LBass

Congratulations on adding Henry to your family and kudos to you for being willing to love a special needs pup. My grey, Piper, is yet another hound with seizures. His are the result of epilepsy and he takes both Phenobarbital (Pb) and Potassium Bromide (KBr). Right now he is on yet another anti-epileptic drug but, with the vet's permission, I'll start weaning him of Neurontin in a couple of months. The Guardian Angels website is a wonderful resource. Here are a couple of other canine epilepsy websites that I have found helpful over the years. www.canine-epilepsy.com This is a great website that sponsors an active email list, Epil-K9, that you may want to join. www.canine-epilepsy.net Lucy and Piper (15 days seizure free)

I think you'll find that the thyroid supplement won't really have many/any noticeable side effects. It is a bit hard to tell with my epileptic, low thyroid boy, Piper. He's on so much anti-epileptic medication with noticeable side effects that, if the Soloxin causes any problems, they aren't apparent. FWIW, there are a fair number of dogs on the K9-Epil email list ( for canine epilepsy/seizures) on thyroid supplement and the overwhelming advice there too is to stick with Soloxin. There seems to be evidence that that brand works best. Best of luck to you and Max, Lucy

Godspeed little one. I get so wrapped up in the cute adorableness of puppies that I forget how fragile their little bodies can be. The loss is always such a sad shock.

I'm so very sorry. Thank you for sharing your blog and the pictures of you girl. What a bright and beautiful girl.

Oh no! Hogan was such a beauty and, from your lovely tribute, he was clearly a very special soul. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss.

Oh no. I'm so sorry you all and Darcy are facing this. Sending good thoughts and healing prayers.

Phooey! Sending prayers for Lacey Laine and for your family.

Thank you for sharing the beautiful love story of you and Foxy Promise. I'm so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss. May the love you and Foxy shared continue to warm your heart and your life.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Clearly a special soul has gone to the Bridge with your Erda's passing.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Hugs to you and prayers that things will settle down a bit for your family. What a rough time! So glad that Lacey Laine is doing better.

I'm so very sorry. May you grieve well and find comfort when you can.

Checking in and sending prayers for Lacey and her family.

It is not at all uncommon for dogs that take seizure medications like Phenobarbital to still have seizures. Sometimes the best control you can get is fewer seizures, milder seizures, and/or more time between seizures. Having said that, if my dog was having 2-3 seizures a week I'd be working actively with a vet and a neurologist to get better seizure control. Maybe adjust the dose of the Pb or add another medication. There are many different health issues that can cause seizures. If you consider taking this dog, try to get the vet records from the current owners. That will give you an idea of what tests have been run and what kind of diagnostics you and your vet may want to run. For good information on canine seizures, check out: www.canine-epilepsy.com www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com www.canine-epilepsy.net Lucy and epi Piper (1 day seizure free--poor Piper just finished a rough series of cluster seizures but is feeling better now)

Checking in for news on Biscuit and delighted to learn that she's doing better, even to the point of having good poo! Wonderful news!

I'm so very glad that Miss Biscuit is beginning to be interested in eating and is feeling a bit better.

Welcome to GT and to the wonderful world of greyhound devotion! Your Gabe is a real looker and Diamond is absolutely stunning.

Aww, poor sweetheart. Feel better soon. Sending healing prayers your way.

What wonderful, completely delightful news! Right about now I think we are all hungry for something to rejoice about and here it is!

Her picture shows such a bright beauty! I'm so sorry for her loss. Sending warm thoughts and prayers for those who grieve for Summer.

The drinking and the general clumsiness and weakness--ataxia--are pretty much classic side effects of both of those anti-epileptic drugs, as is the frequent peeing. Piper takes both Pb and KBr and has experienced the same problems. In general KBr seems to cause more ataxia than Pb alone. On the other hand, that drug combination tends to give good seizure control for many dogs. What a trade off. In terms of the ataxia, Piper did eventually improve. It seemed as if his body finally adjusted to the meds a bit and, while he was still pretty clumsy, he didn't fall as often or struggle so to get up from lying down. It took several months (4-5) though or that to happen. If the increased dose of meds is giving better seizure control, you might want to give it a bit longer to see if some of the side effects diminish after an adjustment period. In terms of protecting your bed, you might try a belly band with an absorbent insert or perhaps using those flat pads that incontinent people sleep on under your pup at night. I must say that in my opinion, the muscle weakness that causes ataxia can also cause some problems with dripping urine, urinating while sleeping, and some general elimination issues. That certainly proved true for Piper. After all, bowel and bladder control involve muscles and those muscles can be weakened as a side effect of meds just as leg muscles can. Piper, for instance, just can't wait very long if he needs to potty. He's got to go pretty much right away. That meant he'd potty in the house if there was no one home to let him out. I finally resolved that with a dog door, but you get the drift--he can't hold. Your Scooter may be experiencing something similar. Furthermore, Piper did eventually reach a point where his side effects increased rather dramatically over a couple of months--without any change in the dosage of the meds or in the level of the meds in his blood. We eventually had to reduce the KBr and add a 3rd medication. I mention that mostly by way of saying that managing seizures and the meds for them is an ongoing project for you and your vet and perhaps a veterinary neurologist. If you haven't yet found these resources on the web< I'll share them with you now... canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com canine-epilepsy.com canine-epilepsy.net Hope this helps some. Lucy and epi Piper (almost 9 weeks seizure-free)

Jennifer, I am so very sad to read your news about Scooter's cancer. You and your precious hound will be in the loving thoughts and prayers of many. May you enjoy one another's loving companionship in comfort and peace for as long as possible. Lucy

What a special soul your Sassy is. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Cathie, I was actually looking for news of TJ when I "discovered" MoMo's big girl name. It is wonderful news that he is feeling better and more comfortable and that the vet is so optimistic.