help needed with epilepsy and zak

_sheila_ · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:15 pm Post subject: help needed with epilepsy and zak

Hi all, as some of you know Zak has epilepsy, to a large degree we are coping with it ok, he is on phenobarbitone twice a day and recently we increased the dose due to a spate of fits, anyway 3 weeks after increasing the dose we hadn't had any problems until today, zak has had 2 fits today, the first this morning and the second this evening at around 5pm, i wasn't unduly concerned as it is common for them to have 2 fits close together, however after this second one i just cant get him to settle, he is wanting my attention all the time, jumping up at me constantly to the point where i i have put him in the dining room on his own to quieten down, and from where i am sitting at the moment he does seem to have quietened, anyone with any experience of this sort of behavior after a fit can advise me on how to handle it i would be grateful, cant get him to the vets till morning, so some help or calming vibes to last me till then would be appreciated

thanks

sheila and zak

rach_willibob · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject:

Can't offer any advice Sheila, as I have no experience of dogs with epilepsy, but just wanted to offer you support... hope he settles and everything is OK at the vets

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ calming vibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FRE · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

Sheila, I'm sorry to hear that Zak's still having clustered fits, the right balance of the drug can't have been reached.
As you know BJ is epileptic. The only time I've seen the behaviour you describe was when he was about to have another and presumably was feeling 'odd'.
BJ's epilepsy is a mild form in comparison I think, so his and Zak's symptoms may not be exactly the same.
My instinct is to stay with him, try to calm him rather than leave him alone, but I stress that's only my instinct.
I wish I could be more help, hugs from me and Beej
xx

_Mary_ · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

I don`t have experience of dogs with epilepsy either Sheila but I`d say he wants to be with because your his guardian and he wants you to look after him (read that as probably scared).

~~~~~~~~Calming Vibes~~~~~~~ for Zak and ((((((Hugs)))))) for you

Corvus · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry to hear that Zak's fits are still not stabilised. As Fay says it may be that he will have another one soon. My parents GR's fits are usually in clusters of three over a 24 -36 hour period which is a pretty harrowing time for Honey and my parents, but once the cluster is over life gets back to normal.

Honey has been an unstable epileptic for nearly 2 years now and has had clusters every 3 weeks. She is having increasingly higher doses of phenobarbitone and bromide but at long last she seems to be stabilising as she has just gone 7 (yes 7!!) weeks without a fit and we are all delighted.

So it may be that you have some way to go yet to get Zak's levels stabilised but I hope that I have been able to offer you some light at the end of the tunnel with Honey's story.

Good luck to you both.

xWendyx · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:55 pm Post subject:

Oh dear Sheila - I'm sorry to hear Zak's having a rough time again. Sorry I can't offer any constructive advice but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you both xx

_sheila_ · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:08 pm Post subject:

thanx for the replies folks, all has gone quiet and calm again for the time being,

Fay, i agree that zak was probably wanting me to reassure him, he always comes and tells me that he is about to have a fit and i can tell by the look in his face that he is not right, what alarmed me about this time was it was after the fit he went quite manic, and i couldn't cope with the sheer size and weight of him jumping and lunging at me in that manner, i felt bad about leaving him on his own for a while but it did seem to calm him,

Our vet has discussed the possibility of introducing potassium bromide into his medication as well as the phenobarbitone, but i will resist until the very last possible moment giving him more and more drugs, although i have been hearing some encouraging reports about the potassium bromide, i will see how he goes over the next 24 hrs and if things dont settle by then we will be back at the vets,

sheila and zak

_joanne_ · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject:

Hope Zak is ok now. Sorry I wasn't around today in case you needed a chat. xx

gixju · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

I cant help much, only to say, as an ex nurse, it does take time to sort out the right meds. Hang on in there, and the poor baby is looking to you for help.

AlanMC · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject:

hiya i now how you going throw i had a dog had epilepsy, before
and she had that when she was a 1 year old and sadly she got worse when she got older the vet turn round to us what she wont be hear when she was 6 year old but we had her another year sadly i lost her when she was 7 year old and the tablet did not work for her