Went limp, eyes glazed & jaw locked for a few seconds

[Kushwaha]

Today Pluto completed 1 year 6 months. I was playing with him and he and I frequently wrestle (i go down on my knees and he puts his front paws on my chest and we pretend trying to push the other to ground - he loves it). I follow it up by holding him close to me sideways as I vigorously rub his shoulder or chest. He typically growls and I let him go. We circle each other till I go down on my knees again and he pounces on me... it's weird describing it.

Today, I was holding him sideways and he let out a growl and I was just about to let go when I noticed that he's gone limp. He just went limp. no blinking of the eye -- i think they were glazed. jaw locked shut. and i got so scared I thought he'd even stopped breathing... I went nuts and I don't remember exactly what I did (i remember trying to open his jaw thinking he'll breathe that way) ... but after about 5-6 seconds, he seemed to have regained some breath.

It took him about 5 minutes to start jogging around.

I don't know what is going on. I took him to the vet and he says "It's nothing. Don't worry. He's fine.". How can it be nothing? :(

Any tips, help, advice, pointers to resources... anything will be greatly appreciated.

 

[momstaxi]

I don't think it is nothing. I think I would check with another or vet, or least request some testing be done. Good luck and I hope it does turn out to be nothing serious

 

[kactus]

id definalty have his heart checked out. this kind of thing was the first signs we saw of baileys subaortic stenosis having worsened. now hes on the beta blockers he hasnt done it since. dont be frightened but its probably worth seeking out a second opinion

 

[Chewtoy]

Hmph.

I would like to think that if the vet's WIFE fainted and he called her doctor, he would get frustrated at the diagnosis of "It's nothing."

You witnessed either a fainting spell or a seizure. I would have blood tests taken at the very least.

Chewtoy.

 

[kristi's kid]

We have similar issues with our boxer and had testing done at the University of Missouri Vet school. They have concluded that our boxer has some type of heart beat sync problem where as her heart gets out of sync at times when she gets over excited or has a sudden burst of energy. This does not happen often but when it does she would colapse for 1-3 minutes. Her eyes are glazed, heart beat slow, inside of her mouth is very white colored and she is very non-responsive. After the 1-3 minute period, she is fine and continues as though nothing has ever happened. This was a very scary sight for us and neighbors at first.

We had a special heart monitor attached to her for a 24 hour period but did not capture anything significant for the doctors to recommend some type treatment. That was very expensive. They also have a monitor system that could be worn for up to 30 days but someone had to be present to activate the device when one of these spells occur. This was way too costly and they could not be sure this would provide the data necessary for treatments. The vets told us that it is very difficult to prescribe medication for heart problems if they do not know the exact cause. Some medications can be more dangerous if used incorrectly.

So we have accepted the fact that this might be fatal one day but hope it never come to that. We continue to enjoy her daily ruff house, running and fetching, and all the other things that she does. As she has gotten older, she now realizes when a heart problem is about to occur. She will come to someone immediately and lean on them for a minute or so and then goes on her merry way when feeling OK.

Hope this helps you a little.

 

[Angie K]

Kristi's Kid: Did they do an EchoCardiogram? That sure sounds like Sub-Aortic Stenosis. My female has it and what you describe is exactly what happens to her. Our cardiologist did the EchoCardiogram with color doppler and showed us right there in the office the problem. They prescribed Blood Pressure meds and it only costs $8.00 every two months because she only takes 1/2 a pill. So alot of the meds are not expensive. I would look into it if there is a chance of prolonging your baby's life.

 

[sinbad'smom]

i would get another opinion. sinbad just fell over about 2 1/2 months ago after he had been playing.they found that the walls of his heart are thicker than what they are supposed to be.next month i will be taking him to vet for another heart ultrasound to see if it was a bacterial infection or heart condition, so i would have his heart checked. hope everything turns out alright. keep us posted...dora

 

[kactus]

baileys heart walls are enlarged also due to the SAS as the heart is having to work harder, and being a muscle, that means it increases in size. as far as i know the beta blockers decrease the risk of him developing and irregular beat in his heart while exercising. i know im uk but his drugs work out at about £18 a month. they are called INDERAL.

 

[Ciscobxr]

Just came across this thread and was wondering if every thing is ok now with Pluto?

 

[Taliesyn88]

That definitely sounds like a heart problem. Or, a seizure. Heart problems are common in boxers, I cannot believe your vet dismissed it as nothing. Get a second opinion, and have tests done, to see if there are any heart arrhythmias. Seizures are more difficult to detect, though they do occur in dogs, and there is medication available. First, get the heart checked out. Then, if there is another spell, I would say it is probably a seizure. How is your puppy doing now??? I hope you get Pluto checked out thoroughly, just in case it may happen again!!!!