Lily's Second Seizure
- Thread starter Lisadale
- Start date
Sorry to double post. Lily's blood work came back, and her triglyceride levels have dropped significantly. She's down to 336. It's still higher than it should be (high normal is 290), but it came down from 5,000 in mid-June.
Her neurologist has decided to gradually take Lily off Zonisamide. Tomorrow morning we begin a loading dose of Potassium Bromide. I understand it can cause stomach upset, so if anyone has suggestions on how to make it easier for Lily, please don't hesitate to post.
Her neurologist has decided to gradually take Lily off Zonisamide. Tomorrow morning we begin a loading dose of Potassium Bromide. I understand it can cause stomach upset, so if anyone has suggestions on how to make it easier for Lily, please don't hesitate to post.
Caro
Moderator
Wow, that's a dramatic drop in tris, and nice to hear some good news. You've done a good job sticking with the prescription diet - I know it's pretty tough.
Good luck with the new meds. If she does get stomach problems there are a few different things you can do, but it depends on what mechanism is causing it. I know with the NSAIDs it irritates the stomach lining and it's worse when they have an empty stomach (like first thing in the morning), so I give them something little to put in their bellies before bed and also in the middle of the day. That's in addition to stomach lining meds (pretty innocuous stuff).
Good luck with the new meds. If she does get stomach problems there are a few different things you can do, but it depends on what mechanism is causing it. I know with the NSAIDs it irritates the stomach lining and it's worse when they have an empty stomach (like first thing in the morning), so I give them something little to put in their bellies before bed and also in the middle of the day. That's in addition to stomach lining meds (pretty innocuous stuff).
trini
Forums Sage
That is a great improvement!!! 
In all honesty I would be surprised if the potassium bromide caused much tummy upset. I have had 4 rescues who had/have seizures and the 3 that were put on potassium bromide tolerated it easily. However, I would suggest not giving it on a totally empty stomach. There are meds to help with stomach upset and if by chance Lily does have trouble, talk to your vet to find out which one is suitable.
Trini
In all honesty I would be surprised if the potassium bromide caused much tummy upset. I have had 4 rescues who had/have seizures and the 3 that were put on potassium bromide tolerated it easily. However, I would suggest not giving it on a totally empty stomach. There are meds to help with stomach upset and if by chance Lily does have trouble, talk to your vet to find out which one is suitable.
Trini
What GOOD news!!!! barks and woofs for Lily!!!
I have a question...I know seizures are common in some of the breed on American soil. Are those of you from UK seeing this disease in your shelties??? Having gone through the ordeal with my previous girl as she aged. I just was curious.
I have a question...I know seizures are common in some of the breed on American soil. Are those of you from UK seeing this disease in your shelties??? Having gone through the ordeal with my previous girl as she aged. I just was curious.
Caro
Moderator
It's really common in Poodle crosses here but uncommon in Shelties.
Lily had either a partial or small focal seizure this morning. I looked down at her, and she had a sort of blank/confused expression on her face. Shortly after, her head began to jerk slightly to the right. It was a very small movement which lasted no more than two minutes. There were no other symptoms, and she was 100% normal immediately after. (So normal, in fact, that she spent a good deal of time in the back yard playing in the motion-activated sprinkler). I started her on clorazepate, which I have to give every six hours.
Yikes! Her medicine schedule is very complicated right now. Her neurologist is introducing potassium bromide (every twelve hours), her regular meds (twice a day) and now her clorazepate (every six hours). I don't think I'll get a full nights' sleep for the next 48 hours.
I suppose the little seizure rules out the possibility that her super high triglycerides was the source of her epilepsy. I guess I should be thankful it was such a relatively "gentle", singular event. (I'm crossing my fingers that we won't have a more significant seizure this evening some time).
I guess it's too early to feel discouraged about the new meds (the potassium bromide), since she hasn't reached a therapeutic level yet. We're just on day three of the loading doses).
Yikes! Her medicine schedule is very complicated right now. Her neurologist is introducing potassium bromide (every twelve hours), her regular meds (twice a day) and now her clorazepate (every six hours). I don't think I'll get a full nights' sleep for the next 48 hours.
I suppose the little seizure rules out the possibility that her super high triglycerides was the source of her epilepsy. I guess I should be thankful it was such a relatively "gentle", singular event. (I'm crossing my fingers that we won't have a more significant seizure this evening some time).
I guess it's too early to feel discouraged about the new meds (the potassium bromide), since she hasn't reached a therapeutic level yet. We're just on day three of the loading doses).
trini
Forums Sage
Don't get discouraged...it is too early to see beneficial effects from the new meds. Typically it can take weeks to see real improvement and dosage may need to be adjusted several times along the way.
I am glad at least that this seizure was short lived and Lily was back to her normal self very fast.
Trini
I am glad at least that this seizure was short lived and Lily was back to her normal self very fast.
Trini
"Hill's Prescription Diet" -- 'Potato and Duck Formula' has worked well for my Healey. He's 2, (& a half Dad!) and doesn't seem to have diet related seizures.
It was what the vet' recommended on Healey's initial seizure-related visit tho. (Edit: I stay away from chicken & turkey.)
I know the seizures are truly heart-wrenching -- but they can taper off as suddenly as they appeared. Keep hope, and just keep loving the heck out of her. Scarey makes me hold Healey a little tighter, and even more often.
(I infer, from other posts, the majority believe the Valium is also for the dog
... )The Very Best to You & Lily.
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Ann
Moderator
I fed Pixie a duck formula also for years until she was cured. It's only the last few years I've let her have chicken again. Turkey and chicken are definitely bad for seizure dogs.