Poodle in Peril

[pood1egir1]

My 11 year old miniature poodle has suddenly become ill and I terrified and unhappy with the answers I have gotten from my vets. Last Sat/Sun, she had two seizures in a 24 hour period -- the first seizures she's ever had. She recovered well from the first one, but a week later has not recovered from the second one. On Monday I took her to the vet, she was a trembling, stumbling, twitching mess. All bloodwork turned up normal. The vet put her on phenobarbital and we have an appt with a neurologist this Wed. My dog is still stumbling and twitching (about every 30 seconds or so) but has not had another big seizure. This dog was diagnosed with arthritis in Feb and put on Adequan and Rimadyl -- but I have been saying since that time that this is not the same dog. In the months leading up to this, there has been a great deal of panting and pacing and she is far less affectionate that she used to be. I know I have to wait till we see a neurologist, but both the prospect of either a brain tumor or and "idiopathic" diagnosis is unsettling. What are the two general practice vets not telling me????

[pood1egir1]

Thanks for the kind notes. I am happy to report that for now she is much improved on phenobarbital and prednisone. And I am focusing on loving her for as long as I can.

[peekawho]

I am so sorry to hear this news.  I'm just so sorry.  

[Jaybay]

I'm so sorry for you both.  You have obviously loved your dog for every one of these 11 years.  Try to remain focused on all of those good years instead of the end.  You've given her a fabulous life and I'm sure you'll ease her through the end when the time is right.  The end isn't what is important - it's everything else that came before.

[pood1egir1]

Thank you, Dr. Cheng. The results are in and it is a brain tumor. The vets tell me that it is inoperable though radiation is an option but that even that will not cure her. Very sad news. I appreciate your answer.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Unfortunately the most common cause for first time seizures in an older dog are brain tumors.  Other causes are trauma to the head, and ingestion of a neurotoxin.  Idiopathic seizures occur in dogs that are less than 3-4 years of age.  I think that Adequan or Rimadyl are unlikely causes since neither is a neurotoxin.

Brain tumors can cause change in personality, panting and pacing.  Not all brain tumors are death sentences, though.  Some are benign and surgery can be successful.