my dog is poorly?

Question

i have a cavalier king charles spaniel that nearly 5 years old for along time now he has suffered epilepsy he was fitting for 2hours today so i took him to vets and they have kept him in to stabalize him and vets said that i should considerputting him to sleep! i really am sooo upset as he does everything with me and is more like a human! i dnt want to be cruel by keeping him if he is sufferring but what do i do as when he isnt fitting he is a lively beautiful friendly dog! i have to go in the morning and decide i reallydont know whats bet plz help has anyone else had this with their dog?

Answer 1

If your dog is not enjoying a good quality of life than he should be put to sleep and not suffer. Think of the dogs well being

Answer 2

I am so sorry to hear. It depends a lot upon what medications you have tried with your dog and how effective they have been. Also how often he has the seizures. You are the only person who can decide whether his quality of life is enough to keep him alive, but exhaust all the other options before taking this final step. If the vet is a regular vet, kinda like a GP, then ask for a referal to a neurologist at one of the big vet schools, like the Dick Vets in Edingburgh. They will have a much better knowledge of treatments and drugs available to control the epilepsy that a regular vet might just not know about, or not know how to combine different drugs to help your dog.
This should be your next step. Once you have had an appointment with a specialist and discussed the treatment options available, you can decide whether there is help for your dog that can give a good quality of life.

You should also make your decision on the usual pattern of the epilepsy, if this long seizure is not normal for your dog, then wait and see if things go back to the way they were before this big seizure, or if he is going to continue to have them.

I know this is a really hard decision to make, but it is one that only you can make; don't allow yourself to be pressured by the vet. Ensure you have tried every treatment available by going to a specialist, and only then can you make the choice that is best for your dog.
I hope you manage to find a treatment that can control the epilepsy.

Answer 3

i know this is a terrible time, working as a training vet nurse i see this situation quite alot and have had it happened to me. All i can say is do what you think is right, having epiliepsy is not a nice thing and your spaniel is suffering, it is cruel to keep an animal alive for your sake only, however you may feel that it is not necessary as for the rest of the time like you said he is fine.
It really depends on the severity of the epilipsy. This case must be quite severe for your vet to consider euthanasia, a fit lasting for 2hours is quite a bad case and it will only get worse the further on you leave it. Talk it through with your vet, im sure you'll make the right decision by your dog. stay possitive :)

Answer 4

Hi there,

I can very much empathize with your situation. My dogs are also almost human to me and I can understand your inner struggle.

Before putting your dog to sleep, I would suggest you investigate alternative health treatments for your dogs. I know that I would research any credible and potential avenue.

First I would make sure my dog is on the proper medication from my vet. Then...

Chiropractic care

I would turn to a chiropractor (or osteopath). There is ample documentation on how chiropractic adjustments have helped alleviate cases of epilepsy. You can just Google that and lots of successful case studies come up.

Can I take my dog to the Chiro? Yes, I did! My dog used to come with me for my chiropractor visits and he would receive an adjustment too!

You may have to ask around a lot, you may get some rebuttal and refusal at first. Persist and you will find a chiropractor that will agree to adjust your dog.

And don't worry if you feel silly calling chiro offices - remember, your best friend has all to gain, so be persistant.

Acupuncture - a safe alternative

I might also try to turn to acupuncture. I have read a few articles online that states that acupuncture has reduced the frequency of seizures in dogs.

Try finding an acupunctor in your area that either has had experience with dogs or that is at least willing to research it and give it a try.

I am listing a few websites for you, but these are just examples of the ton of information available out there.

Congratulations on not wanting to give up on your best friend! These alternatives may or may not work - but you won't know until you try them!

Best of luck,

~Melanie

Answer 5

I really feel for you, it's so sad having to say goodbye to a relatively young dog but you must put your own feelings aside and think was is best for him. Vets don't recommend putting a dog to sleep without reason & if your dog has the kind of epilepsy which can't be controlled then it's the last kind thing you can do for him. Better to let him go now & remember him as a lively friendly dog than to watch him suffer more fits & deteriorate.
Thinking of you
XX

Answer 6

He's only 5 years old. You haven't mentioned how often the fits occur, but it sounds like they frequent enough for you to worry.

The one thing you can be fairly certain of is that, apart from confusion after the episode, your dog is probably not suffering.

Epilepsy in dogs is very similar to that in humans. It may be quite expensive, but there are many medications available to enable your dog to lead a full and healthy life (just as in humans). Don't give up yet. If necessary, research the alternative treatments and look at the possibility of consulting alternative Veterinary Surgeons.

Good Luck.

Answer 7

It all depends on if medication is helping to reduce the frequency and severity of the seizures, and more importantly, why the seizures are occurring. Epilepsy isn't the only reason that dogs can seizure. Sometimes it can be a neurological disorder other than epilepsy or in addition to epilepsy that is causing them, such as brain tumors or other diseases.

Bottom line is - if medication isn't helping and the dog is still seizing, and your veterinarian has recommended euthanasia, talk to your veterinarian about your dog's status. Ask them why they recommend euthanasia instead of medication, and what they think is the cause of the seizures - including why they are so severe and are happening so often.

Like previous posters have said, consider the quality of life for your dog. I know it is hard - I've lost a lot of dogs, and it's never easy, especially when you have worked so hard to get them well.

I wish you luck, and my condolences.

Answer 8

Hi, How come they cannot give him any more medication, or has something happend whilst he was having a fit this maybe why they are suggesting you put him to sleep. Poor thing. Im sorry I have 5 dogs and i know how i would feel if this happend to me. I know you dont want to let him go but ask the vet what the reason is why they have to put him asleep. If the answer is the right one then you will know what the best thing for your dog.

Answer 9

I'm so sorry for you and your pup. This is a very sad situation.
I hope my small advice helps.
first, ask your vet if the dog is in pain or suffering...I think most folks (people and animals) dont' remember when they have a seizure?? if this is the case, then it shouldn't be hurting him.
but even so, they have wonderful anti-seizure meds now, ask your vet about them...
Always, before putting any animal to sleep on recomendation of a vet, I get a second opinion.
not because I don't trust my vet..I do, but because this is life and death we are talking about..you dont' want to decide to put him down then find out later that there is some other vet that knows this illness and has a great treatment for it.
It is a sad and horrible decision to have to make and my heart goes out to you, whether you decide for or against it.
bless you.
(((((big hugs to you and your doggie)))))

Answer 10

Good quality of life is very important here - but before you make your decision, get a second opinion. Take the dog somewhere else. I speak from experience of doing just that and had another 12 months of quality time with my male shih tzu that a locum vet at my usual practice just wrote off in a matter of seconds. Yes, it cost me quite a bit in medication and repeat visits for check ups, but I dont regret a thing. I know how you're feeling - like the weight of the world on your shoulders. Good Luck.

Answer 11

You need to consider putting him to sleep. You said it yourself- you don't want to be CRUEL by keeping him if he's suffering....

You love him so it's going to be a very hard experience. Thats one of the consequences for having a dog. You have a great partner but one day you inevitably have to say goodbye.

Go in early, spend some good time with him to say goodbye properly.

Talk to your vet about different options, a nice burial ground, cremation etc. Somthing that you are still able to cherish your memories.

My condolences and Good Luck