[TulipRose]

Well...we took tulip (our 10.5 month old basset) to the Neurologist on Saturday to try to find out the cause of her seizures. She is still on 100mg 2x a day of Pheno and seizures are not under control.

Unfortunately, I can't really say we received good news.

Her clinical exam showed so deficit in response on her right side, which was different from left side - indicative, neurologist says, of something being 'off' neurologically. As physical neuro exams with dogs are failry crude he cautioned not to read too much into it, though.

He did not recommend an MRI, as he said more often that not (~85% of the time) what he finds, he cannot fix and he doesn't think she is presenting like she has a brain tumor.

The 4 options he gave us for diagnosis were:
1. Really bad idiopathic epilepsy, but he thinks she is rather young to have it this bad, and have it not responding to drugs. Also, her neuro exam points to other problems.
2. Encepahlitis
3. Hydrocephalus
4. Liver Shunt

We tested for the liver shunt Saturday and should get results soon. If that is all clear (which they think it will be) then we are going to treat with a new anti-convulsant and hope it really is idiopathic epilepsy and she can be controlled with the drugs.

If for soem reason the test comes back differently thatn expected, depending on the severity of the shunt, that could be managed (but not necessarily cured) with surgery and other interventions.

The vet indicated there is SOME treatment for Encepahlitis & Hydrocephalus, but neither is a cure and if we get to the point of steroids and antibiotics for those conditions we are going to need to weigh quality of life vs. treatment choices.

A lot to digest this weekend...although it is nice to at least have SOME IDEA of what could be wrong. Keeping our fingers crossed that the new anti-convulsant works...

Sarah

 

[sadeyes2]

No experience of this whatsoever Sarah. So hard for you and such a young pup to have to go through this. Hoping they reach a conclusion soon.

 

[dreamons]

Poor Tulip. Hope they find the problem and it's something treatable. God bless you both.

 

[gsally]

So sorry about your pup's health challenge. God bless you both! Hang in there and thanks for taking such good care of Tulip!

 

[murraysmom]

I know you must be sick with worry- I hope you can get a definite diagnosis soon. Please keep us updated, I'm hoping for the best for Tulip!

 

[Tuesday]

Good luck with everything. I hope you hear some good news.

 

[TulipRose]

Hello again, all. Thank you for your kind words last month.

We are still experiencing 1-2 grand mal seizures a week (that we see...but there is often evidence in the crate that she has had more). We are in the process of getting both steroids and antibiotics called in to possibly alleviate pressure in the brain from extra fluid/a tumor. The antibiotics are basically there as a catch-all "just in case".

If those steps don't work, we will try again to increase the dosage of her anticonvulsants. The zonisamide seems to have done little to help since we started it.

We are starting to get really worn down with the process...but are keeping the faith that something will trigger a change. She has been having vision troubles, and has been particularly unruly/biting for no reason (which seemed concerning to our vet, but hasn't really been much of an issue with us as we know she means no harm). Holding out hope that one of these interventions will change our course for the better!

The vet mentioned quality of life (hers and ours) vs. euthanasia discussions last time we spoke and it about broke our hearts.

On the bright side, Tulip turns 1 on March 7th. We think we will have a little party for her her. I'll post pictures if I get any.

 

[mhvonalmen8908]

Poor Tulip and poor you guys!!! I'm so sorry your going through this. Our thoughts are with you and yours.

 

[fred'smom]

I am so sorry for you and your Tulip. As far as quality of life I'm sure she will let you know when it's time. As far as our quality of life with our boy sure maybe it was a hassle having to lift him up and help him walk, or maybe it was a little more of a hassle and more expensive to buy and cook him meals. But as long as he was eating and wagging his tail we kept him alive and loved him! We knew it was time when he refused to eat a piece of pizza and his eyes told us he was tired then we knew.

 

[Mikey T]

We are starting to get really worn down with the process...but are keeping the faith that something will trigger a change

having gone through it I would not wish it on anyone, I would like to say it gets better but that would be a lie.

 

[Beverly Anne]

I'm sorry you and Tulip are all going through such a difficult time. Isn't it awful to feel so helpless? It's tough but you are doing everything you can for her and she knows it.
We're rooting for you!

 

[JAKEELVIS]

Poor Tulip and poor you. I hope that you can get this under control. Bless you for keeping her through all this, some people would not. Snooter kisses from Jake & Toby.

 

[Arry]

Poor baby, and poor you! I'm sorry to hear about her being so sick, and so young! It's a terrible thing to go through, and I can totally sympathize with the waiting game and wishing she would not suffer but also not knowing when it is time. It's a terrible thing to go through. She knows you love her and are doing everything you can for her. Our thoughts are with you now. /hug

PS, I just noticed you are in GR! We are in Holland. Hiya fellow Michigander.

 

[TulipRose]

Good news...a SMALL Success

The steroids and antibiotics have kept Tulip seizure free since my last post. She has been OFF the antibiotics for 2 weeks now, and on Saturday we will bump her steroids down a notch, in hopes of eventually getting her off them completely (or onto a very small does).

At this point the vet thinks it is some form of immune-mediated encephalitis, and if we slowly wean her from the drugs, we may not need to keep her on them at all down the line. We are all experiencing some very measured joy that this might just be the turning point for her.

On a completely different note, we have become the proud owners of another basset! (I know, we're crazy!) She is an 18 month old rescue, found on the wooded acres around my MILs farm in Eastern Michigan. She was skinny, flea-ridden, unaltered, scared and shy, but we have had her a little less than a month and she is an AMAZING dog: weet, obedient, intelligent, and a snuggler. She gets along with our whole pack (dogs and people) and we can't imagine being without her now. She has also been great for Tulip. They play and snuggle like they are long lost sisters. It is a joy to watch! We had initially planned to keep her until we could find her a good home...but you see how well that turned out! ; )

Arry - your basset looks just like our Tulip! Hello from GR...

 

[Annie714]

Cautious excitement for Tulip!! Keep up the good work

Congrats on your new addition! What is her name?

 

[Mikey T]

The steroids and antibiotics have kept Tulip seizure free since my last post. She has been OFF the antibiotics for 2 weeks now, and on Saturday we will bump her steroids down a notch, in hopes of eventually getting her off them completely (or onto a very small

She was on the edge age wise for idopathic epilepsiy it is good you found a nuerologist willing to take the time to investigate other possible causes.

 

[JAKEELVIS]

Excellent news! Welcome to the new dog - what is her name?

 

[TulipRose]

We WERE lucky to find someone that would look for an underlying cause. We are cautiously optimistic.

Our new pup is Holly. I attached a pic of her with Tulip one of the first days she was with us.

 

[Yogi's Mom]

Glad to hear things are going better for your pup!
Holly and Tulip are both beauties!

 

[gsally]

Thanks for sharing the good news about Tulip and about your new hound.

Wow, what a great story about your basset family. I think the basset angels sent Holly to cheer up both you and Tulip!

Miracles never cease to amaze me.