Post by suethejam on Jun 17, 2012 17:53:25 GMT
Poppy had two serious seizures overnight - "grand mal/tonic-clonic" to be technical - we've never had to deal with a fitting dog before so it was a very difficult experience.
The vets are relaxed if a dog has a single isolated fit, but Poppy had a fit at 1am then another at 6am so she has been admitted to doggie hospital for treatment. She will be there overnight and so far she is responding to treatment - this is good news. Our local vet and Poppy's neurologist have been tremendous - the likelihood is that Poppy has developed epilepsy, originating from old brain damage (which showed up in the scan she had in April when she had her stroke). The other possible causes were another stroke or maybe a brain tumour, though the way she's recovered after the seizures suggest not (phew!).
Although looking after a dog with epilepsy has its own challenges, we're so relieved that she has something that can be treated - I thought she was a goner for sure.
Anyway, this long ramble was to share a really useful website about canine epilepsy, which gives some very practical advice - I wish I'd known this stuff before she had a fit!
www.canine-seizures.freeservers.com/During_Seizure.htm
www.canine-seizures.freeservers.com/after_seizure.htm
We found the advice about what to do after a seizure particularly useful because I think that was the most distressing part of the night.
Our vets have been great at keeping us informed - Poppy is still not herself, but is calm, comfortable and has not had any more fits; her walking is still not right - she doesn't seem to know where she wants to go so tries to circle. Apparently it can take 24 - 28 hours to recover fully so it's early days - the main thing is to stop her from having any more fits because they are a tremendous strain on her body.
So, there's another nursing skill that we need to learn - I feel that the Royal Vet College should give us an honourary degree after all our houndie health experiences (and that's just this year!)
And do we regret fostering Poppy? Not for one minute - we only regret that she's so unwell - she so relishes her life here.....
The vets are relaxed if a dog has a single isolated fit, but Poppy had a fit at 1am then another at 6am so she has been admitted to doggie hospital for treatment. She will be there overnight and so far she is responding to treatment - this is good news. Our local vet and Poppy's neurologist have been tremendous - the likelihood is that Poppy has developed epilepsy, originating from old brain damage (which showed up in the scan she had in April when she had her stroke). The other possible causes were another stroke or maybe a brain tumour, though the way she's recovered after the seizures suggest not (phew!).
Although looking after a dog with epilepsy has its own challenges, we're so relieved that she has something that can be treated - I thought she was a goner for sure.
Anyway, this long ramble was to share a really useful website about canine epilepsy, which gives some very practical advice - I wish I'd known this stuff before she had a fit!
www.canine-seizures.freeservers.com/During_Seizure.htm
www.canine-seizures.freeservers.com/after_seizure.htm
We found the advice about what to do after a seizure particularly useful because I think that was the most distressing part of the night.
Our vets have been great at keeping us informed - Poppy is still not herself, but is calm, comfortable and has not had any more fits; her walking is still not right - she doesn't seem to know where she wants to go so tries to circle. Apparently it can take 24 - 28 hours to recover fully so it's early days - the main thing is to stop her from having any more fits because they are a tremendous strain on her body.
So, there's another nursing skill that we need to learn - I feel that the Royal Vet College should give us an honourary degree after all our houndie health experiences (and that's just this year!)
And do we regret fostering Poppy? Not for one minute - we only regret that she's so unwell - she so relishes her life here.....