Charlies_Dad Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Good thoughts for your boy. We'll be waiting for an update when you can. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 So sorry you are going through this. As the others have said, it sounds like he was having cluster seizures. He needs to be on an anti-convulsent medication ASAP. I highly recommend you consult with a veterinary neurologist. Your regular vet most likely will only have knowledge about the two most popular seizure meds- Phenobarbital and Keppra. The neurologist will be able to give you much more pharmacology information to find the right medication (or combination of meds). A lot of people balk, assuming that specialists are too expensive. But for us it was only around $100 and saved us much more in repeat visits to the regular vet. My Henry has been seizure free for nine months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundlov Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Any pupdate? Quote Mary in Houston Everyone has a photographic memory, but not everyone has film. LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Adding more good wishes for your handsome boy. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Checking in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiniShew Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Hey guys! So, Coal is back home, he seems to be doing much better. When we got home, he took a horrible fall down the stairs to get to the backyard, and that freaked me out. He hurt his leg, but seems okay now. For now he is living in the walkout basement because he is very clumsy on this new medication. The vet did start him on Phenobarbital. I know a lot of you suggested seeing a neurologist, but at this point we still have not signed the "official" adoption papers, so the agency wanted him with the vet that they work with. We have been asking for the papers, but they said since these issues popped up and weren't known before, they want to make sure we know what we are getting into before we sign them....OF COURSE we want him, I couldn't imagine our house without him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Glad to hear Coal is home and doing a little better. Do you now have the liquid valium that you need to stop clusters if they should occur again? Did the vet show you how to administer it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiniShew Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Yes, they gave us more. The instructions were more clear this time around, I think maybe I didn't stick it far enough "up" there when I gave it and when he woke up he pooped it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Passion was pretty unsteady for a few weeks on Pheno but Thunder never had a problem. Good luck! 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 August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Glad to hear he is doing better ... Is he on liquid valium for clusters? If so, how much? Lucy at about 70 pounds gets 16 ml. The reason that I ask is that regular vets may not understand the "rectal dosage". That happened with me, the regular vet prescribed 5 ml (???), luckily we were in the interim period until we could get to the neurologist and that got corrected once we saw the neurologist. Once you have the papers signed, I suggest getting an appointment with the neurologist just to make sure that you understand how to treat this at home (as much as you can) so you don't end up at the ER with each seizure as that can get very expensive very fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I'm so glad to hear he's home and doing better. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoundHeavenAZ Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 I'm happy to hear that your boy is home, REALLY at home. Thank you for your commitment to him and best of luck. Seizures just simply suck. Jimmie is on pheno and potassium bromide and seems to be experiencing around one seizure a month now. We're gradually phasing down the pheno. Hugs from Jimmie, Leah and I. Quote Jody, Leah & JimmieYou left us much, much too soon Lima & Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiniShew Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Glad to hear he is doing better ... Is he on liquid valium for clusters? If so, how much? Lucy at about 70 pounds gets 16 ml. The reason that I ask is that regular vets may not understand the "rectal dosage". That happened with me, the regular vet prescribed 5 ml (???), luckily we were in the interim period until we could get to the neurologist and that got corrected once we saw the neurologist. Once you have the papers signed, I suggest getting an appointment with the neurologist just to make sure that you understand how to treat this at home (as much as you can) so you don't end up at the ER with each seizure as that can get very expensive very fast. Coal is also at 70 pounds and they gave us 6.4ml, I believe... I think you are right, since the previous dose (which I thought was 10ml, but was 6 as well) didn't help him at all. Once those papers are mine, I will do just that! How do you find one in the area? I'm happy to hear that your boy is home, REALLY at home. Thank you for your commitment to him and best of luck. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 SO happy to hear that Coaltrain is doing better and is really and truly home. It sure sounds like he couldn't have found a better home for himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 I've been wondering about something, so wanted to ask. If Coal has no history of any seizures, and the adoption group had no knowledge of him ever having a seizure, and then within a week or so of being in your home he begins having severe clustering seizures, could it be possible that there is something in your home that is acting as a trigger? I know that seizures can come on very rapidly out of nowhere, but I was just wondering if it may be possible that there is something in your home that he might be having a reaction to. I don't mean this as a criticism in any way at all, it's just a question that won't go away, so decided to ask. I would be grateful if those who have more knowledge about seizures than I do might chime in. Thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 He may have had them in the racing kennel, or with some of these dogs the first seizures come on with the stress of moving to a new home. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Also note that idiopathic epileptic seizures--the "we don't know what triggered this" kind of seizure--usually appear in dogs between 3 and 7 years of age. I don't know how old Coal is, but if he falls in this age range, there might not be a discoverable trigger. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Coal is also at 70 pounds and they gave us 6.4ml, I believe... I think you are right, since the previous dose (which I thought was 10ml, but was 6 as well) didn't help him at all. Once those papers are mine, I will do just that! How do you find one in the area? Thank you!! Not enough ... either that or I have been overdosing my dog but, she's OK so I don't think that is the case. Where are you located? Maybe someone will be in that area and can provide a neurologist that they use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 (edited) I've checked some web sites and that dose is probably not going to do it. But, I'm not sure if it is the same Valium as I use so I'm hesitant to voice my concern strongly. This is a website that talks about 0.5 mg dose per kg (Lucy is 70 lbs = 31.75 kg and that x 0.5 is about 16 and she happens to get 16 ml. http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/rectal_valium.htm Again, it seems that most regular vets are doing an oral dose rather than the rectal dose. Edited August 29, 2013 by MaryJane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 (edited) Here is a list of board-certified veterinary neurologists in Colorado: And I found that you posted that Coal was in a prison program. Do you know how long he was there? Maybe they might have information about his seizures? Denver Dr. Laurie K. PearceVCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital9770 East Alameda AvenueDenver, CO 80247Tel: 303-366-2639Website: www.vcaspecialtyvets.com/alameda-east Englewood Dr. Stephen Brent Lane Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado 3550 S. Jason St. Englewood, CO 80110 Tel.: 303-874-2081 Email: slane@vrcc.com Website: www.vrcc.com Ft. Collins Dr. Steven B. Colter 1819 W. Prospect Rd.Fort Collins, CO 80526-1540Tel: 970-493-0427E-mail: sbcolter@mac.com Grand Junction Dr. Peter J. MaguireRedstone Veterinary Hospital 2582 Patterson RoadGrand Junction, CO 81505Tel: 970-243-3130 or 888-814-1569E-mail: OM@RedStoneGJ.comWebsite: www.redstonegj.com Lakewood Dr. Patricia J. Luttgen Neurological Center for Animals 8045 W. Hampden Avenue Lakewood, CO 80227-4903 Tel.: 303-989-4656 E-mail: PatriciaLuttgen@comcast.net Website: www.ncavet.com Wheat Ridge Dr. Paul A. CuddonWheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists3695 Kipling StreetWheat Ridge, CO 80033Tel: 303-424-3325www.wheatridgeanimal.com Edited August 29, 2013 by grey_dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiniShew Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) I've been wondering about something, so wanted to ask. If Coal has no history of any seizures, and the adoption group had no knowledge of him ever having a seizure, and then within a week or so of being in your home he begins having severe clustering seizures, could it be possible that there is something in your home that is acting as a trigger? I know that seizures can come on very rapidly out of nowhere, but I was just wondering if it may be possible that there is something in your home that he might be having a reaction to. I don't mean this as a criticism in any way at all, it's just a question that won't go away, so decided to ask. I would be grateful if those who have more knowledge about seizures than I do might chime in. Thank you in advance. We wondered that as well, since there were two things in common the night of the seizures- one was the thunderstoms (which there weren't any the next morning when he had his 3rd one) and the other was that we used Fabreeze in the house. However, when the adoption group looked into it further, they said he had a seizure at the jail where he was being trained. It was on the night he got there so it would have been at the end of June. He also came to the adoption group with a huge cut on his head, which has left a scar and I'm wondering after seeing his seizures and the way his head convulses if he got that during a seizure...that's just speculation though. Edited August 30, 2013 by BiniShew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiniShew Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) @Grey_dreams, thank you for the list! That helps a lot. A couple aren't horribly far from where I live. Coal is 2 1/2 years old. Thanks again for the support and prayers guys. Coal is finally starting to act like himself again, and it makes me very happy. Edited August 30, 2013 by BiniShew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 He might have had trauma to his head and that caused the seizures. Passion fell off my bed and hit her head on my dresser before hitting the floor. She had a seizure 5 months later. I know it's from the head trauma. 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...
a_daerr Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Henry started having seizures at 2.5 too. Sounds like it's probably epilepsy. As soon as you sign those papers, get with the veterinary neurologist to discuss meds. Pheno is pretty safe, but it does have side effects with prolonged use, including liver scarring. He may do well on something else. We love the Zonisamide- 9 months seizure free and no real side effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hikinghounds Posted August 30, 2013 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Sorry your Coaltrain is having seizures. I know it's really scary. I hope he continues to do well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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