Murphy Is Sick....Murph's Mom Is A Mess! UPDATE - ANOTHER UPDATE

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We've had quite a morning.  Murphy is at the Vet right now, and I'm a total wreck.  We woke up this morning and went to get Murph who sleeps in our Master Bathroom with a gate at the door.  He was just laying there which is very unusual...he's usually right at the gate waiting for us to get up and take him out.  It took a while for me to get him to stand up.  Finally he did and I coaxed him to the stairs to go down and outside to potty.  He just stood at the top of the stairs with a glazed look in his eyes....he was in another world.  Finally I got him down the stairs, and he again just laid down and wouldn't move.  He was "twitching" intermittently (his legs and lower abdomen).  He just wouldn't move....wouldn't eat or drink.  I called the Vet, and she's off for the long weekend, but her partner is there.  We brought him in.  He just lied on my lap in the car...not moving.  So, he's there and they're going to run tests to try to figure out what's wrong.  He was totally fine yesterday....great, actually.  We had a fantastic training walk, he ate a great dinner, he was happy and really playful, and normal peeing and pooping.  I can't figure this out.  I thought of epilepsy...maybe he had a seizure during the night and these are the "after effects".  The Vet thinks that's unlikely since we didn't hear any movement from the bathroom and he did not lose control of his "bodily functions"....but it still is not ruled out.  I'm a complete wreck.  My big guy was so pathetic...it broke my heart.  Now I have to just sit here and wait for them to call with results....probably mid afternoon.  He's up there alone.  This will be a very long day.....

We're back with Murphy.  He has a Seizure Disorder diagnosis.  The Vet feels that what happened this morning was a partial seizure.  He's running a slight temp (which she says is normal after a seizure) and he's totally lethargic.  The Vet said he would probably be this way for 24 hours.  He had no elevated white cell count, so there is no sign of infection.  He is not tender anywhere on his body.  He's on antibiotics for a week as a precaution.  She gave me lots of literature...I think I'll get more info on our Epilepsy group here.  I don't know how to feel about this.  I'm relieved that he doesn't have something worse, but I'm also worried about him having to deal with this for the rest of his life.  Just when I was trying to get over "feeling sorry for Murph"....

This morning was another Murphy "crisis".  When we woke up...again he wouldn't move.  When I looked at him closely I noticed that his eyes were almost completely closed and there was "pus" in the corners.  One of the eyes was actually rolled back in his head.  He wouldn't eat anything.  So, again I called the Vet who said to bring him immediately.  We've been there for two and a half hours, but he's now home with me again.  He has Uveitis which is a very low pressure in both eyes (measured 7 versus a normal 15-20).  She said this is extremely painful for the dog and put in a solution to numb his eyes.  His fever is 103 which is down from the 104 yesterday.  Yesterday his platelets were low, and those are now in the normal range.  She again did a neurological work up, and he tested better today.  She does still believe yesterday's event was definitely a seizure, but that it was caused by some other underlying illness (which is also causing the continued fever and the Uveitis).  She is hoping that what he has is a tick borne illness of "undetermined origin".  She actually said "lets hope it's Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever".  When I asked her what it could be if it was not tick borne, she said she wouldn't discuss that yet....she said "we want this to be something that is treatable".  Of course, that makes me very nervous.  So, we have three different types of medication for his eyes.  She also thought that there might be an infection starting in the ears, so we have a med for that.  And we need to continue the antibiotic.  I have to check his temperature four times a day (that should be fun).  She gave me her home phone number and told me to call her over the weekend if I notice anything different or if he doesn't begin to act more "normal".  The good news is that he probably doesn't have a Seizure Disorder, and that the episode yesterday was related to something else (although she isn't ready to totally rule that out yet).  The bad news is that he's very ill, and we don't know for sure with what.  "F" Parker....you were so right with your posting last night! 

Again, thanks everyone....what would I do without you!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I was so sad to read this! I'm saying a prayer that Murphy is back to his self soon! We'll be watching for a good news update.

[Linda and Murphy]

Oh Jane, I am so sorry. You and Murphy are in our prayers.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

My heart just breaks for you! I'm so glad he's home. He's so lucky to have you as a family. Big snuggles to Murphy and hugs to you too Jane.

[Carol and Banjo]

I'm sure you'll feel better once armed with information Jane. Glad Murph is home with you!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am so sorry about the Seizure Disorder diagnosis. Here is the good news: you can make it a mission to learn everything you can about it and you have so many resources for that RIGHT HERE on DK! As you said, it could be worse, but I know this is quite a blow and won't be easy. You will feel better once you have more information and feel very educated on the diagnosis.
As others said, let the crying happen. And give Murphy a hug from ALL OF US! Hugs, hugs, hugs to the Irish brothers and their mom.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh Murphy sorry you don't feel good today, I am sure you will feel better tomorrow now that your Doctor told your Mommy what was wrong with you. If your Mommy is anything like my Mommy I am sure she will figure it all out with the help of her friends on DK - doodle kisses and hugs coming your way from Daisy and my Mommy.....please pass them on to your Mommy.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

I am so sorry to hear about Murphy and all you've been through. I'm glad he is now home and you can begin learning about how to help him.

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

Jane, so sorry to hear about Murphy....the worst is the fear of the unknown.....now that he has a diagnosis you can begin to heal....it is never easy to receive news like this...but know that we are all here for you...give our love to Murphy...blessings

[Leslie and Halas]

At least you know what you're dealing with now. You know you've got a huge support group here.

[Yvonne N]

Oh Jane, I cannot even imagine. Our thoughts are with you ALL. I hope you get a big doodle smile from Murph soon. That will make you feel so much better.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm glad to hear that you got a diagnosis so quickly. At least you can put THAT worry aside. Hopefully this disorder will be a mild and easily managed one. As we were discussing yesterday, it looks like there is more training ahead for a certain Doodle mommy! :) Murphy sure found the right "forever home" where he can get the care he needs. Thanks for being there for him in yet another way!! Blessings to you all!! Hugs from Ricki & Tara

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"Murphy sure found the right "forever home" where he can get the care he needs."
You certainly got that one right!