JJNg Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Do they have any idea what's causing the seizures for the doggie you mentioned? MRI? The diagnosis is idiopathic epilepsy, most likely genetic. He's an Italian greyhound rescued from a shelter, estimated age of around 2-3 years old when adopted, and he started having seizures shortly after. Based on his breed, age, and presentation, the neurologist does not feel that an MRI is necessary, although the owners would have been willing to do one. We've been dealing with this for about 5 years now, and if it as anything more serious, I imagine it would have progressed by now. Other than being very slightly sedated and occasionally clumsy from all the meds, he's completely normal between seizures. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest patgam Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Doubles has had 2 seizures, 1st one in April, then 6 weeks later...our vet has him on 500mg of Levetiracetam. I also will be checking w/Costco. Unfortunately (for me!), I am unemployed at the moment, so I can give him the meds 3x/day. No problem for me to get the pill down his throat, however, I have used gooseliver on occasion. A member of our adoption group suggested gettiing a Gel Mat, called Nice-N-Cool and use it. Our local Drug Mart had it for about $19.00. So far, I've not had to use it. Ready to use, no refrigeration required.& provides cooling relief up to 1 hour. The only problem I've encountered with the medication is that it makes Doubles sleepy right after giving it to him. I make sure that he gets his pill right after a walk in the morning, afternoon and before bed. Learned the hard way...don't do before a walk...almost ended up carrying him... LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 So far, he has not acted any differently on keppra. I start giving the costco pills tomorrow so will see if there is a change at all. Quote Kari and the pups.Run free sweet Hana 9/21/08-9/12/10. Missing Sparks with every breath.Passion 10/16/02-5/25/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Can't the pill be mashed up and mixed into kibble? Nope, as someone mentioned, it has to be given whole (not cut in half either) otherwise it will no longer be extended release. You might also check the poop for a few days to make sure it is not being excreted whole - as I mentioned earlier, some dogs cannot metabolize the shell and as a result, the whole pill gets excreted. On another note, I tried giving Lucy the Costco version of the regular Keppra and 1 day later, she had a seizure. So she is one of the few that cannot metabolize that particular manufacturer whether it be the ER form of the pill or the regular. To someone else's question about how many pills can be involved in treatment of seizures -- many. There is some consensus among neurologists that if your dog has been having seizures for more than 18 months, then it probably is not a tumor. Lucy's neurologist was very frank about that. He noted, by that time most brain tumors would have caused other symptoms. Not to say that it doesn't ever happen but, usually with seizures time does tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share Posted June 24, 2013 I'm about 2 weeks shy of him being with me for a year. I got him the first week of July last year. He was having seizures in the racing kennel, I'm sure. I started the Costco Keppra yesterday. I will be sure to check his poop tonight. I forgot this morning. Thanks everyone!! Quote Kari and the pups.Run free sweet Hana 9/21/08-9/12/10. Missing Sparks with every breath.Passion 10/16/02-5/25/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamsmom Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Kari - Steak was with me a full year before he ever had a seizure. It was out of the blue. He was thunderphobic but otherwise very healthy and very stable dog. Steak's seizures got worse with time and began to run together as well. They started out about two weeks apart and then got to be about a week apart. There was never anything that we could relate to him having a seizure except weather and even that was inconsistent. Costco is the cheapest by far for Keppra and Zoni. I'm keeping Thunder in my thoughts. I hope that he is doing well Quote ~Beth, with a crazy mixed crew of misfits.~ Forever and Always missing and loving Steak, Carmen, Ivy, Isis, and Madi.Don't cry because it's ended, Smile because it happened.Before you judge me, try to keep an open mind, not everyone likes your taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share Posted June 24, 2013 Thanks Beth Quote Kari and the pups.Run free sweet Hana 9/21/08-9/12/10. Missing Sparks with every breath.Passion 10/16/02-5/25/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaineysMom Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 I'm trying to find a large ice pack. The problem is, he has the seizures in my room which is in the attic. There's no way I can leave him to run to the kitchen to get the ice pack. could you keep one in small cooler with other ice packs for overnighting? There is some consensus among neurologists that if your dog has been having seizures for more than 18 months, then it probably is not a tumor. Lucy's neurologist was very frank about that. He noted, by that time most brain tumors would have caused other symptoms. Not to say that it doesn't ever happen but, usually with seizures time does tell. That's why we're sure Rainey had some kind of tumor going on. She became aggressive, very OCD and just big personality changes in general. Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted June 25, 2013 Share Posted June 25, 2013 Thinking about your boy today. How's he doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 We went the entire weekend without power which meant no A/C. I put him in the car a lot to cool down. He thought that was awesome!! He seems more tired but it could be the heat. Power came back on Sunday but now my A/C doesn't work. I have A/C in the attic (small unit) so dragged his crate up there and all the pups will stay up there during the day. Quote Kari and the pups.Run free sweet Hana 9/21/08-9/12/10. Missing Sparks with every breath.Passion 10/16/02-5/25/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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