Devotion

I'm so sorry. Run free Gee! To a life well lived.....

Best News Ever! Keep it up Lazer!

A life well lived indeed. May the memories be treasured forever. Soar high sweet Pansy!

My vet has a distributor who delivers meds. they beat the costco price and any other price. seizure meds can get pricey. I love my vet!

My heartfelt condolences to you Lisa. I remember Piaget from GPAH and her being a part of the 'watch' pups. She was beautiful. What a complete shock. She truly lived life to the fullest until the very end. May you find the peace and comfort you all deserve. Soar high sweet Piaget.....

Absolutely I believe. One of my most fave quotes is "What we see depends mainly on what we look for." John Lubbock. So yeah, I believe it.

oh darn i'm terribly sorry he's having more seizures this am. i'm sure your vet/neuro will recommend valium iv drip to pull him through the clustering. i think steak needs more than 3 zonisamides a day. i would say he needs 500-600mg per day which would be 5-6 pills.and he possibly will need more. please talk to the neuro vet about this and also keeping him on something else as well like keppra. some dogs will have a tbd even if the test said negative. again it could be a hidden infection that just isn't showing up. you will both get through this. good thoughts coming for you two....

I've had seizure dogs before and treated for that. but after what I'm going through now with Avril I have a bit of a different feeling. Have you talked about adding antibiotics in case there is an underlying infection. for example, some can harbor for months before being noticed. Baytril crosses the brain barrior in case you are dealing with abscesses etc. also tbd can cause this. my dog has been to so many vets and it's unimaginable what can cause these seizures however, it possibly could be epilepsy and you have not found the right keppra, zonisamide etc dosage. it is definitley like walking a tight rope. I could go on and on but it's a real touchy subject for me please pm me if you need any more info. edited to add. also MRI and cat scans unfortunately can miss things just like in people. i know some will say no but i do work in the health field and yes. also this a little extreme comparison but treating a seizure with seizure meds if there is a cause like a tbd etc is like giving a kid meds for a fever. it's treating the symptom. I'm not saying do or don't do the MRI. you may or may not get different info but if it were me I'd be pressing to try other things like antibiotics. it could be a tbd that needs doxy or you need baytril to cross the brain barrior. and yes, in my case this has helped.

I'm terribly sorry about Ronan. A real gut punch, osteo is... IMHO there isn't a reason to do a biopsy or even a FNA. I've been down this road several times. way more than I'd like to admit. If you are going the pain management route just make sure you have adequate meds on hand. I too have only done pain management for mine. My advice is to talk with your vet about pain management now. In my experience it didn't just creep up with the pain intensity. It came on suddenly and I wanted to be able to control it. Bone pain is horrible so have some good drugs on hand. make each day count. let Ronan live each day to the fullest. blessings to you both...

Some dogs don't do well on tramadol. However, some do fantastic! Tramadol is very cheap imo. There are many other pain meds to try. Gabapentin is another one to consider. Do you take your dog for short walks? I just am throwing out ideas. I too have a senior will bad arthritis but he has many happy days. I do have him on pain meds and other supplements too. Lots of other alternatives too. Boswelia can help as well. You know what is best for your dog. I just think your dog may be experiencing pain that can be controlled and bring quality of life.

Personally, I would try some pain meds first like tramadol. You may be quite surprised that it helps a lot!

what a gut punch. I'm so terribly sorry. How heartbreaking for you and DH. I just want to say that YOU are amazing and did everything right! You gave Lazer a chance and that is all we can ever do. Unfortunately, some things can not be fixed. I know that feeling of what if I didn't do that etc. But you did give Lazer cpr and I commend you for that. You can have peace and comfort in the future knowing you did Everything humanly possible. No doubts and no regrets. You were there for him! Life can't be measured in years but in the quality time that was shared. I know from your posts that you had greyt quality time with your Lazer. There are many people here sending out strength and comfort to you all. Prayers for peace, comfort and strength...

Linda, My heart breaks for you... Peace and comfort to you during this time. Roo's not far at all, that pierce you feel in your heart is Roo. Her forever home is now right there. She's going to stay there forever and she'll remind you of the love you two shared. Cry when you need to my friend, and smile when you can because no one will take those memories away! Please take comfort in knowing that the love you two shared will remain alive forever. She's with Otis and Dewey now, and Scooter and all the great ones. Run free sweet one. Pam

Could one please explain the difference in liguid vs rectal valium? also, for me and anyone else what are the signs and/or symptoms of LP? Would this be compared to life threatening asthma? I mean like if you don't have your inhaler or oxygen you die? I guess I just don't understand this. and gosh knows, hopefully, I'll never know firsthand.....however, I'd still like to educate myself. this is just horrible to read about this....

I'm sending out good thoughts and lots of prayers. I'm not dealing with typical seizures at all. However, from what I've learned at the vet school the last couple of weeks is that the barametic pressure triggers a response in many seizure dogs. best of luck to you...

thank you so much to all who have contributed! I'm really at a loss for all that's taken place. Avril had a greyt day! I'm holding on to that! I obviously in my stressed out brain mis-understood costco. they do have the best price. thanks for the nudge to check again. again, i'm so appreciative for your thoughts. and to all who provided first hand info about the side effects, thank you. I'm just so proud of my girl....

Honetly, I can't encourage you enought to do this. In all honesty, I have met and spoken with so many vets about Avril. There has not been one that has suggested anything different. and yes, she never presented with a seizure before this but it looks like if she lives she will be on this med for a long duration if not forever. unfortunatley, what i'm dealing with many never completely leave. I have not seen any personality changes at all in avril and believe you me, her brain is bad. so yeah check it out. and for any readers, please understand to go with what your vet says. however, educate yourself and seek out other experts as well. there are new drugs being devoped daily. and yes, Mike knows his stuff Kamsmom. He can help lots.

thnaks for your good thoughts for Avril~ I don't post much at all. Ha I get random comments about my girl that don't even pertain to what I'm asking. but I know, people mean well it's just sometimes they don't get that my vet knows the difference from a seizure and chill. but yes, from what I've discovered in the last couple of weeks is this... vet schools, neurologists and many vets recommend zonisamide first. many many reasons, but basically it doesn't make your dog a zombie. and I've had seizure dogs before so this med is new to me. we are experiencing some effects. HOWEVER, Avril has such a massive brain inflammation that I'm not saying it's this med. She has pretty bad neuro signs. But this isn't surprising due to the extent of her infection. I would really seek out putting your dog on zonisamide. Fortunatley, I can afford it. it's depressing others can not. and I know there is a generic but Tx A&M doesn't recommend this. There are no tests saying the binding chemical is ok for pets. However, that's not to say no one should try it. I guess I'm just in a bad place. If my girl seizes again, bottom line she's going to the bridge. Her brain can not handle it. so I can't risk a generic at this time. YMMV. Pam !

From reading the EPIL-K9 list, the "new" med of choice I've seen pet owners have their dogs on is Keppra. I see quite a few dogs on it, but not that many on Zonisamide. I'm actually on Zonisamide (Zonegran) myself for migraines, but it appears the side effects are different in humans than in dogs because mine are totally different than what you've described. Have you checked Costco for pricing? You don't need to be a member to be able to use their pharmacy. thank you! I checked out costco for pricing and about the same I got elsewhere. and no, Keppra's not the the med of choice for vet schools. it's zonisamide. and believe you me, I'm not interested in starting an arguement or debate. nothing against you but no pheno and keppra aren't the choice now. the only drawback for zonisamide is price. and I really don't think all the effects we see with Avril are drug related. just asking for imput! yes, they know for sure it's from a TBD erhlichia but another bacteria is still being determined. the vet school says this is the worst case they've ever seen. and my girl is only 7 and was so healthy. they are treating with two antibiotics. she's making great strides but has a long way to go. she is still in the fight so we are too. thank you so much for your continued support! Your experience and blog has been so helpful!

thanks Jey! Yeah, I'm extremely proud of my girl..... She is such a fighter and really amazed everyone. I will contact Lindsey if she doesn't respond. My understanding is that this is really the new med for seizures. The best results with the least side effects. And I can say, Avril's personality is still completely delightful and so endearing. She's not drunk but has some mod-severe neurological deficits. and I have been forwarned that encephalitis and status epilepticus can cause brain damage. again, thank you for good thoughts!

my comment about liquid valium was nothing related to LP. I have no experience with this. Avril has encephalitis. She had status epilepticus which was our first and only symptom something was terribly wrong. So I now have liquid valium. In our case if she needs this it will be a big dose. I hope I was not misleading. My comment meant thank goodness this is a possibility. Valium doesn't stop status epilepticus but may by time to get her to the vet or e-vet if this ever happens again. I think the most important thing is to know how much to give as the initial dose and if that doesn't work what to do 3-5 minutes later. In my case, I was shocked at what they said for me to give her. I would put LP right up there with her seizures that it's not serious but critical meaning life is completely at stake. best of luck to all who deal with LP. My heart truly goes out to you all.....

After what I've been through with Avril I will never be without liquid valium. I think it would be smart to get this from your vet for LP. Thank goodness I've never dealt with this in a grey. I think the key is to make sure you give them a big loading dose so it acts as quickly as possible. I know I was told to give a huge dose to Avril if she seizes again. So maybe that's the confusion. you probably need a lot more than 5cc.

Gotta diagree here- certain foods and some medication containing zinc, iron, magnesium..... wlll bind with the medication preventing proper absorption. Kind of surprised the OP's vet first used doxy to treat the infection-- not really the first go to drug to treat UtI's. Perhap a urine culture/mic was run? been with more vets than ever thought possible the last couple of weeks and vet school etc. Food will not interfere with baytril. not a vet there would agree. like i said it may delay but not hinder absorption capability. my girls on this for encephalitis and believe you me they know the meds at the vet school. again will not hinder absorption capability. no argument on you knowing stuff but this one's wrong.

just a quick review....my 7 yr old grey Avril has encephalitis. she is much improved but still fighting this thing...it looks like this will take months and she may never completely be rid of the infection. still presents with frontal lobe, brain stem and cerebellum involvement. The first sign something was wrong was a seizure. she continued to seize for hours, status epilepticus. would not stop with valium IV and finally stopped after anesthesia was administred for a lengthy amount of time. Vets and Vet school have her on 500 mg of zonisamide. If you have experience with this did it cause increased thirst? hunger? ataxia? agitation? I'm just curious to see how much is meds and how much is still active infection and inflammation of brain. oh and yes, I understand she's completely wiped out too so I'm sure it's every thing combined. also where do you purchase your zonisamide? It's pretty pricey and has only been around since 2001. the generic form isn't tested and Avril's Neurologist doesn't want her to use it. I understand seizure meds etc. I've had seizure dogs before. Obviously not on this med. It's my understanding from the Neurologist zonisamide is the "new" med of choice for seizures and has the least side effects and gives us the most benefit of making sure we can keep her seizure free. This is also my understanding from all the Vets at the vet school. any info on this drug will be greatly appreciated! big thanks for all the good thoughts on my girl, Avril! She's a fighter!

If amoxicillin or doxy isn't working may need to use baytril. they use this antibiotic for uti and really bad bacteria infections. and you can take baytril with food. it may delay but will not hinder absorption capability. baytril can cause some nasty side effects so be warned. however, i've never experienced digestive problems as one of the issues.