Does anyone else have this problem. She never did before, but she recently started having really bad seizures, and when I took her to the vet, this is what they told me was wrong. She is now on Phenobarbitol, and will be for the rest of her life, but the vet says that the medicine is very mild, and should not cause any major side effects. Has anyone else had experience with this?
2006-07-05 17:12:16 · 9 answers · asked by jensarquist 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I do know that the newer medicines are better now and cause less damage. It used to be that they were hesitant to put them on medicine cause it would cause more damage in the long run then the seizure.
Being diagnosed with Epilepsy just means you have had more than two seizures.
Have they checked to see if there may be a medical condition causing the seizures? Some common medical reasons are.
Electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure, uremia (toxic accumulation of wastes), nutritional deficiencies,
other metabolic diseases, such as inborn error of metabolism
Tumors and brain lesions that occupy space (such as hematomas. Disorders affecting the blood vessels (such as stroke and TIA), brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis can produce seizures, brain abscess, acute severe infections of any part of the body, chronic infections (such as neurosyphilis).
2006-07-05 17:27:26 · answer #1 · answered by gnomes31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Suzanne.....13 is old for idiopathic epilepsy. More diagnostics are a must....I would start witha full neuro exam. The most noticable side effect with Phenobarb is that it will cause your pet to be sedate. Lots of owners stop giving the medication because of the big change in personality. Make sure you stick with it.....it takes your dog's body 3-4 weeks to reach a therapeutic level....once that is done, they will return to normal. You should have a repeat blood test 3 weeks after starting the Phenobarb to check where the levels are and see if any adjustments need to be made. Also make sure you monitor weight, even something as little as 5lbs gain or loss, can effect the dosage.
2006-07-06 08:49:34 · answer #2 · answered by KJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Typically, 13 is a bit old to get epilepsy. Seizures at that age are usually caused by other underlying health problems. I would consider getting a second opinion with bloodwork, especially if she continues to seizure even on the pheno.
2006-07-06 00:37:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have epilepsy, too, and used to take phenobarbitol. It can cause her to be a little clumsy, and it can cause a feeling like a hangover. A friend of ours had a chihuahua with epilepsy, so it's not terribly uncommon. She will probably be a little disoriented after a seizure, and maybe even a little frightened, so be sure to pet her and show you love her after one.
2006-07-06 10:36:09 · answer #4 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YEAH no flashing lights that usually triggers fits
oh since i have the time this is a funny story on this subject
my uncle use to have an epileptic dog named mopsie that was a pug and a poodle mixed and its fits were triggered by excitement.
one day we were burning secure files when the fire got out of control. the dumb *** ran out to where the fire was and started one of its conniption fits and the fire burned all around him it singed his hair off and had a couple of burned spots but it was okay it was kind of funny but he lived 5 years after that he died of of old age at the age of 17
so don't feel down. just keep him in a fence so the ^ doesn't happen in like ... a road or something!
best wishes with the prob.
2006-07-06 00:37:00 · answer #5 · answered by Seemore 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will need to have yearly blood test done on her, I think they check the liver enzyme levels, the phenobarbitol will help control the seizures......just be sure to give it to her on a schedule.
2006-07-06 00:17:51 · answer #6 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi my dog is on that medication. he is doing much better now. but he does seem a bit loopy,so he sleeps a lot. be sure your dog has access to water 24 -7. she will be very thirsty all the time. how strong is the dosage of that pill?? if your dog gives you trouble taking her meds, put it in a little cream cheese. sorry about your dogs condition.
2006-07-06 09:46:58 · answer #7 · answered by babygirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is extremely important that you give the medication every single day. If you do that, your dog should do real well.
The dog could have very severe seizures if you suddenly stopped the medication "cold turkey."
2006-07-06 00:21:58 · answer #8 · answered by Diane D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are pills today that can help her immensely.. DO NOT LET HER IN A POOL area if you have a pool.. Friends of mine had a similar situation.. they had a pool and the dog went into a fit.. fell into the water and drowned.
2006-07-06 00:18:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋