Lily's Second Seizure

Hello,

We have been struggling since November to get Lily's seizures under control. The frequency has gone from clusters every 26 days to seizures every eight days. I don't know what to think. She takes her meds regularly. Her diet is limited to low-fat food to help lower her triglyceride levels.

Lily had a single seizure last night at 11:00. I was able to give her rectal valium and started her on chorazepate. I stayed up with her until 1:00 to make sure a second seizure wasn’t coming. Usually Lily has a second seizure within an hour of the first, so I felt I was safe going to bed at 1:00.

This morning she barked and woke me up at 5:20. Our usual wake-up time is 5:30. so that wasn’t alarming in itself. She was panting and ravenous again: two of her classic after-seizure behaviors. I think she probably had a second seizure some time in the night, and I was so tired I didn’t hear it.

I left messages with her neurologist and hope to hear from her today. Lily just had a doctor’s visit two weeks ago with the full gamut of blood work. We’ve been waiting on the results since then.

Is a sudden increase in frequency a common epilepsy behavior? I’m feeling very discouraged.
 
I am so sorry to read your update on Lily's seizure frequency. We went through much the same journey with our Yoda, seizures started at 14 months, and sadly we had to let him go at 4 years old when his cluster seizures became daily even with all the available medications and his quality of life was gone. However, that was over 12 years ago and hopefully progress has been made in controlling severe cases of epilepsy in dogs. I have 2 rescue doggies now with epilepsy, but both are mild cases and controlled with Gabapentin.

I would question Lily's neurologist as to any new medications that might be on the market...sometimes you can even get a doggie into trials of new meds that look promising but are not yet on the general market. I am praying you can find something to control the escalation of little Lily's seizures. I know all too well how heartbreaking this is to see in a dog you love. :hugs

Trini
 
Today, tomorrow, & our wish for You & Lily

Lisadale said:
Is a sudden increase in frequency a common epilepsy behavior? I’m feeling very discouraged.
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I'm no expert, but I think the unpredictability is one of the harshest, common, components of having a dog experiencing seizures. We can steel ourselves against what we expect, but the unknown is truly daunting.

Perhaps there's encouragement in knowing that Lily is blessed to have You in Her corner. (I know I feel better.) Having a driven advocate, who loves you to pieces, makes for a paramount difference in any living creature's life.

Save a little compassion for yourself, and try to take some peace from knowing how much better off Lily is for having You. Nobody can give guarantees for tomorrow, but what a great thing to have somebody doing everything they can do for you today.

Every grin, curious sniff, wag, kiss, head resting comfortably on your knee, or playful moment is a beautiful win for Lily. Don't lose sight of the significance of your positive contributions, and don't linger on what You can't give Lily. Life is a gift, but I think it's the love that makes the journey precious.

My little bud's seizures unexpectedly stopped, for over a year now, so there's always Hope.

Healey, and I, hope You & Lily are blessed with more good times, and hold dear every wish for some more of the ' very best of times' too.

Peace
 
Thank you all for the kind and thoughtful replies to my post. I don't know what I would do without this forum.

Lily's neurologist bumped up her phenobarbital to 129.6 mg a day. She'd been taking 1 1/2 pills twice a day; now she's taking 2 pills twice a day. Her potassium bromide is still the same 750 mgs once a day. Her levels were fine from the various tests. Even her triglyceride levels were normal, so we're doing something right.

I've stopped giving Lily Charlee Bears as a treat. I hadn't thought of the possibility that Lily could have a problem with gluten. I'm willing to try anything if it means her seizure activity slows down.
 
I'm really sorry things aren't getting better. Hope the new dosage works better. Thinking of you both.
 
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