Dog Training & Health

[clockrey]

My not spade puppy has had 8 episodes of unable to stand (wobbly head and legs), vomiting, paranoid behavior for 4 hours. Her first episode was at 10 weeks. Last night she had another. She has had 2 series of CBC's (normal). White count slightly elevated, the day before yesterday. My vet is stumped and sent me to Michigan State Vet. They are also stumped. They want to send her to a neurologist or liver biopsy or MRI or UltraSound. They say it's my decision. What should I do?

[DCF]

Sounds like a seizure to me. But you are taking the right steps by seeing a vet. It's not something that can be diagnosed on a discussion forum.

DFrost

[Lindsay]

The decision is yours to make. If it was my dog, I would at least see the neurologist for his opinion. Take a look at your finances and do what you can.

[99Balloons]

Maybe of assistance:

viewtopic.php?t=1855

[suebgone]

I agree go to the neurologist first. then if he wants the further testing done you are already with him. If you have them done before going to the specialist you may have them done for no reason.

the link that 99 posted is for financial help for emergencies.

[clockrey]

She is in another episode again this morning. My neurologist appointment isn't until next week. Thank you to everyone that posted. I felt so alone. I'm writing between tears, partly because she is sick again but mostly because all of you care enough to try to help. Thanks again.

[suebgone]

Wait a minute!!!

How old is this puppy now? How often is she fed a day? How late at nite is her last meal? Are these "episodes" commonly in the am?

Sorry I missed this the first time around.

This puppy should be getting at least 3 meals a day with a late nite snack. It could easily be nothing more than her glucose levels are dropping very low because she isn't eating often enough.

[clockrey]

She is 9 months old and has had a blood glucose test. She always has hard food available and I feed her soft 2-3 times per day. Her last attack was 2 nights ago. The last few attacks were as follows: Her tail is tucked and she vibrates and acts like she doesn't know us. She does not want to be in the same room with us. She does a blinking thing with her eyes too. We video taped the last episode to take to the neurologist. Thanks for any advise, I'll try to get down some vita-cal in her.

[clockrey]

She has urinated all over herself. I put some vita cal on her teeth because she will not open her mouth. I took her for a walk (did great, her tail came up but she kept looking left and right during the walk). The minute we came back, tail down again and shaking. The vets office is open now, gotta go.

[suebgone]

Everything you have described are seizure symptoms. Having a glucose test done means nothing if it is not done at the time she is having these episodes.

I will still bet if you make sure she eats at certain times - making sure she gets at least 3 meals a day & a late nite snack the problem will stop.

glucose levels go up & down with dogs the same way they do with people. Long times between meals = low glucose.

Let us know what the vet says

[clockrey]

We went to the Neurologist yesterday. We took a video and all her previous tests. The Neurologist said she was a very emotional dog. Her heart rate was low. He now wants to schedule an MRI, CT, spinal, and more, all for $3,900. This won't even fix her and if she needs surgery...

[suebgone]

Please at least try what I have suggested to you. At least 3 meals a day - not just food out for her. You have no way of knowing how much she is actually eating that way.

And then a late nite snack -- yogurt, bisquits, peanut butter, a scrambled egg. I'd be giving her some yogut during the day as well.

The dog is very "emotional"!!!!

[clockrey3]

She is in another attack. I fed her 4 times yesterday and tried to feed her at midnight to find her in an attack. It's 7:30am and she is still in it. She is shaking and tail tucked and terrified running away from us. She wants to be in the basement bathroom.

[clockrey3]

She seems to be on her way back to normal. She licked 2 spoonfuls of vanilla yogart. On the calendar, she is having them every 3 days now. I'm calling my vet again today to ask should I have an ultrasound to search for liver shunt problem like Michigan State says or should I have an MRI like the neurologist says. Either way I have to borrow the money. I just want her to stop having the spells.

[suebgone]

Did you check the financial aid link that 99 posted? Please let us know how its going. Have they not at least put her on phenobarb?