I need your thoughts on my situation with my dog. Simon is a 4 year old coon hound/ pomeranian mix. To me he is the cutest thing in the world, he is my little buddy, and my best friend. This past spring he started having seizures, we have had him on phenobarbital, and potasium bormine. The bromine didn't to anything, so we took him off of it. We have increased his phenobarbital intake several times. We are now up to double the amount that we started at. (3 .5 pills x2 daily) For a 50 lb dog that is a lot. The thing is, is that he it hasn't helped. About one day a month he has multiple seizures, I don't know if I should call them cluster seizures, but they will happen for at least one day (right now he is on his second day of seizures) I am hoping they will end soon. The seizures last about a minute. They have been getting worse, yesterday he had three in 30 minutes. It is so hard to watch him go threw this. He is a sweet dog, but is not adoptiable, he has some major behavior problems.
2007-11-09 04:59:42 · 9 answers · asked by jelly 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
when he goes to the vet it is quite a strugle, we have to sedate him just to draw blood. Last time the vet got stuck in the wrist. I have spent so much money on him, and it's not that I mind, but it doesn't seem to have helped at all.
I am 6 and a half months pregnant, and can't afford to get a CT on him, and I am concerned about after the baby comes, what if he falls on her while he is having a seizure. not to mention that he pee's everytime he has one. Do i put him down, knowing that he is a peace, and doesn't have to worry about seizures. Or, do I wate till they get worse? I am confused. I just love him so much
2007-11-09 05:04:25 · update #1
I have seen a few different vets for his condition, our last one thinks between his medical problems and behavioral problems, it may be best to put him down.
2007-11-09 05:13:19 · update #2
First of all, thank you for thinking of options other than just putting him down.
Does he behave normally when he is not seizing? Does he eat well? Play?
Seizure drugs work to stop seizures, but also to protect higher brain function. If the drugs aren't stoppping the seizures, there's no need to deal with the side effects since higher brain function isn't your first concern with a dog. If he's somewhat normal when he's not seizing, leave him off the meds.
I have a vet friend who has an epileptic dog. She doesn't give him meds because they're really not very helpful. She just holds him during and after his seizures and makes sure he knows he'll always be safe and loved. That's all you can do.
If he stops eating or takes a definite downturn in behavior (suddenly agressive or permanently confused) then he may have brain damage to the point where it would be kinder to let him go. Only you can amke that call.
Know you've really done a great job trying to help him. He knows he's loved and really, that's all you can do.
2007-11-09 05:09:53 · answer #1 · answered by kckli 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You are definitely in a difficult spot. Primary Epilepsy usually shows up in dogs between 3 and 6 years of age. That seems to be what is going on. I would seek a second opinion. Blood work to find out what the phenobarb level 6 hours post pill. Also, would put him back on the Potassium Bromide and test that level as well. I do not recc taking him off medication as cluster seizures are a dangerous thing. Especially if he has a severe cluster and you are not around to know about it. A referral to a specialist is also a good possibility......most important thing to do is open up the lines of communication with your vet. and ask for workable options.
I have to ask about the behavioral problems.......what does that entail? Is he aggressive? Destructive? Is this the type of dog you want around with a new baby? You have many issues to deal with besides seizure medication that is not effective. Good luck.
2007-11-09 05:25:01 · answer #2 · answered by lt4827 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had a GSD who had epilepsy, He was started out on a small amount of meds, the seizures were increasing. We were up to 10 pills a day and no relief in site. When he recovered from a seizure he would be in a daze and drool and wobble for about an hour. After seeing him suffer we decided it was best to have him put to sleep. It was a hard thing to do, but I was not going to let him suffer any longer.
You will need to discuss options with your vet to see which is best for you and your dog. Good Luck.
2007-11-09 05:07:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
If my dog was having problems like yours is, I would take him in for a specialist consult! I know that there has been some outstanding medical advances when it comes to seizures, both in humans and animals! He doesn't have to suffer with them, when there is medication that will help! The problem is, certain dogs respond differently with certain medications, so it could take time and some disappointment when it comes to finding the right medication for your baby! But then again, the specialist may know exactly what to give him that will be a miracle cure for him, that won't have a bunch of yucky side affects!! Good luck with this problem, it can be fixed!! Please keep me updated!!
2007-11-09 05:07:57 · answer #4 · answered by meloni o 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cockapoo has seizures as well though nothing as serious as yours but nonetheless it is heartbreaking. Mine knows when he is about to have one and will jump on me and wants to be held. So I just pet him and talk to him telling him everything will be okay. He is 11 now and thank goodness they haven't got worse or more frequent.
My sister in law had a spaniel which they eventually had to put down. She told me that her vet had told her that part of the dogs problem was due to the fact that they fed her people food all the time and not a reputable dog food. Could this be your situation? Just a thought.
2007-11-09 05:13:03 · answer #5 · answered by Choqs 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If Simon were me and the meds weren't working, my furless mom would be looking for alternative treatments. If this meant second or third opinions then she'd get those.
She would also do as much research on canine seizures as she could, which you seem to be doing.
Not until every possible solution had been exhausted would she give up on me.
If she found a drug that could reduce the number of seizures, even it didn't stop them completely she would probably go with that, as long as the majority of my life was a quality one.
Its hard sometimes for furless owners to make decisions like that, but quality of life, is better than quantity of life.
~Bindi
2007-11-09 05:06:58 · answer #6 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
There are some other anti epileptic drugs you may want to try:
Carbamazepine,
Primidone,
Phenytoin,
Valproic Acid
Felbamate,
Gabapentin,
Keppra
Chlorazepate &
Zonisamide
There's also holistic treatments and gold bead implants. You can find information on all of those options here:
http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/
Good luck!
2007-11-09 06:07:12 · answer #7 · answered by K9Resqer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What does the vet say about this? If you are not getting answers from your normal vet, I would seek a second opinion.
2007-11-09 05:05:02 · answer #8 · answered by rjn529 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a local shelter about finding a foster home who specializes in this kind of situations.
2007-11-09 05:15:22 · answer #9 · answered by Sara D 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The dog has Heart Worm. buy some stuff for that condition, he should be better soon!
2007-11-09 05:07:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 7⤋