Murphy Is Sick....Murph's Mom Is A Mess! UPDATE - ANOTHER UPDATE

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We've had quite a morning.  Murphy is at the Vet right now, and I'm a total wreck.  We woke up this morning and went to get Murph who sleeps in our Master Bathroom with a gate at the door.  He was just laying there which is very unusual...he's usually right at the gate waiting for us to get up and take him out.  It took a while for me to get him to stand up.  Finally he did and I coaxed him to the stairs to go down and outside to potty.  He just stood at the top of the stairs with a glazed look in his eyes....he was in another world.  Finally I got him down the stairs, and he again just laid down and wouldn't move.  He was "twitching" intermittently (his legs and lower abdomen).  He just wouldn't move....wouldn't eat or drink.  I called the Vet, and she's off for the long weekend, but her partner is there.  We brought him in.  He just lied on my lap in the car...not moving.  So, he's there and they're going to run tests to try to figure out what's wrong.  He was totally fine yesterday....great, actually.  We had a fantastic training walk, he ate a great dinner, he was happy and really playful, and normal peeing and pooping.  I can't figure this out.  I thought of epilepsy...maybe he had a seizure during the night and these are the "after effects".  The Vet thinks that's unlikely since we didn't hear any movement from the bathroom and he did not lose control of his "bodily functions"....but it still is not ruled out.  I'm a complete wreck.  My big guy was so pathetic...it broke my heart.  Now I have to just sit here and wait for them to call with results....probably mid afternoon.  He's up there alone.  This will be a very long day.....

We're back with Murphy.  He has a Seizure Disorder diagnosis.  The Vet feels that what happened this morning was a partial seizure.  He's running a slight temp (which she says is normal after a seizure) and he's totally lethargic.  The Vet said he would probably be this way for 24 hours.  He had no elevated white cell count, so there is no sign of infection.  He is not tender anywhere on his body.  He's on antibiotics for a week as a precaution.  She gave me lots of literature...I think I'll get more info on our Epilepsy group here.  I don't know how to feel about this.  I'm relieved that he doesn't have something worse, but I'm also worried about him having to deal with this for the rest of his life.  Just when I was trying to get over "feeling sorry for Murph"....

This morning was another Murphy "crisis".  When we woke up...again he wouldn't move.  When I looked at him closely I noticed that his eyes were almost completely closed and there was "pus" in the corners.  One of the eyes was actually rolled back in his head.  He wouldn't eat anything.  So, again I called the Vet who said to bring him immediately.  We've been there for two and a half hours, but he's now home with me again.  He has Uveitis which is a very low pressure in both eyes (measured 7 versus a normal 15-20).  She said this is extremely painful for the dog and put in a solution to numb his eyes.  His fever is 103 which is down from the 104 yesterday.  Yesterday his platelets were low, and those are now in the normal range.  She again did a neurological work up, and he tested better today.  She does still believe yesterday's event was definitely a seizure, but that it was caused by some other underlying illness (which is also causing the continued fever and the Uveitis).  She is hoping that what he has is a tick borne illness of "undetermined origin".  She actually said "lets hope it's Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever".  When I asked her what it could be if it was not tick borne, she said she wouldn't discuss that yet....she said "we want this to be something that is treatable".  Of course, that makes me very nervous.  So, we have three different types of medication for his eyes.  She also thought that there might be an infection starting in the ears, so we have a med for that.  And we need to continue the antibiotic.  I have to check his temperature four times a day (that should be fun).  She gave me her home phone number and told me to call her over the weekend if I notice anything different or if he doesn't begin to act more "normal".  The good news is that he probably doesn't have a Seizure Disorder, and that the episode yesterday was related to something else (although she isn't ready to totally rule that out yet).  The bad news is that he's very ill, and we don't know for sure with what.  "F" Parker....you were so right with your posting last night! 

Again, thanks everyone....what would I do without you!

[Diane]

How scary, and as you said, another reason you'll have making it more challenging to be "strict" with Murphy's behavior training. That's probably the least of your worries right now though. Hope that it was a one time experience or something that can be well controlled. Thinking of you all. Guiness must wonder what's up too.

[Rose]

I'm sorry to hear this. Hugs to you and Murphy.

[Laura & Chewie]

So sorry Murphy had to go through that seizure and you have had such a worrisome, sad day. My dog, Rocky, who lived to almost 17 years old started having seizures when he was around 12-13 yo. I would say over a year's time, he had maybe six of them. The vet never found a cause and then, as suddenly as they had began, they stopped and he never had one again. Sending very positive thoughts that hopefully this is a one time thing for Murphy.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm completely overwhelmed by everyone's well wishes for my Murph. He's been sleeping all day, but he did just get up and ate some dinner. Yes, I made him a very special "home cooked" meal. It's the first food he's had all day. He's still to tired to play, but he's laying beside me now holding his tennis ball in his mouth...so that's a good sign. Guinness can't imagine what's going on. He is pretty much staying away from Murph....like he has a "sixth sense". I think Murph is still running a fever...he's feeling warm. I guess that's normal. The Vet said he should feel much better tomorrow, and I should go ahead with his training session. I don't know...I'll see in the morning. You're all very special, and I so appreciate that you were there for me today.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It just occurred to me that children get febrile seizures where the fever is related to another illness and the seizure is caused by the fever. His must be true in dogs I think especially since you mentioned that the vet has checked his blood count and has him on prophylactic antibiotics. I have no experience with dogs with seizures but still running a fever after all day? I'm thinking maybe Murphy has an underlying, possibly viral infection. The white could would not be as elevated with a virus but it should show some abnormalities given time--at least it would in people. This would be a good thing because then all could return to normal when Murphy gets over the infection if that's the cause. Has he been around any sick dogs, in day care etc.? Hoping this is true.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

OMG, you're a genius! I so hope this is the case, it makes complete sense to me.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You are too kind. I just hope it's true.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

The Vet must have been also initially thinking along those same lines because she did ask the questions about what other dogs he may have been exposed to. Unfortunately, no Daycare, groomer, dog park, training classes (his lesson was private) this week. Basically he's only been with Guinness, who is fine. She thought about Lyme Disease too (and tested him for that)...negative. His "peeing and pooping" are totally normally. His symptoms are not typical of a viral infection. He's basically "out of it". She did say it would be typical for him to run the fever for up to 24 hours following the seizure. I so wish a viral infection is what he has...but it's not looking like that. If tomorrow he comes down with something like "kennel cough" I'll be dancing in the streets. Thanks so much, "F".

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Jane, just reading this as I've been out all day. So sorry to hear that Murphy is having a rough time. We will keep all of you in our thoughts. Keep us posted.

[Anna and Achilles]

Oh honey, I am so sorry. I would be a mess too. I will be praying for Murph.

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

OH, Murph...our paws are praying...and I also would be a wreck. We were away this week camping, and our Guinness tore his DewClaw and back leg.(and this from just playing) He tends to play very hard and you have to make him rest...(we call it taking a break). But, anyway sorry to be so windy..he was down for awhile and he knew things were not ok. Take care and keep us posted.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm really sorry about Guinness. Is he okay now? I'm sure that took a lot of the enjoyment out of your camping trip. Tell him the "other Guinness" says "feel better".