47 replies to this topic

[ashleyoverdrive]

So I got home from work this evening and went to Whole Foods with my little sister, when my mom called. She was mid-sentence when she yelled that my dog was having a seizure and hung up. Over the course of a few hours, he had a cluster of seizures.


He started having seizures in April 2010 when he was hit by a car and miraculously walked away only with a scratch on his head. His first seizure was when he was immediately taken to the vet's office after the accident, we figured it was out of fear/stress/anxiety. He's had a couple more over the years, with a few months in between each of them, but they've been becoming more frequent and progressing into worse and worse seizures. Tonight I think he had three over the course of four hours. He's currently in the vet's office for the night for observation. The worst part is we're starting him on medication, which we've been trying to put off as long as possible...the medication will cause him to be lethargic and slow and reserved and a total 180 from the happy, energetic, loving dog I've known for seven years. The main point is that he's alive and able to be treated [thank god for 24 hour emergency animal hospitals, I'll tell ya that much], but I'm very concerned about him and the personality transformation that he's about to undergo.

Thank you

[Tabbooma]

What is your dogs name?

[ashleyoverdrive]

Niner...he was the 9th puppy of the litter. We were gonna pick a different name but that was the breeder's nickname for him and it stuck.



Definitely not the kind of dog you'd picture to have such problems but he's my baby and I love him :3

[foo]

[Tabbooma]

Cool name, postive thoughts for Niner

[HappieKamper]

Hugs to you and Niner.

[ashleyoverdrive]

thank you all so much, we should be getting an update tomorrow morning!

[Kashmir]

Much love and healing vibes to Niner

[KrisNYG]

Cute pup! My pointer had mild epilepsy and a small dose of prednisone (rather than phenobarbital) did the trick, scary stuff when the have seizures. Keep your hands/face away from his mouth if he has one again as they can't control biting/locking.

[tyedyedee]

poor niner pup

hope they figure out how to make him happy and as symptom-free as possible, soon!

[nancykind]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ good vibes }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} for the pup!!

[tiedyesky]

[mountain mama]

(((niner and family)))

[Ravn]

OMG! English Springer! My Dad's favorite breed!

Niner

[shadeelady]

[Mama Kel]

[Lazy Lightning]

(((((puppy vibes)))))

[ashleyoverdrive]

OMG! English Springer! My Dad's favorite breed!

Niner

Such a wonderful breed. We have another female dog and they're actually family [aunt & nephew]. Besides the occasional dead bird on our doorstep, I love them so much!

Cute pup! My pointer had mild epilepsy and a small dose of prednisone (rather than phenobarbital) did the trick, scary stuff when the have seizures. Keep your hands/face away from his mouth if he has one again as they can't control biting/locking.

Yeah I think they're giving him phenobarbital :/ but hopefully whatever he's medicated with will stop the seizures. After he seizes, he gets very nervous and clingy, they reallyyyy drain all the energy out of him. But he's a fighter so hopefully we'll get the call by the afternoon saying we can come pick him up!

[TEO]

All best to Niner and family.

[scarfire]

what a nice looking dog, ashleyoverdrive!

get well soon niner.

[georgi]

Love and vibes to you and your doggie.

[Misha]

He's adorable! Feel better SOON ((((Niner))))

[Ravn]

he he,,,Salisu was a squirrel dog, lmao.

Dad had a bunch of tail-less squirrels in his backyard for a long time!

[August West]

((((((puppy love))))))

[Joker]

[jimbo02816]

My yellow labrador has occasional seizures and doesn't need meds yet but it's a frightening experience. Hoping for the best for you and keep the faith. Veterinary medicine is so advanced today I'll bet they find a solution. Peace...jimbol

[little frog]

swift healing vibes to niner .. and i hope they can remove the turkey from his head as well

[Mindbender]

(((((Niner & his peeps)))))

[china cat]

Update?

[ashleyoverdrive]

The vet just called my mom and this is what she emailed me:
"He is doing fine, alert and going out for periodic walks. He is due for his last dose of intravenous phenobarbital at noon. The doctor wants to continue to monitor him through the afternoon. We will pick him up this evening.

The phenobarbital will probably make him a bit more sedate until his body adjusts to the medication. Over time his liver will figure out how to more efficiently filter the drug, keeping it from entering the blood stream. He will need periodic blood tests to make sure the liver enzymes remain at safe levels."

She says that the vets are learning what an energetic dog he is [he just loves everyone...picture Dug from Up haha], and that his gradual adjustment to the medicine is very good news. My worst fear is his personality doing a total 180, but if his liver can adjust, then hopefully he will be back to his normal happy self in a matter of time.

swift healing vibes to niner .. and i hope they can remove the turkey from his head as well

The turkey has been successfully removed! My little sister likes to dress him up, she sent me this gem when I was at school....

[little frog]

The vet just called my mom and this is what she emailed me:
"He is doing fine, alert and going out for periodic walks. He is due for his last dose of intravenous phenobarbital at noon. The doctor wants to continue to monitor him through the afternoon. We will pick him up this evening.

The phenobarbital will probably make him a bit more sedate until his body adjusts to the medication. Over time his liver will figure out how to more efficiently filter the drug, keeping it from entering the blood stream. He will need periodic blood tests to make sure the liver enzymes remain at safe levels."

She says that the vets are learning what an energetic dog he is [he just loves everyone...picture Dug from Up haha], and that his gradual adjustment to the medicine is very good news. My worst fear is his personality doing a total 180, but if his liver can adjust, then hopefully he will be back to his normal happy self in a matter of time.



The turkey has been successfully removed! My little sister likes to dress him up, she sent me this gem when I was at school....

niner from the hood ..


dogs seem to bounce back as soon as they feel better. He's adorable

[ashleyoverdrive]

niner from the hood ..


dogs seem to bounce back as soon as they feel better. He's adorable

He's a thug, ya know~~

Thanks! Yeah whenever something like this happens, he's eager to get up & at 'em. My other dog has been such a trooper as well, she didn't leave his side until we left for the emergency vet's office.

[Smiles]

I'll pour a little out for niner tonight. He looks like a tough guy. I'm sure his love will shine right through the phenobarbital!

[Tim the Beek]

Yay for good news!

[ashleyoverdrive]

I'll pour a little out for niner tonight. He looks like a tough guy. I'm sure his love will shine right through the phenobarbital!

He's a very good protector of the house haha I'm excited to see him again!

[sarah b.]

Much love, and swift right-levels-finding to him. I saw my friends go through the same thing with their newborn. Less worry. If you know a holistic vet who does veterinary acupuncture, that mayhelp, but, seriously, meds isn't the end of the world. It beats the hell out of seizures. PS: my friends' girl is now 1 and a half, weaned off the pheno and into keppra, and we had a blast last week at phish. From personal experience, yeah, seizure disorders can be a pain in the ass, but just keep treating him like the dog you know and love. That's who he is. He just takes some meds. Oh, and keep him hydrated. Dehydration can trigger seizures.

[nancykind]

glad you got some better news

[ashleyoverdrive]

Guess who's back?!




He started on his phenobarbital and we're gonna bring him back for some check-ups over the next few weeks. He was whimpering a bit on the car ride home but he got out of the car and started running around [under our close watch] just fine - his back legs are a bit uncoordinated but he's just so excited. We're keeping an eye on him whenever he goes near the pool, since he LOVES to swim [it really calms him down to swim or take baths]. I kept my composure all the way until our other dog, the female/his aunt, came outside to greet him and I totally started crying like a baby, it was just so precious.

Thank you thank you THANK YOU for all your good vibes! Good to know there are so many fellow dog lovers among the VibeTribe, you're all the best Niner sends his slobbery kisses as well.

[tyedyedee]

yay, niner!

i love gleeful doggie kisses!

< has severe doggie cravings (someday!)

[Royal]

Ashley,

Natalie (My 17 year old cat) and I send loving comfort vibes to Niner and you

[Jwheelz]

so glad to hear your pup is on the mend Ashley!

[Ginger Snap]

[manzanita stark]

Good to hear Niner is doing better!

[little frog]

Good news!

[ashleyoverdrive]

Ashley,

Natalie (My 17 year old cat) and I send loving comfort vibes to Niner and you

Thank you [and thanks, Natalie!] I've always wondered how he would react around a cat, I've trained myself to stay away from them at all costs because my mom is allergic haha

yay, niner!

i love gleeful doggie kisses!

< has severe doggie cravings (someday!)

Oh man, you should see me while I'm at school. I have, on more than one occasion, asked my parents if we could skype just so I could see my dogs. Seriously. But yes he sends all of his love to everyone haha

[ashleyoverdrive]

and thanks again to everyone's good vibes <3456789+

[sarah b.]

He's such a cutie!

[Luvsdaizies]

glad to hear niner is feeling better today! see you at the crazy house!