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]

I know. I just feel so helpless and I feel like googling his test results is the only thing I can do. I stil lthink he might be in pain. I can't explain why, it's just in the way he looks at me when it is happening. The build up to it, and the craziness in the moment, the desperation in his eyes, and then the relief when it's all over. It reminds me of when I used to get those massive muscle cramps in my calves at night. i would be sleeping and it would hit me all of a sudden in a burst of intense pain. I'd scream and cry and wail and roll around frantically and have even fallen off the bed. I seriously thought I'd die of agony. And then it was gone and I was so relived. It's the same for him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Your feelings are your feelings, and they are valid. I understand completely the helpless feeling and trying to solve the mystery yourself out of frustration. It's very hard to be patient and wait to see the vet, get the test results, etc., when you want your dog to feel better NOW. So you search and search for an answer that will make sense to you and maybe make you feel better.

Problem is that the "google fix" only lasts so long, and then you are back on-line because you just thought of something else you need to check out.

I wish I was a meditation type person. You and I need some soft music, deep breathing, candles, etc. Playing hall ball with the doodles might be the next best thing. Or a snuggle/nap.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Agreed. There is not a lot worse than feeling this helpless and not knowing what to do.  Hang in there.  I have been there before...was 15 pounds lighter....couldn't really think of anything else when Tacky was rapidly losing weight with no explanation.  We are here for you!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

ok. it's officially snuggle/nap time. Then hall ball for sure. Thanks Karen. The computer is going off now.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good, best thing for everyone. Might do it myself!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I agree with F.  Dehydration will cause these elevated levels (I deal with kidney disease with Tacky the chihuahua). 

Have you done the big blood panel workup, which shows BUN, creatinine, etc...????  Or just a quick workup and thyroid panel?

I think he seems very very stressed. And dehydrated dogs that are not eating well/drinking/etc...can really act terribly. For example, when Tacky is having one of his fasting times or when his tummy is upset, he snaps at Peri, he hids in his crate, he runs from us, he looks lethargic, etc...

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I can't add any medical advice, but I really hope Winston gets better soon.  It's all very weird, but a good vet should be able to offer a reasonable explanation.  Hope all of you are resting now!  Doodle hugs from Knox and me!

[Sharon & Monty]

Wishing you a better day and answers are a coming. Take care you guys.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

*sigh* I just realized they were supposed to treat his ear. It is all bright red and sore. They said they would treat it but they didn't. I completely forgot until just know when I noticed it again. :(

Wish I could speed up time to 7am tomorrow morning so I can see my vet.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

:o(

Poor you two!

Just keep thinking you two can snuggle all night and get up in the morning for a fresh start.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

yep. let's just pray he doesn't have another episode. So far he's just looked really distraught, but no panic.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

If he has an untreated ear infection this certainly needs dealing with, could he be in pain???