Winston had another seizure

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=robbin;1145692]
Thank you so much for the get well wish for Winston, he's better now...til next time. My vet doesn't seem to think it's epilepsy, so she never given him any seizure meds. But I'm making another appt. next week, I'll ask again. Thanks again!!!

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=kalina82;1145760]
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll be talking to the vet next week...will ask about anti-convulsants...I'm a little leary of Phenobarb though. I really do feel like the seizure comes first, and the low blood sugar is an adverse reaction to the seizure, it has to take a lot out of him. But how can I really know for sure?

[LoveMyGirlz]

This is great advice. Corinne and I must read the same website
The ice pack is great advice and the ice cream is another great tip. The reason ice cream is better than nutrical (for a seizure) is because of the fat...the fat makes it so the sugar isn't absorbed all at once. I always kept Breyers all natural vanilla for Lexxi.
Have I shared any websites with you yet? I have at least one very informative one, if you're interested.
Thoughts are going out to you...I know how scary they are!
Trina

Originally Posted by Dan & Corinne

I'm so sorry to hear Winston had another episode. I know how scary seizures are. Jewel used to have them 2-3 times a week when she was at her worst.

Has he been tested for diabetes? I just thought about it because you mentioned his blood sugar. Unfortunately he may just be epiliptic.

There are things you can do to help him incase he has another episode.
Keep an ice pack in the freezer, as soon as he starts to seize, put the ice pack on his lower back - between the last rib and his tail. It helps to keep the internal temp down and seems to shorten the length of the seizure and also the recovery time. Also, give him a small amout of icecream (vanilla) it not only boosts up the sugar level but also aids in cooling him down.

Keep a seizure diary / log and indicate the time it starts and ends along with what he was doing before during and after. It really helped my vet that I kept records of Jewel's episodes.

My heart is reaching out to you.
Corinne

[LoveMyGirlz]

Originally Posted by wemple2

. Has anyone heard that the seizure itself will lower a dogs blood sugar?

YES it does. A seizure is like us running a marathon. It takes so much out of them that they are usually starving and thirsty afterwards. And the sugar levels drop. Again, I would syringe a small amount into Lexxi as soon as she could swallow.

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=pat022351;1145857]
I'm probably going to have to do some research on vet colleges I don't know of any nearby, but I'm willing to travel a little ways if I can really help him. I just know this is not good for him, what if it happens when we're not home, God forbid, we do keep him confined in the kitchen when he's alone, to conserve his energy, otherwise he would be running back and forth between windows...and he has food out at all times. Thanks for your wisdom, I appreciate your help/advise.

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=Dan & Corinne;1145860]



You are a wealth of information, I'm going to be busy reading for awhile. Thank you so much for caring!!!

[drawlins27]

It sounds like Winston could have Idiopathic epilepsy which my Tucker has and is common. Its not as scary as it sounds, it just means that the cause of the seizures cannot be identified whereas symptomatic epilepsy can be attributed to a cause.

There is no test for Idiopathic epilepsy. It is only diagnosed by ruling out other causes. Typically a vet will not give medication for Idiopathic epilepsy unless the seizures are severe or are occurring on a frequent basis. You're doing the right think with keeping a seizure diary, just make sure to time the seizures and know that as long as it lasts for under 15 minutes, it is not usually life threatening. If the seizure lasts longer or occurs one right after another (cluster seizures) then they can be fatal and you have to get him treatment right away.

The only additional advise I can give you to add to what the others said is to ask your vet for a dose of rectal valium that you can keep with you at all times. This could save his life. If he does have a seizure that lasts longer than 15 minutes or is particularly violent, then you can administer the valium which will bring him out of the seizure and will help to prevent lasting damage until you can get him to a vet. (Make sure to keep the valium out of the light because it will break it down and make it less effective).

On a side note, I would think about taking him to a new vet. Maybe someone on here can recommend someone in your area. Seizures definitely cause low glucose levels and I'm very surprised that your vet didn't know that. I strongly think that his seizures are not caused by low blood sugar and that it is Idiopathic epilepsy but you are doing the right thing by getting him a full work up just to make sure that nothing else is going on.

[wemple2]

Originally Posted by psvidesigner

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. Icky has suffered with seizures since we adopted him from rescue in Jan 07. After much research and many vets (it took a while to find one who would treat him) we finally have him headed in the right direction. He is taking potassium bromide for seizures. He has low blood sugar and possibly liver issues. Since we have had him on pbr he has not had any grandmal seizures. Check out yahoo groups for liver problems and congenital disease dogs. There is a wealth of information there and a lot of support. The ice bag is a great suggestion. Keep that handy. Only give Bryers all natual ice cream as it has no presertives in it. If you need more support please e mail me @ psvidesigner@verizon.net. It may take a while but keep on searching for a vet who will treat the symptons and the seizures.

Okay, Bryers all natural it is, vanilla...I'm going to keep some on hand. Thank you so much for wishing Winston well, I greatly appreciate your concern...As far as getting other vet opinions, I think I will, but I'd like to find a "specialty" vet, to make sure it's not neurological, do you really think an 8 pound yorkie would have a liver problem...I'm beginning to wonder...the liver stores glucose right and the pancreas supplies insulin. I work as a medical assistant in a people doctors office, and I know some of the diabetes medications work on the liver to prevent too much glucose from going into the system. Maybe I'm really making too much of this, I don't know. But I want Winston to be well...and I hate to see him go thru this, I'd rather it be me!!!

[Yorkiedaze]

Another thing to keep in mind is cardiac arrhythmias can be mistaken for seizures because they cause loss of consciousness and collapse. I would really try to find a good specialist. Winston will certainly be on my prayer list. He's such a terrific little guy!!

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=SophieRose;1145979]
Oh thanks...there are so many caring people here, and you're one of them. And yes, I do think it scares him, when he comes around he's still shaking for quite some time. Thanks for the good thoughts, Winston needs them!!!

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=LoveMyGirlz;1146021]
Trina, thanks for your thoughtfulness, I know you've had a rough time with Lexxi, bless her little heart...and may she rest in peace. I am very interested in any websites you have to offer, the more information I have the better equipped I'll be to take care of my boy. The fat content in the Bryers ice cream makes perfect sense. That's exactly what the vet was afraid would happen...rebound low blood sugar...after giving glucose to him by IV, they wanted to be sure he'd eat and his level stay within normal range before they discharged him. At least they did that right...I'm going to do some more research on everything I can think of, before I jump to a conclusion. Thanks again for your insight, and advise.

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=drawlins27;1146081]I
Thank you too for the helpful information, I agree, I do think the seizure comes first, and the sugar is merely a reaction to it. I'm going to find some type of neurologist vet, to see if I can get a confirmation on this thought. But for now I'll see my regular vet again, for routine blood work-up and exam, I'll ask her about the valium suppository, that's a good idea...I have a friend who's daughter is epileptic and she uses Ativan I believe it's similar, but she puts it sublingual instead of rectal...if the seizure is long or more violent. Oh so much to think about and read up on, I do appreciate your posting, thanks again. How old is Tucker, and how long has he had this, hope he continues to do well, best wishes to you and he.

[wemple2]

[QUOTE=Yorkiedaze;1146124]

Never even thought of the possibility of this being cardiac in nature, thanks for the thought...I'll check into it. Winston doesn't lose consciousness, he's awake, but not aware...he isn't able to respond to voice stimulation, I just hold him until he comes around, it always seems to last about 15 to 20 minutes, then he's just scared, weak and I'd say unsteady on his feet, and within an hour he seems back to normal, maybe a little bit tired is all. But I sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness and we'll take all the prayers we can get. I'm just stumped, and need YorkieTalk advise!!!

[LoveMyGirlz]

[QUOTE=wemple2;1146152]

Originally Posted by LoveMyGirlz

Trina, thanks for your thoughtfulness, I know you've had a rough time with Lexxi, bless her little heart...and may she rest in peace. I am very interested in any websites you have to offer, the more information I have the better equipped I'll be to take care of my boy. The fat content in the Bryers ice cream makes perfect sense. That's exactly what the vet was afraid would happen...rebound low blood sugar...after giving glucose to him by IV, they wanted to be sure he'd eat and his level stay within normal range before they discharged him. At least they did that right...I'm going to do some more research on everything I can think of, before I jump to a conclusion. Thanks again for your insight, and advise.

Thank you for acknowledging my Lexxi and what I'm going through...
This website, I haven't read much, but there are 2 articles on the left side that are interesting to read - especially part 2. http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/
The website I really love is http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-...m/site_map.htm
A world of information here. AND they will get in touch with you via email, sometimes giving you a phone number to use, and will help answer any questions if you need them. It makes it so you don't feel so alone when you're dealing with one....

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by wemple2

Okay, Bryers all natural it is, vanilla...I'm going to keep some on hand. Thank you so much for wishing Winston well, I greatly appreciate your concern...As far as getting other vet opinions, I think I will, but I'd like to find a "specialty" vet, to make sure it's not neurological, do you really think an 8 pound yorkie would have a liver problem...I'm beginning to wonder...the liver stores glucose right and the pancreas supplies insulin. I work as a medical assistant in a people doctors office, and I know some of the diabetes medications work on the liver to prevent too much glucose from going into the system. Maybe I'm really making too much of this, I don't know. But I want Winston to be well...and I hate to see him go thru this, I'd rather it be me!!!

I'm so sorry that poor Winston had another episode...I know how scary that is I hope you're able to find out what's causing these episodes, and that it's curable.
As far as the question about an 8lb yorkie having a liver problem. The answer is yes. My yorkie is 11lbs and has liver shunt/mvd...Everyone thinks that it can only happen to tiny dogs, but that's not true. I know of at least two other "larger" yorkies that have liver issues. And if he has a liver issue, I highly recommend not using phenobarbitol as it will have a severe effect on the liver. Potassium bromide is preferred.
Keep us updated on your baby Winston. I really hope he gets better soon!!!