MaryJane

Did the neurologist give you the rectal Valium and show you how to use it and explain when it should be used? My Lucy is on Zonisamide and so far (knock wood), she has not had any side effects. She occasionally gets into a state where she doesn't want to walk (wants to ride in car instead) and strange as it may seem, it's almost like she doesn't want to be out walking just in case she has a seizure ... As to the thyroid and tick tests, my regular vet did those on Lucy before I went to the neurologist and I'm a little surprised that your neurologist didn't want the tests but, then again, each neurologist has their own protocols they follow. Just in case the neurologist didn't mention it, keep track of all the seizures - time & date, how long, whether there was incontinence, and how the "after period" was. Also try and make note of things like any stress factors, any pesticide use in the area, different dog food or treats. Hopefully, there will not be any more seizures. Good luck ...

I agree with getting him in right away and on medicine and getting some rectal valium. If he only had one seizure, you might have time to see a neurologist but, with two already in about 12 hours he needs to get in and get medicine. Good luck.

Ice cream is controversial - there are pros and cons. When a dog has a GM, there is additional brain activity that depletes the sugar store and the body is "told to make more" from the reserves. There is a chance, very slight one, that the body may not produce enough or maybe too much and if there is not enough sugar, there is a chance of another seizure. Giving about 1 to 2 tablespoons of ice cream to a normal size greyhound shouldn't give "too much sugar" to cause a problem but should be enough to keep any additional problems at bay. Also, the ice cream is cold, when a dog has a seizure they heat up and the cold seems to be refreshing to them. Since I started giving it to my Lucy her post-seizure symptoms have all but disappeared - a few times she was acting like a zombie afterwards and she would forget to pee.

Can you get a video -- the third one sounds like an air snap while the first sounds like a sleep startle and the second sounds like your greyhound does not like having his head petted. Was your mom rubbing his head or petting it, was it around his ears. Some greyhounds have very sensitive ears and if you pull them while rubbing them you might get a growl and snap. Also, greyhounds have very thin skin - you cannot rough house or rub them hard like you can with a German Shephard because it will hurt a greyhound. When a dog is new you need to identify what types of actions that you do to the dog can cause them to get alarmed. For example, some people want to hug a dog - NEVER do that to a greyhound until you know that it is OK, most of them have never had "affection" from people and just don't know what it is - they think they are going to get hurt. Brushing a greyhound can also get some "different reactions". One of my greys lets me brush her for about 5 minutes and then decides that it is enough by doing a growl but, I now can pick up the signals and know when she "has enough" and stop before she gets to the growl stage.

You mentioned going out to the gym and to dinner at night -- the dog has been alone all day and especially since he is new, needs to have some time with both of you. Maybe forgo going to the gym and start taking the dog for a walk instead - that's great exercise. Most greyhounds are used to getting out every 4 to 6 hours and while most greyhounds adjust to being alone 8 hours or so, maybe yours needs a dog walker for a mid-day break.

You probably want to see if you can get some rectal valium to tide you over until you get to see a neurologist. Since he's had two in less than 24 hours it is starting to look serious and you might need to get him on any medicine just to stop them if he continues to have seizures. Did you use a different cleaner in the house? Any house work being done - adding rooms, insulation, anything like that? Anyone put down lawn stuff in the area? Is there anything toxic that he could have gotten into - maybe something in the garage? Did he just get a heartworm, flea treatment, or was he stressed about something? Good Luck

I also suggest that you get to the vet but, I go one step further and suggest that you have a neurologist prescribe the medicine. Most vets know the basics about seizures and the older medicines use to treat them -- I find that neurologists have much information about the new medicines that are showing so much promise. The neurologist can also spend time with you and describe how to treat seizures at home (when necessary with rectal Valium) so that you don't end up in the ER unless it is a true emergency. The only problem with seeing a neurologist is that some want to have an MRI and spinal tap before seeing the client but, you can find one that doesn't. For example, I asked my regular vet to prescribe rectal valium until I got to see the neurologist but, it ended up that she gave me the wrong dosage. The ice cream is something that I give my Lucy after her seizures - I don't give too much, just a spoon or two and it seems to make a difference in her post seizure activity.

You will need to add supplements like calcium and vitamins to the food. I might suggest that you try out this site https://www.petdiets.com/about/aboutfounder.asp Dr Remaillard has put together a few diets for my dogs over the years when she was at the Angel Memorial hospital in Boston. Since then she has moved to this site. I'm not sure how the site works but maybe others on the forum can let you know if they have gotten diets through the site. You might also have to switch between chicken and beef to see if either of those are causing a problem.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

The concern about her spine is a valid one -- can you move her to something like a board and then carry her to the car on that? I agree with the others in that this is an emergency and she needs to get to the vet

I've been feeding home-cooked for better than 10 years now. I started with one dog that had an acute kidney issue and had to control his protein levels and a home-cooked diet was the best way to control all the protein he got. I then ended up doing a cancer diet with that same dog. With my current dogs I have one that has seizures and she can't get anything "fancy" like preservatives and the other one has chronic kidney issues - so both of them need to get home-cooked for the best results. My new boy one can get regular food but, he turns up his nose at kibble now and wants all home-cooked (I try and mix some kibble in his). I went to a vet nutritionist at Angel Memorial in Boston, Dr. Remaillard to get a regular, kidney, and cancer diets because you do have to make sure that your dog gets all the supplements (calcium and vitamins). I believe she now has an on-line site and will do diets through that. It does cost more - with two dogs it was over $100 a month a few years ago so now it's probably closer to $250 for all three (with the supplements). I make about 10 cups of rice every two days and roast up vegetables every few days - that gets refrigerated. I fry up 6 pounds of ground beef at a time and put in the refrigerator and use as needed. Basically, my dogs get oatmeal, grits, rice/polenta, beef (maybe beans) and milk in the morning and at night they get rice, veggies, and beef. Two of my dogs have chicken allergies so, no chicken in my house. One of my also dogs has noodle allergies, so no noodles. They get calcium and vitamins along with fish oil each day. They also get some toast in the morning, peanut butter at lunch and at night they get yogurt with applesauce. Every other day or so they get some cucumbers and some salad (romaine stems). Some people make the food in batches and freeze but, I only have room for hamburg/roasts in my freezer. And, it's actually easier for me to do smaller batches and just do more often. It;s also easier for me to keep all the ingredients separate and I mix them together at their food time.

Do galgos also have the bleeding issues that greyhounds do? If so, then you need to make sure that you have stopped any "fish oil" for at least a week before surgery. Also, you might want to talk to OSU and see if you should get Amicar - just in case. I only mention that because not all pharmacies have it on-site - I had to order it and it took an extra day.

Just wanted to say that I hope everything goes OK today.

I'm sorry for your loss.

That's amazing - thanks for posting

I'm sorry Phaedra is in so much pain ... I would suggest getting another xray and sending it to OSU for a consult.

I might suggest making an appointment with Angel in Boston for a second opinion.

The only thing that I can think of is ripping apart a long sheet and then braiding the pieces to make a leash - it would be much wider and "fluffier" then a regular leash and it's also a different color. You would have to tie it around the collar but, she might not be as fearful. It's worth a try. I wouldn't leave the leash dangling from the collar, I would be too afraid it might get caught up in something and spook her. Also, is it the leash or something getting attached to the collar that frightens her? From what you said it starts the minute she sees the leash - can you hide it and then attach it? Can you use treats to distract her while you put the leash on? Can you put your hand on her collar/neck - will she allow that? And, thank you for fostering such a fearful girl - it gives her a chance at a home sometime in the future.

When Lucy had her emergency tooth extraction I started the Amicar afterwards and continued for about 3 or 4 days. Also, if you are giving any fish oil supplements they should be stopped about 1 week prior to any surgery.

I usually ask if Iams (in the green bag) is OK. I can get a 50lb bag for about $40. I try and bring at least two bags and a big box or two of dog cookies.

I would suggest that you use something like kerasol (vet) or Kerasal (humans) for about a week before the hulling. It helps to bring the corn more to the surface and defines the edges better. Laryy had it done once with the vet that we are now using and I believe the cost was under $75 for 1 corn but, it was a pretty big one - it took about 15 to 20 minutes. It didn't look like he had any pain while it was being done. He's going in this week for another hulling. My vet did prescribe some type of anti-viral medicine but, my life was "upside down" at that time with a few emergencies going on and I never got a chance to fill the prescription. There's a chance the medicine could keep it from growing (but, then again, maybe not). I am going to get the prescripion filled this time to try it.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I do rabies religiously and for the others, titers to see if needed (although, it's cheaper to just do vaccines). This is the second year that I have given the Lyme vaccine. I thought about the Lyme vaccine for a few months before deciding to give it - my primary reason is that I didn't think that I would be able to recognize the symptoms in my dogs if they got Lyme disease and if left untreated, it causes many problems.

I assume that he was stil getting the opiates last night and if that is the case, then it still going to take at least another day or two to clear the system. I would also tell the vet to never give those drugs again.

Has a full leg x-ray been done? Has a greyhound savvy vet checked for corns? Has he been on strict leash-walking? Last year Larry had a problem with a fractured toe that took weeks to heal (about 2 months). Probably not necessary but, I suggest getting more x-rays (whole leg also) and sending it to OSU for a consult.