Jocu- senior? seizures?

Denise, when they did blood work did they check for tick borne disease and heartworm...seizures can be associated with either of these in some cases. When you say not totally normal, what are you seeing?
Trini
HW was negative- didn't see any results relating to tick borne but that is usually done with HW now.

sorta unsteady on his feet sometimes- other times he moves normally.... sometimes issues jumping on the couch and other times no problem.
vet said there's an adjustment period when they start taking the phenobarbital so I really hope that is the issue
 
HW was negative- didn't see any results relating to tick borne but that is usually done with HW now.

sorta unsteady on his feet sometimes- other times he moves normally.... sometimes issues jumping on the couch and other times no problem.
vet said there's an adjustment period when they start taking the phenobarbital so I really hope that is the issue
Yes, initially pheno can cause some sedation and also ataxia...so hopefully within a week or two you will see Jocu acting/moving normally. One other things to look at: long term use of pheno can have negative effects on the liver and newer anti-seizure meds like Keppra (levetiracetram) does not process through the liver and thus doesn't cause potential liver damage. My Mickey was treated with Keppra and Gabapentin. Gabapentin, in much higher doses than is used for pain, is also used as an anti-seizure med.
Trini
 
Yes, initially pheno can cause some sedation and also ataxia...so hopefully within a week or two you will see Jocu acting/moving normally. One other things to look at: long term use of pheno can have negative effects on the liver and newer anti-seizure meds like Keppra (levetiracetram) does not process through the liver and thus doesn't cause potential liver damage. My Mickey was treated with Keppra and Gabapentin. Gabapentin, in much higher doses than is used for pain, is also used as an anti-seizure med.
Trini
my vet who was out of town mentioned Kepra- the vet that we saw didn't think it would be the best choice and put him on pheno.
I read about the liver and would like him to be on something else but need to make sure that he'll be ok and we can switch.
 
my vet who was out of town mentioned Kepra- the vet that we saw didn't think it would be the best choice and put him on pheno.
I read about the liver and would like him to be on something else but need to make sure that he'll be ok and we can switch.
Absolutely, your vet and the specialist will be able to give you the best current information available on anti-seizure meds and what they feel will be the most effective/safe treatment plan for Jocu. I was thankful that the therapist who worked with Mickey also kept constant contact with our local vet and between the two of them Mickey got excellent treatment.
Trini
 
very frustrated today- had the appt with the neurologist at 11 today- they did some quick checks on him and when the doctor came in- she explained all the possibilities- nothing that hasn't been suggested already- but then said I'd have to bring him back tomorrow morning as she already had 2 MRIs and a surgery today. I'm like- I live 1.5 away. so she said they could keep him overnight- no charge- that's good because this is going to cost more than Cran's neurology visit. so Jocu is at a vet clinic until tomorrow and I still have no idea what the cause is..........................................................................

and Destin has been coughing since we got up so I suspect he might have kennel cough and regular vet hasn't gotten back to me yet:gaah:gaah:gaah
 
Oh no so frustrating and to not have any more hints than you did is tough! It must have been so hard to leave him at the clinic. But at least that was an option. Sorry to hear about all the challenges, and now Destin coughing... ay caramba. Seems like these things happen in waves.... hang in there!
 
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