Seizures in my young puppy

[Skokk]

I have a 10 month old shih-tzu. He started having seizures about 12 weeks ago, the vet immediately put him on phenobarbital. He was on the lowest dosage but it wasn't seeming to work, so they upped the amount he was taking, but then he started to show other strange symptoms. He can't walk without his front feet falling out from underneath him, lose of appetite, when he does eat he chomps on it and the food normally falls out of his mouth, he sleeps all day, won't play anymore, and just seems very distant. He has about 3-4 seizures a week. They did bloodwork and said he still only needs to be on the lowest dosage, but nothing seems to be working!

[pccoder]

I know.  It totally *****.  I inherited mine from my grandmother last year when she passed.  This dog has tonic clonic seizures about once a month.  He has had anywhere between 1 to 3 at a time, and they're always nocturnal.  He knows it is coming as he perks up and gets out of bed.  Within 10 minutes or so he's having them.  I, too, have Epilepsy.  So, I have some experience with this.  This is a really crappy disease that gets very little attention in the medical community.  Maintenance has been the rule of thumb as opposed to a cure.  It doesn't taken 5 minutes to start causing damage.  Any seizure causes damage to the brain.  The longer the seizure, the more damage.  Our has now maxed out on the amount of phenobarbital that he can have.  So, the next step will probably be Potassium Bromide.  A dog with seizures rapidly becomes a very expensive issue as well.  I've already spent about $1,000 in 6 months in vet bills, meds, testing, etc.  At some point, you have to think about what may be best for the pet instead of what is best for the owner.

[BluCrystal]

Your puppy has severe epilepsy, and the amount of pheno he is on suppresses his brain activity: thus, the lethergic behavior you see.  Sounds like a case of genetics-gone-bad.  Consider that you might have to do the merciful thing for your puppy if there are no improvements, because he wouldn't enjoy living this way.  Consider this: it is very likely that sometime soon, your puppy will roll over into a seizure that does not stop.  He will begin to get brain damage at 5 minutes of seizing, and if it continues, he will die.  What if you are asleep when this happens?  And how long to get to an emg vet?  Ask your doctor for an emg dose of anti-seizure med for injection on your pup if he has an uncontrolled seizure.  TIME IT when it happens.  Do not use the emg dose until the 5 minute mark.  Consider finances as well as your dog's quality of life - ask yourself if it's worth it.  Go with your first gut-feeling.  Blessings - Blu

[Misfits4Me]

Hello again, You need to evaluate everything you are feeding him, except your home cooking.....The dream Bones are very questionable & made in China....Chicken Jerky Treats (Made in China) has been killing/or making dogs violently ill since 2007, (3024 days so far) yet still sold on many store shelves.....There are thousands of reports & warnings on 100's of web sights about chicken jerky made in China!!!

I see about 6 (Or more) toxins in your other treats that have the potential to cause cancer, liver/kidney failure, & Seizures.....

Your Caesar if also full of by-products of unknown source....I see 5 ingredients that are problematic in this food alone & could be your culprit...

Is his food causing the seizures? Or the combination of the food? Please, start w/a healthier diet & see if he doesn't get better.....Also, please read the thread about your medication...It will help you understand....

[Skokk]

We feed him puppy caesar food in the morning and boiled chicken and green beans/lima beans/carrots at night. Treats: Dream bones, pup-peroni beef flavor, and milk bones. And yes the blood panel was performed, they said his liver was fine.

[Misfits4Me]

Welcome to the forum.....What are you feeding this puppy? Including treats??? Was a complete blood panel performed at your Vet??

Here's a lengthy thread that you might want to go through....It may answer many of your questions from others that are dealing w/the same thing....

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dogs/Phenobarbital-side-effects--how-long/show/1525013?page=1

Please, come back & let us know the above answers...Thanks