Ella had two seizures last night

[meghan]

My beautiful little Ella had two seizures last night in my car.

I was out for coffee with my mom, and I normally bring a rat with me as they love sleeping in my jacket.

As I was walking into my moms house, Ella for some reason jerked her way out of my jacket and jumped off of me, falling to the ground. She was stunned for a little bit but let me pick her up right away. She snuggled to me for the longest time after that.
She eventually accepted some food and water so I thought everything was fine.
Then suddenly, I went to give her a kiss inside my jacket, and she started seizing. She flew out of my hands and onto the floor of the car (not a long fall), but I'm pretty sure she hit her head.
The seizure lasted for about 15-20 seconds. Shortly after it ended, she went into another one.
I called my husband in tears and he rushed over to where I was. He got out an oxygen tank (he was at work and hes a paramedic) and we gave her a bit of oxygen.


She came out of it as I thought. Very tired and just wanting to sleep on me, nowhere else.

About three years ago, one of my cats had a seizure and flew half way across our room and whacked her head off of something. No damage came of that, but I'm afraid that Ella will have some.

Its absolutely heartbreaking to see something so small and innocent go through such a thing.

My vet isn't open today since its Family Day here in Ontario. Is there anything I should do or be looking out for?

 

[jorats]

How old is Ella? I've see seizures in rats but it was right before they died. I've not seen it as a condition. I have read about it though. Not sure what can be done though.

 

[LA]

Oh poor thing. I feel for both of you, that's a scary thing to witness. Sorry I can't help you but I send you my thoughts.

 

[mamarat]

I'm so sorry, but like Jo said, mine only had seizures before they died.

 

[Cityratt]

oh meghan, I can't imagine!
Fortunately your hubby had some O2 for her, im sure that helped...

What area of Ontario are you located in? I work at the Brampton EVC as well as the Cambridge EVC and they're both open today.

Does your vet leave the number of an emerg facility on their machine?

I know this isn't as easy with rats as it is with dogs and cats because not every one specalizes in rodents, but both EVC's I work at cannot refuse to see a pocket pet...and atleast you could know there is a veterinarian available should you need one?

 

[meghan]

Ella is around three months old so shes just tiny still.

I did a search on here last night for seizures and noticed that most peoples darlings have them before dying. Reading that made me just sit there, cry and cuddle her.

I am in Peterborough, about an hour and a half outside of Toronto.

 

[jorats]

Oh wow, she's quite young. If these were seizures before dying, she would have passed by now. It might be a condition, one that might be treated too.

 

[meghan]

I did find this link http://ratguide.com/health/musculoskeletal/contusions_strains_and_sprains.php

Contusions are primarily caused by a sudden excessive external pressure. Bleeding occurs into the injured site from the rupture of tiny vessels, and produces the black and blue discoloration of the skin termed bruising.
The bleeding into the tissues is usually absorbed, and as healing takes place the bruise begins to fade from a blue, to brown, to yellow, before disappearing altogether.
If a significant amount of bleeding pools in the injured tissue, swelling occurs forming a hematoma. If the hematoma does not absorb on its own, or is not treated, it may clot and form a cyst, or further calcify requiring surgical intervention. With contusions there is no break in the skin, however, tenderness and pain may accompany the injury. If the contusion is to the brain from a head injury, such as in falling from significant height, being dropped, or from other means of excessive pressure to the head, lethargy (sleepiness) or seizures may be seen.

So her seizures could be a result of falling? But does that mean she has a brain injury?

 

[jorats]

Not necessarily a brain injury... more like a bruising. If it's due to the fall, hopefully it will clear in a few hours. How is she now?

 

[mamarat]

How's Ella? Is she alert now?

 

[meghan]

Ella has been inside my sweater for about an hour now and she seems very alert and like nothing happend.
She is eating and as far as I know drinking.


Thank you guys so much for your help. You've helped calm me down big time.

 

[SQ]

My cat had a number of really really bad seizures and was on meds as a result for about a year. Then he didn't need to be on meds anymore. The vet said that it might have been bruising or something re. his brain and that it had healed.

 

[lilspaz68]

I would keep her in a one-level cage for 24 hours just to keep an eye on her.
I would advise fleece and banking it up the sides, removing all hard objects so she can't bang herself on them.

Hopefully it was just a little pressure on the brain and she will be just fine.

 

[Fidget]

Oh hell, I'm so sorry you've both been thru that. You know anything can mimic a bad thing and it can still be ok. But too sadly often it is the bad thing.
I sure hope it's not your adorable little girl's time, but that 'running' thing is usually something they do when they are are running off to heaven.
Make the most of your time together, if she turns out to be ok there will be a lot of hearts cheering for you both. If not, then you'll have had extra special time goodbye time together. I wish you both the best of beating the odds. Just love your girl up!