Possible seizure?

I have a HUGE question bcuz I’m trying to figure what happened with my fur niece I took in for the last yr and 7 months she outta nowhere had what I believe is a seizure but I read painful spasms can also mimic them (I had fever seizures Til 7yrs old so I know what to do with them) she was laying next to her cousin (my dog) outta nowhere wet my bed laying down (while under the blankets) whole time I made sure she was on her side not moving (I don’t care about my bed or blankets she’s more important at the moment) talking to her she like throws her head back bends at a weird angle butt lIke bent towards her head whining legs are shift I’m trying to get money to take her to the vet (lost my job) lasted a 1-2 (if even that) when I called her name she lifted her head and looked at me while coming outta what happen All I can do at the moment is watch and keep track on what is happening to her She’s either 7 years old 5 different breeds in her can’t remember all 5 jack, Russell, Chihuahua, rat terrier, Shih Tzu and something else (can’t for the life of me remember  My sister who owned her at birth had pass away last year hence why I took her I refuse to let her go to a pound Idk if she had any before I got her every time I seen her she was happy go lucky acting like a 8 week old pup none stop Any ideas would be great help   ps the only thing I’ve ever seen from her is her dreams she’ll do a little twitch here and there but mainly barks and growls during them but nothing like I’ve described above

Hello - perhaps an 8 year old dog might have a seizure out of nowhere and never have another one,  but it would be unusual.  Its great that you have written down what you remember about this one - perhaps recording the date / length of the event, and breif notes about the time / what they were doing / whether calling brought them out of it, in order to look for patterns should the event be repeated. Frequently seizures are caused by something within the patient or their brain, and given that the brain is hidden within a closed bony box, it isn't unusual to find nothing useful on examination.  Bloods and even MRI scans (to look inside that box) can be done in order to try to get to the bottom of the cause, and thereby predict whether they can be treated / prevented.  Seizures sometimes appear to 'take over' the whole patient, causing them to lose control of everything including their bladder, but it's increasingly recognised that 'partial seizures,' affecting just a segment of neurons, can happen too.  Treatments can be linked to a suspected cause (eg liver disease / cancer / hypoglyaemia - the latter might be a cause or effect), but there are also drugs available that aim to reduce seizure activity more generally.   As a general guideline to coping in the moment you sound to have done ok; it's good to dim lights should seizure activity start and clear away anything the patient might hurt themselves on.  Talk to them in a soft voice, from a distance, but do not necessarily approach - many an owners has been bitten by a dog that loves them, coming out of a seizure.  Wait until you are sure that they can swallow properly before you feed them; they will often be hungry.   The frustrating thing is that sometimes seizure acticity will progress very quickly and other times such patients will remain stable for some time.  Sometimes they can go into a fit and not come out of it for an extended period of time which can have severe brain effects.   Without knowing the cause it is difficult to say what will happen with your dog so we do reccommend talking over a game plan with your vet as soon as you can.  Seizures are a symptom of a whole array of causes, which explains the variation between cases and treatments that prove effective.   I hope that something in this vagueness is useful and most of all, that everything goes well for yourself and your dog from here.  There are some interesting articles about seizures, epilepsy, and medication in the blog that you might find helpful.

One more thing that I have not mentioned is medication;  there is medication available that can be used in the face of seizure activity.  Your vet will be able to discuss this option with you at the time of meeting your dog

Re-Reading that, I hear that you are still undecided as to whether the activity was seizure activity or not.  Please rest assured that this is not unusual;  there are neurological signs that mimic seizure activity and furthermore, not every seizure is a 'full' one.  Again, this is something that may not immediately be resolved; frequently seizure activity may recurr.  As the treatments for seizures vary and are generally prescription meds or procedures such as fluids, it is difficult to recommend anything useful that can be done in the home, save for taking very good records and being aware that it may happen again and in some conditions, continue to increase in frequency by any amount.  Some dogs go a long time between seizures.

Of course, if an illness is involved, frequency of seizures may increase very rapidly and the early stages are a good opportunity to carry out any investigations, so where possible we would always involve consulting your vet as soon as you can.

Seizure vs. Muscle Spasms: Seizures can take on various forms in dogs, and some can be quite dramatic with convulsions and loss of consciousness. However, not all seizures look the same. Some seizures may manifest as muscle twitches, jerking, or spasms. These can sometimes be mistaken for painful spasms, but a veterinarian's evaluation is necessary to distinguish between the two. Other Possible Causes: Seizures can have various underlying causes, including epilepsy, toxic exposure, metabolic disorders, or underlying neurological issues. Muscle spasms can also occur due to pain, injury, or other medical conditions. Given the unusual behavior you've described, it's essential to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can perform a thorough examination, conduct any necessary diagnostic tests, and provide a proper diagnosis. In some cases, treatment may be needed, especially if the episodes continue or worsen. Additionally, since you mentioned that you're currently facing financial constraints, consider reaching out to local animal welfare organizations, pet charities, or low-cost veterinary clinics in your area. They may be able to provide assistance or resources to help with your dog's medical care. It's admirable that you've taken in your sister's dog and are committed to her well-being. The best course of action at this point is to have her evaluated by a veterinarian to determine the cause of her episodes and to ensure she receives the appropriate care and treatment.

Could be canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS). Try to give her a gluten free diet