Comments | dawnsartstudio: So, 'normal', but with seizures.

dawnsartstudio

So, 'normal', but with seizures.

Mar 13, 2007 15:40

We got Bragi’s test results from the spinal tap and the liver panels... and everything is ‘normal’. So why is he having seizures? The veterinary neurologist confirmed my surmise that ‘epilepsy’ is a catch-all diagnosis for seizures that don’t have an obvious physical cause. She asked how he was doing, and fortunately, he’s doing pretty well. ( Read more... )

Comments 14

jenneubauer March 14 2007, 00:05:11 UTC

i'm happy that he's doing well but sad that you're frustrated with not knowing why! grrrrrrrrrrr! here's eva giving you her smiley face :)

dawnsartstudio March 14 2007, 03:52:03 UTC

Eva's so beautiful! =D Frank's dad had Jack, a Gladiator doberman, for many many years, and 'smiled pretty' on command, generally scaring the poop out of unsuspecting visitors. I loved Jack, but he *always* won the tug games.

Bragi's doing very well, and he's looking forward to meeting Eva.

jenneubauer March 15 2007, 05:41:50 UTC

hehe - eva and bragi sittin' in a tree... yeah - i'm a little tired :)
is bragi still ok at this time?

dawnsartstudio March 15 2007, 05:51:10 UTC

He's VERY okay. =D Being his normal puppy self, and we're having to yell at him about chasing cats and barking at the neighbor's dog again. ...don't tell anyone, but I'm happy to have him doing that terrible stuff. :)

dawnt March 14 2007, 17:57:32 UTC

Well...it IS a tremendous relief to have the tap and liver panels come back as normal...but sucks that there is no "why". I'm not the kind of person, either, who easily accepts those kinds of non-answers.

(Look up autism and seizures while you're researching....they often present together for no proven physiological reason, sometimes presenting for a short period of time, then disappearing, never to present again. There has been a ton of new research and findings...and money spent.... on brain activity in autistic people, so that's likely where a lot of the newest info can be found.)

Big puppy hugs to Bragi...and you, too. And good thoughts for adjusting well to the medication.

Dawn

dawnsartstudio March 15 2007, 05:45:52 UTC

One of Frank's step-sisters has an autistic son --I'll ask her about seizures. She's very approachable and knowledgable about her son's condition. She can probably give me good leads for research. Thanks for the tip, and the warm thoughts. =D

88heather March 14 2007, 20:18:18 UTC

My dog gets seizures too and takes phenobarb... He I believe had them for a while.. I remember seeing him thinking did his legs fall asleep.. why is he like that.. he'd have them rarely like 2-3 times a year.. noticed them but didn't know what it was.. Then when Duncan got to about 7 a month after my older dog died he started having them regularly.. like every day for a few days.. He's a big dog.. I give Duncan about 65 mg twice a day.. and it stopped the seizures and the blood work is good.. I've tried dropping his dose.. to like 50 mg twice a day.. but noticed he'd be off a bit.. Like the other week he's legs gave and he just fell in the kitchen.. so he's back up to the 65 mg.. He's been taking it for 3 yrs now.. and all is good..

Anyway.. I do hear its common in dogs and even more so in some breeds.. maybe Tracey the vet tech will chime in here..

Sorry Dawn about the pup.. its hard to see them have a seizure. My dog is my love!

heather :)

dawnsartstudio March 15 2007, 05:50:08 UTC

Tracey's been a steady, welcome presence already, and a virtual fountain of support and information.

Bragi's seizures were terribly violent, and yes, it was very, very painful to watch. So far, he's adjusting well to the medication. Next week at some point we'll discuss adjusting his dosage with our local vet.

I've heard seizures are more common with dogs than with cats..we have no idea what mix of breeds Bragi is, or if it even has any bearing on them. I'm glad Duncan is responding well to medication. Seizing can't be any fun for the pups, either.

more hugs for Bragi tagscats March 15 2007, 15:15:07 UTC

Thanks Dawn, though not sure what kind of help I've been, it's a tough situation for sure....

I'm so pleased to hear no further seizure activity. Yep, you see them (idiopathic) far more in dogs than cats....I only ever had one cat of mine have seizures, but she was in kidney and liver failure so that was the cause.

I'll be anxious to hear what your vet says at the checkup next week.

More kisses for Mr. Wigglebutt from his auntie!

Re: more hugs for Bragi tagscats March 15 2007, 15:19:06 UTC

oh, and regarding the weaning of the meds, yes, it's certainly a matter of finding a tolerable dose to prevent further seizures and allow Bragi a good quality of life. And of course that's why the monitoring of blood levels, very important, as you may be adjusting his dose for a while.

Thread 5

awe sweety... kris_jean March 15 2007, 08:37:05 UTC

I'm glad 'normal' was the results - but the not knowing must be maddening!

You are a great Friend and Bragi is very lucky Dawn.

Thinkin about ya....... :((

Re: awe sweety... dawnsartstudio March 15 2007, 19:08:27 UTC

Awwww... *blushes, kicks gravel* We're the lucky ones, Kris. We couldn't ask for a better companion. Anything we can give him or do for him can't come close to repaying unconditional love and wake-up calls in the form of gentle puppy kisses.

We'll find out, one day, what's causes these things. Til then, we'll just enjoy life the best we can. =D

dog love tagscats March 15 2007, 21:17:31 UTC

Isn't unconditional love the absolute best? We all have much to learn from our furry friends. A big humbug to those who say they have no souls....how can one look into their eyes and not see it?

I'm so happy to hear he's being his normal silly self again! You never realize how much you miss it until it's not there, huh?

More sloppy kisses for Bragi, just because.