Head bobbing in a labrador

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Aine Seavers — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 08:52:00 GMT

Certainly seen the honeymoon issue with Keppra in dogs here and in an owner.

Agree we forget phenobarbitone when it still is the most likely to give you control.

Have had the 'head bobbing' labrador/dach/G.Dane here- neurologists didn't give any medications- we did find Spinosad-Comfortis triggered the episodes in 2 dogs-both reported as an ADR-so look at medications. We improved the diet and the dachs never had another issue if its on hills id and the labradors on zd(used for other conditions and the decline in head bobbing by happenstance noted by owners) so my vote is to improve nutrition, look at medications/supplements/parasiticides etc and if the episodes few and far between then keep an emergency supply of meds such as valium or keppra to hand but otherwise dont necessarily put on full term meds for the head bobbing, just for the seizure issue. At 6yrs in a Labrador, a physical or inflammatory issue behind the true seizures themselves would be more of a concern. Just out of curiosity and no other reason other than something that was an issue with both my labs- does this dog by any chance have a history of allergic skin disease?

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Bob Russell — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 11:00:18 GMT

Clearly difficult to get two specialists to agree! I cannot recall where I read this suggestion but it was quite recent.

it seems to happen in rats and people!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18266746

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1059131112003238

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Sarah Keir — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 10:06:23 GMT

When I've spoken to specialists, they consider the tolerance to Keppra as not a clinical entity i.e. they don't see it. Probably more to do with poorly controlled seizures - once on more than one drug very hard to control whatever drug you use.

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Bob Russell — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 10:00:20 GMT

If Pexion is not working, time for a change irrespective of owners employer!

MRI's are interesting but rarely that useful in my experience. I would trial phenobarb in preference to Keppra because they can develop tolerance to that over time. I keep it in reserve for later!

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Sarah Keir — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:25:33 GMT

The owner works for Boehringer so they chose to start on Pexion. I have recommended changing to phenobarbitone and I'll let you know what happens.

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:22:53 GMT

Given the history this started before the full onset of seizures and was initially suppressed by the Pexion it seems almost certainly like partial escape seizures. Another vote for additional medication but wonder why we look beyond phenobarbital in epileptic dogs as initial treatment. I can't see what useful information CSF taps will give and if the owner is unlikely to have surgery what good an MRI would do other than lighten their wallet.

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Joyce Whitehead — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:57:41 GMT

Could it be myoclonic epilepsy (like Lafora's disease)? I had one labrador very similar but not as bad, and he did very well on Levetiracetam (until he developed heart disease...)

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

Charlotte Marshall — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:15:18 GMT

Another vote for partial seizures.

RE: Head bobbing in a labrador

grumpyoldman — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 22:52:45 GMT

Looks like the partial seizure activity you get sometimes in cats . Some do get refractory to pexion after 3-6 months if they do not want anymore work up you could try keppra 25mg/kg bid as well as the pexion .