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.

[Susan Heid]

Thanks - he really isn't eating today, but there is always tomorrow! 

[Susan Heid]

We actually spoke with the EVO people and will be trying the weight management version, the kibble in the salmon/herring is too small for our dog, he is having trouble eating it.  They had the red meat or turkey formula in larger kibble, but we wanted to try to stay away from potato too - so the weight formula is actually higher protein 52%, just less fat.  Hopefully this will be a good alternative.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, that's the size. It makes more sense for the kibble to be small, because small dogs have trouble with big kibble, but a big dog shouldn't have trouble with small kibble, lol. I think he may get used to the size if he has a little time to adjust, most dogs don't really chew the kibble anyway.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Susan -

How is he doing?

[Susan Heid]

No seizures since late Sunday, finally recovering a bit.  Vet did not need to see him when we talked, as he was drinking, so we just needed to keep him calm so he could rest and come back to normal.  He was very disorientated and whiny but that seems to have passed - now is back to sitting and taking other commands that he knows.  We've tried the EVO salmon/herring food, he hasn't really eaten much yet - I think the  kibble is much too small for him - he is 80lbs, so we are considering other options to add protein if we cannot find a food with bigger kibble.

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Have you considered making your own dog food? Jasper is on raw grain free diet of Kangaroo mince (Australia) and processed vegetables for over 2 years now and never had any gut or stomach problems since we did the change from dry kibble.

[Amanda and Quinn]

Just checking in, Susan... how is Riley doing?

[Susan Heid]

Sorry, I've been not good about checking in.  Well......we are on a new food EVO weight management - is  a high protein and we had to add in some lamb and rice due to diarrhea.  The seizures did change, he went for a bit without one and then started, but they were only one at a  time, not clusters like before.  This went on for a few weeks and then last week we were 10 seizures in 6 days - bummer.  Again, my husband feels that his quality of life is not good, but I will still fight!  :-)

We have decided to wean him off all his med's - slowly with the advice of his neurologist - we are just not sure they are actually doing anything anyhow - and we are now adding in a mutli-vitamin to raise his magnesium and vitamin B levels.  Also, both our dogs love to eat popcorn with us as an evening snack at times, so we've decided NO popcorn to see if that in fact is a trigger we've never really considered.   Still experimenting and we will see!

[Susan Heid]

Wanted to update - Riley is off all anti-seizures meds - we tapered him off and also put him on the child multivitamin and have him on a combo food mix of EVO weight management and a lamb and rice food - he has had one seizure about 3 weeks ago - but that is the great news - he had one!  Only one!  Normally the seizures go in clusters of 6-11 at time, 4-6 hours apart.  We feel we are on the right track with it being a metabolic issue!  Hooray for perseverance! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good news! I hope he continues to do well! 

[Kirsy & Jasper]

Hi Susan, How is your Riley doing now 4 months down the track?

[Priscilla Massuli]

I am so sorry to hear this.  :(   We have a goldendoodle has has begun seizing - also a puppy.  I thought 6 - 7 hours apart was tough.  I can't even imagine what your baby endured and how horrific it was to watch it happen.  I'm so sorry...