Need some prayers for my Pooch

[daisax]

Have you checked his thyroid? I show and breed boxers and thyroid issues can cause seizures, but vets seldom check for them. I have a dog on potassium bromide now and hope to start weaning her off in February, assuming she will be 1 year free from seizures at that point (we will wean off it extremely slowly). Took me 4 months to convince the vet to check her thyroid (the FULL panel, not the quick one), and sure enough... wonky thyroid. She had none of the typical symptoms (hair loss, weight gain, etc.), but there were some personality issues in retrospect that may have been a clue had I been looking for it.

Epilepsy is extremely common in labs right now, especially certain lines of labs. Much, much, much less so in boxers. Not that it's impossible, but it's worth investigating.

As others have said, dogs can live long, full lives with epilepsy. I would look into maybe switching to potassium bromide -- phenobarb has a lot more side effects and issues as far as I've been able to determine. Obviously, of course, we don't know the details of your dog's precise condition - phenobarb may be the best option.

 

[juligrl]

My girl (the fuzzy one in my sig) is a Jack Russell Terrier who has had a couple of seizure events. Do your research, talk to your vet and do some more research when deciding how to best deal with your dog's seizures. As PPs have said, dogs with seizures can live full, normal lives - give that pup a hug and figure out what works for the two of you.

 

[Sneezie]

Have you checked his thyroid? I show and breed boxers and thyroid issues can cause seizures, but vets seldom check for them. I have a dog on potassium bromide now and hope to start weaning her off in February, assuming she will be 1 year free from seizures at that point (we will wean off it extremely slowly). Took me 4 months to convince the vet to check her thyroid (the FULL panel, not the quick one), and sure enough... wonky thyroid. She had none of the typical symptoms (hair loss, weight gain, etc.), but there were some personality issues in retrospect that may have been a clue had I been looking for it.

Epilepsy is extremely common in labs right now, especially certain lines of labs. Much, much, much less so in boxers. Not that it's impossible, but it's worth investigating.

As others have said, dogs can live long, full lives with epilepsy. I would look into maybe switching to potassium bromide -- phenobarb has a lot more side effects and issues as far as I've been able to determine. Obviously, of course, we don't know the details of your dog's precise condition - phenobarb may be the best option.

I will definitely talk to my vet about checking his thyroid when I go back on Christmas eve. She said that they are going to see how the phenobarb works and hope that it controls the seizures, but I really don't want him to get hooked on that.

It really makes me feel good to know that there are so many other reasons the seizures could be going on besides a brain lesion or tumor.

How will your dog's thyroid condition be treated?

 

[daisax]

It really makes me feel good to know that there are so many other reasons the seizures could be going on besides a brain lesion or tumor.

Absolutely. However, sadly brain issues are a large cause, especially with older boxers. I wouldn't even mention that except that many vets will pressure you to do expensive tests ($2000 MRIs, cat scans, etc.) And the sad truth is, if it's a brain tumor... it's a brain tumor. You're not going to change anything. So I feel bad for people who are fragile and worried and spend vast amounts of money on diagnostics that aren't going to change the course of events. Time alone will make that diagnosis, usually within a few months.

How will your dog's thyroid condition be treated?

She's been on thyroid pills since summer. We have continued the seizure medication (potassium bromide) because we don't know for certain she didn't ALSO have a seizure condition, and tapering off seizure meds can cause even worse seizures. So we decided to wait a year and THEN taper off the seizure meds super super slowly, like over 6 months (she only takes 2 ml/day).

If she seizes again, she can remain on it the rest of her life. If she doesn't, we'll conclude that it was the thyroid all along.

I don't want her taking the seizure meds her whole life if she doesn't need them, but potassium bromide is apparently pretty well tolerated compared to other approaches, so if she must, so be it.

 

[ols386]

Thank you to everyone for all of the encouraging words and prayers.

Tanner is just starting to show the drowsiness that the vet warned us about, but all in all he is doing well. He is getting loopy or acting like he's drunk. He's drinking alot of water - which the vet said would also happen. He seems to be doing okay. He is a big spoiled baby and is playing this up for all its worth.

He's a really cute dog. I think he will be ok, after he gets adjusted initially to the medications. Best wishes!

 

[Sneezie]

I really believe that the vet thinks its a brain tumor but she doesn't want to tell me. They are really not big on pressuring the customers to do unnecessary tests and will actually talk you out of it. She said an MRI may be something I could consider down the line. But they are going to try every other option first because like you said if it's a brain tumor, it's a brain tumor. They could go in and remove it, but it would cost me.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm so sorry.

 

[daisax]

I really believe that the vet thinks its a brain tumor but she doesn't want to tell me. They are really not big on pressuring the customers to do unnecessary tests and will actually talk you out of it. She said an MRI may be something I could consider down the line. But they are going to try every other option first because like you said if it's a brain tumor, it's a brain tumor.

Sounds like a good vet. The important thing is quality of life. If it's epilepsy, the phenobarb should do the trick. If it's a tumor, you'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, you just love him (and it's obvious you do).

Boxer boys are such babies anyway -- it shouldn't be hard to spoil him!

 

[Sneezie]

I just wanted to give everyone an update on Tanner.

Tanner started on phenobarbital on December 9th and he hasn't had anymore seizures since then.

It was really hard getting him through the initial introduction to the phenobarbital but we took it in stride. He would walk around in circles until he was just ready to fall out and he always had this goofy, drunken sailor look on his face. He pee'd all the time - I mean - all the time. He would be walking in a circle, stop, pee, then start walking again. He didn't care if you were in his path or not. We would just laugh at him and clean it up because we knew he couldn't help it.

He took his first set of titers and everything was normal. So we're hoping that it is actually epilepsy and the pheno will work for many years to come.

Thanks again everyone for your prayers and notes of concern. They are greatly appreciated!

 

[CinderellyCinderelly]

Glad to hear the doggie is doing better! I got a cocker spaniel when I was 2 because Lady and the Tramp was my favorite movie. She ended up having the same problems as you said Tanner was having and was put on the same medication. It helped but she still had seizures and like pp's have said, you just have to be there to comfort them during that time. She lived to be 8 and died from other problems, not from the seizures. However the vet did say it was due to inbreeding and it is usually more common with purebred dogs. Good luck and hugs!

 

[kirbydog48]

Hi Sneezie,
So glad to hear Tanner is doing okay on the Phenobarbital. It's really worked well for my Kirby. He's been on it since October and only had one very minor seizure (only about 45 seconds) since; I think it was brought on by very cold weather (like about minus 20 with the wind chill). Aren't you glad you don't live in New England? Thanks for keeping us posted!!

 

[Sneezie]

Apparently I spoke to soon about Tanner.

He left my mom's house yesterday and when they tried to get him to come back inside, he turned and walked away.

I managed to get him back into the house when I got off from work (about 2 hours later). He stayed inside for about an hour then, when I let him out to relieve himself he took off again. I drove up and down the street looking for him and when I would see him and try to get him to come back he would run away from me. He ended up staying out all night and right now my dad is walking the streets looking for him. We haven't seen him in a few hours.

It's very disturbing. We don't know what's come over him.

Please continue to pray for him. I doubt that he would hurt anyone but I really don't want him to get hurt.

 

[kirbydog48]

Just checking to see if you found him????

 

[chisnpeke]

I hope you find your doggie. I was so happy to read he was doing better on the medication.

If you haven't found him yet have you thought of calling the shelters and see if anyone brought a boxer in. If no one has at least they would know to look out for one. I'm saying prayers that Tanner gets home safely.

 

[Sneezie]

We did find Tanner yesterday morning. Unfortunately, we found his body. He had strayed further from the house than we thought he could and got onto a main highway and got hit by a car. We brought him home and buried him in our pet cemetary.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers, they really are a source of great comfort.

 

[Jeninindy]

Many, many hugs to you.....I am so sorry for your loss......

 

[mamamary]

Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry.

 

[lisadr]

My six-year old boxer, Tanner, had a seizure the week before Thanksgiving. I called the emergency vet and was told if he had another I should bring him in. Well, he didn't have another one (atleast that I know of) until Monday night. Then he had another one on Tuesday morning. I took him to the vet on Tuesday and was told that he may either have epilepsy or a brain lesions or tumor. He is now on a low-dose of phenobarbitol to hopefully control the seizures.

Here's a picture of Tanner in his Halloween costume.

Please pray for my baby! He is such a sweetie and is otherwise perfectly healthy.

Also, I would appreciate encouragement and advice from anyone else who has dogs who suffer from seizures. I feel totally helpless when he's having one.

SILs dog used to have them and there wasn't much they could do except watch over him and make sure he didn't hurt himself . I will definitely say a prayer for your pup. There is nothing in the world like a dog. The love you completely. Sending healing thoughts Tannersway

 

[Jockaroo]

Sneezie, I am so sorry for your loss. I can tell that Tanner was a very important member of your family. Be at peace sweet Tanner. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts during this difficult time.

 

[sorcerormickey]

I'm so sorry.