Winston's panic episodes (or seizures?)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Starting a new discussion to make it clear that the mouse is no longer the prime suspect in Winston's saga. He's at the ER where he's been since early this afternoon, being observed for what I can only believe is some sort of neurological issue.

His 'fits' start with with him suddenly bolting upright, a bit of drool falls out of his mouth, and then he starts wailing and flailing around, jumps on something (couch, bed, etc) pees and poops, and then sits there shaking and crying. Then suddenly, it clears up and it's as if it never happened. For the one he had first thing this morning we were heading out the door for a walk and it started. He ran down the hall, down the stairs and outside to the car, and begged me to let him in the car where I guess he feels safe (that's when I took off to my friends place, thinking if it was a mouse it wouldn't happen there, but sure enough, it did, and so off the the ER we went).  I am just so thankful it didn't happen while I was driving!

I think I will go pick him up in the morning and bring him to my vet's office which opens at 7am. They are not looking after him very well there, nobody knows what's going on, nobody is sharing information with each other. They didn't know about his food trial even though I told them when I admitted him and again over the phone. They didn't know he needed his thyroid medicine. Nobody in the back knew I was in the visitor room waiting to see Winston. I had to go knock on doors.  When I finally saw him he was still covered in his pee and poop and nobody had cleaned him or treated him yet. No blood tests were taken.

They told me the reason they haven't cleaned him yet is because he was nervous around them. That is impossible because there isn't a living, breathing, thing on earth that Winston doesn't adore. They didn't understand the seriousness at all. They just chalked it up to a nervous dog and a nervous owner. I explained, again, that he is not a nervous dog, and has never shown fear before, ever. Nothing startles him, bothers him or upsets him in any way, ever. I think they finally got it but how frustrating??? So in total I waited three hours, and maybe got about 20 minutes with him before he had another episode and they took him back to give him some valium. I waited for the vet to come talk to me and finally had to go knocking on doors again and it seemed nobody knew I was still there. Meanwhile the whole time I was sitting in that room, it turned out Winston was right on the other side of the wall. All someone had to do was bring him through the door. They promised a real live vet would call with a full update first thing in the morning.

Unfortunately the saddest news is that they have no idea what it is, and said they have never seen anything like this before. I asked them what the point was of me leaving him there if nobody was going to tend to him or treat him in any way. They reassured me they were watching him closely and that it was the only way for them to get a sense of what is wrong.

I'm thinking I will get him out of there in the morning and for now, at least he's spending the night with a doctor, so if something bad happens then he will be looked after. But if the issue is fear and fear only I sure wish I could be there with him. I hate the thought of him having these episodes with nobody there to comfort him. :(

I'm sure there's a gazillion spelling errors here, sorry but I'm so tired...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Will anxiously be awaiting an update after your good.  Paws crossed here.  Try and relax so Winnie doesn't feel your stress.  You are doing a wonderful job at getting him what he needs. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Hoping that today's vet visit goes well and that you get the answers you deserve.  I'm sending positive thoughts your way and will be awaiting your update!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I just can't wait until they figure this out. I have nothing. It love and support for you. I know how heart sickening it is when something is wrong with our babies. I am sending love, prayers crossing my toes, fingers, and jacks paws hope this vet figures it out.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

we'll no more soon. Off to the vet now. *fingers crossed".

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good luck.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm thinking of you and sending positive thought for Winston right now.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Keeping fingers AND paws crossed for Winston!!!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Thinking of you and Winston.  Hoping for a favorable report this afternoon!

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Love and best wishes hope all is well.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Waiting with bated breath for an update on Winston. Praying and crossing paws here. Me and doodles.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Ok, well. The vet was very concerned but didn't have any idea what it could be. She believed me that it wasn't anxiety though, as she is always remarking on how exceptionally calm he is. She spoke with the vet who first saw him at the ER who told my vet that I wasn't exaggerating, and that she had never seen anything like it and she wanted to know what the outcome was. My vet's only ideas were that his allergies are so bad and he is so itchy that it is sending him over the edge, or that he has some sort of brain leision. She's referred me to a neurologist near Toronto - it's like a 4.5 hour drive from here. The consult fee alone is $185. If I'm going to do it then I'm going to try and get him in to see a dermotologist at the same time to kill two birds with one stone. Why don't we have any of these specialists in my city?? sheesh.

He has a skin infection which she discovered when she was examining him. I didn't even know about that. Little red bumps on his belly area, they are very few and far between so I didn't realize it was an infection. I  got antibiotics for that and his ear.

He is currently calm as can be and hasn't had another episode.

I sent a very assertive email to the emergency clinic explaining my beefs and asking them to reconsider the fees.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Sherri, You are doing an excellent job caring for this sweet guy.I'm so glad that there could be a specialist that might be able to determine a diagnosis, but having a vet 4.5 hours away is awful. Sorry for you guys. Really proud of you for negotiating with the ER considering Winston's horrible treatment there.I am sure you are so relieved to see him being calm again. Take care of yourself, too. This has been harrowing for you.