Lily's Second Seizure

[trini]

Lily had two more seizures last night. This time they were a half-hour apart. They're coming at two-week intervals despite the fact that she is now on Zonisamide.

I'm going to call her vet, but I don't have a lot of hope that she'll do anything other than stay at the current level of medication.

At this point if your current vet is not considering either upping the current med dosage or changing/adding a more potent seizure med I would strongly recommend getting a second opinion from hopefully a canine neurologist. Seizures coming 2 weeks apart and not singleton is a serious situation and the more often she has a seizure/s the easier it becomes for the next seizure to trigger.

Trini

 

[Lisadale]

Lily's doctor wasn't at the clinic today, but they finally gave her file and my message to another doctor. The second doctor recommended adding Gabapentin to Lily's current meds. They also gave me the phone number of a neurologist in Beaverton (who won't be in until Monday).

The tech. aide I spoke with suggested it might interfere with a potential visit to the neurologist if the Gabapentin was added before consulting with them.

What would you wonderful people on this thread recommend?

 

[Jean]

What would you wonderful people on this thread recommend?

If it was me, I'd call the neurologist's office again and ask what they would want me to do. When Blaze was ill, believe me, if a doctor told me that I had to give him medicine while standing on my head--I'd do it (all the while having assurance that somehow it would help.)

 

[trini]

Lily's doctor wasn't at the clinic today, but they finally gave her file and my message to another doctor. The second doctor recommended adding Gabapentin to Lily's current meds. They also gave me the phone number of a neurologist in Beaverton (who won't be in until Monday).

The tech. aide I spoke with suggested it might interfere with a potential visit to the neurologist if the Gabapentin was added before consulting with them.

What would you wonderful people on this thread recommend?

You really need to work this through with your vet or with a canine neurologist.

I will share that the canine neurologist who takes care of my Mickey (who has focal seizures about every 3-4 months) stated that if Mickey's seizures became more frequent (less than 6 weeks apart)or more intense, that he would immediately switch Mickey off the Gabapentin which he now takes and onto phenobarbital.

But every case is different and it is important that you work with a vet or neurologist who willingly answers all your questions/concerns and works hand in hand with you to develop a protocol that works for your Lily.

Trini

 

[Lisadale]

I contacted a specialized hospital in Portland and was able to make an appointment for Lily with a neurologist next Saturday.

It wasn't the clinic that my vet referred me to. I did a little internet investigation and felt discouraged by what I read from past clients. I know that places like YELP can be misleading, but I just didn't have a positive impression of what I saw.

I feel some measure of relief that we're finally moving forward and might actually get some compassionate and informed evaluation of her condition. They were also able to give me the go ahead to start the Gabapentin, so I'll add that to her pill box and begin administering it this evening.

 

[trini]

I contacted a specialized hospital in Portland and was able to make an appointment for Lily with a neurologist next Saturday.

.

I am really glad you will be getting Lily evaluated by a neurologist. Please keep us posted. Hopefully Lily's seizures can be brought under good control.

Trini

 

[Mally's Mom]

Keeping both you and Lily on my prayer list.

Please continue to update us, when you can. Thank you.

 

[Lisadale]

We're back from Lily's appointment with the neurologist. Wow! What a difference!

The doctor spent a full hour working with Lily, talking to us about her symptoms and past seizures, and offering her advice.

She was very concerned by the increase in frequency and severity of Lily's seizures and was unimpressed by the Gabapentin that was added to her drug protocol last week. In fact, her new doctor is going to wean her off the Gabapentin because it does nothing for seizures and is now prescribed for pain relief.

Because the doctor wants to get Lily's seizures under control, she decided to put her on phenobarbital. Lily will stay on the Zenosamide as well. We'll have to take her to Portland again in a little over 2 weeks to check her blood levels.

The doctor also advised us to consider an MRI to rule out any other underlying causes. I gulped a bit at the price of the quote, Have most of you had an MRI for your dogs? It seems like a good idea. I may have to look into Care Credit.

The doctor also sent Lily home with valium for cluster seizures. One of her two nurses spent about 15 minutes with me going over how to administer the drug.

They provided a thorough write-up of Lily's appointment and the doctor's recommendations. The doctor also said we must contact her whenever Lily has a seizure. At last, a vet who wants to be actively involved, cares about Lily's health, and knows what they're talking about.

It's a huge relief.

 

[trini]

It sounds like you have found just the care needed for Lily...so glad you made the choice to go with this new vet!

We did have MRI's done on our seizure doggies to make sure there was no brain tumor or lesions...it is expensive...the most recent one we had done a year ago and the cost was just over $2,000....cost differs greatly depending on where you live. Typically, although obviously there can be exceptions, when seizures start in a younger dog it is epilepsy. A senior dog who suddenly has seizures when they have never had one before is the situation that often indicates a brain tumor.

Although Gabapentin is traditionally a pain med, it is being used when the seizure activity is very mild...our Mickey is on Gabapentin with good results. But Lily's seizures have been escalating and once that starts Gabapentin is no longer the med used.

My best wishes to you and Lily on the journey ahead...you now have excellent medical care for her which is a big part of the battle.

Trini

 

[Ann]

It's so reassuring when you find a vet who cares about your pup's problem, and it sounds like you've done that. I'm very glad you have someone now who will be a partner in getting Lily's seizures under control. I was lucky enough to also find a vet like yours for my Pixie's seizures, and I think he was the reason she's cured now.

I've never had an MRI done but it probably depends a great deal on your area of the country too. Prices are always much higher here in the Northeast, for instance. Care Credit can be a big help. Sending good thoughts that the new protocol provides a cure for Lily!