I mentioned in my last post that it had been a 'good week for the dogs.' That was mostly true. The one who really wasn't having such a good week was Bubba. You may recall that he's prone to having seizures. I've kept a journal of them, and since he came to us in June of 2010, he's been having them every 4 to 6 weeks. He would have 1-3 grand-mal seizures within a 24 hour period. The vet suggested starting him on medication for them. Not liking the effects they can have, I felt strongly that we should wait, but I knew that there would be a time when Bubba would have to be on them. The time has come. On Sunday he had one seizure, another on Monday, another Wednesday. On Friday he had 4 that we knew of. I took him to the vet after work on Friday, and I was given the prescription for Potassium
Bromide. It's often considered the first choice drug for any dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, and because it has no effect on the liver. Unfortunately the medication has to be 'compounded' and I won't be able to get it until Monday or Tuesday. Bubba is totally exhausted from the seizures and we're having difficulty getting him to stand. But he has a good appetite, and if we can all get our rest I think we'll be okay until then. Paws and fingers crossed.
Poor old guy. I do hope you can find a medication of some sort
ReplyDeleteOh dear, poor Bubba. I hope the new meds help him. S x
ReplyDeletePoor Bubba, I hope the medication has a positive effect when you can give it to him.
ReplyDeletexx
Sweet old thing. Here's hoping.
ReplyDeletePoor Bubba, sorry the seizures got worse, old fella. :( Maybe the compound will fix it right up...
ReplyDeletePoor Bubba we hope the seizures calm down with the meds. Hope you all can get rest . Slurps from Miggy
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweetheart he is and brave too! I have a good feeling that the Potassium will help a bunch and I will pray that he makes it though the weekend with no major seizures Kim.
ReplyDeleteThere is just something special about the old pups isn't there, and Bubba is very special guy! Lots of love is sent your way Bubba!
Tina xo
My Ollie is on medicine for seizures. He used to be on Potassium Bromide but kept constantly falling down the stairs because it made him so unbalanced. He also had a very hard time standing up. I made the vet take him off it. He's been on phenobarbitol for the past 3+ years with no issues. An occasional seizure here and there but not very often and his liver enzymes are stable. Good luck to Bubba! He looks great, by the way. I remember when he was on the AHGRRS website. Thanks for giving him and Toby a great home!
ReplyDeleteWoof! Woof! Sending Lots of Golden Thoughts to Bubba. Lots of Golden LOVE n Woofs, Sugar
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ReplyDeleteAdd my crossed fingers and those of my four feline friends.
ReplyDeleteI am a past owner of two special Goldens now gone to doggie heaven.
Thank you for all you do for wonderful animals.
He is so sweet! He's got the most expressive face he just makes me want to hug him. Poor guy (and you). I do hope the weekend goes better for him and that the meds help. Hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteKim, I was terrified when I thought Delilah was having seizures and would need medication. I contacted Dr. Landau (out of MA). While we were lucky that Delilah wasn't having seizures, he was helpful with getting to the bottom of the issues. All I'm saying is maybe a holistic vet would have a different option. Just throwing it out there, with the best of intentions.
ReplyDeleteoh, poor boy! that's got to be so hard on his system! hang in there, sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteI think Bubba will be OK till the meds arrive. All the 'love' and 'respect' around him will carry him along.
ReplyDeleteHe does look tired, poor guy. Sending good thoughts that the meds kick in and help him.
ReplyDeleteWith two dogs down I feel exhausted. I can't imagine how tired you must be with all your senior citizens needing help.
ReplyDeleteI hope the medication helps and without too much adjusting and readjusting the doses!! Ginger was on Pheno for years without any of the side effects. Melatonin helped too. Some of the other meds made her pretty unstable. Hugs to you both!
ReplyDeleteBubba is most definitely in my prayers! I bet both of you are exhausted. I hope the two of you make it through the weekend with minimal trauma and that the meds stop the seizures ASAP!
ReplyDeletesending big HUGS to you and to Bubba...
dearest bubba,
ReplyDeletehow they capture your heart even more when they're not well. there is such a difference in vets. i hope the potassium doesn't have such side effects like falling down. at least you know you have an option... with the pheno and melatonin!
love to you and bubba,
he's so huggable. big furry bear.
hang in there bubby,
tammy j
Kim,
ReplyDeleteYou must have the strongest heart in the world - I don't know how you do it.
xo
Lynn
Does Bubba have an existing liver issue? If not, phenobarbital is a very safe and effective treatment choice. There is some adjustment period, but after a few weeks one has a seizure free and active dog!
ReplyDeleteSending positive woofs and boofs for Bubba!
ReplyDeletePoor Bubba...big hug for both of you...love Ria...xxx....
ReplyDeletemy daughter has a Italian Greyhound that is having seizures.. Poor thing all one can do is hold on to them and talk softly to them.. she has medication for him now and the seizures has stopped for now..
ReplyDeleteOwning a dog sometimes can be challenging and tearful..
Hope Bubba gets his meds.
Have a tiggeriffic day~ ta ta for now from Iowa:)
Hang in there Bubba - relief is on its way!
ReplyDeletePoor guy,
ReplyDeletePraying the medication helps, he is in our thoughts.
Sheila & Bob
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that Bubba's seizures are coming more often. Hopefully the meds will work, and if not it sounds like from others comments that there are a few more options available. My cat, Noah (the big orange one) has had seizures since he was about three months old. The first week they were about every 3-4 hours. Then he went through a seizure free period (and still does on occasion), but for the most part he has one about once a week. They are pretty severe and if I'm around I try and 'contain' him--usually with a towel or blanket so he doesn't bash around so badly. Can't hold him though, since the claws and teeth are not 'responsible'. He has fallen off cat trees, the bed etc.. and my biggest fear is he will be badly hurt. However...for the moment the decision is to not have him on meds and not restrict him. From what I've been told the meds will make him very sleepy and I refuse to curtail his life by confining him in a 'safe' spot (he is a indoor kitty only though). If he ever gets to the point where he seizures everyday like Bubba has started...then I'm sure it'll be time to rethink the game plan! Anyway. Sorry so long, but I empathize with you and Bubba and the decisions you are needing to make for him.
Tammy
My fingers and toes are crossed that Bubba has an easier time of it until the medication arrives. We had a dog who had seizures who was on nati-seizure medication for years and years, and the side effects never became a big deal. I hope that the same is true for Bubba.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Hamlet's infection was MRSI. Now I know what a monster you were fighting. In K's case, it's taken up residence in her vagina, which is much less bad than in other places like the skin or a wound. We're awaiting a second culture result before starting the dangerous antibiotics ... we want confirmation from another lab that it's truly MRSI.
Thinking of you and Bubba, and I'm remembering sweet Hamlet.
Poor Bubba....but he's got you fighting in his corner. We have our paws crossed that the meds work.
ReplyDeleteAt least he's eating.
XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella
Oh Dear Bubba hugs to you and your Mom. Fred was diagnosed with epilepsy 3 months ago tomorrow. My vet felt that phenob was the best choice for Fred. He was having some clustering and they were all grand mals. Its one of the worst things to have to go through as an owner not being able to help your dog. I also know that gallon size zip lock bags put on Freds spine during a seizure helps him cool off and actually helps him come out of the seizure quicker.
ReplyDeleteFred had a high dose of phenb in the beginning and now we have it leveled out and Fred is doing amazing. Im here to talk any time if you need to cry, worry or just vent.
Hang in there and please keep us posted on him.
Our first Greyhound had epilepsy, and potassium bromide didn't do anything for her. Phenobarbital did the trick in our case, and she handled it just fine. It really was a lifesaver for us! I hope Bubba makes it through the weekend okay and the KBr helps!
ReplyDeletePoor Bubba. Seizures and the postictal periods that follow can be exhausting. Especially when the seizures are happening so often. Finger and paws crossed for Bubba; and for Kim and all the family, canine and human.
ReplyDeleteI hope he has a good reaction to this drug. Saying a little prayer for him.
ReplyDeleteGill
Paws crossed for Bubba! Mama had a Dane-Lab mix many years ago who had epilepsy, well controlled by phenobarb with no side effects. We wish Bubba a long, seizure-free, or at least seizure-reduced, future.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see Jasmine is settling in so well, bless her.
Jed & Abby
God bless you for caring for these older puppies! Thank You!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBobo, Meja and the Mommy
Oh my sweet Chub Brother Bubba. We so hope this medicine helps our pal. All fingers and paws crossed and prayer said. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteOne more comment for Sweet Bubba. Zach (now gone to the bridge) had seizures from the time he was a year thru the time he left us. He was on phenobarb for about 4 yrs, caused liver issues, detoxed off and put on potassium bromide. He handled the bromide well. So, every dog is different, all you can do is trust the vet !!
ReplyDeleteI can't keep up with my own blog but I love to tune in to yours. I don't know how you do what you do. I beat your heart breaks every time one of your precious dogs goes through horrible ordeals. You and your family (human and animal) are in my prayers. You're a very special person.
ReplyDeleteBerte
Hang in there Bubba, you sweet boy.
ReplyDeleteHope the meds work. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteDear Bubba
ReplyDeleteHang in there little love. Medication is coming to make you better!
Oh Kim., we are keeping our paws crossed that the medicine gets Bubba's seizures under control.
Rest up and know we're all keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
love
tweedles
Paws crossed.
ReplyDeletePoor Bubba!...we had a Labrador years ago who had seizures, but only one 3 or 4 months apart and we kept the room dark and quiet for her...they didn't last long. We never resorted to medication, but would have taken that route if we had to....we were fortunate to have this dear girl for 15 years...Hugs to Bubba.
ReplyDeletePaws crossed for Bubba from across the pond xx
ReplyDeleteHang in there Bubba! Sending lots of pawsitive vibes to you!!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Homer
Hang in there Ol' Bubba, I sure hope he and you can wait till Monday. Hope all goes well for you guys.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Sweet Kim and Bubba,
ReplyDeleteThinking of you both and sending hugs,
K
Oh poor boy ... he does look so exhausted and probably you are. Hope things improve!
ReplyDeleteSeizures are rough on everyone involved and do take a lot out of the dog as well. Good decision...putting him on meds...he'll be relieved...:)JP
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Bubba. But if it helps to make a decision about the meds, a good friend of mine has a poodle that has had seizures all his life, since the time he was about 1. So he has been on the meds since then and he has led a full and good life, and hadn't many side effects. Perhaps the vet just has to find the right dose or the right brand of meds for Bubba. Just a thought. Give Bubba a hug from a friend afar, ~Debby
ReplyDelete