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...

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

not much, but I am looking forward to cuddling up with Winston when I get him home this evening!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Thanks for the update.  I hope you will get him to your Vet this AM where he can be worked up properly and taken care of in a non-urgent care environment, with the one to one attention of your own Vet.  Keep us updated as you can.  Sending positive thoughts.  Canine thyroid storm?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

nope. Turns out my vet is closed afterall. I swear they had offered me an appointment for today as an option when I was trying to figure out when to get his thyroid test re-done (ended up doing it this past thursday, thank goodness as the results will help with his diagnosis). I left them a voicemail just in case they are secretly working behind the scenes.

[Carol and Banjo]

Poor Winston.....and poor Sherri.....Sending positivie thoughts your way Sherri!!!  

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

thanks!

[Diane & Scooby]

Sorry you're going through all this Sherri and poor Winston. Our thoughts are with you! Sending you virtual hugs and doodlekisses!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Scooby! We could use all the support we can get! I am feeling the love!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

The vet called and said they still haven't gotten the results  from the blood lab. I should add that I had actually had blood taken last week when I went in about his toe nail. he was over due to have his T4 checked again after being on the thyroid meds for 2 months. So the results should be ready very shortly.

The vet said he was much calmer over night, which is a huge change because the vet who called at 2am said he was shaking and clearly very anxious. He had one mild moment of anxiety this morning but snapped out of it pretty quickly when she put him in a down stay. He has been given a couple shots of valium since he's been there and is now quite calm. They said they don't see any reason to keep him much longer so I am scheduled to go get him at 6pm.

One thing that really, really makes my blood boil is that despite what the vet said last night about his thryoid meds being too much, they accidently gave him a double dose last night and the vet that was on this morning gave him another dose. When I told her what the vet from last night said about cutting back on the thyroid pills, all she said was that their computers were down so she wasn't able to read his file.This really p***** me off. They should be communicating better. I know it's busy in there, but I mean for God's sakes this is an emergency animal hospital, they shouldn't be surprised and overwhelmed that they are busy over new years - this is what they do! It's like working in a call centre and being caught off guard when the phones ring.

Blah! Can't wait to get him out of there!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm horrified that Winston is receiving such callous care. Is your vet open today to check if the blood work is ready? I'm just so so sorry for you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

What incompetence!! That's why this old dinosaur still likes paper records. I would consider not paying these folks. No wonder he was anxious, too much thyroid can cause that.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Believe me I've thought about it. At the very least, they are getting a scathing review on Yelp and Google.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I was thinking the same thing F. I wonder if she could at least negotiate the bill down for this horrible care.