Seizures In Doodles

[Marsha Wood]

Our precious little Pearl, began having seizures about 2 1/2 months ago at 8 months of age. The first one was ferocious. We have been through cancers, hip replacements, knee replacements, bone cancer surgeries...none of those can compare with what we have witnessed with h Pearl. Our golden, Lilly, lays beside Pearl prostrate, during these episodes. Her first one was the worst, timing out at just under 5 minutes. We have the best vet in the world and also took her to have a complete neurological workup with a specialist...MRI, CT Scan, blood work, organ function, toxicology, lead levels, etc...you name it, she's had it. She seems to be stabilized - finally-- with her therapeutic level of phenobarbital. We have been seizure free for about a month, although we still walk on eggshells. I worry about administering Heartguard and Frontline, not sure if there will be a reaction between the drugs. Pearl is an F1, with no history of seizures in either parent. The end result in all this was essentially epilepsy. Anyone else experienced this with their goldendoodle? Thanks for listening.

[Beth and Gang]

My Black lab, JennAFurr, had a seizure disorder. The cause was never diagnosed, even after much testing. It is hard to nail down the cause. JennAFurr took her pheno 2 times a day, and lived to be 13 yrs old. She was an active, happy go lucky dog throughout her life.
Watching your dog have a seizure is horrible, you are helpless and frightened and you just want it to END.After it is over, Jenna would lick our hands, belly crawl and act like she did soemtning bad, probably because we were so distraught during the first few. Once she was on pheno 2 times a day, her seizures ended. When our vet recommended we cut back to 1 a day and see how she did, she salivated profusely, we went back to 2 a day and it worked for her right until the end.
I do remember the vet said a full moon can sometimes affect an epileptic dog, and cause more frequent seizures. We never noticed this.
Once it is under control, your sweet doodle will be the same pet you have always known and loved.
Hang in there and know that this can and will be controlled. Give your Precious Peral and extra hug from me.

[Marsha Wood]

Thanks so much for your response....it certainly is reassuring to hear about dogs that are living happily ever after....there's not a thing we won't do for Pearl.....this really helps!!!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I feel for you in this terrible situation. I hope Pearl will be OK and there will be no more seizures.

I am just curious if you have used the Frontline previously especially around the time of the seizure. That is one of the side effects of some of the spot-on treatments in certain dogs. Has the vet made that connection at all? Do they know why she is having them?

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Sorry to hear this is happening with Pearl. My doodles have never experienced this, but my brothers German Shepherd did. This is a horrible thing to watch and you feel so defenseless, and it does sound rather funny but my brothers Vet told them the same thing as Beth commented on. When there is a full moon for some reason the earth shift's and it actually affects dogs and causes seizures in them. Also a myth about seizures is to hold on to the tounge so they do not swallow it, be very carefull to never get near a dogs mouth when it's seizing, they can remove fingers when the jaws clamp down. Some flea and tick meds can also trigger seizures, and always best to check with your Vet, you may also want to contact the companies who produce these products. My brother did and found out it was better for him not to use these products because of the types of seizure his dog was having. Please keep us updated on Pearl ...prayers for you and your precious doodle Pearl. .

[Jeanette]

So very sorry to hear this! She has a great Mom!

[2SCdoodles]

I am so sorry to hear this. What a lucky little dog Pearl is to have a family that cares as much as you!

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

Hi Marsha, I have had this experience with a Giant Schnauzer rescue & a mini poodle rescue. The poodle recovered. I treated her wi pheno for abt 6 months & they stopped. She' was trained as a hearing dog. The parents have had her for 4 years & said she has never had another seizure.The GS was my service dog. He had 20 min of rage after the siezure. You can't have a 90# dog raging. someone was going to get hurt. I couldn't take him. I couldn't leave him. I had to put him down. It was devastating. The necropsy showed no brain tumor. The diagnosis was idiopathic epilepsy which means the idiots didn't know what else to call it (jmho LOL). I have it all documented on videotape. My heart goes out to you. This is one of the most horrible conditions. Its unpredictable, its messy bcs they usually lose control of urine & bowels. One thing I learned that you may find useful: You can carry a syringe, filled with valium, I think. Attach a rubber tube. Insert it rectally during or before a siezure. You may be able to predict a siezure by watching the behavior of your other dog. You may be able to train her as a siezure alert dog. Watch her carefully & document her behavior. Instead of focusing on your dog siezing, focus on your other dog & document all behaviors & reinforce her - good dog - treat if possible. When you see a pattern, forming, you may be able to predict a siezure and treat before the siezure. I also suggest you keep a camcorder available & video the behavior of you non siezing dog during a siezure & any time you think you might see signs of an impending siezure. Good luck & pls keep me posted.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

My flea regimine I do not use spot ons anymore


6/2/09 Still no fleas. Flea regimine still working No capstar not spot ons . Thinking I should start Program, but nothing has happened so maybe not.
5/3/09 Still no fleas Not using program or capstar. Flea regimine still working.
My Flea regimine still working. I am thinking I might start program soon but no fleas so far.

1/21/09 85 degrees outside. Still no fleas. Not using program or capstar. Flea regimine still working.
My Flea regimine still working 9/20/08

My Flea Regimine Still working 6/19/08

Added apr 21 08
Wash dogs in Dawn detergent
Mix Dawn ½ & ½ Put on DRY dog. Leave on dog 10 minutes. The Dawn removes the greasy skin on the flea which kills it. After 10 minutes rinse dog.
Use conditioner. I like VO5. Slather on. Brush the conditioner in with a slicker brush while wet on dog. Let stay 10 minutes. This helps prevent mats. Rinse dog.

I put nematodes in the lawn in 07. Expensive but seems effective.

It is May 08 100 degrees outside. I have not used anything but garlic & yeast on their food. So far no fleas. I do have the Capstar at hand & ready to go but haven’t needed it so far. Also haven’t used Program. Haven’t needed Dawn.

July 15, 2007 Frontline Plus once a month. Doesn’t seem to be working well lately . the fleas seem to have become immune to it. I alternate it with bio spot or Adams (same stuff) None of them seem to work better or worse.
I now use Program, a once a month pill. This is birth control for the fleas so although they may get on the dogs, they don’t reproduce.
If I have a flea outbreak, I use CapStar. It can be bought without a RX but I forget where. I got it online. It kills the fleas in ½ hour but with the program, which sterilizes the fleas, it seems to last about 5 days & can be repeated with no ill effects. At least no one died yet.
I flea bomb the house & wash all bedding 14 days apart
I sprayed the lawn, then bought nematodes, trememdously expensive. I don’t know what actually works because I’m doing so many things. Apr 21 /08 Apr 21/08 I think the nematodes are working as I haven't had bad flea problems since I put it on the lawn. I think its about 2 years.

I feed minced garlic & Nutritional yeast on the dogs food daily.
I check for fleas on each dog daily. If there is one flea on one dog, they all get a capstar.
Hartz oatmeal flea shampoo also works for a quick fix

Capstar pill immediate kill but only good for 1 day. I actually found it worked for 5 days. Two days less than Frontline, biospot & Adams

Plan Give Capstar to everyone same day bomb house & spray lawn. Spray bed wi natural stuff.

Hi Sues, I'm thinking advantix this year bcs since we haven't had heartwork problem in socal in the past, I haven't been doing heartworm stuff. My vet says that heartworm will only become a problem if they get bitten by a misquito that has bitten a dog wi heartworm. Since we now have so many rescues here from the gulf, this could now become a problem. Advantix seems to be the only one that advertises that it protects against misquitos. So is it? Does it? Also, Frontline doesn't dissapear when you wash the dog. Advantage does. what about advantix? Also, Karma, my white poodle seems to have become immune to frontline. I used biospot last year. But I remember hearing some bad things about biospot but I don't remember what. She is now pregnant and I'm afraid to use anything. I'd love to hear his answers if you get to ask any or all those questions. Puppy love from Joy & furry folk

http://www.fleaaway.com/frequentlyaskedquestions.htm Flea away

It's petshed.com heart guard regular & generic. No rx needed. Frontline cheaper. From Australia. Shipping $6 comes in a week.


Foster Smith Mega tablets.. (think there's garlic in them, too) And if you don't believe they work to repel fleas... there still a great supplement good for skin hair etc (vitamin B's) Good luck Barb!!!

https://www.fleatreat.com/welcome.html


Home
Pet Web Library
The Flea Control Center
OTC & Black Market
Counterfeit Flea Products
1: Why Fleas Are Bad
2: Flea Biology
3: Modes of Treatment
4: Is Resistance Futile?
5: Additional Questions




We learned long ago that insecticide use represents a selection factor in a flea population. The resistant individuals survive and pass their genes on to offspring. Eventually a resistant population is produced. We would like to avoid creating a population of fleas who laugh at our best insecticides and there are two ways of doing this:

The first way to avoid resistance: Change products periodically.

This seems simple and even obvious. If you want to make a resistant population then keep exposing the population to the same insecticide and after enough generations your population will be resistant. If you switch to another insecticide, the group will be totally sensitive to the new insecticide. After a few more generations, change again.

Working against this method is the fact that advertisers encourage people to continue to use a product they like and this is, in fact, what people tend to do. The power of marketing is strong though, technically, it is better in the long run if a household alternates between two flea products each year.

The second way to avoid resistance: Use a flea sterilizer.

A group of fleas that survives exposure to Frontline® or Advantage® cannot pass on their resistance genes if they have been sterilized by a second product. Program® interferes with the production of chitin (the hard material making up the insect exoskeleton). The adult flea has already made its chitin but its off-spring need to develop a chitin egg-tooth to escape their eggs after development into larvae. A larva whose mother has had a big drink of lufenuron-laden blood will not be able to hatch.

Another such sterilizer is Methoprene (the “plus” in FrontlinePlus®). Methoprene was developed as an additive to flea sprays and foggers. It is totally non-toxic (it does not even kill fleas) and represents a group of insect control agents called “insect growth regulators” or “juvenoids.” Methoprene mimics a youth hormone of the flea so that larvae who consume it in flea dirt cannot mature and eggs laid by female fleas who have been topically treated with it cannot develop. Twenty years ago, this compound was a miracle in flea control. It enabled the life cycle to be broken in two places for the first time. Now methoprene is rather “old hat” but it has been included in Frontline to prevent Frontline resistance.

Resistance is an important phenomenon and it should not be ignored. Our clients may inadvertantly be promoting resistance without realizing it.

Listen for this clue:

* At first the product worked really well but now I have to apply it again after 2-3 weeks. It doesn’t last the whole month anymore.

When someone starts to use the product more frequently in this way, they are increasing the selection pressure and creating resistance more rapidly. What they should do in this situation instead, is add a sterilizer or change to another product.

In conclusion, fleas are here to stay one way or the other. Know as much about this pest as you do about the dogs and cats that it feeds upon. You cannot know too much when it comes to flea control.

Last updated: August 31, 2002

Shampoo Away Fleas FAST
with NO Pesticides!!!!!!

BELIEVE it or not!
Home YES! I admit it! I use Dawn dish soap (the non-ultra kind) to kill fleas in my shop. ANY shampoo diluted with a little bit of water and applied to a DRY DOG will kill fleas! Dawn just works FASTER and BETTER because it is a strong degreaser. I started using this technique after a shampoo manufacturer that makes no flea shampoo told me that it would work. He didn't say use Dawn, he said use ANY SHAMPOO, but an older groomer friend of mine said it worked, so I tried it. I had been dipping and was getting concerned having seen poisoning by dips occur in cats and dogs. I wanted to prevent it from happening to ME. So this was the solution for me. I have not dipped or used a pesticide other than Di-Limonene in over 6 years. Now I do not even use Di-Limonene. I don't have to! AND I am NEVER Out of flea shampoo!
OK, hold on..... here is why it works.
Fleas have this ability to survive underwater. I have been told they emit a greasy barrier around their bodies forming a bubble to protect them from water and it holds oxygen in. By dissolving the grease bubble you allow water to get to the flea and they drown. Fleas are also very soft bodied. They DO have an exoskeleton that allows them protection, but soaps dissolve this and then they cannot breathe.
The way to use this product (or any other shampoo you choose) is SIMPLE! Take a bottle (I usually use an old dish soap bottle) and mix 50% water with 50% shampoo. Then, starting with the head of the animal, apply this mixture to the pet in a line that goes down the back of the pet. Then using your sprayer, add JUST enough water to get the shampoo to lather a little bit and spread around the pet. It does not take much shampoo to do this! Add more water and shampoo as needed to apply this solution thoroughly to the dog or cat. Allow it to sit for a minute or two, as many as 5 on heavily infested animals, and then rinse. I use my recirculating washer to rinse with as it also bathes the pet for me using the existing shampoo, which cuts down on water consumption, shampoo usage and time. I simply put fresh water in the tub while the pet is sitting and rinse it using the system after it has sat the required amount of time. This reduces the need for rinsing, washing and then rinsing again. I then rinse and using a soothing shampoo rebathe the dog to ensure that all the soap is removed and the skin is treated to prevent itching. Conditioner can be applied afterward if needed, but rarely if ever do I have to add this after I am finished.
DO NOT WET THE ANIMAL FIRST! If you do, the fleas will react by creating that grease bubble we talked about earlier and you will be fighting a harder to kill flea than if you never give them a chance to do that!
As this technique is highly effective, I never use pesticides in my shop. I do keep Capstar on hand and dogs that are HIGHLY infested get a Capstar when they arrive or as the go into the tub just to be sure all the fleas are dead upon the pets departure from my shop. I also always make sure I notify the owners f their pets condition and what we did to help them with the problem, as well as suggesting they do their part at home.

Advertising this non-pesticide approach to pest control can be of HUGE benefit to you in your salon. By showing that you care enough not to poison the animals and the environment and yet care enough to help eliminate the problem, you gain a market share of the client base that CARES how their pates are treated and wants a safe effective way to treat their animals. You don't have to share the secret of Dawn or the fact that all shampoos will kill fleas if applied to a dry pet, simply say, "We use NO DANGEROUS CHEMICALS to kill fleas." I tell people who want to know how it works, but most don't care as long as it does.
Holly F and Fs mom
Be careful, the Dawn may dry out thier skin
Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:21PM
65.244.105.130

Hi,

We use Dawn at the grooming shop if a dog gets skunked. It is pretty potent.

My fear would be that it could dry out their skin if you use it too often. I'm not sure I would use it more than every 6 - 8 weeks on a Doodle.

Also, make sure the fleas are dead. Something weird happens when fleas get wet - it is like they get paralysed.


Good Luck,
Holly

Foser Smith Mega tablets.. (think there's garlic in them, too) And if you don't believe they work to repel fleas... there still a great supplement good for skin hair etc (vitamin B's) Good luck Barb!!!

www.earth.google.com
Soogee (Sue G.) and Doc
I get my Frontline Plus from Australia...
Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:49PM
67.87.75.15

but you don't need a prescription to order from them. I found them to be the lowest on the internet...vetshoponline.com my heartguard I get from entirelypets.com also the cheapest I've found. I've been using them for years. I would hesitate to use the stores own generic medication. It might be fine....but sometimes the added ingrediants are not the same

Michele & Fur friends
repellant recipe
Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:27AM
72.2.76.112

Full strength essential oils:
Lavender, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Sage, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Sweet Orange, Eucalyptus, Citronella, Pine Needle.

Mix equal parts of all oils (Use colored dark blue or amber glass bottle). I got an amber bottle with an eye-dropper top from the phamisist. Use some this oil mixture to make the spray as follows and store the rest in a cool dark place to make more spray as needed.

In a 4 oz. spray bottle...I add 2 full droppers (between 1/4 to 1/2 tsp) of repellent oil mix and fill the rest of the way with water. Shake WELL before using.
Spray on the dog, yourself, bedding, carpet, ect.
Repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

shanmcd
mozzies!
Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:38PM
71.32.58.78

we had loads of mosquitos where we used to live, here are some things i would do for the lab...

1. peppermint essential oil
2. skin so soft (makes his coat shiny...but maybe not so good for doodles)
2. in a pinch GIN!!!! just splash some on the doos and rub all over...moizzies hate it

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

There is a whole discussion in the Doodles with Special Needs Group

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlewithdisabilities/forum/topi...

We have a doodle (Mariner) with a seizure disorder caused by head trauma when he was 7-8 weeks old. We also use Frontline Plus and Heartguard and it does not seem to have any effects on his condition. Mariner is also on phenbarb.

Please ask your vet for what to do if Pearl has a seizure.

If you read the above thread it will give you a lot of information. I have done a lot of research on seizures in dogs. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. One other thing remember to have Pearl's liver functions checked every 6 months or so.

Note that I do not use the term epilepsy as all that it means is seizure disorder.

I now it is difficult to watch the seizure.

Also, if you did not already notify the breeder, please do.

Andy

[Janie]

Poor Pearl! I am so sorry you all have to go through this.

[LG & Sadie]

I am new to Doodlekisses and did a search to see if anyone had posted regarding seizures. Sadie my Goldendoodle began having seizures this past Fall at age 2 1/2....following MRI, CT Scan etc. she was also started on phenobarbitol and now has a therapeutic blood level. Aside from the voracious appetite and thirst she tolerates the medicine well-but I share your fears regarding adding other medicines.....and I worry about her ever seizing again because her last seizure neared the 9 minute mark. It was truly horrible! Thanks for reading~

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

There is a whole discussion in the Doodles with Special Needs Group and other discussions in the Health and Medical Issues Group.

Many of us are knowledgable on this subject.