Ice Pack Poll

[Guest EmilyAnne]

I would love to hear everyone's experiences with using the ice-pack for grand-mals. The two crucial things to keep in mind, is to apply it as quickly as possible as soon as the dog starts seizuring, and to make sure it is applied firmly to the important area of the spine. I talk more about this in my blog: http://thebarfblog-emily.blogspot.com/sear...abel/ice%20pack

 

For Henry, he goes from jaw locked open, legs swinging like crazy, whole body vibrating like an out of balance washer, pee flying everywhere, and then as soon as the ice pack is applied, all that abruptly stops. He then just lays there flinching and foaming at the mouth (there is a video of this stage on my blog)until he makes his bowel movement, then he can get up, and he is usually confused for about 5 minutes. I have since learned if I put the ice pack higher, it should be more effective.

 

The ice pack has DRASTICALLY helped Henry with his post-ictal, which used to be very crazy and very long.

 

I really hope the poll I set up works. Either way, please share your experiences and as many details as you can think of.

Edited August 3, 2008 by EmilyAnne

[Guest EmilyAnne]

Bumping this up in case those who have tried the ice pack have not seen this yet...

[Guest EmilyAnne]

By the way, I was unable to vote cause I messed it up when I edited.

 

My vote would have been:

It worked, but I think if my technique was better, it would have worked better

for the first part,

 

and then

Absolutely

for the second part.

[3DogNite]

I have never (knock on wood) had a dog with seizures. but I find this very interesting and am looking forward to seeing what others have to say! I learn something new every day on this site!

[Guest Greytminds]

Worked with Lucky today!!!! Within less then a minute the seziure subsided. Now the trick is how to keep an ice pack gold in the bedroom.

[Guest EmilyAnne]

I'm fortunate, our freezer is literally two feet from the bedroom door! (the blessings of a tiny house! )When we stayed at my aunt and uncle's in Florida, at night we would put the ice pack in a cooler next to our bed. By morning it thawed a little, but not too much.

 

The important thing is, wherever you keep it, check the bag often, making sure the ice is not stuck in a clump. You need the crushed ice to mold to the dog's back.

 

I once tried to use the ice pack when it was in a clump. It would not work until I smashed the ice up.

 

And if you try this on a long haired breed, you need to part the hair where you apply the ice pack.

[Guest EmilyAnne]

I would like to correct one more common mistake many people make. It has to be *ice*, not frozen veggies. And it nees to be crushed ice. So many try frozen veggies. Go to your freezer, hold a bag of frozen ice, and hold a bag of frozen veggies. The ice is colder. Do not use cooler packs and etc. Use simple plain crushed ice and nothing else. It will be most effective.