Cooper had a seizure

[Martha & Cooper]

I am pretty worried right now.  Cooper had a seizure today at Daycare.   They called me and asked me if they could take them next door to their Vet and of course I said Yes.  When I got there, he looked fine, but after the Vet talked to me and told me how long it lasted, I decided to let her go ahead with some blood work and a few xrays of his abdomen to be sure he didn't ingest anything. 

His cbc came back normal, but his liver enzymes were abnormal and billirubin in particular.  Then his abdominal xray also showed an irregularity in the liver area.   She said this may point to him being born with a "liver shunt".   She took more blood and wanted me to bring him home to eat and then bring him back in two hours.   Also said she would give me something to cover him over the weekend in case he has more seizures.   Poor baby.  

 

I am trying not to worry about a diagnosis before we actually get one, but I am hoping it is not this liver problem.  It is a genetic flaw that they can be born with. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ditto to what Lynne said. JD and I are hoping for the best possible outcome for Cooper.

[Martha & Cooper]

Believe me, I will definitely let his breeder know as soon as I get a final diagnosis and treatment plan.  I don't think he will respond though, he ignored an minor request from me about a year ago, so I can imagine he will just ignore this.  Cooper turned two in November, so I am pretty sure he will tell me that his health guarantee is finished if he responds at all.  Who knows, Cooper may just be THE unfortunate one of his pups to have this.  I don't want to say anything negative about this breeder other than he was unresponsive to me after I got Cooper, when he promised a lifetime of support.  So, I will let him know, then go on and do as much as we can for Cooper.    

Thank you for the paw hugs,  that is what we both need right now! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Even if the breeder is unresponsive, I'm glad you are going to notify him, because this is genetic and runs in Golden Retrievers.  

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Also, don't forget you can ask for a prescription for the medication and possibly take it to a more discount drug store to be filled rather than buy it from your vet.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am so sorry, hoping and praying for the best outcome possible... I hate that so many doodles are so sick.. Hopefully this will be something that is fixable fairly easy

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Prayers for Cooper's speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.

[F, Calla & Luca]

If surgery is an option that would be a good outcome. Let's hope.

[Martha & Cooper]

Thanks F., I am thinking that too.    It's a little hard to process right now though when he is not behaving like a typical sick dog.   I would say he is behaving normal 80% of the time.   He is doing a little pacing, staring and having some general restlessness about 20%.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You do need some time to process this, Martha. I know from personal experience how hard it is to accept a diagnosis of a serious health problem in a dog (or any loved one) who does not seem really sick. Easier said than done, but take it day by day and try to keep your thoughts in the present moment, not too far into the future and not in the past. Hugs to you and to Cooper. 

[Richard Crowe]

Thankfully, Holly has been healthy.  However, my previous big dog had a seizure disorder.  When she finally needed medications for the seizures, there was a quantum difference in the price of the meds between two vets.  One vet wanted $300 and said that she needed blood work every 3-months.  The other vet charged $50 and recommended blood work every six months... 

BTW:  this was for the same medicaltion, same quantity and same strength...

It took a while to get the medication dosage stabilized.  At first, she had no strength in her hind quarters and would fall over when she tried to pee.  After the meds became stabilized, she lived for several years with no seizures.

She finally passed away from cancer.

[Martha & Cooper]

Wow, that is a huge difference in medication prices!  I am glad you found one that was reasonable.  

Unfortunately, at this point, it looks like Cooper's seizure may have been caused by toxins from the liver.  Will know more Thursday.  

[Leslie and Halas]

We are hoping for the best outcome here.  I hope he's a candidate for surgery if that's the best option.