamrok
Submitted on 3/25/2007
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I have a black lab/Husky mix, whose a little bit over 1 year old. He's been having seizures for about 4 months now, it seems that they only come one when he's excited, but not always. As I understand it, its a lab thing, and not really something to worry bout' unless it happens really frequently

Answer by Missi
Submitted on 4/11/2007
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I am so glad I found this site. Our Yellow Lab is 7 yrs old and started having these episodes about a year ago. Scared us half to death, just fell off the bed one night and started to panic. He couldn't walk, had no control of his hind legs, but kept trying to get up, just a heart breaking sight. Came out of it 5 min later, has had 3 or 4 since. Tonite was the worst yet as he seemed to come out of it and then sense another one was coming. Tensed all 4 legs straight and stiff 2nd time, kids crying, couldn't do much but comfort him and them. Good to know that other labs have this happen as vets are not sure at all.

Answer by gay
Submitted on 4/16/2007
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im gay