I don't think your horrible. Sometimes it gets so expensive it's ridiculous. That's why I always come here for advice first.

After rereading her post I can see it can easily be interpreted in two different ways.

I read it as she was venting at the outlay of money she was spending for a 7-year-old rescue she has had for two weeks. It can be frustrating when you spend a lot of money, and get no answers. I did not read it as she wanted to return Kiwi to the rescue, but was looking towards them for help. I can also see how it could be interpreted differently.
In any case, it sounds like Kiwi is being well taken care of; I wish her a speedy recovery…

And for you Nobella, even tan lines…..:)

Thanks, girl! Kiwi is doing so much better already today I can tell! Just the one day of antibiotics is helping already, so that makes me happy! And I can just tell she feels better and more comfortable. Thanks for thinking about us...I do appreciate it! Since we got up this morning she hasn't pottied yet, which is saying something, because yesterday morning she was going every 1/2 hour to hour, so this is WAYYYY better!

I felt so horrible for her, but helpless, but now I know she's going to get better, so we're all happy :)

Oh, and btw, she was at the vet yesterday from 7-7 and they did a fecal and her flagil (I think?) was only $35! I was shocked! They didn't even charge for a visit yesterday! I guess since they're getting to know me on a first-name basis, they are being nicer... I'm rambling now, but one last thing...just wanted to say to all those questioning my vet, the reason I take them there is because I feel like they ARE the best around...but they are expensive. Okay..enough rambling..hopefully Kiwi is ALLLL better!

I really didn't mean for my post to be harsh. I commend her for taking on a rescue, but it's hard. Any pet will cost money, trust me I know..lol..I've brought home the most random pets over the last 10 years..haha.. All in all I Pray Kiwi gets better. Thanks for the well wishes on my tan lines..lol..I used self tanner and worked like a charm..haha :rolleyes:

Ugh.......today was going SO well, and I mean sooooooooooo well, and then, Ms. Kiwi just had another seizure :( I feel so horrible for her. I just feel so helpless. It lasted about 20 minutes, but was not as "major" as the last one...it kind of came and went and came and went a few little ones. Oh, I am so sad for my little girl :( :( :( I called the vet, and I'm pretty sure we'll be going in to get a prescription for phenobarb...I pray that helps her. She ate so well today and then vomitted it all up during her seizure...awe she's getting sooo skinny :(

Okay, well, can you all say some prayers for my little girl, please...thank you.

I am so sorry to hear that things are not going well again. I don't want to upset u any more but I had a yorkie that when he got to be about 7 years old he started to have those type of seizures that were 15 - 20 min. In about 5 days he would get a little better then finally got worse (weak and in & out of it) My vet diagnosed hydrocephalus/inflammatory brain disorder.

I certainly hope that this isnt the case with your girl. I agree that ur vet should give u some phenobarb at this point.

Did the rescue ever mention any seizures or do they have prior vet records? I would be in contact with them and try to get some of the adopt fee recovered to help with her vet expenses, they may help in some way given the situation.


My boys & I are praying for you and Ms Kiwi

Well, when I posted last I "thought" she was done seizing, but she was just in between again. She continued to seize and right after I posted that we went to the vet because the vet called and said I needed to get her there ASAP because it was very dangerous :(

So we went and she continued to seize there so they could see that she was definitely, and they gave her Valium, and she continued, so they gave her more Valium and started her on Phenobarb. An hour into the seizure (a VERY, VERY long seizure and extremely dangerous) she seemed to come out of it, but my vet wanted to observe for a couple hours at least so she stayed, and I'm home.

I'm so sad about this... :( Vet said probably one of two things, 1, epilepsy (can be most likely controlled by phenobarb) or 2, a brain tumor or something similar :( I feel so bad for my little girl. I hope they do everything they can to find out what exactly is causing them.

I know I've asked a few times, but I'm asking again if you could just say a small prayer for Kiwi...we appreciate it so much, and I've seen how YT prayers can work!

Oh Teri my heart breaks reading all your postings about Kiwi . . .I will continue to pray for you both :( You are such a wonderful mom to Kiwi . .I hope they can find the medication to stop these attacks soon. . . .

:hands: :hands: :hands:

Sending prayers Kiwi's way. Poor baby, hope she can come home soon.

Thank you both for your well wishes and prayers. I'm trying my hardest to be a good mom, but sorta feel like I'm failing :( Kiwi's one tough cookie though so I know she'll be okay.

If anyone that works with/for...however that goes...a rescue, is it unreasonable for me to ask for some of her adoption fee ($350) back for help with vet bills? I can afford this, but it sort of seems like they should help out too, I guess? Maybe I'm wrong...anyway...just asking for anyone involved in rescues. Thanks in advance!

Oh geez, I was happy to read your response to me and then I read your other comments. :( I'm so sorry your going through this. I wish I could help in some way. You guys will continue to be in our prayers. I know this is really hard right now but please take a second and realize that your being a wonderful mommy and doing the best that you can. ;) Try to keep strong and hopefully she'll be feeling better soon.

I'm so sorry to hear things are getting worse. An average seizure only lasts about 2 minutes. 20 minutes is a really long time for a seizure to last and VERY dangerous, brain damage will begin to occur after about 30 min.

Did your vet talk to you about keeping a log and timing the seizures? You need to seek immediate medical help anytime a seizure is longer than 10 or 15 min, occurs one right after the other (cluster seizures), or occurs more than 2 a day. You also need to be aware that during a seizure her body temp could spike so you may need to cool her down. I also recommend asking your vet for a dose of rectal valium to keep on hand. You would administer this anytime she has a seizure for more than 10 min or in clusters. It would help to bring her out of it and prevent brain damage.

Idiopathic epilepsy (unknown cause) is the most common cause of seizures in dogs but when a dog over 5 yrs old starts to have seizures, there is usually an underlying cause that must be addressed.

I know that you are doing the best you can with her and she is very lucky to have a mommy like you to take care of her.

You are so knowledgable...thank you for posting. I knew MOST of the things you said, but NOT all. My vet did tell me that if it went any over 15 minutes or if she went in and out (cluster) more than twice to get her to a vet ASAP, which is where I was headed when they happened to call today.

They also did tell me to write on my calender when, how long, and how intense the seizures were, so I will definitely be doing that. I didn't know about the body temp., but they did say it is SOOO hard on them (I imagine like us running a marathon) so that makes sense. I will keep it in mind. And lastly, I will ask about getting a dose of rectal valium in case this happens again.

Today's seizure was (obviously) cluster seizures, and the vet said they are extremely dangerous to a dog. Also, with regard to the "reason" she's having them, it is still unknown because she is a rescue with NO history at all...but hopefully after today they may have a better understanding.

And finally I just wanted to say that...what if I would have been working today? I am a court reporter (and to keep it short) ...I am gone some days all day (rarely) and usually gone 2-4 hrs a day and then home the rest. So now I am going to be SO paranoid about leaving her home alone that she will have a horrible seizure :(

Well here's the thing. Epilepsy just means that the seizure wasn't an isolated event and that's all. There are basically two kinds; idiopathic (no known cause) or symptomatic (also called secondary, due to a underlying cause). A brain tumor for example would be symptomatic epilepsy. Typically when a dog over 5 starts to have seizure, you do worry about the possibility of a brain tumor, however with a brain tumor, the seizure generally become worse over time as the tumor grows.

It sounds like she had a type of seizure called status epilepticus. These are the most dangerous and require immediate vet care so you did just the right thing! Please get the rectal valium, don't let them give you just an oral dose. During this type of seizure, you can't get a pill down her.

It seems that this onset of seizures has been sudden and is quickly getting worse. I think that this is a clue that can help you find the cause. I'm wondering if environmental toxins could be the cause. It could be a plant in your backyard, your fertilizer, an insecticide, garbage, or even a household chemical. It could even be from a recent vaccination. Its important to find out her history from the rescue to see if she has ever had seizures before.

You're posting faster than me, I can't keep up! LOL

I do rescue myself and a lot of them have seizures. What worries me about Kiwi is the sudden onset and severity of these seizures. But like I said before, I think this can help you narrow down the cause. I would try not to leave her alone for awhile. Do you have any family or friends that could watch her while you work or could you leave her at the vet's office? I would not leave her alone for at least a week.

I'm so sorry, I wish I had the answer. I would urge your vet to do a phone consultation with a neurologist who can suggest the next steps to go from here. I am praying very hard for her.

You won't ever know unless you ask . . so I say go for it :thumbup:

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. I have no advise, but I will be praying for you and your baby. You have a great heart and are doing the right thing.

I'm so sorry to read that Kiwi isn't doing well now. I've been reading and praying for her and will continue to do so.

It takes a very special person to rescue a dog and then to find out that there are medical issues, too:(

God bless you - there's a special place in heaven for people like you.

Sending prayers your way :cry:

I agree. I think they should help in any way they can and give you all or at least part of your adoption fee back. I hope they weren't aware of Kiwi's problems before you adopted her as that would be awful that they didn't at least forewarn you. I hope things improve for you both - it must be really hard to watch and feel so hopeless as there is nothing you can do to help. :(

Thanks everyone! Just a quick update (I promise..no rambling)...Kiwi and I got home from the vet about an hour ago. She's had tons of meds and is being silly tonight, but other than that she's doing really well! YT prayers are working! She has a 4-week checkup appt at the vet, and the vet and I both said, I hope I don't see you for four weeks! No more seizures...I hope! She's getting phenobaritol (seizure meds)...morning and night, so I'm thinking we'll be okay :thumbup:

You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad that she is up and playing. Hang in there. Keep us updated.

Oh and just ignore the bad post. If they haven't taken in a rescue then thay don't have any idea what you are going thur. You are doing a great thing. So until they walk in your shoes then they need to be nice.

I hope Kiwi is doing better today! I am just finding you that you got another baby!

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how things where going. Kiwi, is lucky to have you for a mommy.

Pepper:)

Reality is times are tough. Sometimes unforeseen things happen. I know that from personal experience. I had to drop my health insurance after my husband died because I could no longer afford it so I do think twice before I go to the doctor myself. I recently worked out a trade with my vet because I needed care for my dogs and couldn't pay all at once as I have in the past. We should be able to vent about the high cost of vet care or anything else. It doesn't mean the care won't be provided! None of us like to spend money on this sort of thing but we do it anyway or work something out for the sake of those we love whether they have skin or fur. I hope you NEVER EVER find yourself in a position where you do have to think twice. Kiwi is somewhere that she can get the care she needs and I don't blame her Mommy one bit for griping about the cost even as she opens her wallet to take care of it.
:aimeeyork :animal-pa

how is Kiwi doing now? Much better I hope ....

you are a saint ....
AMEN!!!!

Did the rescue ever call you back? If they didn't they probably knew there was something wrong with her? Did they give you a history on her, medical records and past owner information? Then you could call the former owners and vet and see what problems she has had in the past.I hope she will be okay. You are probably the best home the poor dog has ever had. I think you are a great owner and you seem to have gone out of your way to take care of her. Good luck!

Okay I'm going to try to answer all the questions people had and give a short update on things...

First, thanks to those that pointed out that it is okay to vent about paying $500 for a dog I've only had for 3 weeks...I've said it before and I'll say it again, it was never my intention NOT to pay..I was simply upset about how much it was. DONE.

The rescue did call me back. They are a VERY VERY busy and high volume rescue and so I talked to her for about 10 minutes about things, and we FINALLY got her vet records (only her vaccs. since coming to the rescue). She had no history. I believe someone just dropped her off at the "pound" (that's not the correct term, but it's too early...) and never gave info on her. They don't even know what her name used to be.

In no way, shape, or form do I think the rescue knew she had issues. They are nice people although extremely busy, and I know they wouldn't do that...so let's stop asking about that. Thanks.

I did know that you can transfer x-rays, tests, ALL records from vet to vet, but I really have no intention of changing. I did have her records of her seizure with me yesterday in case she started seizing and we needed to make an emergency trip to the vet last night.

Well, I think that is all as far as that goes, and finally, Ms. Kiwi rested comfortably in her crate right next to my bed ALL night with only a little crying at first and then NO accidents all night (a big accomplishment for us) and she is doing fine this morning. Just got her first pill of Phenobarb and hopefully we won't have to say that S word anymore! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers! YT PRAYERS WORK! :)

.....I'm so glad your little Kiwi is comfortable now...it is soooo stressful when they are in pain.....if you search the web you may be able to find some funding also in case it gets more costly........a few yrs ago a friend bought a puppy that ended up having liver shunt.....the initial surgery and possible second surgery were going to be under $5000.....I told her if she couldnt' deal w it I would take the puppy and find a way......I went on the web and found a fdnt that aids in liver shunt surgeries for yorkies......but in the meantime all of her coworkers took up a collection for the balance she did not have and she was able to have the surgery ....we went out of town for it and the puppy did great........I do hope you look into alternatives like the enzymes, also....sometimes the medications can mask what is going on underneath and also are wearing down his immune system that he needs to fight this health problem............keep us posted....all the best!