Update: Kai'a, seizures, test results and phenobarbital

My Heart goes out to you.

Barb I've been reading everything you and your husband have been going through with Kia how terrifying. It breaks my heart. A couple of months ago I was walking Chandler and kept hearing his nails scraping checked his feet saw nothing wrong came in he laid down for a nap and when he went to get up his rear legs were paralyzed. I picked him up and ran to my vet who is only 2 blocks away and was told he had a spinal stroke which I had never heard of. He has since regained the use of his legs but they are very weak. It was so scary I can't imagine a 40 minute seizure. We also were referred to a neurologist and were seen the next day. I can't believe they aren't seeing you immediately. I'll keep you all in my prayers.
 
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Hi Jenny! I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going to with your Kia'a. We went through seizures with our Dakota and it was just heartbreaking to watch. It takes a few of them to realize that nothing is going to happen to them during it, but you still always worry that they won't come out.

One thing that I read and we tried with Dakota is that an ice pack on the small of their back shortens the seizures and brings them out of it quicker. Dakota's seizures were never really long - maybe 5-10 minutes in length, but the ice did seem to help. Something to try at least the next time Kia'a has one.

Keep us posted on what you find out. It's so hard to watch our kids go through something like that and you can't do anything for them. Good luck with your appointments and I'll be anxious to hear what you learn through them!

Hugs,
Kerri
 
kstraub73 said:
One thing that I read and we tried with Dakota is that an ice pack on the small of their back shortens the seizures and brings them out of it quicker. Dakota's seizures were never really long - maybe 5-10 minutes in length, but the ice did seem to help. Something to try at least the next time Kia'a has one.
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That is a wonderful idea - thanks for the insight. Being in Vegas heat is a concern, and I have just started to see a pattern in the seizure activity; they occur after the early evening walk/play ... after beign out in the heat.

We took her out last night at 10:30 pm instead of 6:45 pm and (YAY!!) for the first time in a week she did not have a seizure last night. :smile2: I think temp plays a part in the activity and will try your suggestion when it happens again!!!
 
Katniss said:
We took her out last night at 10:30 pm instead of 6:45 pm and (YAY!!) for the first time in a week she did not have a seizure last night. :smile2: I think temp plays a part in the activity and will try your suggestion when it happens again!!!
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Yay! I am very happy to hear this. I hope she continues to improve
 
That's great news! We did also notice that Dakota always had his after a walk of some sort and even once while on a walk, so I think overheating can trigger them also. Hope the later walks continue to help!!
 
That is really wonderful news, Jenny! I hope the new pattern continues and the seizures disappear. I also heard a while ago, that immediately following a seizure it's a good idea to give a spoon or two of Hagan Daaz Vanilla ice cream....something about the sugar and the formula helps to bring them out more quickly. I never did try it with Pixie, but may be worth tucking in your arsenal. The ice is a great idea too!

Sending lots of good wishes that things are improving... :yes:
 
My news is mixed ...

On Saturday night she had the worst seizure yet and the medication given to us to help stop the seizure once it started only seemed to make it worse; much worse. I really thought I might lose her that night. It took over 8 hours before she could stand and walk again.

However, I have been hyper careful, only allowing her out if she has to go potty between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm (we have enough room in doors and we make sure she is getting lots of exercise through play). SHe gets an hour long walk in th morning (before 7 am) to compensate. So, in the past 2 nights she has eaten all her dinner (something she would not touch on nights when she had a seizure) and has been seizure free. She is a little more wound up – loves the chance to really get out and run after 8:30 pm when the sun goes down. But I am not willing to chance a romp in the 105 plus heat and bring on another seizure. The way I look at is it that every small step helps.

I have not started the Phenobarbital yet. Really wanted to wait until I saw the neuro-specialist and the eastern/western holistic vet. I see them both on Friday. I also wanted to video Kai'a while she is having (or not having) these attacks so that I don't have to try to describe what happened ... they can see it for themselves.

It's a better week .... I am not as stressed out and I feel like I can handle whatever is coming. We have made this a family effort, we all pitch in to watch Kai’a. Sending up extra Prayers for her – prayers for everyone really. 
 
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Poor Kai'a :cry:

Did you give her phenobarbital to stop her seizure on Saturday or was that a different medicine you tried?

I'm glad she hasn't had an episode in the past two days. I hope the neuro-specialist can help her.

Sending good thoughts to Kai'a and your family.
 
I'm sorry to hear about Kai'as latest seizure, Jenny. How terrible it is to watch and wait for these to be over. I hope you can hold out also until Friday. Once you have all the available information you can make the best decision for her.

A brilliant plan to videotape the seizures! My vet used to always ask me to do that but I never could because I was always busy holding Pixie and didn't have enough hands. That is a wonderful diagnostic tool for your vets.

We are all thinking of you and sending good thoughts and prayers your way. You will figure this out and little Kai'a WILL get better. :yes:
 
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