Canine Paroxysmal Dyskinesia

CPD for short is a condition seen in loads of dog breeds across the board.  I recently joined a FB group on it to learn more about it as I had heard about it but I wanted to know and learn as much as possible.  We saw it years ago in a Pug when she got stressed.  We did not even know she had it until she was about 3 1/2.  She would sit back on her back legs and sway rocking, and she was not fitting but looked drunk is the best way to describe it.  

It's caused by stress or by over exercise to the muscles.  

Some vets have not seen it or heard of it.  So if you get a vet that has not you may be in for a lot of testing first.  It's often best to ask for a referral and get the money spent with a specialist over your vet if you have a small limit on insurance.  

Some vets will misdiagnose as epilepsy. 


As far as Im aware there is no known cure for it, but management. If you know your dog is going to be stressed by going in kennels, or change of environment try to minimise its stress factors.  If it is because you've done a 10 mile hike, dont.! 

Management means trying to minimise the cause.  

What should you do in these situations?  Make sure if you have other dogs that you put them out of the way.  Leave the dog alone to get over the episode.  Make sure no sharp objects close by in case they fall.   Wait it out.  Put some blankets around the dog so if they go down it's comfy.  The moment it ends the dog will jump up and carry on like it's never had a thing wrong with it.   They can last a minute to 10 minutes.  Your vet will advise on action going forward. They will first suggest an MRI scan to out rule any tumours or anything else it could be. 
Once you have a diagnosis you can carry on as you always have done. 

Now toxins can have the same effect on a dog. The side effects of poisonous flea and wormers.  Read your product information leaflet and if it says "May cause Neurological damage", do not give it again and go holistic.  Remember you can worm count with www.wormcount.co.uk or www.feclab.co.uk. I prefer Feclab because they are £1 cheaper than worm count ha ha.   Add into foods things which parasites do not like.  I will write a blog on this for you.   Just minimise all toxins form your dogs body.  Because sometimes its enough to cure issues your dogs having. 

Hope that helps.  I try to share what I can.