Epileptic advice
16 views
Skip to first unread message
Rob
May 17, 2011, 2:46:24 PM5/17/11
to ukvizsla
Scout has just had his first seizure in 11 months today and we are a
bit stumped as to the cause.
He was out and about with my girlfriend and her Springer and was
running around. He knew it was going to happen as he came to my
girlfriend and sat between her legs which is usual for him when he is
nervous. Then he had a seizure roughly 6mins long and like previous
seizures stiff, shaking, no loss of bowel’s and unsteady on his feet
trying to crouch down and cling to the floor. When he came around he
was starving and drank about 1.5 litres of water.
We were told last time by the vet that it is unusual for a dog to
have a seizure when they are active. In the past they have always been
when we have returned from being out and he has jumped up out of bed
to greet us, which fits into the vet’s theory of sudden electrical
activity in the brain. We are wondering if this isn’t always the case
and can a seizure happen at any time.
He is 39kg and on 60mg Epiphen tablets 1 every 12 hrs.
The original recommended dosage for his weight was 90mg every 12hrs
but this left him looking like a junkie, unable to run in a straight
line and falling over when out. So I reduced the dosage myself and he
has been seizure free for the last 11 months. The vet knows I had
reduced the dosage and said if he wasn’t fitting then carry on with
the 60mg every 12hrs as it was working. He has had his bloods taken
December last year and the levels of Epiphen were less than the
recommended dosage but were still at the constant they had been
previously.
All advice and experiences good or bad would be gratefully received so
we can evaluate if anything needs to change.
Regards Rob
bit stumped as to the cause.
He was out and about with my girlfriend and her Springer and was
running around. He knew it was going to happen as he came to my
girlfriend and sat between her legs which is usual for him when he is
nervous. Then he had a seizure roughly 6mins long and like previous
seizures stiff, shaking, no loss of bowel’s and unsteady on his feet
trying to crouch down and cling to the floor. When he came around he
was starving and drank about 1.5 litres of water.
We were told last time by the vet that it is unusual for a dog to
have a seizure when they are active. In the past they have always been
when we have returned from being out and he has jumped up out of bed
to greet us, which fits into the vet’s theory of sudden electrical
activity in the brain. We are wondering if this isn’t always the case
and can a seizure happen at any time.
He is 39kg and on 60mg Epiphen tablets 1 every 12 hrs.
The original recommended dosage for his weight was 90mg every 12hrs
but this left him looking like a junkie, unable to run in a straight
line and falling over when out. So I reduced the dosage myself and he
has been seizure free for the last 11 months. The vet knows I had
reduced the dosage and said if he wasn’t fitting then carry on with
the 60mg every 12hrs as it was working. He has had his bloods taken
December last year and the levels of Epiphen were less than the
recommended dosage but were still at the constant they had been
previously.
All advice and experiences good or bad would be gratefully received so
we can evaluate if anything needs to change.
Regards Rob
Vicky Martin
May 17, 2011, 3:25:52 PM5/17/11
to ukvi...@googlegroups.com
Poor little fella. Sorry to hear this.
Vicky xx
To The Manor Bourne
www.tothemanorbourne.com
Sent from my iPhone
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ukvizsla" group.
> To post to this group, send email to ukvi...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ukvizsla+u...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ukvizsla?hl=en.
Helga Root
May 17, 2011, 3:35:52 PM5/17/11
to ukvi...@googlegroups.com
Oh Rob, so sorry to hear this about Scout. Maybe try somewhere in between
60 - 90 mg once he is stabilized? I just done know what to suggest as I
have no experience of Epilepsy but I know what a great owner you are and how
very much you love him.
Helgs
Claire Naylor
May 17, 2011, 4:36:06 PM5/17/11
to ukvi...@googlegroups.com
Rob I really feel for you. I lost my Dalmatian to a fit (different breed I
know) she was perfectly healthy no signs of illness or epilepsy and just
before her third birthday she started fitting and we couldn't bring her
back. She was just gone in a flash and it broke my heart.
know) she was perfectly healthy no signs of illness or epilepsy and just
before her third birthday she started fitting and we couldn't bring her
back. She was just gone in a flash and it broke my heart.
I have since had experience of epileptic dogs (though working with dogs) and
generally you can tell when they are due for a fit. I just want to say I
hope you get Scout sorted and stable. Hopefully you will be able to work out
a dose that suits him and makes him feel much better. Best of luck and my
thoughts are with you.
Claire
Penny Waheed
May 18, 2011, 1:56:16 PM5/18/11
to ukvi...@googlegroups.com
Hi Rob again
just reread your post, and sounds like your vet knows enough, certainly to know that most fits occur when resting (our old vet misdiagnosed epilepsy as toad poisoning to give you some idea). From what I understand one fit in 12 months is considered 'OK', in terms of epileptic control, but do check that out and probably worthwhile rechecking blood levels anyway.
Best
Penny
just reread your post, and sounds like your vet knows enough, certainly to know that most fits occur when resting (our old vet misdiagnosed epilepsy as toad poisoning to give you some idea). From what I understand one fit in 12 months is considered 'OK', in terms of epileptic control, but do check that out and probably worthwhile rechecking blood levels anyway.
Best
Penny
Penny Waheed
May 18, 2011, 1:41:12 PM5/18/11
to ukvi...@googlegroups.com
Hi
Feel for you, our last weimeraner had epilepsy and it was tough.
We found he was better on bromide, but was started on that at the RCVS after pheno wasn't working.
Check out:
http://www.canineepilepsy.co.uk/owners/Owners_living_pet.htm
Suggests checking blood levels regularly, or maybe your vet is doing that. Some vets seem to have a lack of knowledge about epilepsy but don't want to admit it, we had to insist on a referral to the RCVS to get the right treatment.
Good luck
Penny
Feel for you, our last weimeraner had epilepsy and it was tough.
We found he was better on bromide, but was started on that at the RCVS after pheno wasn't working.
Check out:
http://www.canineepilepsy.co.uk/owners/Owners_living_pet.htm
Suggests checking blood levels regularly, or maybe your vet is doing that. Some vets seem to have a lack of knowledge about epilepsy but don't want to admit it, we had to insist on a referral to the RCVS to get the right treatment.
Good luck
Penny
> Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 21:36:06 +0100
>
>
Rob
May 18, 2011, 3:20:14 PM5/18/11
to ukvizsla
Thanks for the responses he has been fine today so hopefully it was
just a blip.
He is due to get his bloods taken at the end of the month I think so I
am just going to see how he is until then rather than come to a rushed
decision about upping his dosage.
I am aware that 1 fit in 11 months is good going so hopefully we will
manage to maintain this.
The only other symptom (which I didn’t believe until before) is my
girlfriend said he went grey all around one eye not the actual eye
ball but the fur around his eye, so he had small a patch a bit like a
Bull Terrier has but smaller. I didn’t think it was possible for the
colour to drain from his fur but today when out on a walk the same
thing happened and he went grey around one eye. I’m not sure if it was
the fur or the skin pigmentation under the fur. This was only for a
minute or two and he didn’t show any of the usual signs before a
seizure.
If anyone has any ideas what this could be I would welcome their
thoughts.
Regards Rob
Susie Zarpanely
May 19, 2011, 5:18:44 AM5/19/11
to vizsla discussion group
Hi Rob,
It might be worth checking with a holistic Vet in particular one who handles chinese medicines. There are some extremely good oils which treat epilepsy. I think you are a way away from London but Richard Bleckman at the Roehampton Veterinary Clinic may be able to advise of someone near you. I know of several dogs that he has treated over the years who have been able either to drastically reduce or come off their alopetheic medication completely. Try a google search
Susie
From: pwa...@hotmail.co.uk
It might be worth checking with a holistic Vet in particular one who handles chinese medicines. There are some extremely good oils which treat epilepsy. I think you are a way away from London but Richard Bleckman at the Roehampton Veterinary Clinic may be able to advise of someone near you. I know of several dogs that he has treated over the years who have been able either to drastically reduce or come off their alopetheic medication completely. Try a google search
Susie
From: pwa...@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 17:56:16 +0000
Chrissie Diron
May 19, 2011, 1:13:22 PM5/19/11
to ukvi...@googlegroups.com
Yes, I know of many epileptic dogs who are managed with holistic therapies instead of drugs. Our friends have a Greyhound (ex-racer) who was being treated for epilepsy using drugs and he was fitting regularly. I advised they see a good holistic vet and discuss their options (there are several way to approach it, herbs, acupuncture, diet etc) and he now takes one herbal formula and eats a natural raw diet and in the last 3 years he's gone for well over a year at a time without fits and they report that when they occur they are also far weaker in intensity, over faster and he's up and on his feet really quick afterwards. There is actually a lot you can do and in a young dog you stand a much better chance of finding a very effective regime that prevents further attacks and damage and may even resolve the issue entirely. We were recently talking about holistic vets here and I like to recommend my old vet Nick Thompson in Bath or his ex-colleague Mark Elliott in Emsworth. Chris Day is a wonderful man too - based near Oxford I believe?
From Chrissie and the Vitali Vizslas
Independent Norwex Consultant
Kick the chemical habit - go green and be clean, naturally!
www.vitalk9.ca
www.canine-health-concern.org.uk
www.aunaturelk9s.com
From Chrissie and the Vitali Vizslas
Independent Norwex Consultant
Kick the chemical habit - go green and be clean, naturally!
www.vitalk9.ca
www.canine-health-concern.org.uk
www.aunaturelk9s.com
tavasz
Jun 20, 2011, 9:07:16 AM6/20/11
to ukvizsla
I understand that Dorwest have a preparation of scullcap and valerian
which has a proven track record in treating epilepsy but it should be
discussed with your vet. It can be used alone or in conjunction with
conventional medication. Dorwest would be happy to send through the
relevant information to you or your vet if required. I also believe
that if the dog experiences excessive stress that this can trigger a
fit.
Rosemary
which has a proven track record in treating epilepsy but it should be
discussed with your vet. It can be used alone or in conjunction with
conventional medication. Dorwest would be happy to send through the
relevant information to you or your vet if required. I also believe
that if the dog experiences excessive stress that this can trigger a
fit.
Rosemary
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages