14 y/o lab mix with lyme...had seizure

[kina521]

My 14 year old Lab/chow/shep mix had a seizure the other night. We took her to the vets, she had a high fever, but no other obvious abnormalities. They started her on phenobarbital for seizures and said they think she has a brain tumor. She has no other symptoms of a brain tumor. She only had 2  known seizures, and they occurred when her fever was high. I went yesterday and asked them if they thought it could be lyme disease and they said no but they would check her if I wanted them to. They tested her and she turned out to be positive for lyme disease. Lyme disease makes more sense...my worry is shes on the pheno still and not quite adjusted and can't walk yet. How long does it take for dogs to get adjusted? How do they know if its the pheno or antibiotics for lyme thats really helping?

[lonewolf07]

Hi

Here are two websites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9QwGJkYisc

http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

Hope they are helpful.

If you think you did the right thing for your "boy" then you probably did.  He sounds like he was a family member and gave you a lot of comforting when you needed it.  I know mine do the same thing.

Please keep posting if it helps.  I think everyone here has lost a pet and can understand what you are going through.

Hugs to you ....

[PEPPERMOMMA]

Thanks so much for your response.

I really had a hard time last night.

Then today,I was second guessing everything. Should I have ,could I have,what if...
Yes he was my boy....being single,childless,the only child of an elderly widowed mother with dementia ,he kept the balance..

Yes I would like the website..

[chihuahuagrandma]

I was told recently by vet, if the dog is treated for seizures and given seizure medication, once that start, they have to stay on it, and cannot for any reason miss a day....The Lyme disease is creating the seizures??? Did you contact the vet about the amount of time for dog to absorb the phenobarital and be able get up and back on track???
READ everything you can on Lyme and seizures or convulsion, this site is particularly good at personal experiences, advice, suggestions, sometimes, it take a while, but keep checking in w/forum for updated comments...High fevers can create seizures, convulsions....how high was fever?? Did vet treat fever? The Pheno med is really strong, and if diagnosis is Lyme than you get anibiotic, right?  Why the Pheno, maybe seizure came from high fever??? Ask a lot of questions when talking w/vets....
I am very sorry for this most unfortunate situation w/your little friend, and wish you and yours a speedy recovery, and hope you get more answers...

[lonewolf07]

I'm so sorry to hear about Pepper's death.  Letting him go must have been one of the most  difficult things you ever did.

You had your "boy" for 13 years - he's a family member.  You loved him, cared for him and I don't doubt for a minute that Pepper ever doubted how much he meant to you.

A lot of folks in this Forum have lost their dogs and can empathize with how you're feeling.  Grief is .... it's so painful words can't describe it.  My Siberian husky passed on five years ago and I still miss him.

"They" say time heals and I hope it does and eventually, when you're ready, you can look back at Pepper's life and think of the fun you had with him, the times he took you for a walk, humorous and even sad things that made him such a special "boy".

If you are so inclined, please post here anytime.  If you are interested, there is a website for people who have lost their pet.  If you want it, please let me know.  If you don't that is fine too.  Do what's best for you; what Pepper would have wanted you to do.

lonewolf

[PEPPERMOMMA]

I am sad to say thay my 13yr chow lab mix had 3 very bad seizures today. He had been suffering from renal failure for about 18 months. I took him to the vet they ran test and determined that he had a brain tumor. They sent him back home saying that he may not have another episode,but after arriving back home he had two within 30 minutes afterwards he could no longer walk. He also appeared to be blind and deaf afterwards. So I decided to let him go.................My heart is broken
May Pepper rest in peace.

[LL7970]

I have a dog that has seizures.  If your dog has had only 2 seizures - I dont think he should be taking pheno.  

[Jaybay]

If you haven't done so already, post your questions to Dr. Cheng on the Ask a Vet board here at Med Help.  It's free, and I'm certain Dr. Cheng will have some good answers for you.  Look on the right side of this page below "Community Members" and click on "Pet Health" to access the forum.

The only experience I have with seizures in dogs is with the 120-lb Lab next door.  He developed bad seizures at about age 2, and has been taking phenobarb for the last 2 years in gradually increasing doses.  The seizures are far less severe, but he still has one like clockwork about every 6 to 8 weeks, and he has no underlying disease that causes them as your dog does.  The phenobarb may have slowed him down a bit, but not much.  

Good for you for pursing the Lyme testing for your dog.  It sounds like you've got a great working relationship with your vet, so hopefully you'll both be able to work out an effective treatment plan.