funny turn

julie m · Graduate

funny turn

Carol · Master

Julie,

I have never (thankfully) had to go through an experience quite like this. I just wanted to offer my support and sympathy. I have, however had to rush two of my dogs to the vet recently and it was a far from pleasant experience.

In my case though, I knew why my dogs were unwell...they had both suffered severe allergic reactions to stings.

It must be absolutely awful for you not knowing what is causing your poor Ruby to be unwell and although I understand how you must be missing her dreadfully, she is in the best place.

Please, please keep us posted with how she does and in the meantime our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

julie m · Graduate

Thankyou Carol, for your kind reply. I have heard from the vet this evening who says that Ruby is comfortable and relaxed. They game her an injection to treat for a seizure and have done tests for liver and kidney function.

From what the vet is saying, he seems to think it is epilepsy. I am so shocked, my baby is only 3 and a half. He is going to ring me again in the morning.

Many thanks for your kind comments.

Julie

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Julie, I do hope Ruby is OK, I've not had any personal experience with a hound with epilepsy but I figure if that is what she has then it's GOOD that the vet has been able to diagnose so quickly, as with the human form it can be treated and kept under control with medication.

I know you've had a bad day but she'll be in good hands with your vet, fingers crossed you get her back tomorrow, do let us all know!

Teresa · Enlightened One

hi julie, good luck with your baby, i know how i'd feel in your situation.

if it is epilepsy, at least you have caught it early and it can be treated to keep it under control.

lots of love to you and your baby from neil and tree, xxxxxx

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Julie

I don't have any personal experience of a dog with epilepsy but I know how you must be feeling and Carol is right. Ruby is in the best place at the moment. Hope she is diagnosed soon and that she can be treated easily! Hopefully she'll be home with you tomorrow! Please let us know how she's getting on.

Christine

FAJ · Enlightened One

Just wanted to add my good wishes for you, Julie. Like everyone says, it's good news that the vet seems to have everything under control. We'll all be thinking of wee Ruby and hoping she's back home safe and sound with you soon.

Fiona

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Like everyone else here, i have never had an experience of epilepsy with any of my dogs. I understand completely how upset you must be. But at least you know Ruby is being given the best treatment at the vet and she will be back home in no time.

We are all here if you just need to talk at anytime and also please keep us posted of Ruby's progress.

Siouxsie

BOWGANG · Master

Hi Julie

I just wanted to pass on my good wishes for Ruby. I'm sure you know deep down that she's in the right place and that the vet will do everything possible to make her comfy and also to diagnose the problem.It must be really hard for you but I'm sure she'll be back home soon for lots of cuddles.

Keep us posted as to how she gets on.

Shirley

Missy · Master

Likewise sorry I don't have any experience with epilepsy with dogs.

We hope that Ruby gets fixed up as soon as possible.

Keeping everything X'd for you.

Please let us know how she is doing.

Best Wishes
The Young Clan

julie m · Graduate

Dear Everyone,

Thanks for your wonderful support & comments. Ruby came home this afternoon. Vet says he's certain it's epilepsy and is treating it as such. She will need to be on medication for the rest of her time. He said that we could consider an MRI, CT scan and tests on fluid taken from her brain and spine, but that he would have to refer us to a specialist for that. It has been decided that at this stage that would be too traumatic and for Ruby and may even be to no effect.

Ruby does not like it at the vets. This time she bit someone, she gets very nervous and unsettles there. Away from the vets Ruby is the most loving dog you could wish to meet, and not at all nervous (fireworks - no problem). We are going to go with the medication for now, and have some emergency sedation should we need it.

We are back at the vets in a week to check on her progress. I will let you know how she is.

Tonight she is still a bit wobbly on her legs and very quiet (but was game enough to go to the window where she at least thought about her favourite passtime - chasing squirrells!). Hopefully over the next few days we will see some of the old Ruby return.

Many thanks again to evryone. xx

Carol · Master

Julie,

I have mixed feelings about your situation, as I am sure you do.

I am very happy that you have Ruby back at home with you and that her condition is treatable. However, I am sorry to hear that she has developed epilepsy at such a young age.

I think that you guys will be fine though, as you sound like just the sort of mum that Ruby needs. I am sure that you will do everything in your power to keep Ruby well and that she will flourish.

I have taught children with epilepsy, who are on anti-seizure drugs and, to be honest, they are absolutely no different from any child without the condition for the vast majority of the time. Regular medication really can control epilepsy so I am sure that, for the most part, you and Ruby (and the rest of your family) will be able to carry on as normal.

Keep your chins up and let us all know how you are doing.

Best wishes.

C

Teresa · Enlightened One

Julie

good luck with Ruby. it sounds tho her condition is manageable and let's hope she has many good years with you, xxx

Dave · Enlightened One

good luck Julie, thanks for letting us know...big hug for Ruby...

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Glad you have Ruby back home so quickly and that the medication is working. Keeps us posted. Give a hug to Ruby from us.

Siouxsie

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Julie

It's great that Ruby is back home with you and that you can keep her epilepsy under control using medication. It's reassuring to know that the vet is keeping an eye on her too.

I know two people who suffer epileptic fits and I only know this because they told me. I would never have known otherwise. They lead perfectly normal lives using their medication to keep them stable, so I'm sure it will be the same with dogs.

Good luck and big hugs to Ruby and you - please let us know how she's getting on.

Christine

Nicki · Big Cheese

Hi Julie, grwat to hear Ruby is back home with you. Thanks for letting us know how she is doing.

Big hugs to Ruby.

nicki and janie.x

emma · Guru

Hi Julie,

I am pleased to read that Ruby is back with you, I do hope that the fits get less over time with the right meds.

Kisses and licks Em, Tig and Chad XXX

Missy · Master

Glad to hear that Ruby is home and we all hope that the medication works for her.

Keep us posted.

Katrina

BOWGANG · Master

Hi Julie

Just want to echo what everyone else has said..good luck to both you and Ruby and I'm sure the medication will keep things under control.

Big hugs and sloppy kisses from Gambol,Keera and Jamie.

And big hugs from me too

Shirley

julie m · Graduate

yesterday was quiet for Ruby, a couple of 15 minute walks as recommended by the vet and lots of rest, good food & T.L.C. She seemed a bit wobbly but vet thought that would settle.

Today has not been so good. When she was in the garden doing her business this morning she seemed to lose her balance and so again. I went straight to her with a spoonful of honey, as instructed. She followed me in and I noticed blood on the carpet. I lifted her onto her couch, where she laid down and began to snooze.

I called the immediately, who said that he thought it was another fit. I told him that her leg appeared cut and that I had noticed a few scrapes on her when I got her home. I just put this down to her being difficult her the vet's staff to handle (she will bite them when she is stressed) and I know she had been in and out of the crate.

She had laid quietley on the couch for most of the morning. My mum came up. Ruby got up to greet her and I noticed she could not walk properly. She is dragging one of her back feet and this is making her very wobbly. I am waiting for the vet to come out and see her at home this afternoon, as that is better for Ruby.

I am in pieces at the moment. Needed mum for a bit of support. Know I have to keep calm for Ruby's sake, but I am not the best person for keeping calm in any emergency, but am trying my best.

Thanks to everyone for the messages of support, they are so caring and lovely to read. Just taking one moment at a time for now.

Julie

rebell · Old Hand

Julie,

Good luck with the vet visit, I hope he is able to make Ruby a bit more comfortable. I have only encountered one dog with epilepsy - a dalmation pup. When the pup fitted it was very similar to human fits I have seen - the pup was usually lying down and looked as if it was very shivery. After the fit passed, the pup seemed to recover quite quickly, there wasn't the 'hangover' that Ruby seems to experience with her balance. Hopefully your vet is still openminded about the diagnosis - I'm sure it will help to see her at home without all the stress.

Rosemary

Carol · Master

Julie,

my heart goes out to you. I'm not good very good at coping when something is wrong with one of my dogs and I find it extremely stressful and difficult to deal with so I understand exactly how you are feeling.

Try doing what I do in those situations...sit down and have a really good bubble: it really helps. Then, when you're finished, tell yourself that's all you're gonna cry, brush yourself down and get on with it. Usually when I've gone through a loo roll I feel that I can get on. lol

I'll keep my fingers crossed for your vet's visit and remember we're here if you need us.

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Julie

So sorry that Ruby has not had a good day. Hope everything works out for her after the vet has seen her under normal conditions at home.

I can understand how you must be feeling, but you're being very brave and it's good you've got your Mum's support!

Fingers crossed that all Ruby needs is an adjustment to her medication. Let us know what the vet says and how Ruby is.

Christine

Teresa · Enlightened One

Hi Julie

sorry to hear that ruby isn't so good today. good luck with the vet visit tho.

my old spaniel cross used to have fits and it was much more distressing for me than for her ! she was really woozy and wobbly for a few hours afterwards, but seemed to recover ok after a while and didn't seem to remember she'd had a turn.

do keep us posted on how ruby is doing

thinking of you

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Julie,

Thinking of you and Ruby.

emma · Guru

Oh Julie,

How awful for you and poor Ruby, I am glad that you are getting some support from your Mum.Mum's are great at these times arn't they? I am keeping my fingers crossed that the vet can juggle with her medication and gain more control over the fits and recovery time.

Please keep us all posted on Ruby's progress and as for you I agree with Carol (let it all out) you'll feel better after a good howl.

Hugs to you both Em, Tig and Chad XX

julie m · Graduate

Continuing thanks to everyone for all the marvellous messages of support. Today, so far, has been better. Some strength and co-ordination improvement in the back legs. She went a bit loopy (as she always does) when she saw a squirrell in the back garden, through the patio windows. I, needless to say, nearly went loopy with panic myself. I'm on edge the whole time.

The vet checked her over yesterday and said that her legs seemed ok. She is still wobbly and seems to keep tripping. He thinks this could be either as a result of the medication or still recovering from the fit. Either way, time will tell. We will have a better picture of how she's doing in 7 to 10 days time. Just taking one day at a time at the moment.

Love, Juliexx

Nicki · Big Cheese

glad to hear things seem a bit brighter today. One day at a time, little steps lead to big uns.

thinking of you. big hugs to Ruby

nicki and wee janie.x

Dawn · Guru

Hi Julie

I have been reading your postings with interest, as my beloved Greyhound Kaz, suffered in the later stages of his life from fitting and strokes which was very distressing. I was reassured at the time of the fit Kaz wouldn't actually be aware of what was happening and the dog would only be 'confused' afterwards. Despite Kaz being on medication to control the fits, he like Ruby, had a bit of trouble with his hind legs, balance and walking afterwards. I arranged for Kaz to have a couple of Reiki sessions and, believer or not, (I was very sceptical but desperate to try anything), the change was remarkable. The day after his reiki session Kaz jumped down 3 steps and landed about 3-4 feet into the garden for a runaround, even the vet was surprised at the progress Kaz made. I thought the vet would tell me it was down to the medication, but in fact he said that sometimes alternative medicines can have exceptionally good results, and told me to continue with it.

There are quite a few places now offering alternative treatment for dogs, so it may be worth getting Ruby a Reiki session to assist in her progress. Kaz loved his Reiki, he was so relaxed he fell asleep!!

Hope this helps, thinking of you both.

Dawn, Mac, Presley, Den and the little one

-- Edited by Dawn at 20:38, 2005-11-04