I need some kind of help!

iky

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#1
:confused: I have mentioned this before in a previous thread, and I just don’t know what to do anymore. Last night Buddy (Codi’s brother) had yet another epileptic fit, we thought it had something to do with the de-worming but they haven’t been de-wormed again since the last attack. He has now had an attack last night, at about 10ish, and again this morning at about just after 10 and again one just before 1pm. He has a small attack about 20 mins after that. The very has said to us that he will outgrow it, but it is still hard to see the pup suffering. Please, anyone who can suggest something, I would really appreciate it!this before,
 

Debi

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#2
Wow..that's awful! If the vet feels he will out grow it...why does he think he is having them? Is that something unusual..or do alot of puppies have seizures? Just so curious. Poor Buddy!!! Does he seem less sad these days?
 
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#3
Have your vet refer you to a specialist. If your vet won't do that, start looking for one yourself, or if you're lucky enought to live near a university with a veterinary school, try that.

Also, for your own peace of mind, get your vet (if you haven't already) to tell you exactly the name of the condition, writing it down for you if necessary, so you can do some research on your own on the internet.

And don't laugh, but this might very well be something that accupuncture would help immensely. It's certainly worth a try and can't hurt.
 

iky

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He is a little bit more happier, but with these fits he has become all sad again. The vet said that many puppies suffer from it when they are little and some dogs only get it when they older, but its very comman in dog. I didnt know that. He said its just epilepticy, and that its something you have to live with?
 
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Okay, that gives us something to work with. I can't do it this week, as I've got a big research project on top of my other work, but afterwards I'll do some ferreting. It wouldn't hurt if anyone else who wanted to help did their own net researching, as we'll probably all turn up some different results.

Really, though, do consider finding an animal accupuncturist if there is one close to you. Accupuncture does some unbelievable things with epileptic seizures.
 

iky

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Thank you so much Renee! I will have alook out if i can find a specilaist...I'll ask my doctor, he knows a lot about accupuncture, and who would be able to help me!
 

iky

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#7
I found this and thought I would share it...

Are Siberian Huskies genetically predisposed to suffer from epilepsy?

No. However, epilepsy does occur in the breed. The seizures are not life threatening, generally speaking, but if your dog does have a seizure you should have him or her checked by a veterinarian to rule out the many other possible causes. If, in the end, epilepsy is the diagnosis, seizures are usually controllable with medication (Dilantin or Phenobarbital are typically prescribed for this).

So it can be treated...
 
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#8
Dilantin and phenobarbital are extremely heavy-duty drugs. I can't remember all the side effects (another thing to look up - what did we ever do without the internet!), but I'm impressed that your vet is willing to avoid drugs if possible. I hope he's able to help you out with the accupuncture. Many times there are excellent alternative treatments to using drugs, and if there's a chance Buddy will grow out of these seizures, it's always best to avoid as much chemical interference as possible.
 

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Just thought I'd let you know that if alternative medicine doesn't work, when I had a 15 year old beauty with a geratric neurological problem, the vet put her on a mild dose of phenobarbitol. It helped a great deal and gave us another year with her. I read a lot about it and talked to several dog owners locally who had pets with epilipsy who were on it as well. I am all for using as little as possible, but a small dose gave her another year with us without any seizures. If you do start on it, I would suggest talking with your vet and going with as small a dose as possible. Shiva had no side effects from it at all.
 
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Hey, Ajax

Pharmaceuticals can do some wonderful things in the right circumstances. I'm glad to hear of your success.

I don't worry too much about long term side effects when dealing with an elderly dog and short term quality of life is the best outcome, but with a young dog, and especially a puppy it can be a huge consideration. You have to make decisions for the future as well as seeking immediate relief. What a huge responsibility, huh?

I've gotta ask, what kind of dog was your Shiva? I think I remember you mentioning it before, maybe in your introduction, but my brain is fried lately with too much work. I'd love to see a photo of her.
 

iky

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Hey guys

:eek: Was a restful night...Buddy was whinning a little but I think that was just because his little body was sore, but no more seizures...which makes me really happy. He is running around and being his old happy self again this morning, which is wonderful, but at the same time, I just wonder when he is going to get another seizure. He still sits and shakes a little, but its not seizures, I think it is just because his body is so sore??

I also read up that when they do have the seizures, they are unconscious and are not suffering. Thats a relief! I have done a lot of reserach and now know exactlly how to handle it, and I dont worry so much about it as I use to. I also read that he can't die from it, so I just have to keep monitoring him and make sure he always has someone around him who he knows loves him and can just sit with him amd sooth him when he comes out of his seizures.

Codi is very understanding about it, he gets very jealous when I am with Buddy, but I think he understands that I am not paying the one more attention than the other, his brother is just a little sick. Codi is still as naughty and energetic as ever, he dug a nice hole in the mud yesterday and then came and wiped him paws and mouth all over the house. I think I need to get him some shoes :D He is going with to visit friends today, I just hope he can behave! :p
 

iky

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#13
Buddy was rushed to the vet because he had a very bad seizure this morning.

I was sitting with him and seeing him like that just made me want to cry. The vet has now placed him on medication, Phenobarbital, which he has to now take once a day. He needs to go back in 14 days for blood tests to see if the dosage needs to be upped.

This vet says the chances of him growing out of it are starting to weaken, but there is still hope. He has been sedated and is sleeping and should be asleep for most of the afternoon.

The vet says that we must keep him on medication and that it is something we need to live with, at least he is not suffering anymore.

Just thought I would update everyone.
 
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Oh, Iky,

Poor little Buddy! It sounds like you have a great vet, though, who has tried to avoid using medication until it was a last resort, which is such a conscientious action on his part.

As Codi grows older it's very likely that he will not only start being very solicitious of Buddy's welfare, but may even start to alert you if Buddy's going to have a seizure.

I certainly hope, though, that Buddy will beat the odds and grow out of his seizures. I'll keep him in my thoughts and close to my heart.
 

MEG126

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#16
sounds like you're handling this difficult situation very well- we'll keep you in our thoughts and hope for the best outcome. buddy (and codi) are very lucky to have a parent that loves and cares for them so much. hope he gets better soon!
 

Ajax

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Reply about Shiva

Shiva was a chow/terrier mix. She was solid black with chow fur but terrier temperment....such a sweet girl. She had no medical problems at all until she turned 14, so we were very lucky with that. She had what they called a geriatric neurological problem (caused a type of seizure like episode) but lived for a little over a year after that. I do hope that the pup can do without long-term medication; how is he doing now?????
 
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#18
new vet

It is time to get a new vet. The brain will become conditioned to sieze and will happen more often. Get him on some meds and then it just getting the dosage right. It takes a lot of communication to get it right but you will have a happier dog when he is feeling better.
Bec
 
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sorry

Sorry I didnt read page 2 before I replied to you. Hope all is getting better. I know a few dogs on siezure meds and they live a happy and healthy life.
 

iky

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#20
Well guys, not been here all weeks, its been one of those weeks. Wireviz_lady, thanx for the advice, yes, he has been put on medication, but we still have 3 more days before it kicks in. Monday he was just running around all the time, crying and running, by Wednesday, he started calming down a little, he still ran, but didnt cry so much, and we really thought that he was getting better. The vet even gave us Valium to help him relax, but we only used it on thursday night for the first time because he said that the valium would cancle out the other medication if taken within 3 hours of it.

But last night (thursday) he was laying with us and just suddenly he had a very bad siezure. It was rather late, so we gave him a valium to help him get through the night. He woke up and seemed fine, but we got a phone call from the maid to please come home immediately, she was totally hysterical and crying. He had another very bad fit again this morning. He was fine all day but had another mild siezure earlier this evening.

Codi seems to be handling it ok, I am worried about him because he is now pushing poor buddy around. I dont think he knows how else to play with the sick pup.

It was suggested that we gibe him back to the breeder as they should not have sold a sick puppy, but we love him so much. Yet at the same time, I dont know how much more of this I can handle, I love him and his brother very much, but its becoming a fear now that something might happen to him.

Wireviz_lady, have you had pups with this problem before, what do you suggest I do. do we need to change his diet, or give him something extra?
 

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