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]

Thanks. yes it has been a really hard week. And I haven't even discussed here the issues with my neighbour downstairs and argument I hd with my friend who's house I was at when Winston had his episode and all she was concerned about was her stupid couch not getting soiled.

He is sleeping like a baby right now as we just got back from the park. I'm taking this opportunity to dig into a bottle of wine with my favourite cousin. That should take some of the edge off.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Did you ask your vet about the thyroid med dosage?

I'm glad he's feeling better and at least is getting some help to feel more comfortable.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Good call, Karen. Especially since he didn't have thyroid meds yesterday due to their overdose. hmmm?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think he did get a dose in the AM anyway.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Actually, since his T4 level was 21, and the normal range is 13-53, she said if anything he would need it to be a bit higher, but we won't go there right now. I wasn't sure what else to ask her about the thyroid. Maybe I could run the test again but I'm so not sure that will make a difference.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Given that level I seriously doubt his thyroid is the issue causing these episodes.

[Bonnie and Kona]

True. That would have been easy. Wishing things could be easy for you and Winston.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Me too.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It sounds like the specialists are a good idea. I seriously doubt the itchy to the point of crazy though. I think partial seizures may be the best bet. That would be treatable. Sorry this is all so hard for you and taht the specialists are far away.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

So glad to hear he is calm and there are no further episodes. Hopefully it will stay that way until you have a diagnosis and treatment plan. Good luck and thanks for the update.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am glad he is calm. I pray for answers that lead to a simple solution... Hopefully they will have answers soon. Sending love and hugs

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thank goodness he is calm but 4.5 hours to get to a specialist, that will be some journey. Perhaps you could get a friend to go with you?  I'm hoping for answers with simple solutions very soon.  For now though do take care of yourself.