Epileptic Hound - Advice Please

3330 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Terry, Jul 8, 2006

JTMadison

Discussion Starter · Jun 26, 2006

I hate to start off my first post here like this but I am in need of advice from other basset owners.

Buddy is my 4 1/2 year old basset. I adopted him from the Spokane Basset rescue and he has been the best Buddy anyone could ever ask for. About two years ago he had his first seizure. I rushed him to the vet and she ran several test and proclaimed him healthy. She told me that chances were he would never have another one. We lost those odds.

They weren't too bad at first, once every six months or so. Then last year I got divorced and moved with Buddy and his 3 year old sister Daphne. The seizures increased to once every three months. In May he had another one and less than a month later was hit by two in one day. We had an appointment for shots early next month and my vet said she would evaluate him again then and decide about medication.

My parents were taking care of them this weekend while I was out of town. Buddy suffered through no less than 9 in one day. My dad rushed him to the vet and they were able to get him stabilized. She's put him on phenobarbital twice a day to help control the seizures. He's groggy and more uncoordinated than ever right now and I am beside myself with worry and guilt for leaving him.

I'll get to the point. Does anyone here have experience with epileptic basset hounds or know anything about this medication? I would really appreciate any advice right now. I love my Buddy and don't know what I would do with myself if I lost him. I just want him back to his happy go lucky, goofy self.

Thanks in advance. I hope to get to know all of you very soon.

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Betsy Iole

· #2 · Jun 26, 2006

Welcome, and I'm sorry Buddy is having so much trouble. Here's a good resource for owners of epileptic dogs.

Canine Epilepsy Network: Canine Epilepsy Basics

On the left side of the screen, click on "How is epilepsy treated?" to find out more about phenobarb and other meds used to treat canine epilepsy.

Wishing you and Buddy well.

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copsmom

· #3 · Jun 26, 2006

I have no advice but I wsh you good luck and welcome to the board.

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· #4 · Jun 26, 2006

Welcome to the boards. Post Often. Sorry your 1st post had to be about your sweet sick houndie.

. (((Hugs))). Tummy Boy's Mom.

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· #5 · Jun 26, 2006

Welcome and like everyone else, I'm sorry your first post had to be regarding an illness. I find myself wondering if there's a connection between a dog's stress level and the frequency of seizures. Buddy seems to have had them at stressful times in his life.

Janet 'n Twinkie

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Louise

· #6 · Jul 8, 2006

I can't give you any advice but I can tell you that I know how you feel. I have a dog that also has epilsepy and it's the most horrible feeling watching him have a fit and not be able to do anything about it.

No one really knows what causes them in dogs or humans.

My Kit is on potasium bromine (spelling?) and we were 33 weeks fit free but then they started again. We are going on 3 weeks fit free and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Best of luck but one thing I'd like to mention is that it might be worthwhile to talk to your vet about valium in case your baby gets seisures that won't stop and ask her to demonstrate how to use it.

Lou

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Terry

· #7 · Jul 8, 2006

I'm sorry about your poor Buddy. It seems like his siezures are getting progressively worse. We have a little Dacshund who has siezures regularly but we are fortunate that no treatment is needed for her (hers have occured almost monthly for six years with no change in frequency or severity). I hope your vet will find a way to treat Buddy's siezures so that you both can be happy again. Our best wishes to you both for a good outcome at your next vet visit.

Terry

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