My 2 yr old shar-pei has been having these episodes since he was a baby. It's like an anxiety attack.

Dog Question: My 2 yr old shar-pei has been having these episodes since he was a baby. It's like an anxiety attack, the latest going on  for well over 12 hrs. He paces, he whines, he foams at the mouth, will not drink or eat (during these)he literally runs in circles. He has had about 15 of these. They are coming more often. He takes phenobarbitol 2x daily, but it doesn't seem to be working. All his blood work comes up normal. Do you think he may have a brain tumor? When I bought him, his eyes was tacked and upon taking him to MY vet, discovered he did not HAVE an eye. The breeder offered no insight as to what happened so I don't know if this is the result of an accident or it happened before he was born. I think it may have something to do with what is happening to him now. Any ideas? Thanks so muck.

Hi Jill,

Sorry to hear about your dog.

If the phenobarbital was working but now it is not the dose may need to be adjusted, or a second medication may be needed to help control him.

Have you discussed possible epilepsy with your vet? 

It is almost impossible to pinpoint brain lesions, even in humans, so finding the exact cause of these symptoms is hard.

The best way is to try and control the episodes by adjusting medication levels as necessary by working with your vet.