Excessive meds and still seizures - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lmomof3boys · 08-05-2009, 09:14 AM

Daisy is a year old now and still having seizures. Currently she is on phenobarbital (5 cc's a day) and potassium bromide (.8 cc's a day) and still her levels are not where they should be and she is having seizures. The pharmacist recently asked if she was metabolizing her meds since for her weight her pheno dosage would be equivilent to a 200lb man drinking 5 quarts of pheno a day....lethal. I don't know what else to do. I have asked for further testing but LSU (the nearest vet school) doesn't feel it is bad enough and will not preform tests. I am open to suggestions.....

TLC · 08-05-2009, 09:34 AM

This is just beyond scarey. I can't fathom that your Vet thinks no further testing is needed...

I would go to LSU and insist on further testing.

I read your back posts. You said your Vet did a BAT ~ can you post what the Pre and Post #s are???

ARCHIE · 08-05-2009, 09:36 AM

You poor girl. I have no suggestions for you but hope you can get the
help you need for your baby.
Sending good wishes your way,

my2boyz · 08-05-2009, 10:23 AM

May I ask what you feed her?

How many seizures a day was she having before being put on meds?

Have you considered this could be food allergies or environmental allergies? Many things in your own home can cause seizures.

When did the seizures start?

Is she spayed? Hormone fluxuations can cause seizures.

Have you seen this website: Canine epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs

It's a terrific website with tons of information...maybe there is something that that will help you and Daisy. You can also email them through the website and they do answer...good luck.

lmomof3boys · 08-05-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

You poor girl. I have no suggestions for you but hope you can get the
help you need for your baby.
Sending good wishes your way,

Thank you!

lmomof3boys · 08-05-2009, 11:46 AM

I have tried feeding her whole foods (chicken, brown rice), gluten free, etc. and there has been no change. The seizures did start at her first heat cycle but I have been told there is no correlation. I have not had her spayed since I wanted her to have another heat cycle to see if it does make a difference. I don't use cleansers around her but can't guarantee that she isn't being exposed to something. Her seizures often come at a time of excitement but not always. She is currently have 2-3 seizures a month but they are intensifiying and lasting longer. I am at my wits end. I love her soooo much and want what is best for her....I just don't know what to do. I will check out the link suggested. Thank you all!

Ellie May · 08-05-2009, 01:58 PM

No idea what it could be but if LSU will not try to figure out what is wrong, there are tons of other vets who will. Are there any specialty hospitals around you? Is Texas A&M within driving distance?

lillymae · 08-05-2009, 10:35 PM

Have they done an MRI and spinal? It could be hydrocephalus. If it's hydrocephalus the meds she's taking will not work without something to slow the spinal fluid.

dwerten · 08-06-2009, 08:27 PM

make sure she is not eating anything with rosemary in it as rosemary will cause seizures in dogs prone to them

where in louisiana are you? as i know a great vet in lousiana on our maltese group

Ladymom · 08-06-2009, 08:41 PM

Seizures in a dog under a year old are usually a symptom of an underlying disease, not epilepsy. I am concerned that your vet is treating the seizures with high doses of medication and not trying to find out what is causing the seizures. That much pheno will destroy her liver over time.

Since both a liver shunt and GME are genetic in Yorkies, both should be suspected.

I find it hard to believe the vet school won't see you. Did you ask for a referral from your vet?

lillymae · 08-06-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Seizures in a dog under a year old are usually a symptom of an underlying disease, not epilepsy. I am concerned that your vet is treating the seizures with high doses of medication and not trying to find out what is causing the seizures. That much pheno will destroy her liver over time.

Since both a liver shunt and GME are genetic in Yorkies, both should be suspected.

I find it hard to believe the vet school won't see you. Did you ask for a referral from your vet?

I totally agree. And the pheno obviously isn't working so it's got to be something they haven't found yet. I would say it's time for a new vet, before it's too late.

Ladymom · 08-06-2009, 08:55 PM

Here's a link to the Yorkie Angel Patrol's website with information on GME:

gme

lillymae · 08-06-2009, 09:20 PM

Good link Ladymom. Also unfortunately yorkies are at risk for a congenital defect that causes hydrocephalus. Most commonly found in the King Charles, but due to bad breeding and back yard breeders. Basically people who do not know what are doing and only in it for the money, we are seeing this more and more in yorkies. It is a deformity at the base of the skull it's very similar to( Chiari Syndrome ) in people. And this little dogs symptoms are some of the same. The seizures upon excitment, spinal fliud speeds up, goes into the brain faster then it can come out.

lillymae · 08-06-2009, 09:25 PM

X-rays will not show this deformity. MRI and spinal tap are the only way to find it.

Ladymom · 08-07-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillymae

X-rays will not show this deformity. MRI and spinal tap are the only way to find it.

The OP really needs to get Daisy to LSU.

08-05-2009, 09:14 AM	#1
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	Excessive meds and still seizures Daisy is a year old now and still having seizures. Currently she is on phenobarbital (5 cc's a day) and potassium bromide (.8 cc's a day) and still her levels are not where they should be and she is having seizures. The pharmacist recently asked if she was metabolizing her meds since for her weight her pheno dosage would be equivilent to a 200lb man drinking 5 quarts of pheno a day....lethal. I don't know what else to do. I have asked for further testing but LSU (the nearest vet school) doesn't feel it is bad enough and will not preform tests. I am open to suggestions.....

08-05-2009, 09:34 AM	#2
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	This is just beyond scarey. I can't fathom that your Vet thinks no further testing is needed... I would go to LSU and insist on further testing. I read your back posts. You said your Vet did a BAT ~ can you post what the Pre and Post #s are??? __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

08-05-2009, 01:58 PM	#7
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	No idea what it could be but if LSU will not try to figure out what is wrong, there are tons of other vets who will. Are there any specialty hospitals around you? Is Texas A&M within driving distance? __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

08-05-2009, 10:35 PM	#8
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	Have they done an MRI and spinal? It could be hydrocephalus. If it's hydrocephalus the meds she's taking will not work without something to slow the spinal fluid. Last edited by lillymae; 08-05-2009 at 10:37 PM.

08-06-2009, 08:41 PM	#10
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Seizures in a dog under a year old are usually a symptom of an underlying disease, not epilepsy. I am concerned that your vet is treating the seizures with high doses of medication and not trying to find out what is causing the seizures. That much pheno will destroy her liver over time. Since both a liver shunt and GME are genetic in Yorkies, both should be suspected. I find it hard to believe the vet school won't see you. Did you ask for a referral from your vet? __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

08-05-2009, 09:36 AM	#3
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	You poor girl. I have no suggestions for you but hope you can get the help you need for your baby. Sending good wishes your way,

08-05-2009, 10:23 AM	#4
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	May I ask what you feed her? How many seizures a day was she having before being put on meds? Have you considered this could be food allergies or environmental allergies? Many things in your own home can cause seizures. When did the seizures start? Is she spayed? Hormone fluxuations can cause seizures. Have you seen this website: Canine epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs It's a terrific website with tons of information...maybe there is something that that will help you and Daisy. You can also email them through the website and they do answer...good luck.

08-05-2009, 11:46 AM	#6
lmomof3boys Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	I have tried feeding her whole foods (chicken, brown rice), gluten free, etc. and there has been no change. The seizures did start at her first heat cycle but I have been told there is no correlation. I have not had her spayed since I wanted her to have another heat cycle to see if it does make a difference. I don't use cleansers around her but can't guarantee that she isn't being exposed to something. Her seizures often come at a time of excitement but not always. She is currently have 2-3 seizures a month but they are intensifiying and lasting longer. I am at my wits end. I love her soooo much and want what is best for her....I just don't know what to do. I will check out the link suggested. Thank you all!

08-06-2009, 08:27 PM	#9
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	make sure she is not eating anything with rosemary in it as rosemary will cause seizures in dogs prone to them where in louisiana are you? as i know a great vet in lousiana on our maltese group

08-06-2009, 08:55 PM	#12
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Here's a link to the Yorkie Angel Patrol's website with information on GME: gme __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

08-06-2009, 09:20 PM	#13
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	Good link Ladymom. Also unfortunately yorkies are at risk for a congenital defect that causes hydrocephalus. Most commonly found in the King Charles, but due to bad breeding and back yard breeders. Basically people who do not know what are doing and only in it for the money, we are seeing this more and more in yorkies. It is a deformity at the base of the skull it's very similar to( Chiari Syndrome ) in people. And this little dogs symptoms are some of the same. The seizures upon excitment, spinal fliud speeds up, goes into the brain faster then it can come out. Last edited by lillymae; 08-06-2009 at 09:23 PM.

08-06-2009, 09:25 PM	#14
lillymae YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,544	X-rays will not show this deformity. MRI and spinal tap are the only way to find it.