Fits

Dawn · Guru

RE: Fits

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

That's good news Katrina. hugs to Missy.

Isla · Enlightened One

That must be a huge relief - great news. Give Missy a big pat from the Dunoon contingent. smile

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Great news, Katrina! So glad Missy is responding to her medication. Let's hope she doesn't have any more episodes.

Christine

emma · Guru

Katrina,
Just caught up with this post on Missy's fits. Just wanted to send you good wishes and hope she responds successfully to the medication. How terrifying for you and the worry of her hurting herself whilst fitting.
Hope all is well now
Em and Chad xx

Missy · Master

Here is an update on Missy.
Missy has responded reasonably well to the medication however, the meds were doubled as she still continues to have seizures.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning (18th July) Missy started prancing and this continued for 2.5hrs. We fed her some titbits of junk...i.e. waffles, cake and a few other bits as she was showing signs of being a bit hungry but refused dog food. Within 5 mins of feeding her this junk she returned to her normal self. Later the same day the same thing happened with the prancing so again we fed her junk (sweet stuff) and again she recovered quickly.

Missy was at the vets yesterday 19th July and mentioned what had happened and how she recovered quickly. So more blood tests to test the drug level, sugar level and insulin level were taken.

This morning whilst she was eating her breakfast at 8am Missy headed to a corner and stood dead still.. I called her .. no response - she had started another seizure. I grabbed her collar and wedged her bum to ensure if she was going down that she would go down safely. Thankfully she didn't go down and came round quite quick but this time we had no warning of the seizure and after it she started the prancing. I grabbed the white chocolate bars and started feeding it to her and yet again she came back very quickly.

The diagnosis is heading in the direction of Low Blood Sugar Levels which in some respects is good news and really bad in another.

Bad News is it could be an insulinoma which is a tumour on the pancreas.

We are still awaiting the blood results but here is an interesting article on her possible cause of the seizures.

http://www.bobmckee.com/Client%20Info/Neoplasia/Insulinomas.html

Nothing we can do now until the blood insulin results come back.

Katrina

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Katrina, sorry to hear about the latest complication. I will keep my fingers crossed the news is good after the tests.
Marie

Missy · Master

Can anyone recommend a complete dog food that is high in protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates and low in simple sugars.

Alternatively I can make homemade foods for her as I do not want to keep fixing the problem with the white chocolate it would be better to control thru her diet.

Isla · Enlightened One

We'll be keeping our fingers and paws crossed for her results.

Jax · Master

I thought Missy looked familiar, we met you at the vet on thursday, I was there with Sally and her broken toe. Missy's such a gorgeous girl. Fingers and paws crossed for the test results.

Jax

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

Katrina, Sorry to hear about wee Missy - so worrying for you

Fingers crossed that the vets can find something to help her once the results are back.

Thinking of you.

Missy · Master

Here is the latest update.

Missy required emergency treatment on Thursday night due to hypoglycemia and required glucose injections after refusing to eat all day and then taking further seizures mid evening.
Friday morning again two further seizures and a rush trip to the vets.

The vets referred her to the UofG Vet School and we rushed her across yesterday afternoon.

She had a good night without further seizures and the staff there keeping a close eye on her and taking blood samples and tests to try and find out what the problem is.

She is being starved until midnight tonight to see if the low blood sugars are triggering the seizures or not.

It has been found that her medicine levels in her blood are too low to be of benefit with regard to the seizures so her does has been increased and she has been on a drip to boost the drug levels.

So far so good. If she fits tonight or early hours she will be kept in until Monday if she doesn't fit then she may be allowed to come home.

We are keeping our fingers crossed and praying she is just struggling with the drugs rather than the insulinoma.

The vet called this morning and told us that she had a good night and that she ate well which is good as we have been struggling to get food into her...she's even refused human food.
Was told also that she looked brighter and alert which is also good because we have not seen her like that for a long time.

We have been devastated by the turn of events but do know that she is in the best place even though its 30miles away from home. She will get the best treatment and hopefully the best diagnosis. Hopefully the increase in the drugs will help her.

The waiting to hear is the hardest part of this..... we will keep you posted as to whats happening.

Katrina

Isla · Enlightened One

Poor wee soul. What a time she's having. cry

Here's hoping they get to the bottom of it soon.

We'll be thinking of you all - especially Missy. smile

tandemsandy · Master

Oh poor missy hope it is good news for you all very soon

Missy · Master

We were allowed to bring Missy home today.
The extensive testing that was done still points to epilepsy which is very good news. As she never fitted while there even after being starved for 18hrs, we will need to keep an eye on them and if she does fit we will need to get her to the vet asap for blood tests on the glucose levels.
Her medication levels in the blood was extremely low and basically of no benefit to her so she has had the drug pumped into her to raise the levels quickly. So at the moment everything is looking good. When I picked her up I was completely ignored and she went to my sister and kids before I got a nose stuffed up my butt ! I think she has now forgiven me and has finally settled back into home life by installing herself on the sofa. She is absolutely shattered by all that has gone on but at least she has come home and is eating dog food again. Hopefully after a long sleep tonight she will be almost back to normal tomorrow.

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

Fingers crossed Missy is feeling better today, what an ordeal for you all.
Marie

Isla · Enlightened One

Here's hoping. Will keep thinking positive thoughts for you all. smile

tandemsandy · Master

great news missy is home hope she keeps well now and you all get a chance to settle back to a normal routine. Thinking of you all

Missy · Master

Well, today Missy was being very fussy with her food this morning but I've been tough with her and she has had no titbits at all ! The only food on offer was dog food with sardines in!

She eventually ate her breakfast and was far better with her dinner tonight.

She is definitely a different dog to the one we had last week. She is bright eyed, not sleeping all day long and is playful so she must be feeling better.

I think she has forgiven me now but it did take a day for her to get out of her mood with me.

Keeping fingers crossed the medication levels are now right for her and that she continues to make good progress.

Still no seizures!

Missy · Master

I'd like to thank you all for all your kind comments, support and prayers for Missy. You have all been a great support.

Thank you.
Katrina

Indiana · Guru

Really pleased Missy is getting better - it's always a relief when they are back to their playful ways x

Missy · Master

Ah ! we all spoke too soon!!

Missy started coughing on Saturday 11th August. Looks like she has brought a lovely pressie home....

Kennel Cough !

So more tablets on their way tomorrow in the form of antibiotics ! and now also the potential of antibiotics for all the other three dogs too !!

Anyone got a money tree I can borrow ?

The bill is mounting.... close to £1000 now ahhhhhh!

Its not about the money tho.... I'd probably sell my soul to help her! Just didn't need all this on top of everything!

Anji · Old Hand

Thought i would pop my head in and say fingers crossed Missy improves, what a gorgeous gentle girl she is.

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Really hope Missy is over the worst now once she's got over the annoying Kennel Cough! Fingers crossed she's better soon.

Christine

max · Enlightened One

All the very best wishes for Missy and hope the kennel cough gets sorted out with the anti-biotics. Keep us posted and even if we can not help financialy we can send healing thoughts.

Nora

Santas Little Helper · Master

Poor Missy (and your poor purse!) hope she makes a speedy recovery from the kennel cough and that she's seen the last of the seizures.

Missy · Master

Finally the vet will be sending off the pet insurance stuff so hopefully my pockets will be relined with funds soon.

Missy is doing well... and certainly she has found her hunger again and so the dog food is going quicking down her neck for a change.

She got her antibiotics this evening and have started them right away. Poor girl is having a really bad time of it lately. Full of hugs and kisses for me now so have clearly been forgiven for the weekend in Glasgow ! She also got more bloods taken to check the Phenobarb levels. Hopefully the level is keeping higher.

Benylin seems to help the tickly throat so fingers x'd she recovers quickly... I do hope the other 3 dogs don't pick up the kennel cough.

Sleeping downstairs with Missy for now so that at least most of us can have a good nights sleep.

Thank you all for your really kind comments.

tootsmazza · Enlightened One

What a time you are both having. Hugs to Missy, I hope her cough gets better soon.
Marie

Nicki · Big Cheese

Love and hugs to Missy

You are both in my thoughts.

Nicki and wee janie.x

julie m · Graduate

Missy wrote:
Missy took a fit tonight at 7pm........ 1st and last I HOPE.

I honestly thought we were going to lose her because she stopped breathing. She did manage to gash me with a claw and bash her eyebrow but both of these are unimportant. So I was wondering IF you can suggest some essential reading on dogs who have fits and how to deal with them.

I rang the vet as soon as Missy became more aware of her surroundings. He did give me some excellent information but I must admit I was keeping an eye on Missy while having the conversation.

Its been two hours since she fitted and we managed to get her to settle and go to sleep for an hour... tip toeing around the house..... she is far more relaxed now and is currently roaching on the sofa getting loads of TLC from my daughter.

She is 97% back with us now thank goodness

Regards
Katrina

I have just read your story. I hope Missy is still doing well. My dog Ruby has been diagnosed as epileptic. Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional roller coaster this sent me on. I found sharing with people on this site to be so supportive. My entry was in October 2005 "funny turn". Touch wood, Ruby has been fine since. She is still on medication, but has been without a fit for about 2 years now. I also feed her more frequently (now 3 times a day, instead of twice, and treats), she doesn't complain. Ruby was soon back to her old self and has been fine ever since. I really hope things have worked out the same for you.