Our 3-4 yr. old Pekingese mix has had a few episodes recently, most of them include shaking, weak back legs (can't stand) and a panicked or confused look on her face. I have taken her to the vet, but it was a new vet that I wasn't super impressed with. Lab work was normal so his diagnosis was "it could be seizures and we can treat with twice daily meds, it may not be seizures, there's no way to tell but I recommend medicating and hoping it gets better". I do need to schedule her for her annual visit in February and will request a different vet to see her and follow up with the log I've been keeping.
1st time - about a year ago, we thought it was due to overheating from cuddling on the couch with us, lots of fluffy blankets on the couch. She was panting this time, looked confused, had trouble walking. Only lasted a few minutes then she was fine.
mid-Nov. - we were on a walk, 40 degrees. She did have on a fleece sweater because it felt cold when we first went out. She had been running a lot and was super hyper about the walk. A little girl stopped to pet her, then after the girl walked away the dog collapsed and started shaking. She couldn't stand up so I picked her up and carried her for a few minutes and also took off her coat, thinking she had overheated from all the running. A few minutes later she was able to walk fine the rest of the way home, even barking at all the neighborhood dogs.
First weekend of December - happened twice while were out of town at a cabin rental. First time was shortly after arrival in the cabin after riding in the car for 3 hours. She had been curious walking around the rental, ate dinner, then just collapsed on a rug on the floor. Shaking and looking very confused. I held her a few minutes, then she was OK. Two days later it happened again at the same spot while we were packing up to leave.
End of December - another episode a little while after playing in the snow with my kids. She was laying on a bench by the window, looking outside, and started shaking and looking disoriented.
And tonight she collapsed under the table. She was excited to get a baby carrot bite as a treat and couldn't walk over to get the carrot, but took it when I held it close to her and chewed it, but couldn't stand up. She wasn't shaking and disoriented this time, her back legs just didn't work to support her.
Each episode last just a few minutes, then she is back to her normal self. Any idea if these are seizures or if something else could be affecting her? Her lab work at the beginning of December came back fine. Her diet hasn't changed except we mix up her treats every now and then, but food is the same (has been on Natural Balance Venison for at least a year due to very itchy skin - don't think it's helping the itchiness but she likes it). I feel so bad when it happens because usually she just has this worried confused look on her face, like what is happening and please help me. I don't want to medicate twice a day for the rest of her life o the off chance it is seizures. I started documenting how often they happen to try to see if I can see a pattern. The only one I can see is over excitement each time except the first episode that was a year ago (on a walk, exploring a new place, after playing in the snow). But tonight she played in the snow maybe an hour or more before the episode, not right after it. Or maybe she is getting overheated or something as they have all happened in cold weather. Or less exercise in the winter since we aren't outside as much in the cold? I do try to take her for at least 1 short walk most days at noon unless it is totally miserable out and/or play fetch in the yard and she goes out and walks around the yard with my kids at least once each afternoon.