Crate training problems

Question
I had a 12 week old female beagle who was very high strung. I was crate training her and one day I left her in the crate with water....when I came home she was having a seizure. Unfortunately there was nothing we could do so the vet said...we had to put her to sleep..I was devasted of course. Luckly we were able to get one of her brothers...I'm so scared that if I put him in the crate and leave that when I get home he will also have seizures. Is this possible? Please help me before I go crazy with concern!!

Answer
Nicole, I am so sorry for your loss.
First, a crate DOES NOT cause a beagle to have a seizure! Epilepsy and genetics causes the seizure (there is also acquired epilepsy such as a tumor or toxins). Beagles are one of the top 5 breeds that have epilepsy.
Crating may increase your beagles anxiety making a seizure more possible. The solution is to make the crate less stressful. Keep a bed or blanket in there along with a few toys. Turn on a radio or TV when your dog is in his crate. You can also get a ticking clock and place it under your beagles blanket. The ticking simulates the mothers heartbeat. When you are home you can remove the door to the crate and always give your beagle his treat inside his crate. He will learn that the crate is a safe place.
I am assuming that your beagle had a seizure and never came out of it, right? Vet's can give your beagle an injection to stop the seizure. I am guessing that your beagle didn't come out of her seizure.
If you have a beagle that has seizures (and I have one now. She is whining behind me for a snack =) you can control them with medication. There are about 4 different meds but, the most common is phenobarb. At the correct dose you and your vet can control your beagles seizures.
So, if your new beagle does have seizures rest assured that it can be treated (unless it is a massive seizure and your beagle does not recover but, this is VERY rare). Seizures are scary both for the beagle and for the owner. But with the right treatment you will have a beagle behind you whining for a snack just like I do.
Nicole,if you have any other questions or just want to discuss this farther feel free to message me.


Fellow beagle owner,

Kenny

Kenny