Re: Greyhound with rhabdomylosis and seizures

Richard Larkin — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:47:52 GMT

Thanks for the reply Mark,

Seizure activity had been ongoing for approx 30 minutes prior to presentation and subsided to' twitching' after initial diazepam failed to control and propofol worked. Took about an 1 hour for respiration to become normal and twitching to stop.

The glucose initially was 2.5 on initial bloods, went down to 1.8 after an hour. I.v glucose was given after both these results and over last 18 hrs has been normal on repeated checks, will keep an eye on it though. Was more concerned about ALT suddenly off scale.

No reported seizure activity prior to this episode, muscle pain albeit mild was first noticed an hour or so after admit although I may have missed it initially as was paying more attention to seizures! History was that dog perhaps a touch stiff at end of walk prior to seizures in car on way back home.

Re: Greyhound with rhabdomylosis and seizures

Mark Lowrie — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:49:31 GMT

Great case. Exertional rhabdomyolysis is certainly a possibility here but it is also reported to occur secondary to seizures – therefore the question is which came first, the seizure or the rhabdomyolysis?

The low glucose is a little concerning – had the seizure activity been going on a while when you saw the dog? This could be secondary to seizures but is a little low in a large breed dog to be secondary to seizures. I can see from your post that the glucose had normalised after supplementation but I would be interested in what happens with this long-term. It would be worth checking again in a week or so by doing a 12 hour fasted sample. If still low then investigating this would be important. Similarly, ALT is likely to be rhabdomyolysis-induced but as you mention, worth keeping an eye on this.

Regarding prognosis, if this is a primary exertional rhabdomyolysis then you seem to have got the dog through the acute stage. I guess there is the concern regarding the development of secondary renal failure but with good diuresis and time I would hope this dog should improve well as prognosis is generally good if the episode is not immediately fatal. The fact the dog cannot stand after 12 hours post prolonged seizure and propofol CRI is not a huge worry and improvements are likely to continue along slowly.