LBass

I had the same fear with Piper but I've not found that to be the case. On meds, his seizures are farther apart and either less severe or about "normal"--the same severity. His are generally pretty violent but last only a couple of minutes. They always seem more spectacular when they start when he is standing up. The ones that start when he is lying down last as long and are probably as "strong" but somehow they don't seem as frightening. --Lucy

I too think that having a second seizure that soon is something to pay close attention to in deciding about treatment. Cluster seizures are usually defined as having more than one seizure in a 24 hour period. That is significant in part because clusters increase the risk of having your dog go into status epilepticus--that is a sort of non-stop seizure or one seizure after another with little recovery between them. Status is a true emergency and does warrant a rush to the e-vet. Here are links to some excellent resources about seizures in dog and some great support: www.canine-epilepsy.com the guardian angels site www.canine-epilepsy.net Piper's first known seizure occurred when he had been with me for 9 weeks. It happened late on a Friday night. He had 12 seizures that weekend, spread over Saturday and Sunday. He and I were both just exhausted and I was absolutely terrified. Five year later he still has seizures but they are several weeks apart. He still clusters but I'm usually able to keep it to 2 or 3. He is active, happy, and doing well. --Lucy

It does indeed sound like a seizure to me. That period of confusion and restlessness after a seizure is fairly common. IMO, a trip to your vet for a thorough check and base labs would be a good idea. It would also be a good idea to start a log--date, time, description of the episode, duration of the episode, any unusual situations in the last day or so (meds, new food, visitors, travel, etc.). There are many treatable health issues that can cause seizures so a thorough vet visit is really needed. The diagnosis of epilepsy is essentially arrived at by ruling out other possibilities. The seizure log will help you and the vet to determine if/when your dog may need to start medications to help control the seizures. Again, this is just my opinion, FWIW...I don't necessarily think that you need to rush to the emergency vet at this point. A single seizure is generally not an immediate crisis. What you do need to watch for and treat as an emergency is repeated seizures close together in time. This is indeed a medical emergency and would warrant a trip to the e-vet. Best wishes to you and your hound. --Lucy and Piper (6 weeks seizure free at the moment)

I know how terrifying seizures can be to witness. It does sound as if Picasso needs to be on meds to help get as much control as possible over his seizures, so I'm glad the adoption group will be following up on that. There is no shame in recognizing that the needs of a particular dog are just not a good fit for your family. --Lucy

Welcome to GT. You have a very handsome and regal looking boy there. --Lucy

That attitude is annoying, even though I think I understand what is behind it. When people feel passionately about any particular cause or issue, they sometimes have a hard time allowing other's the freedom to have a different passion., or to recognize that it is possible for some people to be passionate about more than one cause. The "I'm on my soapbox and I've got blinder's on" approach to life. They need to mature a bit, no matter what the calendar says. about their age I've run into a number of people who are surprised by Piper's epilepsy. I look at it as an educational opportunity. I always tell them that dogs can get just about any illness that people can and that the treatments can be surprisingly similar. I also find maybe a little corner of my self envying their blissful ignorance. Even if they are animal lovers, they've clearly never had a beloved animal who had a serious health issue. I hope they never do. --Lucy

I'm so very sorry for Brooke's loving and grieving family.

Argos is such a handsome boy! How heartwarming that he is roaching and playing and looking right at home from the very first. --Lucy

I'm so sorry that both of you are facing this heartbreaking situation. Bless you both. --Lucy

What a delight to read such positive news about your sweet girl this morning!

Checking on you and Henry. I'm so glad that he has made it 24 hours seizure free. I'm sure that is a huge relief. --Lucy

What Heather (Kennelmom) said. Piper's has always been in little glass vials and I draw it up as needed. It's kept in a zipper bag in Piper's kitchen drawer that contains all his seizure stuff. Hope that you find that it does the job for Henry.

Hang in there Henry. Hope the vet's will be able to get things under control. --Lucy

Poor Nelly! Thank goodness her loving family arrived to get things straightened out for her. I don't blame you for being beyond annoyed with the vet's office staff. They should not have to be reminded to give prescribed meds. However, you are so right--it always pays to check, double check and confirm. --Lucy

Piper has lots of ear wax and I have good luck cleaning his ears with baby wipes. I do have a veterinary ear cleaner that i use when I bathe the dogs but the baby wipes are great in between. --Lucy

I am so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Dakota looks like a wonderful, beloved old man in that photo. --Lucy

She's just beautiful, inside and out! Congratulations on your gorgeous girl!

Greensleves, that possibility had occurred to me. Particularly since the instigator was the adolescent troublemaker cat, Miles. He apparently just discovered that he can grab sponges from the counter and carry them around. I've looked carefully for the sponge and have not found it. I'd love to think I've just missed the spot where Miles has stashed it. Piper has a history of eating inappropriate things, so I remain worried that the sponge followed all the other oddities that have passed through his system. I found a small corner of sponge in the house that looked as if he'd torn it into pieces which he'd have swallowed. I will continue to keep a close eye on Piper for any signs of distress or changes in any of the important indicators--as the vet and several of you suggested. I suppose I posted as much for confirmation that this saga actually might have a good ending. Thanks for the info and reassurance. --Lucy and Sponge Bob

Last Thursday evening Piper ate a kitchen sponge. I spoke with the vet about the situation on Friday morning. She said to watch him for vomiting and bring him in if that occurred. She also said to watch for the sponge making it's way out in poo. Piper has seemed absolutely fine since then. No vomiting. Healthy appetite. Playful. Normal firmish poo. The thing that is worrying me is that, so far, there have been no bits of blue sponge in his poo. I've been on numerous blue poo scouting trips and finally mowed the grass, which gave me a very thorough tour of the yard--no signs of any part of the sponge. I called the vet this morning and she is of the opinion that, as long as Piper is feeling well, eating, pooping normally, and not vomiting, he will be OK. Does this sound like a reasonable approach? --Lucy and Piper (with well scrubbed innards)

Sending prayers and good thoughts for your handsome sweetheart.

I'm so very sorry for your loss and for the fact that Nigel's parting has left you with some particularly unpleasant memories. I've twice been with beloved animal companions at the end of their lives. I have to confess that I was so distraught both times that I am not 100% certain what the vet said they were going to do. I believe that in both cases there was a sedative, then a period of waiting, then a final injection. One vet used IM injections for both (I think) and I believe the other used a catheter that was in place already. Both were peaceful deaths. Having said that, I suspect that euthanasia is like most things medical--things usually go well, just as planned, but there is always an element of the unpredictable. Individuals react differently to medications. Hugs and warm thoughts to you in this very difficult of times. --Lucy

I'll just add--good sleuthing job on your part! Congratulations on finding the source of the problem for your girl.

I remember when you fell in love with Pansy Jane and how much fun it sounded like for you to actually co-own her! Please accept my heartfelt condolences at the loss of that beautiful soul who meant so much to you. Her untimely passing is a shock. I am so very sorry. --Lucy

I'm sorry. May you and your girl have many more happy time ahead of you to celebrate and enjoy together.

Amber, that is wonderful news about Riley! What a relief for his loving humans to have him home, I'm sure. --Lucy