Seizing Weimy

CallesCafe · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject: Seizing Weimy

My 15 month old weimaraner is having cluster seizures today. I took her to the all hours animal clinic at the onset of the 1st at 5am. He recommended to keep her overnight, which I didn't feel was the best idea. She needs to see a neurologist right away, and her being monitored and administered phenobarbital isn't the cure. Its just a temporary fix. We need to find out whats causing them.

This isn't the 1st time this has happened. She has had 2 other episodes 3 months and 6 months ago, with about 3 seizures in a day. The vet said if they continue, she needs to see a neurologist, however she has not seized since. Her original seizing was just shaking her head and making chewing motions and drooling profusely.

Well this morning, she had one of those seizures, and I watched her, calmed her down, I was on my way out of the bedroom and she had a second episode which was very intense, her whole body tightened and she shook profusely for 30 seconds. When she came out of it, she could not walk on her back legs for another 30 seconds. I got in the car and drove straight to the vet.

I was given Valium to give her if this happened again until I could get her into the neurologist, but she had her second seizure at 8am, which I administered the medicine, called the vet for a 2nd dose, because I cant get in until tomorrow.

She than seized again at 4:30pm, and she was having bowel movements while seizing, so I couldn't administer the medicine, and I'm holding onto it, in case we have any more severe episodes throughout the night.

Anyone else have issues with this or know anyone with the same thing? My parents want me to put her to sleep, so she doesn't cost a lot of money.

They don't understand. Ive had her for over a year, she is my baby. She is so sweet and gentle and only 15 months.

anne · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject:

Yes I know people who have experienced seizures with their Weims. Unforutnatley most of the time the diagnosis is idiopathic. I know people that have controlled seizures with feeding a fresh whole diet, and also I have heard that Vit B supplementation helps (at least it wouldn't hurt).

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject:

probably a very different situation here, but...
my folks have an italian greyhound. puppy mill to petstore to crappy home to rescue to them.
any change in habits and he stops eating. this leads to seizures.
spent aobut 2 years with him pooping tar, having seizures, etc.

thought he had an ulcer, diabetes, stomach cancer, you name it, they checked it out.

in the end, a good diet and he has had very few seizures over the past year. his seems to be diet related, a drop in blood sugar - honey is what pulls him out of the seizures.

anyway, with him, it took time, but he is doing very well now. he still has bad days, but if I were you, I wouldnt give up yet... if things go downhill, I think you will know when you are doing the poor girl more harm than good, until then, she is so young... I would at least give it a try - it may be simple, it may not. In the end, you have to decide what is best for her and what is best for you (financially and emotionally). Good luck and keep us posted.

weimdawgs · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

Poor Baby.....please don't give up on her yet. Try switching her diet as Anne suggested. I think seizures can be food related.

Please keep us posted on her progress.

clmorris415 · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:33 am Post subject:

Oddly enough I just got back from the emergency vet with my old man Petey. He is a 9 yr old rat terrier who has had seizures for the last 5 yrs. He was hit in the head with a softball and suffered a seizure. Since then he has periodically had seizures. Over the last 3 months they have been more frequent.

The vet said the phenobarbitol was a catch 22 because Phenobarb can cause liver damage. So as long as they were few and far between no treatment. But tonight he had them in clusters.

At first I didn't know what had happened. I found him at the bottom of the stairs. He was completely unconscious. I scooped him up and tried to wake him and figure out what happened. All I saw was him lying on the floor and Laney jumping up and down stepping all over him. It was a full 20 minutes before he came around. He was stumbling and unable to stand. It was as if his right side was paralyzed. Everytime he would try to stand his legs would just buckle. They did bloodwork and gave me valium to get us through the night and a follow up appointment in the morning to discuss options. She told me because of his age and breed that I need to prepare myself for the worst. I have been balling for hours now. I swear I can't bear the thought of losing him.

I know for Pete his seizures are caused by ME not thinking about the danger of letting the dogs play in the yard while the kids were playing ball. It was a freak accident but the vet says not all that uncommon. He is resting now. Soaking up all the extra attention.

I know I am lucky in the respect that I know what the cause is. But I will tell you having worked for a neurologist for 15yrs. you may never know the cause. I hope that all goes well with your pup and you find answers soon.

anne · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject:

CallesCafe · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

Good Afternoon,

Gracie made it through the night, so we didn't make it to the neurologist.

Gracies seizures are few and far between as well, so I'm suspecting she is getting into something. If they continue or are more frequent I'm going to monitor her and reschedule the appointment.

She has been sick for the past few days. She goes through fits of throwing anything she eats up for several days. And the time of the seizure was after her not having food in her belly for 5 days because she kept throwing it up.

She was on Eukanuba Puppy Formula for Large dogs, and recently I switched her to the Costco brand which has the same ingredients as a local supplier that makes the food themselves, and my friend did research on the Costco brand and free feeds his 2 Viszlas the food, so I made the switch as well.

Either way Ill keep you guys posted.

jamie8dc · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject:

clmorris415 · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:59 pm Post subject:

Glad she is doing better. Hopefully the change in diet will help also.

Pete was diagnosed with intracranial swelling this afternoon. He is unable to walk or stand. We are trying a course of steroids before the other option.. I can't even stand to think of it. If we get through this I am definitely looking into some diet changes. I am learning so much from you all.

Thank you !

CallesCafe · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:05 pm Post subject:

Petey is in our thoughts and prayers.

Gracie on the other hand is being a little devil. Shes back to her old antics, following us around the house, trying to sit on the couch. Unfortunately its been raining quite a bit here in Arizona, so we cant go to the park or anything.

clmorris415 · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject:

STEROIDS ! They have to be heaven sent. Petey is back to his evil old self and is doing excellent !

Laney (my weim pup) can't stand it that he can't come and play with her. She just stands at the door of his room and begs to go in. She can't understand why he can't play with her.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers !

Laurie

clmorris415 · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject:

STEROIDS ! They have to be heaven sent. Petey is back to his evil old self and is doing excellent !

Laney (my weim pup) can't stand it that he can't come and play with her. She just stands at the door of his room and begs to go in. She can't understand why he can't play with her.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers !

Laurie

CallesCafe · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:16 pm Post subject: Update

Gracie is on Potassium Bromide and had an episode of 2 seizures within 2 hours once in the past 4 weeks, so we're making progress. The doctor called, and I had her on 1000mg, and we're upping her to 2000mg.

So, we're making process there, but when he called her Chloride levels are low and her White Blood Cell count is elevated. So we have to monitor her over the next few weeks.

Since I've had her she has been in the vet every month ear Infections, Puppy Pyroderma, Upper respiratory infection, bronchitis. And I cant find a food that doesnt make her throw up.

I keep her locked indoors for weeks to see how she does, and still gets sick. I let her play with other dogs, and she still gets sick. Its draining, but when I get home, and her little tail is wagging to greet me, and her nose is helping me poor milk or make the bed, and I look into her puppy eyes, it melts my heart.

GailB · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

Nice to see Gracie may be improving....aw she sounds like an angel Lips

CallesCafe · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: Monster Roo!

Well hello everyone!

The vet called, and Gracie's level of the Potassium Bromide are low, so I'm giving her 2000mg now.

He also has been monitoring her, and hasn't let me know, because he didn't want to concern me, but now that is has been going on so long she needs more tests.

Her chloride levels are at 103 and should be 105-115, and her white blood cell count is elevated.

I'm making bandannas for all occasions, and selling them for $5.00 and will add specialty charms such as birthday cakes, paw prints, etc to raise money for her vet bills, being I have been out of work since October.

She did have another 2 seizures the other morning, and every time she does its like she starts over and forgets how to act and behave. She jumps on the counters, scratches the doors in the house. Has peed in the house and the back of my car. I cant believe it.

My folks said I should put her up for adoption, but I cant go through that. I got her for life.