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Epilsepsy or something else?
We have a 3.5 year old Puggle. For a few months he would occasionally have a little bit of a head tremor; nothing serious looking or long-lasting, but we kept an eye on it. Eventually they increased in frequency so we took him to the vet. He had blood work done, which confirmed epilepsy. He was given phenobarbital - twice per day. We are now at 2.5 weeks since the diagnosis and onset of medication, and the tremors have increased in frequency.
I am worried sick that he actually has something else. Can blood work really confirm epilepsy? Even if it can, is it possible that there is something else going on?
We were also very concerned about about the side effects of phenobarbital; sure enough, he has been restless at night, needing to go outside. He seems to be hungrier and thirstier than usual.
It is difficult to tell if these are side effects of pheno or if they are effects of his medical condition.
Should we be concerned that he has something else? How long should pheno take to take effect (we initially were told 1 week, maybe 2, but now we're being told a month)?
Two concerning issues that I've come across in online research: 1) if truly epilepsy, it would be accompanied with more seizure like activity, not just the head tremors; and 2) the restlessness at night (though this definitively only started after the medication, so I am confident this is a medication side effect). Are these two issues anything to be worried about re: another condition?
I am worried sick that he actually has something else. Can blood work really confirm epilepsy? Even if it can, is it possible that there is something else going on?
We were also very concerned about about the side effects of phenobarbital; sure enough, he has been restless at night, needing to go outside. He seems to be hungrier and thirstier than usual.
It is difficult to tell if these are side effects of pheno or if they are effects of his medical condition.
Should we be concerned that he has something else? How long should pheno take to take effect (we initially were told 1 week, maybe 2, but now we're being told a month)?
Two concerning issues that I've come across in online research: 1) if truly epilepsy, it would be accompanied with more seizure like activity, not just the head tremors; and 2) the restlessness at night (though this definitively only started after the medication, so I am confident this is a medication side effect). Are these two issues anything to be worried about re: another condition?
Best Answer
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html
Hit this link and you will find every answer to every question you have concerning this... the top of the page will look like it isn't what you are looking for, but just scroll down a bit: lots of Q & A with vets. :-) Blessings - Blu
Hit this link and you will find every answer to every question you have concerning this... the top of the page will look like it isn't what you are looking for, but just scroll down a bit: lots of Q & A with vets. :-) Blessings - Blu
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My bulldog was initially mis-diagnosed with epilepsy, but fortunately my regular vet at the time was very up-to-date on bully problems and came up with the correct diagnosis. The head bob activity continued throughout his life, but seemed to come in clusters or several episodes over a few days or weeks and then nothing for months.
Good luck with your dog!