Worry

[Tamara & Giada]

So, does the worry EVER go away?? 

 

I worry:

 

>When I leave her

>When I run with her

>about her swimming

>Every time she shakes or naturally circles to get comfortable........will this be a seizure? I ask my self.

[LG & Sadie]

Hi Tamara! Sorry-I haven't been much of a support-been going thru a diet change w Sadie & recovering from surgery myself. The short answer is-YES! But, also...no, you will always be somewhat aware that there is this possibility....but, it will almost become commonplace. With Sadie, I never thought we would adjust. I thought she would be "bubble" dog the way I was protecting her! I would be jumpy just when people approached trying to say hi-thinking they might stress her-thereby cause a seizure-and that seizure might turn into the kind I had read they don't come out of-and Oh man how I worried. It was all for naught. Sadie is fine. Better than I am-and when I relax-so does Sadie. She really responds to my energy. I find I really need to tell her she is okay.....even when I am not entirely sure....sometimes tears are streaming down my cheeks but I will say it. And, thus far-my little trooper is 3 years 8 months-and well controlled on meds. and basically fine. Hang in there!!! Your doodle is so lucky to have you as you are to have your doodle. Everything is as it should be~at least that is what I try to believe. Leane & Sadie

[Tamara & Giada]

Thanks for the support. YES...the tears are always running down my face when I am reasuring her too! I am trying to be strong for her and my kids, but it's so hard!

As I said before, this is all new to us, we are still in the wait and see as I document her seizures. I was so hoping she wouldn't have more, but they are coming closer together. She has had 4 altogether since this began on July 5th.

With my documentation it looks as if she has them on the days she goes without eating. She has ALWAYS been a picky eater, but after a while and good health/weight just thought that was her, but now I'm thinking low blood sugar because of not eating may be causing them??? Working on making her food tastey for her and if that means learning to cook for her I'll do it :) What diet do you have Sadie on?

Oh, sorry about your surgery...hope you heal well!!

Thanks again :)

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Look into the low blood sugar as a seizure trigger!!!! Jasper's seizures always happen in the early morning hour, when he is sleeping.This is why I changed his feeding from once a day to twice a day (am & pm). Never, ever did he have a seizure while swimming or running with me. I think it makes his heart stronger to manage the seizures better and recover faster afterwards. And this is excactly what happens. His breaks are getting bigger. I think it is the combination of TAURINE, Epi-Still and the homemade GRAIN FREE Diet. He is not on any medics. One time he had 2 seizures in only 5 days. This is when I looked into NATURAL approach AND it IS working for him. We are up to 2 months seizure FREE without Medics! Yipee!
I might start a new Discussion about seizures during exercise.

[Tamara & Giada]

Thanks....YUP, I did and it sure can trigger seizures, but wonder if it is the sole cause. This dog could go DAYS without eating........litterally! The vet always said don't worry she'll eat when she's hungry and she has always seemed fit!

Day two of adding things to her food and she has eaten EVERY meal and seems to have more energy!! We shall see......I'll keep you posted. I would also like to try the natural remedies too.

[Kirsy & Jasper]

What does Giada NOT like to eat? I might be able to give you some yummy homemade recipies, that she can not refuse!!!!!

[Tamara & Giada]

Not really sure......she'll eat anything once, then all of a sudden not want it :( She has been eating well with me adding different things to her kibble.......broth, egg, canned food. Going to try cottage cheese and salmon next!

I'd love a recipe or two!

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Boil or steam fresh or frozen vegetables (sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, broccoli). Drain water, mash, add finely chopped fresh or frozen spinach and/ or parsley. Cool.
Then add chopped or minced raw meat. I like to use Kangaroo (Australia) or beef, whatever is on Special. Hormone free or organic would be BEST, but very pricey. I am trying to avoid any raw poultry due to Salmonella, but cooked should be o.k.
I then individually freeze, enough for 2 days per serve. Vege/ Meat ratio about 50/50.

I feed Jasper twice a day (am & pm) due to possible low blood sugar as a seizure trigger. Plus I need to give him his natural medics twice with food.
I always feed his food at room temperature or slightly warmed in Winter.
I add sometimes sardines in spring water, some mashed up bananas, mangoes or blueberries. All this is great for dogs! A bone every second day will keep their calcium levels up. I stopped giving him raw chicken or turkey necks, as he often vomited (and then seizured).
These are additions I add for his itchy skin and his Epilepsy:
AM FEED: 250mg TAURINE , 1 X 1000mg cap Evening Primrose Oil, 1 teaspoon Apple cider Vinegar, 5 drops of Epi-Still ( a native herbal Remedy to calm the nervous system)
PM FEED: 250mg TAURINE, 1 X 1000mg cap Omega 3 Fish oil, 5 drops of Epi-Still
p.s These amounts are for a 18kg dog.
ORIJEN has the best reputation for GRAIN FREE dried food. I just can't get it here in Australia. Otherwise I would mix it into his homemade food.

[Tamara & Giada]

Great thanks! Don't think we can get kangaroo here...lol! First time I've ever heard of anyone eating it. We do eat lots of venison :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is a evidence that evening primrose oil can trigger seizures. I know there is a discussion about it in this group somewhere. Does the Angels site mention it at all?

[Kirsy & Jasper]

You are right. I deleted that recently from his diet due to that discussion...JUST in case!

[LG & Sadie]

Please don't take my feedback to mean don't get treatment-Sadie is on phenobarbitol 2x a day and has blood levels done every 6 months! She has been seizure free for 18 months now on the meds-which is why I am calmer! I didn't mean to say-just relax-the dogs is fine by any means!!

Now, onto your eating question-you have really stirred up some intrigue-Sadie has a pattern like your gal...........she will go days too sometimes............when I did her seizure journal I didn't recall a pattern w skipping meals but maybe I missed that~I am going to check it out!

Right now-her diet is non-existent-we had a very fancy consult-with an Allergist/Immunologist and a food trial w a novel protein was started-trouble is-Sadie won't eat Kangaroo, Rabbit, Venison, Buffalo, or hmm we tried another I can't recall, trying Lamb today. I can't keep up her meds knowing she has nothing in her belly-so I either cook for her or give her baby food. She had tolerated the Bravo diet well for years-but the consult concluded a Food Allergy as a likely culprit for a plethora of minor health issues she has had pretty much lifelong.

Oh-and thanks on the healing wishes! Sending good vibes your way & Sadie doodle hugs~

[Kirsy & Jasper]

How did Sadie like the Lamb?
Have a try of my above recipe, just change the meat to anything she will eat (cut up raw beef anything fishy maybe?). Or cooked chicken breast or thigh. I babysat a fussy Spoodel for 4 days. He LOVED Jasper's recipe, but wouldn't eat what his parents supplied. LOL! Dogs LOVE Sardines too.
Congratulations on 18 months SF!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic!