Considering putting my dog down...are we right?

[Jennasis]

Our beloved greyhound Kimya, I think, may have to be put down. She is a 4 year old sweet angel, but last October she was diagnosed with possible epilepsy due to seizures. In fact she had her first while we were in WDW on our honeymoon. We immediately contacted our vet who had us observe her to see how frequent they were before suggesting medication or anything. It quickly became apparent that something was not right as she had about 2 seizures per month and would last about 5 minutes each. We put her on Potassium Bromide which didn't help, and her seizures seemed to increase to back to back seizures twice a month (two in one night!), so we put her on Phenobarbitol...

Long story short, THAT didn't hep either, so the vet had us put her on BOTH meds, and the seizures are not better. She has them every other week or more often and just a half hour ago she had the most violent one ever. Normally she just convusles and drools and then stumbles about afterwards. tonight she FLUNG herself around our bedroom knocking over furniture, yelping, and smearing blood all over the walls (she had bitten her tongue). It scared us half to death.

Our vet had suggested that it may not be seizures but maybe a tumor or other "organic" brain dysfunction. I am So sad...out two other dogs (another greyhound and our huge lab cross mutt) will be just as devastated (you should have seen them while she was seizing...they were so worried!).

DH will call the vet today and see what she thinks, but I honestly think this may be the end. What if she seizes like this when we aren't home to practically sit on top of her to prevent her from hurting herself or the other two dogs??

Are we right?

 

[Laura]

I don't want to tell you that you're "right" or "wrong" in this, because I don't know if there's something else that can be done medically. I can see from your post that whatever you decide would be for the good of your dog and your other pets, and that's what matters. I know it's a hard decision--I had to make the choice to put down my Persian cat several years ago. In my case, I feel I took too long to decide to do it and should have done it sooner.

Hugs to you and your doggie.

 

[HonestAbe]

You should get a second opinion. We have a 19 yr old cat that our vet who had the nice big offices and everyone was so friendly and professional...and charged an arm and a leg....telling us she wasnt going to last because of kidney failure and we were going to need all these expensive surgeries and she might not make....you get the picture.

Then I took her to this old country vet in a little strip mall when she was in really bad shape because nobody else could fit her in. They kept her for 2 nights and said she was extremely dehydrated and that we would need some tests. Knowing how much every other friggin vet charged us I was expecting a bill in excess of 600-700 bucks. They charged me a little over 170 and felt bad about that. Now, I dont go anywhere else.

It seems to me your vet doesnt know what is going on and it's time to find someone else to look at your dog. My older sister has epilepsy and it took a while before they got her in the right cocktail to end the seizures but she now leaves a full life so I would say take her to another vet. And dont be impressed by the big flashy offices because all of those vets go through the same programs. As far as I know Harvard and Princeton have a school of medicine,but not a veterinary school if you catch my meaning.

PS - Our old kitty who we have nicknamed "Gerri" for geriatric is getting around great and is still a lover almost a year later. All because we found the right person who could diagnose what was going on and treat it correctly.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Only you and your vet can make the decision. It sounds as if you love your pets very much so I am sure you will make the right decision. to you.

ETA, I think HonestAbe makes a good point.

 

[cwnhokie]

Having been through horrible seizures with my dog, I just wanted to say I know what you are going through. Maybe get a second opinion just to know that you have tried everything.

My Cookie dog, was 17 and had a liver tumor that caused her seizures. She had them progressively worse for 3 days, before we had her put to sleep. It was heart breaking to watch, but made it quite clear that it was time to let her go. I had to be with her every minute and didn't sleep for those three days. So I know what you are feeling. My heart goes out to you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You know who knows what the right thing is?
This is one of those times when you will have to sit with it and perhaps get a second opinion.
Sounds like your dog's quality of life is OK, except for seizures, right? That is a tough call.
Here are some {{{hugs}}} for your pup.

 

[HERSEY]

This in my opinion is one of those times you go with with your gut feelings. only you, your family and vet know what is going on. many no matter what your decision is, try not to second guess.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would get a second opinion to make sure that there isn't anything else going on to explain the seizures or other medication to try. I would also read up as much as possible on seizures, if you haven't already. Here's one site that I know about. http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/site_map.htm

Our dog has seizures and I know how frightening they are. Hers are controlled for the most part with medication, but before we got to the part we were scared to death!

I know that you'll make the best decision for your dog and your family.

 

[helenabear]

I agree with the thoughts of getting a second opinion. This is not a reflection of you at all, but from your post, your vet does not sound very aggressive in trying to find out what is wrong. I just know from my experience with my vet, she would be doing blood work ups and beyond at minimum. I just don't expect or accept anything less than that. We recently went through a gall bladder issue with my cat, and if it weren't for how aggressive my vet was right off the bat, I am sure we would've lost my baby.

In short, go for a second opinion and try not to give up hope yet. It sounds like you love your furbaby a lot... best wishes to you

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This must be incredibly difficult for you.

If it were my dog I would make an appointment with a veterinary neurologist at the nearest veterinary school teaching hospital (in our case, that would be Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, associated with Tufts University College of Veterinary Medicine) to see what this specialist says. There may be a newer medication or another combination of medications that they know about which isn't out yet, or have other tricks up their sleeve. I would be prepared to pay for a CT scan (possibly) to rule out other disease such as brain tumor. If they could not help my dog, then I'd know I'd done everything I could possibly do. In fact, all of my dogs except my current 2yo have been to Angell at one time or another to see a specialist.

Having lost two of my own elderly dogs not so long ago (one from a brain tumor), I know how difficult this can be. But there is a big difference between an elderly dog and one in the prime of life in terms of aggressiveness of diagnosis and treatment. I do it even for the old ones but for this dog I'd surely go the extra distance. With that said, you know your dog best, and I'd support you in whatever decision is best for you, your dog and your family.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[MissMinnie]

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I have a dog who is a greyhound mix and for the last couple of months has been suffering from hip displasia and it is getting worse quickly. My vet suggests putting him down due to his age (14) as the only option he sees is hip replacement surgery. I am heartbroken at the thought of losing my buddy, but know I will have to make a decision soon. I just wish I didn't have to, but I can't let him suffer either. The poor dog can only walk or stand for a short time without constantly falling down. You will make the right decision for your dog as you know him best and love him. I wish you well and will keep you in my thoughts.

 

[dmslush]

I would get a second opinion. It would give you peace of mind to know that you have double checked what your options are for her. If there is nothing that can be done, then you will know what needs to be done

 

[hiwaygal]

Oh...I'm so sorry you are going through this...doggie seizures are SOOO terrible! BTDT.

How far are you from Blacksburg, VA? Virginia Tech has an excellent veterinary school and you may want to have some tests done there for your dog (a CT scan, and probably an MRI). It might be worth a trip to have things checked out.

Getting a second or third opinion is never a bad idea. Regardless how much we love and trust our vets, they don't know everything (just like our doctors). Your vet just may not have much experience with this kind of thing...

I pretty much agree with most everyone here...if your dog was much older, I would certainly be more inclined to let her go peacefully. But because she is relatively young, you might want to try a few more options.

No matter what, it is obvious that your decision would be only in the best interest of your dog and your family.

Good luck and to you!

 

[Disney Doll]

Based on your dog's age, I would probably get a 2nd opinion before I put her down.

Seizures in a dog are fairly common and pretty treatable, so there may be something else going on, which may also be easily treatable, if you know what it is that's going on.

If I got basically the same information form both sources, then I'd start thinking about quality of life etc. with regard to putting her down.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I am sorry you have to go through this. By all means get a second opinion if she is only 4.
I had a 3 1/2 year old lab mix develop epilepsy. Unfortunately, when he was coming out of his seizures he was very nasty--don't think he recognized anybody--snapped at us, etc. He almost bit the vet when he was in for tests. Since our kids were only 6 months, 3 and 6, we had to have him put down. I think he may have had a tumor or something.
Robin M.

 

[Cantw8]

Awww, I'm so sorry. Yes, get a second opinion. When I was faced with the possibilty of having to put my dog down, I had to consider "quality" of life. I did not want him to suffer just because I couldn't let him go. KWIM?

 

[JoiseyMom]

I am really sorry about your pooch! I vote with the others for a second opinion. Our golden just turned 6, and he has epilepsy. We tried Phenobarb at first, and it made him dopey, so my DH switched to a holistic doctor. We tried lots of stuff and then went back to the Phenobarb. He hasn't had a seziure in over 6 months (knocking on wood here), and the last one he had wasn't very mild. He also isn't dopey on the drugs anymore. Keep on trying.

 

[Jennasis]

Thank you all for your opinions. I don't know why a second opinion hadn't entered my mind, but yes, I think we'll try that first. I believe the vet wants her in for more blood work first to see if the Potassium Bromide levels in her system are correct (at a "therapuetic level") which we already did several weeks ago with the phenobarbitol...her blood work was all good.

Virginia Tech is wonderful, but we are also about the same distance from NC State. Also wonderful. I will FIND a way to pay for the $1000 MRI...I believe a CT scan is a little less (according to my vet). I can't afford brain surgery though if it's a tumor. DH and I were hoping that the worst case scenario would be that it was a tumor, but we could control the seizures at least until her regular quality of life became affected. Like I said she is fine when she isn't seizing (except the 1/2 hour before the seizure and several hours after when she is completely wiped out, or acting drunk).

I don't want to give up on her, and neither does DH. Our dogs are our children. I posted this thread about 1/2 an hour after that seizure last night (maybe 3:30am ish?) after looking at Dh who was crying as he held Kimya down with the blanket, blood driping from her mouth, and he looked at me and choked out "do we have to put her to sleep?" We'll do what we can, medically and financially. But I don't want her to hurt herself or the other two dogs either.

 

[lisajl]

Second opinion would be good. On the other hand...if your dog has been on both meds at once and it still did not help, I don't know what else they could do.
We had a Rott that had seizures (not me), he was a patient of ours at the veterinary clinic I work at.
We had him on both meds, owners could not afford all the meds, and waited too long to get a refill.
I missed the frantic call that their dog was having a huge seizure. They brought the dog in, it was seizing so violently it bit it's tongue off.
Not something you want to see...Needless to say, the dog was put down.

Only you can make that final decision. It's always a tough one no matter what.
Give your doggy a hug and a kiss for me...

Lisa

 

[Rozzie]

keep us updated.

I also have greyhounds, and your post just brought tears to my eyes. Hope you have good news soon to report. Until then, a big <<hug>> for you and your pup. Greyhounds are the most incredible creatures on earth, and I cannot imagine the pain you feel seeing her in this condition. Hopefully a second opinion will shed some light and improve her condition. I admire your resolve to stick by your grey, I know we have emptied our pockets for the health of our dogs, you are not alone!