Epilepsy - Page 2

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Mystere

by Mystere on 12 March 2009 - 16:03

 My dog received her meds like clockwork--it made no difference in terms of stopping the seizures.  She was also on an anti-siezure medication.  All they did was make me feel like I was doing something...and cost me about $1200 a year.  A vet who had produced over 100 gsd "champions" once told me that the problem stemmed from her sire, Woodacres Dakota and Stuttgard Sundance Kid. 

I accidentally swallowed one of her pills--she took five a day of that particular med with no effect on her behavior.  The one knocked me on my ass for two days.

starrchar

by starrchar on 12 March 2009 - 22:03

History: Shelby is approximately 3 years old and I've had her for 9 months. She was picked up by animal control, remained there for 2 weeks, was rescued by a GSD rescue shelter and I adopted her 4 months later. There is no doubt she was harshly treated and beaten. The rescue group also is certain she was abused. She was terrified of anything that I or anyone else had in their hand such as a rope or cord (including her leash) or anything with a stick ,such as a broom or mop. She doesn't react in fear to thunderstorms, fireworks, strange noises, bicycles, wheelchairs, walkers, loud noises or anything else that many "fearful" dogs are afraid of.  Anyway, with a lot of patience and time she has really come around and now jumps with excitement when I get out her leash or put on her collar, which is huge. Much of her fearful behavior/reactions has subsided, although she will still shrink away from people other than me or my husband if they have an object such as a rope or broom in their hand. I can't go into all the other clear evidence that she has been abused, but there is no doubt that she has. From what I understand a dog can be hit on the head and yet seizures don't show up until a year or two later. We'll never know unless an MRI is done.

Living conditions/care:Shelby is a house dog and by my side all the time when I'm home. She is always supervised when I let her outside. When I'm not home she is in her crate. She gets purified water and a fresh raw diet. (ground bone and muscle meat, organ meat - various proteins).  She gets Alaskan salmon oil daily- recommended dose. I use only "green" cleaners in the house and am into organic, pure and natural everything. Shelby even sleeps on an organic cotton sheet over her bed. I don't give vaccinations unless necessary- I have titers done instead. She is due for her rabies, but I haven't had it done yet. I don't use heartworm prevention during the winter months. I don't use flea prevention- don't have fleas. I will use tick prevention only if we are in an area where there is a problem, although I haven't used it on Shelby since I've had her.

Vet visit: She is still at the vet's office undergoing observation. Blood work done yesterday right after the seizures showed all values were well within normal range except the red blood cells, which is not unusual after experiencing seizures. Today everything was normal. At midnight  last night she had another mild seizure. Today when I went to visit her, her behavior was completely normal. According to the vet, there is no evidence of toxins, based on the blood work. He said there is also no evidence of inflamation of the brain or a tumor. The vet feels that since she acts normally inbetween seizures that the most likely diagnosis is idiopathic epilepsy. He said he can do an MRI and spinal tap, but doesn't see the point in putting the dog through it right now. As for the seizures, from what I understand from the vet, a grand mall seizure is when the dog loses consciousness. She stiffened up, body jerked a lot, she paddled, foamed at the mouth, made all kinds of noises and eyes rolled back in the head. Lasted for about 1-2 minutes. I haven't had a chance to do much research, but will be reading a lot tonight.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, information and support. I know I should've gone to search the old posts yesterday for information before I posted, but my brain just wasn't working real well as I was in state of shock over this whole thing.

Thanks again,
Char


by hodie on 12 March 2009 - 22:03

 It does indeed sound like a grand mal seizure and it is curious that you have never noted one before in all this time. But it is not unusual. I have two dogs here, both of whom have seizures, but their owner did not know this. They can happen when you are not there, or not happen at all, and then suddenly you witness one. The fact that her bloodwork is normal does, in fact, suggest it is idiopathic. So I will bet you will end up putting her on medicine and after she adjusts to a proper dosages, here is hoping she will be well controlled and will live a fine life as she has been doing in your care. 

Good luck and keep us posted.

starrchar

by starrchar on 12 March 2009 - 23:03

Forgot to mention that the vet gave Shelby her first dose of Potassium Bromide today and then will give her the second dose tomorrow. I'll bring her home tomorrow afternoon. She will get high doses for the following 3 days and then back off to a "normal"dose.  I will monitor her 24/7 for the next 4 days. The vet wanted to avoid using phenobarbitol if possible due to the affects on the liver.  Hodie, what meds do you give your dogs? Can't imagine dealing wiht two! The vet told me GSDs are more difficult than most breeds to keep under control with the seizures.

For the past 3 months my 92 year old mom has been living with us and she has an aide during the day when I'm not home. I am certain that we would've known if she had a seizure. Shelby is in her crate when I'm not home and that crate would've rattled like crazy if she had a seizure while she was in it. I am a VERY light sleeper so it couldn't have occured at night as Shelby sleeps on her bed in our room. The past doesn't really matter and we will do everything humanly possible to help our sweet girl get through this and control her seizures asbest possible.

Thanks again,
Char

by hodie on 13 March 2009 - 00:03

 Char,

The dogs I have here are not on medication. So far, it has not been necessary, but yes, the normal meds are phenobarbitol and/or potassium bromide. Both will make the dog very, very lethargic and sleepy until her body begins to build some tolerance to the medication. All medications carry risks, but in the case of frequent seizures, especially status epilepticus type where the dog has more than one seizure right after the other or never stops seizing, again, the benefit must be weighed against the risks. I often board dogs here too with seizures and give their meds and most do just fine. But, a seizure is still possible on meds, so don't be surprised if that happens. 

Good luck.

GSDkatrina

by GSDkatrina on 13 March 2009 - 01:03

Hi Char,

I got Kaiser as a 12 week old pup from a breeder-he is 3 1/2 now.
Last June we heard a thumping noise and got up from bed to find my boy in a grand mal seizure in the room-I never was so frightened in my life-I  have had GSD's all my life and never had any of them go through this.
His vet had checked all his blood levels and when they all checked out he said it could be Ideopathic epilepsy or an isolated case-so we waited and had sleepless nights- anytime he moved we would freak out thinking he was having another one.
He has had  one a month for 7 months ONLY when sleeping!    That still bothers my vet that he is always asleep.
At one point six clusters in one day!!!    Of course it  had to be a Sunday and I was heading to an Emergency Center if had one more!!
I had a friend who was a vet tech and she checked his temp for me and he was ok-just very very thirsty-when they go through that it's like running a marthon for them.
Anyway,  long before that 6 time episode our vet had put him on Pheno-Barb without Pottassium Bromide and he continued to have one a month for 1- 2  minutes like clockwork !!  Since he added Pottassium with the PB he has not had one in two months now!  Knock on wood!!   Kaiser was only drowsy for less than a week on the Phenobarb. He plans to wean him off that I think and keep just Pottassium Bromide. He is getting his levels checked again next week. 
He was a bit lethargic for a short time after the meds started loading but that all went away as well.

It's frightening to watch-and Kaiser was never vocal but the past few times he started to  be vocal-he walks around like he is blind for a few minutes then he follows my voice and acts happy-the first one he had when I was on the floor with him I had no clue what was going on! 
So I stroked his fur and talked to him and when he stopped seizing - he looked up and me and I knew he didn't know what was going on yet-we have gone through so much worrying and questioning and RESEARCHING OMG I lived on here lookign up everything- I was driving myself crazy because I had to know why-and I can't know why for sure-I just have to let him live his life and give him his meds like clock-work.
I sometimes avoid family functions if it means switching him off schedule. I was worried about his high ball drive and my vet said that his being excited would not cause a seizure-I wonder about that though still!
So  I am still wondering why and called his breeders who said they went back 12 generations and had found nothing. I was wondering how they could know if no one told them??
I wish you all the best for your girl.  Thank God she has you:)

Katrina

starrchar

by starrchar on 13 March 2009 - 02:03

Katrina, have you tried melatonin on Kaiser? Apparently it works for some dogs who tend to have night seizures. Valerian is also used. I have been reading all evening about epilepsy. I have a nice long list of questions for the vet tomorrow!  I don't think he did a thyroid panel on her, which is recommended by Dr. Dodd at http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/site_map.htm.  I'm trying not to get obssessive over this, but I feel I've got to learn everything I can so I can be the best possible advocate for Shelby. Much of what I've read so far is in keeping with what the vet has told me about epilepsy as well as what he has recommended regarding treatment. There are many specialists in this vet office, as well as a neurologist, so my vet has been consulting with him regarding Shelby's treatment. I am so grateful this office has also 24/7 care with a vet around the clock and they are monitoring her closely- ER vet from 6PM to 8AM.   Anyway, I am happy Shelby will come home tomorrow, but at the same time I am so scared. I've got to try and chill out becasue Shelby will pick up on my nervousness. Maybe I can use a little of her valium! Ha!     I'll write updates!

GSDkatrina

by GSDkatrina on 13 March 2009 - 03:03

Char,

Thanks,
Hmm I will ask my vet about that-I use that for my other dog  near storms as she is afraid of noises.
Of course you are going to be obsessed to a point, I think that is probably normal.
  In the beginning I  was always staring at him  and he would of course stare back at me waiting for me to say or do something lol poor guy!
I still wish that my boy could get off all meds and just be OK-but I thank God that there are medications to help him and your girl and others like them.

I know what you mean about the valium lol...what's weird is my vet never even offered it to me for the first few months-other people were saying he should have made sure I had it on hand to prevent clusters. Finally he did and I had given him only twice since then after each seizure-I hate to over medicate but I can't guess and take chances when it comes to his life!

He is such a love-and so full of life! Good luck with your girl and keep me posted ok??
I took that link off here too that GreenEarth posted-I am getting on that asap!!

 

Good luck and feel free to email me-I want to know how she is doing!!! Try hard to relax-I know it will NOT be an easy task!!

I was afraid to drive with him or play ball the first few couple months or  tracking and hiking which he loves! And he loves agility!!! 
He was totally normal and I wasn't LOL.

Good Luck,
K

 






 


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