Hearbroken, Devastated, Scared - New Puppy

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I can only assume. Another member had an identical experience that she says is Focal Seizures.

Interesting. The part that puzzles me is that he seems to not have them when he is busy and involved in an activity which is what tourette's is like. I would think that any type of seizure would happen regardless of what the dog is doing.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Interesting. The part that puzzles me is that he seems to not have them when he is busy and involved in an activity which is what tourette's is like. I would think that any type of seizure would happen regardless of what the dog is doing.

I'm not sure yet. But i know for sure Max only does this when he's still.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I just got off the phone again with Novartis. There is nothing that will counteract Sentinel and the 1/2 life is 12-28 days. Again, we don't know if it's the Sentinel but it's on the list.

I spoke with someone who had a very similar situation when her puppies were 10 weeks old. They were diagnosed as having focal seizures and her explanation is almost identical Max's. Max will never have 'an episode' while playing. He is always sitting, laying or still and focused on something. He may go to sleep directly after and never has an episode while sleeping.

This is also what happens with Chiari.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

Here is a bit more observation as I'm getting to know Max a little better:

He is still having episodes although I'm not quite as afraid because there's nothing I can do right now. I'm learning about them but still have no idea what it is. If he is in an episode, I can stop it physically or verbally. If i touch him he stops. If I call his name he will pounce at me with kisses. If he's very still I can even at times induce it by keeping him still. I can try to control it in advance if i keep him active. He will never "seize" or whatever it is as long as he is active - playing, eating or whatever. He will generally fall asleep afterwards and never do it in his sleep. I don't think that eating or not eating has nothing to do with it. I'm not seeing any differences on an empty or a full belly. Only if he's very still, he does it.

I just wanted to add as much as possible in case this is familiar to anyone else.

Also Chiari symptoms.

[kjc]

Just read 2 articles where focal seizures started after giving Sentinel. The seizures stopped the week after the next dose was due, and was not given.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lillymae

Also Chiari symptoms.

You keep suggesting this is chiari. I must be missing something because anything I know about chiari does not include the symptoms Max is having. Is there a link you can provide that includes his symptoms?

I don't really want to engage in a discussion where everyone is trying to diagnose this pup none of us has even laid eyes on; but I am quite curious about your posts and where this information is about chiari. Thanks.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by kjc

Just read 2 articles where focal seizures started after giving Sentinel. The seizures stopped the week after the next dose was due, and was not given.

I am trying to find as much information as possible about this. If i find anything solid I will email my vet the article. I haven't yet found anything very concrete but also see the coincidence with the timing.

[AllDogBoots]

as per:
Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor®)

# Uses of Milbemycin

# Milbemycin is used to control hookworm, roundworm, and certain whipworm infections in dogs and cats. The drug is also a highly effective preventative of canine heartworm disease and feline heartworm disease.
# Veterinarians use milbemycin in an extra-label manner to treat and control demodectic mange infections.
# Milbemycin is a potent microfilariacidal drug, meaning it can kill the microscopic offspring of heartworms. Microfilaria circulate in the blood of infected dogs and are typically treated after killing the adult heartworm parasite with another drug (melarsamine). Milbemycin is one of the drugs veterinarians use to kill the microfilaria as there are no drugs approved for this use by the FDA. This represents another extra-label use of this drug.

Precautions and Side Effects

# While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, milbemycin can cause side effects
in some animals.
# Milbemycin should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.
# Animals should be tested for heartworm infection before beginning prevention with milbemycin.
# Milbemycin should not be used in puppies under 4 weeks of age or kittens under 6 weeks of age. It should also not be used in dogs weighing less than 2 pounds or cats weighing less than 1.5 pounds.
# Few adverse effects have been reported.
# There have been a few unconfirmed reports of seizures and nervous system effects following milbemycin administration.
# When used in an extra-label manner to kill heartworm microfilaria, the dog should be carefully observed for a shock-like reaction that may occur following administration. This generally involves hospitalizing the dog for the day of treatment so that supportive care can be administered if needed. This same shock-like reaction can be observed if milbemycin is administered as a heartworm preventative to a dog or cat harboring a mature heartworm infection.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I am trying to find as much information as possible about this. If i find anything solid I will email my vet the article. I haven't yet found anything very concrete but also see the coincidence with the timing.

Dogs can have seizures from Sentinel, but I think the question is whether or not these are focal seizures that he is having.

I think I would be in a neurologist's office at this point. If his labs are good, I seriously doubt the BATs are going to show anything. Anything is possible, but just improbable in my book.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Dogs can have seizures from Sentinel, but I think the question is whether or not these are focal seizures that he is having.

I think I would be in a neurologist's office at this point. If his labs are good, I seriously doubt the BATs are going to show anything. Anything is possible, but just improbable in my book.

That's our next step.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

That's our next step.

Guess I am impatient. I simply would not be waiting for the BATs. I honestly think his basic labs would have shown something if it were a shunt, but that is why you are paying a vet and not me.

My Cookie had laryngitis this year and I was freaking...thought for sure she had some kind of tumor or something. Easy for me to be calm with others, but my own? Oh no. haha

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Guess I am impatient. I simply would not be waiting for the BATs. I honestly think his basic labs would have shown something if it were a shunt, but that is why you are paying a vet and not me.

My Cookie had laryngitis this year and I was freaking...thought for sure she had some kind of tumor or something. Easy for me to be calm with others, but my own? Oh no. haha

I am trying to remain calm. I do not think this is life threatening, at least for today. I will speak with my vets about next steps, which i assume will be a neurosurgeon. I feel a little confused today and a bit weaker.

LSU is only open weekends for emergency services.

[Ringo1]

Lucy's bloodwork was absolutely fine until we did the BAT's. Liver enzymes, etc were all normal. No one was more surprised than my Vet when her BAT's were elevated.

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Guess I am impatient. I simply would not be waiting for the BATs. I honestly think his basic labs would have shown something if it were a shunt, but that is why you are paying a vet and not me.

My Cookie had laryngitis this year and I was freaking...thought for sure she had some kind of tumor or something. Easy for me to be calm with others, but my own? Oh no. haha

Hey Girl, no a basic lab test will not detect a shunt or mvd. They must preform a Bat test then a Urine test for crystals then the next step would be a test called Transcolonic portal scintigraphy, But thats for a shunt or mvd.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

Hey Girl, no a basic lab test will not detect a shunt or mvd. They must preform a Bat test then a Urine test for crystals then the next step would be a test called Transcolonic portal scintigraphy, But thats for a shunt or mvd.

Oh, but yes it can! The liver enzymes usually show something. Or, commonly an elevation in ammonia levels is seen...that is very common! Not etched in stone....just saying. As Ringo said, it happened to her...but really they commonly show elevations in the basic chem profiles. And, NO, that does not diagnose a shunt...merely is a step one takes to diagnosing.

A good vet, just like Karen's obviously is, follows the clues where they lead.