Seizure - please advise

[rosieposie]

Hello there,

I'm new to chins n hedgies and wasn't expecting this to be my first post but, unfortunately, my little Herbie had a seizure last night.

I am seeking advice as I think it was because he got too hot. The room with his cage and the room where he plays are both cool but after playtime, I often notice that his ears are pink. He has had heatstroke once and this was after playtime.

Yesterday, he was bouncing around as usual and I noticed that his ears were looking a little pink so I put him back into his cage to cool down. He continued to bound around his cage and didn't exhibit any other warning signs like laying flat and didn't go to sit on his cool pad. I hand fed him an oat as a reward for getting into his cage and began to groom him. I noticed that he was unusually placid and, suddenly, he slumped into his cage and started to make really strange leg movements. His body looked really rigid and his legs looked like he was staggering.

I was petrified as I thought I was going to lose him. I called and he didn't respond - I thought he was going to die there and then. It can't have lasted for more than a minute and then he appeared to be ok. I phoned a vet immediately (who wasn't a great deal of help) who told me to monitor him closely and check that he was continuing to eat, drink and poop. She suggested that I didn't take him in unless I thought it was absolutely necessary as the stress of the travel time could bring on another seizure.

I don't want it happening again and I'm seeking advice as he seems to get hot after every time I let him out to play even though the room is cool. I don't know what to do! Should I not let him out to play? Should I let him out for a maximum of 15 minutes at a time? I'd appreciate any thoughts.

 

[Stackie]

Do you have a thermometer in the room? If so, what is the temperature? If he is overheating, the room isn't cool enough and I wouldn't be letting him out to play until the room is cooler. Even though it feels cool to you, you aren't wearing a heavy fur coat and bouncing around. Only way to cool the room down more is an air conditioner.

Another type of seizure they can have is hypoglycemic seizures, which are also usually brought on by large amount of activity.

 

[rosieposie]

Thanks for your advice Stacie. I do have a thermometer. Both rooms are 15 degrees Celsius (around 59 in Farenheit). According to what I've read, I thought that would be ok but do you think it's too hot? I turn off all the heating in both rooms and I live in the UK so no air conditioning. I've tried putting ice packs around the room but he's not interested and still seems to get hot after play. I'm considering buying a fan as that's the only way I can think of making it cooler.

 

[Stackie]

59 degrees should be plenty cool enough. A fan will not work in keeping your chin cool since chins do not sweat. I would start restricting his play times to much shorter lengths - like you said no more than 15 minutes. How long was he playing before he had his episode? He may just be over doing it and being overly active for too long.

 

[rosieposie]

I have generally been letting him out for quite a substantial amount of time as he loves being out of the cage and I thought the more exercise the better and happier he'd be. He must've been out for around 45 mins to an hour last night. Looks like I'm going to have to cut playtime right down. I was previously considering getting him a wheel but, in light of the seizure and over heating, do you think this is a bad idea?

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

I agree with Stackie. Try letting him out for no more than 10 minutes at a time. Seizures don't typically last long-usually no more than 30 seconds although it feels like a long time. If he repeatedly goes into a seizure (one right after another) or is in a seizure for more than a minute is when you need to seek vet care. Having 1 seizure here and there vets will tell you to monitor them. Keep them cool and hydrated and back off on the playtime.

 

[rosieposie]

Thanks for the advice. I will limit his playtime to short stints and I will see how he is over the next couple of weeks and get him checked out at the vet.

 

[ticklechin]

Also be prepared to take a video of it while its happening, present the video to the vet. Different causes of seizures have different characteristics .

 

[rosieposie]

This is a great idea - I will keep my phone handy while he's playing.