Frequent Seizures

[Debbie and Toby]

Toby, 3 1/2 years old,  was diagnosed with epilepsy in November of 2009. He was having cluster seizures (3 in a  24 hour period) until the vet started him on valium for 24 hours after a seizure. He currently gets 750 MG of Potassium Bromide daily and 1 GR of Phenobarb twice daily. He was going anywhere from 2 weeks to 89 days (the longest he has gone between seizures) Since the middle of August he has now had 5 full grand mal seizures with a couple of petite seizures in between. He also started having clusters again. Started the valium again tonight, will be calling the vet in the morning. We discussed the meds in September and the vet said if he continues to have this many seizures we will need to change his meds.  This scares me changing his meds since I don't know if they will help or how they will affect him, but I know what he is currently getting doesn't seem to be helping now. We are not sure why in the past two months he is having so many. Nothing has changed with diet, daily routines, meds, etc. I am worried sick about him. Any thoughts on what would cause this increase in seizure activity, and why all of a sudden the meds aren't helping? Apparently there are some newer drugs that the vet said he may want to try, any recommendations?

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Debbie,

I urge you to join  Epil-K9 . To  become a member send an e-mail to [e-mail] with a blank subject header and the following in the body of the message SUBSCRIBE EPIL-K9 .

I have been a member there for 18 months and have learnt more there, then any other k9 Epilepsy forum, Vet or book could tell me. There are extreme cases in this group with dogs on many different medications. We also have Neurologists in the group, like Dr William Thomas DVM Dipl.ACVIM(Neurology), who has done a 3 year study on Keppra, being very popular due to the least side effects of all AEDs.

[Debbie and Toby]

Thank you, Kirsy...I will look into this, I am waiting for the vet to call back. Maybe we are being too unrealistic, but it seems like 5 in two months is a lot, I guess I would like to see no more than 2 a year, that may be unrealistic...

[Ellen]

Debbie, I have no guidance to offer about the change in condition but wondered whether there is a veterinarian neurologist in your area who can take a look at Toby.  When Riley had seizures, I took him to the local emergency clinic, which (unbeknownst to me) had several specialists on call, including a neurologist.  A specialist may have additional perspective on Toby's condition.  I'm so sorry to hear about Toby's condition, and I can understand your anxiety.  I'll keep Toby in my thoughts.

[Debbie and Toby]

Thank you both for your thoughts,  suggestions and support. We are currently working with the vet on a new treatment, probably switching meds,  they have not let me know yet how they will treat him now, seizures are getting longer and harder on him. He has weakness in his hind legs, which sometimes lasts for a day or so after the seizure, he sometimes acts very nervous and will pace for hours after a seizure, he also plays a little too aggressively for a day or so after a seizure, the vet has done testing with all negative results, so they have not been able to determine any cause for his seizures, other than epilepsy. We really need to find a way to reduce the frequency of his seizures.  

[Debbie and Toby]

Just received a response back from the vet, after consulting with the neurologist, they have decided that for now it was best to keep him on the same meds but increase the doses. Then they will run another blood panel in 30 days to check the therapeutic levels. Keeping our fingers crossed... :-)

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

Debbie -  Don't get discouraged, it may take some time to regulate the medications.  Obviously, the first thing is to control the seizures.  Remember, it takes the potassium bromide at least a few weeks before the levels stabilize due to it very long half life.  The phenobarb works more quickly.  As you know you may see an increase in thirst and sedation effect.  Also another side effect is weakness in the hind legs.

 

Keep us informed.  Hope Toby starts doing better.

[Debbie and Toby]

Thank you, he has been on the potassium bromide and phenobarb for almost two years, we are going to start the increased dosages tomorrow morning...he is 47 lbs and will start geting 1000 MG of Potassium Bromide per day, and 1.25 GR of Phenobarb twice a day, even the vet said those are high doses, but for now that might be what he needs to get the seizures back under control.... will keep you posted.

I hope Mariner is doing well, if I remember correctly, he had been seizure free for quite a while...great news! Hope all is well with all of you.