Seizures - any suggestions, input, ideas

[Susan Heid]

We have a 2 1/2 yr old GD - he began seizures at 6 months, we've had several different medications, with him now being on Keppra for over a year.  We've managed to keep the seizures at 3 weeks apart, usually with 3-4 within a 24 hours period.  But it has taken a huge turn, this past week he's had 15 in a week - now coming at every 4 hours, with 11 in a row at 4 hours apart, even having two within 5 minutes, at which we gave anal valuim to stop them.

We are at a loss, little sleep, a very disruptive cycle - not sure what else to do.  My husband is ready to put him down and I just feel differently.  We had a period of 60 days with no seizures this fall, so it is very unpredictable.

He has seen a neurologist as well as our own vet with no relief.  We've changed food too.

[Mary]

don't get discouraged- I have a mini chocolate labradoodle who has had seizures since 7 months old. She has been on every medication there is for seizures- started out on phenobarb, that didn't cut it after a few years- she is now on phenobarb and zonisamide twice a day. it's the only treatment so far that has helped her. We had her on Keppra for about 2 months and she had over 200 seizures! Did not work for us, just made her worse.

  the combo of phenobarb and zonisamide has help to keep her somewhat under control- by that I mean they are not lasting as long and she is having less, but depending on the weather and the moon phase, she will have more. We live in PA and she cannot tolerate our bitter cold weather, she has more seizures in December and January. I have a sweater on her when it is cold.

 We also had about a 2 month seizure free time last spring, but when the weather changes, she has them,different things can set her up. I had her to a neurologist in Red Bank, NJ and they told me that she has cluster seizures and that they do not have a cause.  l later found out from someone that her father had seizures and then I knew the real cause, herediatary.

 If you need someone to talk to please feel free to conatact me- we love our little girl so much- we will do anything for her to keep the seizures away, but unfourtanetly, she is always going to have them and we will never stop trying to help her as much as we can. She is now  6 years old and a certified therapy dog who is just the sweetest girl ever. We almost lost her twice to a big long lasting seizure-but she knows how much we love her and pulls through every time.

 There is not enough research out there for dogs with seizures and it is a shame. Wish I could do more for the cause.

                Mary