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by Mystere on 22 December 2009 - 19:12
Hodie,
One of the local vets in the area, who is the breeder of over 100 AKC champions, once told me that the seizures were in the dog's lines. He embarked on a campaign to discourage people from purchasing Ambred gsds. Notice, HE was actually part of that problem?
At any rate, this was years ago and no effort was made to actually diagnose the cause. There was ONE veterinary MRI machine in the state and I was discouraged from taking the time and expense to go "over the mountains" to the veterinary school to use it. "idiopathic" is precisely the term that was used. What I have never heard is that anyone else had a dog that had the seizures so frequently (dispite medication) AND on such a consistent time-table. To this day, I wonder...
The medication, by the way, was pretty damn heavy-duty, yet did not change the dog's affect at all. By contrast, I accidentally swallowed one her seizure pills and was knocked on my ass for two days!! She took FIVE of the same pill every day and was not even the least bit lethargic. \
I have always been afraid of going through that experience again. It is, frankly, why I went to the German lines. I misguidedly thought that would be a "guarantee" against health problems, because breeders of such lines are more ethical, conscientious, and concerned about the breed. LOL
One of the local vets in the area, who is the breeder of over 100 AKC champions, once told me that the seizures were in the dog's lines. He embarked on a campaign to discourage people from purchasing Ambred gsds. Notice, HE was actually part of that problem?
At any rate, this was years ago and no effort was made to actually diagnose the cause. There was ONE veterinary MRI machine in the state and I was discouraged from taking the time and expense to go "over the mountains" to the veterinary school to use it. "idiopathic" is precisely the term that was used. What I have never heard is that anyone else had a dog that had the seizures so frequently (dispite medication) AND on such a consistent time-table. To this day, I wonder...The medication, by the way, was pretty damn heavy-duty, yet did not change the dog's affect at all. By contrast, I accidentally swallowed one her seizure pills and was knocked on my ass for two days!! She took FIVE of the same pill every day and was not even the least bit lethargic. \
I have always been afraid of going through that experience again. It is, frankly, why I went to the German lines. I misguidedly thought that would be a "guarantee" against health problems, because breeders of such lines are more ethical, conscientious, and concerned about the breed. LOL
by hodie on 22 December 2009 - 19:12
Yes Mystere,
Going to German lines for this reason was misguided. All major bloodlines have this problem. I have seen, personally, more German and Czech and French bloodline dogs with seizures than I have AmBreds, but that does not mean it really is more prevalent. Sometimes such disorders do not show up early and that makes it tough even for reputable, ethical and conscientious breeders to catch it. I know of one breeder, for example, who did not even know her male had seizures until he came here. By then, she had already bred several litters, and several of the litter males, different females, had seizure disorders. Obviously, when it was discovered, those males were neutered and all owners promptly notified and advised (if dogs were not neutered or spayed) not to breed.
Depending on what you accidently took, I am not surprised at your response. However, just as in humans, canines become adapted to such medications very quickly. In my own case, I adapt very quickly to the sedative effects of most painkillers, for example. It has to do with how ones' liver works to make certain enzymes etc., that help to metabolize particular kinds of substances.
As for the frequency of seizures your dog experienced, I have had dogs with whom I had personal experience who were just as bad. The time-table issue always suggests a metabolic issue to me......
Going to German lines for this reason was misguided. All major bloodlines have this problem. I have seen, personally, more German and Czech and French bloodline dogs with seizures than I have AmBreds, but that does not mean it really is more prevalent. Sometimes such disorders do not show up early and that makes it tough even for reputable, ethical and conscientious breeders to catch it. I know of one breeder, for example, who did not even know her male had seizures until he came here. By then, she had already bred several litters, and several of the litter males, different females, had seizure disorders. Obviously, when it was discovered, those males were neutered and all owners promptly notified and advised (if dogs were not neutered or spayed) not to breed.
Depending on what you accidently took, I am not surprised at your response. However, just as in humans, canines become adapted to such medications very quickly. In my own case, I adapt very quickly to the sedative effects of most painkillers, for example. It has to do with how ones' liver works to make certain enzymes etc., that help to metabolize particular kinds of substances.
As for the frequency of seizures your dog experienced, I have had dogs with whom I had personal experience who were just as bad. The time-table issue always suggests a metabolic issue to me......
by Mystere on 22 December 2009 - 20:12
We looked into metabolitcs--that dog had every type of blood, enzyme, and hormone test known to man...at least at that time. Nothing. Vets at 3 different veterinary schools were consulted to see if they had any thoughts on the time-table and reasons for it. There was definitely a genetic component, as at least 6 siblings and half-siblings in the area also had seizures, but theirs were not as clearly cyclical as poor Shasta's. They were also well controlled by medication.
by hodie on 22 December 2009 - 21:12
Seems like you did all you could without finding a solid cause, and finally just had to make the terrible and sad decision. Been there,,,,,,done that. It never gets easier.
by Mystere on 22 December 2009 - 21:12
Fortunately, there have been a few advances since. If nothing else, we now have easy access to multiple veterinary MRI machines to help make a diagnosis. Also, I think vets have become more inclined to find underlying causes, rather than just treat the symptoms, as more people are more willing to pay what it costs to help their "charges."
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