Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog health - Ask members * If your pet is vomiting-bleeding-diarrhea etc. Vet time! > Senior dogs

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 4th, 2017, 10:40 AM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
Seizures in an old dog--anything we can do to help her post-seizure recovery

Ridge has begun having seizures. She had her first grand mal seizure 43 days ago and had another one shortly after midnight this morning.

This one only lasted about 90 seconds before she started coming out of it. Her eyes were brighter quicker and she was trying to get up quicker this time, but couldn't because her coordination was still off from the seizure. The first one lasted for at least 2 minutes and she was very slow to come out of it (she was glassy-eyed for almost 10 minutes).

A little history: She's almost 14 and was diagnosed with heart failure when she was 11. She's on furosemide, enalipril, and VetMedin daily, and she's been doing great for the 2+ years she's been on the med regimen.

The cause of the seizures is undiagnosed at this point. All blood work was normal last time except for an elevated ALT level (back to normal in the follow up blood work we did last week) and low potassium levels (not unusual after a seizure and also back to normal in the blood work we had done last week).

I'm not sure at this point if the cause is so important, given her age and history, but is there anything we can do to help her recover after she has a seizure? She seemed really hungry last night afterward but I was afraid to give her too much to eat. Would a small meal be appropriate or is that not advisable because of aspiration risk if she should have an 'aftershock', so to speak? She wanted to drink, but I had the same misgivings about that. I let her wind down for two hours before even attempting to get her back up on the bed because she was so uncoordinated that she was falling down--she'd already fallen off hard when she seized and I didn't want her to risk an injury again.

Other than that, we just let the seizure run its course and then let her pace it off for as long as she needs to. Anyone have any other pointers?
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old March 4th, 2017, 12:31 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4,371
Hazel I found this web site about care for dogs after they have a seizure , I hope it will help.




http://www.canine-seizures.freeserve...er_seizure.htm
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old March 4th, 2017, 01:32 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
Thank you, Barkingdog! That does answer some of my questions
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old March 4th, 2017, 03:38 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4,371
That good hazel ! P How is your doggie doing today better I hope. Can you call your vet or ER vet hospital and see if they can answer your question ?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old March 4th, 2017, 06:39 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
She acts like nothing happened this morning. Except that she's still a little hungry... She even went on her walk today and went exploring in the meadow.

I did put in a call to the vet, but the vet that has been treating Ridge is off till Monday. I left him a voice mail message, but at this point there's no urgency--unless she has another seizure or a noticeable behavioral change, we can spare the time.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old March 7th, 2017, 09:40 AM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
It appears that this is not going to be a long-term issue. The frequency of seizures is increasing--43 days to 72 hours to 4 hours (last night, she had two--one at midnight, one at 4 a.m.)

We have an appointment for a consult at 12:30. Hoping it doesn't turn into a euthanasia...
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old March 7th, 2017, 10:32 AM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4,371
Oh hazel poor Ridge , I hope the vet will be able to help her . a for the both of you...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old March 7th, 2017, 04:41 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
She had another seizure at 8:50, just after I posted that message. The vet took us early. LadyRidge rejoined Cole, Belle and Macie this afternoon.

How I hate March...
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old March 7th, 2017, 05:38 PM
Reg's Avatar
Reg Reg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Thunder Bay, ON
Posts: 462
Sorry to hear about Ridge. I wish to pass on our sincere condolences at these very trying times. Our thoughts are with you.
__________________
Animals are such agreeable Friends.
They ask no Questions. They pass no Criticisms.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old March 7th, 2017, 10:06 PM
lindapalm lindapalm is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 717
Hazel, I am so sorry to hear about Ridge.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old March 9th, 2017, 08:55 AM
Longblades Longblades is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,528
I'm so sorry.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old March 9th, 2017, 10:06 AM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
Thank you for the kind comments.

We're missing her, and all our departed ones, dreadfully. But it'll get better...

Breakfast is surreal. Two years ago, there were 8 bowls there. The past couple days there are only 4.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old March 11th, 2017, 12:03 AM
Lynne&Co. Lynne&Co. is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Lindsay, Ontario
Posts: 497
Best wishes to you Hazel during this most difficult time. I hope the rest of the pack and JD keep you busy as you adjust to your new normal.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old March 11th, 2017, 12:18 AM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
They are. And thank heavens we have them all... Thanks, Lynne.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:29 AM.