Teddy has Neurological and Urinary Problems!!!
 

My Teddy who turned two years old in November was just diagnosed a week and a half ago with Epilepsy.

We also have been battling with urinary problems and his tremor disorder (diagnosis: Intention Tremors) since he came home to us at 10 weeks of age from his breeder.

It's been just devastating to see our little Teddy struggling to learn commands in puppy class (we went four times to see if he could get any better but after two years of daily obedience training and professional training classes and private lessons, he only knows sit and sometimes just gives us a paw but it's random).

Teddy's urinary problems have me concerned too. These struvite crystals keep reappearing and on Monday, we are going to the internist and radiologist to have his kidneys ultrasounded and see if there is a reason. Two rounds of antibiotics and dietary changes have not cured the problem.

It's getting really expensive to take care of Teddy's needs. We've spent at least double and almost triple what we paid for Teddy. We will stand by Teddy NO MATTER WHAT and we love him, but we are just sad for his future.

I have some questions -
Teddy is on zonisamide to control his Severe Generalized Seizures (these are the dangerous kind of seizures that could cause brain damage so we have to medicate teddy every 12 hours for the rest of his life).

Does anyone use this medication? So far he is doing well, but this morning he seemd to really be twitching alot and making noises like a guinea pig. My phone was not in the room so I could not video it for the dr. Could that have been some neurological event?

My other question is on Intention Tremors. Does anyone else have a dog with these? Did the dog live a normal life? Did it have trouble learning like my little Teddy Bumpkins does?

Lastly, does anyone have any experience with kidney problems or urinary problems in dogs that have neurological issues?

Thank you, we are trying to learn as much as we can about Teddy's conditions in order to help him.

Cathy, I am sorry that Teddy and you are going through this. :( I don't have any experience or knowledge on the subject to offer, but I will keep you and your little boy in my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry I don't have any experience with Teddy's conditions but will keep him in my prayers.

Cathy, I'm sorry to hear about Teddy's problems.

I'm not familiar with the epilepsy medicine you're using. Becca used to have grand mal seizures from what was eventually diagnosed as idiopathic epilepsy. She took Phenobarbital for several years to control her seizures, with no side effects or health problems from it. Phenobarbital can cause liver problems, etc. so bloodwork does need to be monitored regularly, but I just wondered if this might be a milder alternative for Teddy? It may be that his seizures require a different type of medicine to control them though.

Keeping Teddy and you in my thoughts and prayers.

Bonny

I'm sorry Teddy is having these problems. I wish I could help. Someone will probably be along to help.

I don't really know anything about these problems but just wanted to send my best wishes to you and Teddy.

I'm so sorry that you and Teddy are going thru this. Keeping you both in my prayers. Sammy had seizures and takes phenobarbitol and KBR and he hasn't had a seizure in over 8 years. the vet does blood work to make sure that everything is OK.

I'm sorry to hear what you and Teddy are going through. Bless his little heart. I just want to say that my dad's Jack Russell came to him with tremors at the age of 8 weeks old. She is almost 14 years old now. Her body shakes all the time even while sleeping. The vets have never given a definite diagnosis, other than a neurological problem that she was born with. I know this dog's tremors are probably different than Teddy's. I'm just saying that this dog has lived a happy and active life and is sitting here looking at me and shaking.

Please keep us up with what is being done to help Teddy. I will keep him in my prayers.

Cathy, I am so sorry to read this. I knew you were dealing with some urinary problems, but I had no idea you were dealing with all this. I don't know anything about any of the problems, but just want to send you and Teddy Bumpkins a big giant hug.

Lady has been epileptic for almost 11 years. She gets phenobarbital and KBr and her seizures are under control. She hasn't had one in several years.

Cathy I am sorry Teddy is having such troubles. I don't have any advice but want to add my prayers and sending good thoughts.

I am so sorry for Teddy's troubles. I can't give you any advice but I can give you support. You're being such a good mom!

I'm like the others, can't answer your questions, but I just want to say how much I admire you for trying to figure out what's wrong with this little guy, and being such a good mom. Sending prayers for you and Teddy.

Sending love and prayers :)

Cathy, I have no advice for you having never experienced any of this, I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and hoping that you get Teddy squared away, if anyone can get to the bottom of this you can. Sending :hug:

So sorry Teddy is sick. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

It seems like he has so many random issues between the kidney issues, tremors and seizures. :( I know how much you love your Teddy and what a wonderful momma you are to all of your babies. It just does not seem fair to have been dealt yet another little one with so many problems. All I can say is that you overcame one hurdle and that was the poop eating. Please keep us posts and maybe at some point someone else will be able to offer insight into similar issues with their pups. But I do not recall anyone have such a wide range of mixed issues like Teddy is experiencing and living with.

I have no advice or knowledge to share with you. :( I wish I did.
I will pray for your guidance and Teddy's health. It is obvious you are a wonderful momma and Teddy is in the best of care.

I hope someone can give you more answers. :)

I am so sorry to hear of little Teddy;s problems. Those areas I have no experience in at all. I know you are doing whatever is necessary for the little guy. It really sucks but at least he has a great Mom looking out for him. I hope he can somehow be helped by the right specialist.

Poor little Teddy; I have no words of advice to offer but I know he is in good hands.
I hope you can get the seizures under control and who cares if he's not the smartest dog in the world? He probably makes up for that in sweetness in spades.

I am sorry to hear about Teddy. I have had a dog with bladder issues and another with neurological problems but not the combination. For the one with bladder cancer I put her on a home cooked diet adding cranberries and cranberry juice to her food and that extended her life for 2.5 yrs with no more blood in her urine. My princess has neurological issues and intentional tremors and although it can make it difficult for her to eat and hold herself at attention she does great. I just have to adapt her envirnoment to accomodate her. Good luck and I hope you are able to find a solution that works for the both of you.

Cathy, I'm so sorry Teddy is having so many problems. Thankfully he's got a mom who will go to the ends of the earth to help him.

Cathy, so very sorry you and Teddy are going thru so much. I totally agree with what has been said already you are a great mom for all that you are doing for not only Teddy but for all your furbabies.

Hope someone can give you some answers. Hugs.

I'm so sorry Teddy is having so many problems. I'll keep you both in my prayers...

No advice -- but sending love, vibes and lots of prayers your way!

Brit & Jackson

Cathy......got tears in my eyes knowing what a wonderful mommy you are not to mention what a loving friend you are to hear you and Teddy both suffering. It makes my problems seem so trivial!!! I light a candle and pray on a daily basis and will think of Teddy daily. I hope he gets better and we hear positive news soon.

HUGE HUGS AND KISSES!!!
-Viv

Update on Teddy
 

We took Teddy to see the internist and radiologist today. They found crystals on the ultrasound but everything else was normal (thank god!). So, we are dealing with the struvite crystals again but this time we are diluting his urine. We are using chicken broth or tuna juice in his food to do this. I'm thinking I will stick with the chicken broth or he will stink! LOL. They did not want to try acidifying the urine because it can cause dogs to form calcium oxalates and yorkies are prone to calcium oxalate bladder stones.

So for now it looks like Teddy is just an epileptic with a tremor disorder and struvite crystals. Of course I would like him to have none of these but there are so many worse things that could be as I read about here on YT. So we will be able to manage him and things should be good from here I hope.

Thanks to all the thoughts and prayers for Teddy, they definitely worked !!

I saw this thread a few days ago and meant to comment. First off I'm so sorry you have to go through this with Teddy, but it will be alright. Also, it took Max about 4 months to finally be seizure free after starting his phenobarbital. It may take Teddy some time to stabilize until you don't see any more seizure activity.

Thanks Karen! Teddy actually has not had any seizure activity since the last severe generalized seizure that I told you about just before starting the zonisamide. He eats the capsule right out of my hand. Occasionally I will hide it in a few cheerios or something but he eats it. That is one of the benefits of him being a little "different" - he doesn't act defiantly like the others who would spit it back right back at me. I am very happy with the zonisamide drug, there are no side effects at all so I feel good about the whole thing for Teddy.

Glad to hear that Teddy is doing well and the results came back without anything added to his conditions. He sounds like such a good little boy. Max has no issues either taking his meds. He waits in the kitchen at 8 and 8 everyday for his medicine. He gets it with cottage cheese so medicine time is wonderful for him.