My sweet babies are still sick...

KarenCurtis · Jan 11, 2012

I am sorry about your puppies, it must be very hard for you

k9kreationz · Jan 11, 2012

Awww...poor things. Sending you lots of hugs. That has got to be the hardest thing to watch. Hoping they'll figure it out soon, so it can be treated.

marymrumfelt · Jan 11, 2012

Thanks, everyone. I really do appreciate it. It's so sad to see them in that state and the worse part is since it's episodic the vets never actually get to see them sick so they can't get the full effect. Well, one vet did since Lily's stomach was pumped the first time b/c we thought it was something she ingested. It's just so sad... the vet is sending the referral over this week to the vet hospital. It's about four hours away so we will have to make a trip out of it. They said they will do neurological testing and see what they determine and then next step is the $1500 MRI -- which they say if it's a genetic mutation the MRI might not show it and it also won't give a cure as there is no cure.... sigh...

famous seamus · Jan 11, 2012

That is just heartwrenching to watch, they both look so confused and a little helpless and I can imagine how difficult it is for you to see. Not knowing when it might happen to the babies must be devastating for you.

Just a thought, are their ears alright? Hearing okay? It looks like extreme vertigo they are experiencing. I have a case of vertigo, has to do with hearing loss in one ear. As I said, just a thought.

Don't forget to check carecredit to hopefully help you with the cost of possible MRI'S.

Good luck to you and yours,

Best,
Kate

danisgoat · Jan 11, 2012

marymrumfelt said:
It's not environment b/c they've had them when they've been outside the home. Like when we're traveling at a hotel or one day we were out at a nature park (on a tight leash) for a few hours and they had them. We've moved twice and once move being out of state so nothing has stayed the same environmentally. we don't use any chemicals, they don't eat anything processed, they don't get shots/heartworm/flea medicine (except they did once and it caused an episode-- could have been coincidence) Lily's seem to happen more in the winter and Theo's more in the summer. The specialist I just talked to said we probably just kept the two unlucky ones and that there might be another one out there with it. The other people work a lot and aren't home as much so they might overlook them. They aren't usually nearly as bad as the video I posted... Lily has been having them since she was about 3-4 weeks old so the vets have said she was born with it. Also vet said they'd be having them at the same time if it was something in the environment setting it off since they are always in the same environment togehter. and They've never had an episode at the same time or even within the same week as each other.

Right...you have said all this many times before and you are great to be so diligent with your pups.

If you look back to my original post, I was talking about a brain parasite. I thought this because 2 out of the 5 pups have it, and they are the ones with you. The show I saw was about a brain parasite.

So, when I said "environment" I meant that they both picked up something since they both live together.

marymrumfelt · Jan 11, 2012

danisgoat said:
Right...you have said all this many times before and you are great to be so diligent with your pups.

If you look back to my original post, I was talking about a brain parasite. I thought this because 2 out of the 5 pups have it, and they are the ones with you. The show I saw was about a brain parasite.

So, when I said "environment" I meant that they both picked up something since they both live together.

Oh, gosh! Well, another thing that makes me think that's not it is because Lily had these starting around four weeks old and I still had all the puppies at that time. So I'd think more would be sick... It's possible, thought, and I appreciate any ideas to throw out when we see the specialist! I wish I could meet someone who has seen this behavior before...

marymrumfelt · Jan 11, 2012

famous seamus said:
That is just heartwrenching to watch, they both look so confused and a little helpless and I can imagine how difficult it is for you to see. Not knowing when it might happen to the babies must be devastating for you.

Just a thought, are their ears alright? Hearing okay? It looks like extreme vertigo they are experiencing. I have a case of vertigo, has to do with hearing loss in one ear. As I said, just a thought.

Don't forget to check carecredit to hopefully help you with the cost of possible MRI'S.

Good luck to you and yours,

Best,
Kate

Yeah, that's been test. It was one of the first things they suspected... Oh, and thanks for the tip on carecredit -- GOOD IDEA! I'm the most worried about what will happen... I can deal with the occasional episode... but what if they never snap out of one

danisgoat · Jan 11, 2012

marymrumfelt said:
Oh, gosh! Well, another thing that makes me think that's not it is because Lily had these starting around four weeks old and I still had all the puppies at that time. So I'd think more would be sick... It's possible, thought, and I appreciate any ideas to throw out when we see the specialist! I wish I could meet someone who has seen this behavior before...

I didn't realize that Lily started at four weeks old. My goodness, poor baby. My theory wouldn't make sense then.

I think I am just all parasite scared because years and years ago I lost a few goat kids to coccidia. I wasn't aware that the spores stayed in the ground for lots of years and my kids kept picking them up when they were babies, and getting sick and dying really young. Then, my Chloe and her battle with Lymes disease. The first thing that always comes to my mind when something is wrong is "it must be bugs" :lol:

I am paranoid :rolleyes2:

sable · Jan 11, 2012

marymrumfelt said:
When the vet first explained episodic ataxia he linked it to parkinson's and said it's similar to that....

Oh wow dogs can have parkinsons, just looked like that to me. Dani mentioned brain parasites, that is an experience I never would want to have for mine. I never heard of that one before.

As I have said, what others have had to go through, we sure do learn.

marymrumfelt · Jan 11, 2012

danisgoat said:
I didn't realize that Lily started at four weeks old. My goodness, poor baby. My theory wouldn't make sense then.

I think I am just all parasite scared because years and years ago I lost a few goat kids to coccidia. I wasn't aware that the spores stayed in the ground for lots of years and my kids kept picking them up when they were babies, and getting sick and dying really young. Then, my Chloe and her battle with Lymes disease. The first thing that always comes to my mind when something is wrong is "it must be bugs" I am paranoid

honestly, it's plausible if they hadn't started so very young. Gosh, I'm terrified about Lymes after learning about it and how unreported it is. Scary. Awww that's so sad about the goats. Poor guys.