New Member

Posts: 4
From:NC, USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-17-2003 07:26 AM         

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I have a 10 year old male Terrier mix who has been diagnosed with seizures. I have had him since he was 6 years old. He came from a home that had him since he was a puppy but the family was growing and there wasn't alot of time for Taylor. When I first got him I took him to the vet where he had been going his entire life. The only illness he had ever had was a simple skin infection. About 2 1/2 years ago he started having sparatic seizures, one about every 2 to 3 months. The vet choose to treated him with Valium since they weren't frequent enough for Phenobarbital. August of this year everything changed! His seizures increased from 1 every 2 to 3 months to 1 to 2 daily. The vet immediately put him on Phenobarbital 16.2mg daily. He has been on it for almost 4 weeks and he still has daily seizures. When he is not having seizures he is sleeping. He doesn't even want to greet me at the door when I come home anymore. I have no children so he has been like a baby to me. This is truly devistating to me and I live with the daily stress of what will happen next and when. We just had all his blood work checked and are awaiting the results. The vet mentioned us probably using Potassium Bromide along with the Phenobarbital. I am looking into some homemade diets to help out with his vitamins to build up his strength. I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas about what I can do? I feel like I need to explore and do as much as I can for his and my sake too! To keep my sanity if nothing else and make his last days, however many more he may have, the best ever! He has no energy for exercise or any type of physical activity, so the exercise advice is not helpful! Any ideas or advice is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Brooke

Since I posted this I have just heard from the vet. His BUN (kidney), calcium and liver levels are elevated. Liver is probably elevated due to the Phenobarbital but the other 2 test show the this is cancer we are dealing with so it looks very grim. I feel like part of myself is dying inside with him. Thanks for listening!

[This message has been edited by Brooke (edited 09-17-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 09-17-2003 08:22 AM         

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I am so sorry to hear about this. I was going to ask that you get your vet to check for cancer as I have heard seizures can be a symptom and easily missed in early stages. Is there any hope? What is his name?

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Member

Posts: 409
From:Los Angeles, Ca.
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-17-2003 12:39 PM         

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Hi Brooke,
I'm not that familiar with treatment or care for seizures, but maybe their could be something else as far as giving him this Phenobarbital, which i'm thinking works like a stronger Valium.
Like you mentioned he's been on this for 4 weeks now, and he still gets these daily seizures. It might not be good to be giving his stressed out system something potent, that isn't even working.
Try calling around different hospitals & ask the vets or vet-techs what they would use in your situation. Even try calling a surgical specialist and get their opinion.
I had a Boxer that passed not too long ago. He had a major stroke or seizure of some sort that was pretty scary to deal with, years before his passing. I thoguht he would never recover from this trance like state. His vet said that he might have had a stroke, and that Boxers are prone to a variety of health issues as they grow older, like Tumors & Cancers, etc, etc.
Durring his last couple of weeks, it was really bad. I know what you mean when you say that part of you is dying along w/ him. This part in there lives takes a toll on your body & soul as well. Perhaps so, but don't loose hope, try to remain strong for him, even if you know theres no other way.
A day came when things just got really bad, and i had to take my Boxer in again. He was'nt eating, he had labored breathing. Ohh yeah, i forgot to ask, does your dog have problems breathing (labored-breathing), in general??
Anyhow, let me cut to the chase. If your dog has breathing problems, he might have his lungs filled with fluids, that he can't get rid of. Your Vet will have to preform surgery to drain/flush out his lungs to clear it all up. Signs of your dog having his lungs all clogged up are:
Labored-Breathing
Snorting (like when people try to snort up mucus in their nose from a cold, to clear up their nostrills). Nasty, but yeah, that thing.
Coughing (like trying to get rid of flem).
Suttle signs should'nt be ignored, in your situation. Have them check this out, if he has any or other related signs of having lungs filled w/ fluids. Keep us posted....

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New Member

Posts: 4
From:NC, USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-17-2003 01:44 PM         

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Thank you all for your concern! His name is Taylor and there doesn't seem to be any hope as far as the cancer is concerned but the vet is going to take him off the Pheno and try Potassium Bromide to see if that will help with the seizures. He doesn't have labored breathing except after the seizures occur or during one. He has coughed a few times and I told the vet about that and she listened to his chest day before yesterday and said all was clear. Would her listening to his chest let her know if he has fluid in his lungs! I am so happy to know that there are people out there that do truly care about others and I am sorry to hear of the loss of your Boxer! Thank you all again for your time and attention! Also what is the best way to reply to someone who asks a question without starting a whole new topic? I just clicked reply to this message, is that the best way? Thanks again!

Brooke

[This message has been edited by Brooke (edited 09-17-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 409
From:Los Angeles, Ca.
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-17-2003 10:58 PM         

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Hi again Brooke,
I'm sorry, i forgot to let you know how our doctor examined our dogs lungs for fluids. BTW, good question! Your vet will need to do an X-ray from both of Taylor's sides & from the top. I'm not to sure if one needs to be taken from the bottom. The different angles are to give the vet a better diagnosis. He & You will actually be able to see fluids, if any. And anything foreign in the area that was x-rayed. I was amazed to see how much fluid was stuck in my poor buddy's lungs. They were practically all full. It still bugs me to know, i had no clue. This build up happend over years. I'm sure there are other ways like you mentioned your vet listened to his breathing (lungs), but i think actually taking a look at it is more definate. I guess if your vet says its fine, then most likely it is, hopfully. I guess if you see any of the signs that i mentioned in my last post more frequently, or more drastic, then maybe consider getting X-rays. I don't think they're expensive, i think. It still bothers me to know that my 1st dog/love "drowned" from his own lungs. I'll never forget those last days, & moments i shared w/ him... We barried him in a pet cemetary. He was my 1st, and turned me into a "dog-fanatic", and i love him for it!

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