Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all. We have enjoyed a quiet, relaxing and blessed Christmas. Brady is doing well since his last episode nine days ago. At the recommendation of Dr. Katherman, his phenobarbital was increased and all is well. He has been tolerating the increase well. He will have phenobarb levels checked on Thursday, December 30.  His acupuncture session with Dr. Peace was on December 20 and he greatly benefited from that. We pray that he is on another long seizure free stretch.

Rough Nite for Brady

On December 15, 2010 at 11:37 pm, the seizure monster reared it's ugly head and Brady had a grand mal seizure. His last seizure was on August 1st; 136 days, 18 hours and 47 minutes ago. This equals 4.5 months, which is the longest amount of time that he has been seizure free since last year. It is so terribly disappointing to see him have seizure activity after such a wonderful long streak of peacefulness. But at the same time we are extremely thankful that he was able to go for such a long stretch without any episodes. The seizure began at 11:37 pm with convulsions and thrashing and a lot of drool. There was no loss of urine or stool. At 11:40 pm, the thrashing stopped and Brady laid there as still as could be. Jeff was gently massaging his head as I inserted the rectal suppository of valium. By 11:44pm Brady was up on his feet. It seemed that he laid there so calmly and still after the seizure was over a little longer than normal. I remember thinking when is he going to get up?  Once up, he seemed to recover fairly quickly although at the time he was pacing and unsteady on his feet. He was also ravenous. Once I realized that he was okay, I gave him some rescue remedy and also a cup of food. It was really hard for him to settle down afterwards and in about 20 minutes or so, Brady began to whine. We thought that this was possibly due to him needing to go out and potty. Jeff took him out to relieve himself, so, of course, the valium suppository came out as there had not been enough time for it to dissolve. After his potty break, I gave him some plain yogurt with two scoops of di tan tang and one scoop of bu xi xue feng mixed in. These are the two Chinese herbs that he takes each day.
At 12:41 am Brady started to contort his face and clench his teeth together and what looked like another grand mal was beginning. However, thankfully, this was only a focal and did not become a gm. There was no thrashing and it was over within a matter of seconds.
During the next half hour after this focal, it was hard for Brady to settle down so Jeff decided to take him outside and let him walk around on leash for a bit. This seemed to help matters so we tried to doze off, but at 1:19 am another focal started which lasted only a few seconds. Same thing...his teeth were clenching and his jaws were snapping with facial contortions. But again there were no convulsions or thrashing. It seemed to me that every time Brady would dry to doze off, another focal would occur. Another one came on at 1:24 am; Jeff estimated that this one lasted 20 seconds. We were so thankful that these focal seizures were not grand mal seizures, but why wouldn't this cluster of focals end?! I was beginning to be really worried. Things settled down for just a bit, but once again at 2:09 am another focal took place. This one was less than a minute; it had the same characteristics as the others, but seemed a few seconds longer. This made 4 focal in a relatively short amount of time. At 2:18am, my mind was racing. I decided that I should insert another valium suppository. Once this was done, things remained calm and no more seizures occurred. Thank you God!
I assume that the valium suppository broke this series of clusters. I just wish I had thought of it sooner before four focals had occurred. The good thing is that Brady made a quick recovery after each seizure. Once this suppository went in, it seemed that he immediately was able to rest. Everything was peaceful and calm until 7am when the alarm went off to give Brady his morning medication. Brady appeared to be fine and none the worse for wear after the night he had. We couldn't say the same for ourselves. He took his meds, had his breakfast and went out to relieve himself as normal. We didn't go for our daily walk due to the snowfall. Hopefully, it is over and now the clock will start over again.
I phoned Dr. Katherman to inform her of what had occurred overnight. Her initial feeling was that Brady's phenobarbital level has probably dropped due to his liver metabolizing it so fast. Her recommendation was to increase his phenobarbital by a half a pill morning and night. He will be getting 81 mg twice per day for a daily total of 162 mg instead of 64.8 mg twice per day = 129.6 mg daily. He will be getting 16.2 mg more per dose and 32.4 mg more per day.
Brady has an appointment with Dr. Katherman in two weeks on Thursday, December 30th, to check a trough level of phenobarbital to insure that we haven't taken the dose up too high.

Never give up hope!

A year ago today things were looking very bleak for Brady. His epilepsy was getting worse and over a period of months it became extremely hard to control his seizures. Ultimately there was no control. It was on this day last year that he finally got in to see a neurologist. That was a turning point for him. And now with the help of some new conventional anti-seizure medications and Traditional Chinese Medicine, he is doing fantastic! Thank you God! Never give up hope!

Christmas Picture of Riverdogs

Today I took a group Christmas picture of our babies, a.k.a. the Riverdogs. Everyone wore their Christmas bows with pride and behaved really well during our 'photo shoot'. What naturals!

From left to right: Gracie, Shelby, Brady and Zach. I'm really pleased with how patient all four were with me as I snapped away. : )

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace, harmony and good health!

Good news update

Things continue to go well for Brady. He had his acupuncture session last night with Dr. Peace and loved it! : )
He has truly come to look so forward to his sessions with Dr. Peace. He went a little longer between acupuncture sessions this time since Dr. Peace had the flu last week and needed to reschedule our visit. It's good to know that going 4 weeks is okay, but I feel more at ease and comfortable leaving our visits at intervals of 3 weeks. So we'll see her again on December 20th. Keep up the good work sweet Brady!

Thank you dear Lord for watching over us and wrapping us in your love.

Life is Good

I haven't posted in a long time, I know, but the great news is that Brady has been seizure-free since my last posting! We are so thankful and encouraged by this long stretch without any episodes and pray that it will continue. Brady is doing really well; he is still on all of his medications and 2 Chinese herbals (since April '10)
and continues to receive aqua-acupuncture every 3 weeks. Tonight is his appointment to get acupuncture and he has really come to look forward to each session. Dr. Peace is great to him and has been a God send for him and for us. Since my last posting, Brady turned 11 years old on September 28, 2010. He still loves to go for daily walks, chases his tennis ball every chance he gets, absolutely loves car rides, and of course soaks up being spoiled rotten. He is definitely loving life and living it to the fullest. : )
Thank You God!

Appointment with Dr. Katherman

On Thursday, August 5th, Brady has an appointment to see Dr. Katherman for a physical exam and some blood work. She suspects that his phenobarbital level has probably dropped below therapeutic range due to how quickly the liver metabolizes it out of the body. Therefore, tweaking this drug may be in order. We will wait for the results and post what we find out.

Brady has been doing really well since this recent bout of seizures on Sunday. He is looking bright and alert and doesn't seemed to have suffered any ill effects. Thank you dear Lord for watching over him and all of us.

Seizure Monster Pays A Visit

On Sunday, August 1, 2010, at 2:18 am the awful seizure monster paid a visit. It had been 56 days and 6 hours since Brady's last seizure. He had a grand mal at 2:18 am that lasted about a minute or maybe a little less. This one was typical of his previous seizure on 6-5-10. Possibly there was less thrashing or it could have been because Jeff was holding him close on his bed. There did seem to be less drool. Recovery was quick and he was on his feet by 2:22 am. Once the seizure was over and before he stood up, I inserted a valium suppository. As I was going into the kitchen to get him a cup of kibble afterwards, he had another focal seizure. At first, Jeff thought he was getting ready to go into another grand mal. However, he didn't go into a full blown seizure, but did have a partial or focal seizure which was over quickly. This happened at 2:30 am and again he had a quick recovery. I gave him a cup of food (one half cup at a time because he devours it so fast, I am always afraid that he will choke) and some rescue remedy on a piece of bread. We took him out to use the bathroom and while we were in the garage I gave him a small bit of vanilla ice cream.
We went back to the bedroom to try to get him to settle down and hopefully go back to sleep. I don't think I ever really slept, but dozed off for short spurts. At 4:30 am I heard him and turned the lamp on dim. He was on my side of the bed on the floor. I knelt down in the floor with him and he was having another focal. This involved eye blinking and face twitching and contorting. He appeared to be blind momentarily. This seemed to be over very quickly and probably only lasted about 30 seconds.
Once again we tried to get settled and go back to sleep. At 5 am the alarm sounded....time for Jeff to get up and get ready for work. Brady got on the bed with me and we went to sleep. At 6:46 am he went into another grand mal seizure. It was pretty much the same as the one at 2 am. It lasted a minute, possibly a little less (our bedside clock is digital and doesn't show seconds). Once the thrashing stopped, I quickly put him on his bed in the floor and ran to the fridge to get another valium suppository. I inserted it and he was on his feet by 6:50 am. Once again he made a quick recovery. Once he had come around, I gave him his morning dose of medications.

All is Well

Today is my husband's and Brady's dad's birthday. We want to wish him a very Happy Birthday and many, many more! Thank you for being the world's best husband and dad to all of our 4 legged babies!

Things are going great for Brady. We are hoping and praying as always that this good trend will continue for him. He looks great and feels great, especially after an acupuncture session with Dr. Peace. His last session with her was just a few days ago on Monday, July 12th. Thank you Dr. Peace for taking such great care of him and all that you do. His medications and Chinese Herbals remain the same.

Psalm 91:4
"He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection."

Aqua Acupuncture Visit with Dr. Peace

On Monday June 21, Brady had a session of aqua acupuncture with Dr. Peace. He did well with it. There were one or two "touchy" places when she injected the needle but he managed to make it. :)

He must feel amazing after a treatment because it sure does show in his appearance. His eyes sparkle and he smiles a huge smile. He looks so happy and bright and alert.

His next appointment with her is Monday, July 12. I always look forward to it because it makes him feel so good.

Thank you Dr. Peace!

Happy Update :)

Things are going well...Brady is doing well and feeling well. He is himself these days and hopefully he is on another good streak now. I still have not been able to bring myself to apply the Frontline Top Spot on him. I'll will give it more time, until he has been seizure-free longer. He goes for his next session of aqua acupuncture with Dr. Peace on Monday, June 21. That is something we always look forward to and it's a very good thing for him.

"May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us." Psalms 67:1

Frontline Top Spot: decisions, decisions

Yesterday I wrote to Dr. Jean Dodds, her website is www.hemopet.org, asking if Frontline Top Spot is safe for epileptic dogs. Her response to me was, "It should be safe – although one never knows until you try it."

I have been reluctant to apply it to Brady, but will soon probably have too. We did find a tick on him filled with blood. I worry about seizure triggers, but at the same time worry about him getting Lyme disease, not to mention a flea infestation. I have heard that there are many cases of it out there this year. I have used it on him in the past so it should be okay. It's just that with all he has been through recently, the decision to apply the Frontline Top Spot has been difficult. I have read that Frontline Top Spot is a safer alternative to Frontline Plus for epi-dogs since it doesn't contain as many chemicals. Still it seems to me that it is a double-edge sword decision to make.

The decision to apply it hasn't come lightly, but contracting Lyme disease would only add to his issues.

Follow-up on Brady

I spoke with Dr. Katherman on Monday, 6/7/10, and we are going to monitor him for now and see what his trend will be from here forward. If there is another seizure, we will schedule him in for blood work to see if his drug levels have dropped. He is back on his normal phenobarbital dose, which is 2 tablets of 32.4 mg twice per day=129.6 mg daily total, instead of 1 tablet of 60 mg=120 mg daily total that he had taken for 7 days. And of course, he is still on all of the other medications. Dr. Katherman said that the difference in milligrams could possibly have caused the two breakthrough seizures and possibly it was not the cause of them. I spoke with a pharmacist at Rite Aid and it was his opinion that a difference of 10 mg (9.6) per day is a lot.

Brady also had his acupuncture session with Dr. Peace on Monday night, 6/7/10. It was a great session and when we returned home he was very peaceful and calm. He had a wonderful night of restful, peaceful sleep. We will be doubling his Chinese herbal supplement, Din Tan Tang, for 2 weeks.

Thank you Dear Lord for watching over him and protecting him. Please continue to keep him under your loving care. I pray that the seizure monsters will stay away.

Second Seizure 6-5-10 at 8 pm

Brady had a second seizure at 8 pm on June 5th. This one lasted 90 seconds. This seizure seemed more severe than the previous one at 12:14 am. His face was contorted and the convulsions seemed to be worse. There was excessive drooling and this time he lost bladder control. Afterwards he was ravenous and somewhat uncoordinated. He was unsettled and wanted to pace. By 10 pm, he was resting well and comfortably. Once the convulsions stopped I inserted a valium suppository and gave him 3 droppers of Rescue Remedy. After he was on his feet and fully aware of his surroundings, I gave him a small amount of vanilla ice cream.

Usually once he has a seizure after a break from them, another one will follow within a 24 hour period. This time it was approximately 20 hours between seizures. Hopefully, the cycle has been broken and there will be no further seizure activity.

Thank you dear God for watching over him and keeping him safe during the seizure and for a good recovery. We pray that we can have another good seizure free streak.

"For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go." ~~ Psalm 91:11 NLT

A seizure occurred after 91 days of freedom from this horrible disease called epilepsy

Much to my disappointment, I have to report that Brady had a seizure this morning at 12:14 am. Sadly, this ended his 91 day seizure-free streak.
It was a grand mal, however, the severity of it seemed less than in the past. For this we are very thankful. The seizure itself last about a minute. Once the convulsing stopped I inserted a valium suppository and gave him 3 droppers of Rescue Remedy. Within several minutes, by 12:18am, he was up on his feet and appeared to be fine. There was no pacing afterwards and he seemed to have his bearings as soon as he was on his feet. We are thankful not only that it was less severe and relatively short, but we are also thankful that he had a very quick recovery. He ate 1/2 cup of food, 1/4 at a time and was able to settle down and rest soon after.

On May 29th, his phenobarbital dose changed from 64.8 mg twice daily to 60 mg twice daily.
Dr. Katherman assured me that this small change in milligrams (which was a difference of 9.6mg a day) would not make a difference when I called to question this. Apparently, however, it was enough of a difference to cause a breakthrough seizure. He has been on the 60 mg tablet for a week, but as of tonight his dose will go back to 64.8 mg twice per day=129.6 mg per day instead of the 120 mg that he had been taking for a week.

With the restart of the clock, our prayers are that he will be able to maintain another long seizure-free stretch.

*Note: the reason for the change in milligrams was because when Dr. Slayman called a new prescription in to the pharmacy, she called in 60 mg (one tablet twice per day)
instead of 32.4 mg (two tablets twice per day). Evidently she did this so there would be less tablets for him to have to take. But honestly, he is taking so many pills, that one extra is not a worry.

Happy Update : )

Things continue to go well for Brady. As of today he is 91 days seizure free and we pray that he will continue to hold this great pattern. I have to admit when I think of him having those awful seizures, it makes me feel queasy. I can't thank God enough that he is doing so well. Brady had his third acupuncture session with Dr. Peace on May 24th and will have a fourth on June 7th.
He is feeling great and life is good. :)

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in sun-scorched land...You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. ~~Isaiah 58:11 NIV

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine: "For further reading on TCM, the following books are highly recommended:
Four Paws Five Directions (by: Cheryl Schwartz, DVM)
The Well Connected Dog: A Guide to Canine Acupressure (by: Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis)
Canine Acupressure: A treatment workbook (by: Nancy Zidonis and Marie Soderberg)
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice (edited by Allen M Schoen DVM and Susan G. Wynn DVM)
Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine (edited by Allen Schoen)
Veterinary Acupuncture: (by: Klide and Kung)

Some sites on the Internet you might like to peruse that deal mainly with veterinary acupuncture:

http://users.med.auth.gr/~karanik/english/veter.htm
http://www.altvetmed.com/acupunct.html
http://www.msnbc.com/news/185564.asp
http://users.med.auth.gr/~karanik/english/webjour.htm

Human Acupuncture
http://www.acupuncture.com/"

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine: "The root cause for the occurrence and development of disease in Chinese medicine is imbalance between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are opposite forces, that when balanced, work together. Examples of Yin are water, passive, slow, night, and moon. Examples of Yang are fire, active, fast, day, and sun.


Chinese Medicine acknowledges several causes for disease.

External causes include wind, cold, damp, dryness, and heat. Wind includes things such as air conditioning, and some say it also includes microwaves, and radiation. The source of the external cause does not have to be a natural source. Internal causes are known as the, ÄúSeven Emotions,Äù. The emotions are anger, joy, grief, fear, worry, and anxiety. There is disagreement in various translations on what the exact 'Seven Emotions' are, but these six are pretty constant. Other causes of disease include constitution, diet, exercise, rest, and trauma.

In TCM seizures are often caused by heat generated by the liver, which generates wind, which causes the seizure. (The image of someone caught up in a wind storm might help explain that terminology.) Seizures can also commonly be caused by imbalances in the heart meridian. Deficient Kidney Yin can also play a role. If Kidney Yin is low, Yang is dominant, and heat is Yang. It is important to treat the Liver Heat, (or Heart, depending on the diagnosis), but also to work to bring the Kidney Yin back up, and in balance with Kidney Yang. The Kidneys, in TCM, are Water. Water helps Wood, (Liver), and hinders Fire (Heart), so if the Kidneys are out of balance, that could be a factor in the Liver or Heart imbalances that trigger seizures. By using the various methods of diagnosing imbalances, a practioner will be able to detemine the imbalances that need to be treated in any individual, and the best method for treating those imbalances."

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine: "The basic principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to restore balance.

If a disease is due to an excess, that excess must be drained.
If it is due to a deficiency, that deficiency should be tonified.
If the problem is due to heat, that heat should be cooled.
If the problem is due to cold, that cold should be warmed.
If it is due to dryness, that dryness should be moistened.
And, if it is due to dampness, that dampness should be dried.


The root cause for the occurrence and development of disease in Chinese medicine is imbalance between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are opposite forces, that when balanced, work together. Examples of Yin are water, passive, slow, night, and moon. Examples of Yang are fire, active, fast, day, and sun."

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine: "Traditionally, in Chinese medicine, a variety of techniques are used to diagnosis the imbalances for an individual. The diagnostic process uses symptoms, and appearance, (including dry skin, weight, and odors). Also used are tongue diagnosis, (the tongue is looked at), and pulse diagnosis, which differs quite a bit from Western pulse taking. When checking the tongue, practioners look at color, shape, tongue coating, and cracks in the tongue. There are certain spots on the tongue that relate to the organs, (such as the liver and spleen), and they'll note how those certain areas look also.

When doing pulse diagnosis, the pulse is felt in 3 positions and 2 layers, each corresponding to an organ and meridian. There are 6 pulses on the right front paw: Large Intestine, Lungs, Stomach, Spleen/Pancreas, Kidney Yang, Pericardium. There are 6 pulses on the left front paw: Small Intestine, Heart, Gall bladder, Liver, Urinary Bladder, and Kidney Yin.

(NOTE: description of Kidney Yang and Kidney Yin follows)

Using all this information will help practioners determine where the energy blockages are, and how they should be treated. Some practioners have developed their own ways of reading the energy, and might have something that they do instead of, or in addition to, the traditional diagnostic techniques."

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine: "Here is how that works:

Qi is energy circulating in the body. Qi, (also spelled Chi, and pronounced, ÄúChee,Äù), is the life force energy. There are 12 major meridians and 8 extra meridians through which the Qi circulates. Meridians are like rivers which distribute Qi throughout the body. If any of these meridians have a blockage that causes the energy to not flow properly, problems develop, such as illness, swelling, and pain.There are several factors that can affect the flow of Qi through the meridians. For example, weather, your mood, foods eaten, and much more affect the flow of Qi. Acupuncture is used to stimulate the flow of Qi through some meridians, and to inhibit the flow of Qi in other channels (meridians) to restore balance. When the Qi is balanced, you're healthy. Too much Qi in one area, and not enough in others creates an imbalance which causes health problems.

The meridians follow aspects of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, and nervous systems. Qi flows through the meridians directing the blood and other body fluids that keep us alive. This quote might help explain: 'The meridians are like major power lines running through the body, and the acupuncture points are the relay switches to access the energy.' The acupuncture needles and herbs are being used to access the energy on the acupuncture points. Chinese herbs work in the same sort of way as acupuncture. Herbs also have the function of balancing the body by treating energy blockages, by treating conditions like heat, excess, cold, deficiency, and other imbalances.

There are 37 actions or functions for herbs, (such as warming, clearing, reducing*, and tonifying**). *Reducing means that it will help get rid of an excess of energy for a specific meridian. **Tonifying means that it will strengthen the meridian it works on."

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine: "Many sources say that the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine can be traced back to approximately three thousand years ago. 'Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine' states: 'Legend has it that veterinary acupuncture was discovered when lame horses used in battle were found to become sound after being hit by arrows at distinct points.'

The first veterinary acupuncture report in Europe was published in 1828, but many US citizens were not aware of Chinese Medicine until the Nixon era. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) was founded in 1974 by a group of veterinarians, and has steadily grown since. In 1988, the American Veterinary Medical Association acknowledged that veterinary acupuncture and acutherapy are valid modalities.

As you will see, Chinese Medicine is quite unlike Western Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, acupressure, food therapies, medication and exercises. It is a very different, yet logical, way of thinking and dealing with problems to assit your four-legged friend. The goal of acupuncture and Chinese herbs is to rebalance the body by treating the meridians, which are located beneath the skin's surface."

Second Aqua Acupuncture Visit with Dr. Peace

On Monday, May 10th, Brady had his second aqua acupuncture visit with Dr. Peace. This time she injected a multi B vitamin. The session went well. She also put him on 2 Chinese herbal supplements, Di Tan Tang and Bu Xue Xi Feng. Both of the herbals are indicated for epilepsy.

We are tremendously thankful that things are going so well for Brady and we pray that he continues to do well and to feel well.

God is good and shows us mercy everyday.

Happy Mother's Day (written through the eyes of an epi-dog)

The following is taken from the Epil-K9 List that I belong to. It is contributed by Sandy Pratt.

...."I post this yearly because they want you to
hear them. They wrote this for you."

I wanted to take this time to let you know I know it is not easy being the
mom of a dog with epilepsy. I know you could have taken a million trips
around the world by now with all the money you have spent on meds and docs
and running me to ER. And also cause you are afraid to leave me with someone
else... Thank you...please know, when I look in your eyes and feel your
hand on me *nothing* you would have seen or done on a trip is as beautiful
as what you give to me. I wish you could go to fancy places but the places
in your heart are much more beautiful and I see them every day in you.
Your voice softly speaking to me when that monster comes..though you may not
know I heard you..I did. Some of the bridge kids say it's a better sound
than that of an angel.. Thank you, it helps to calm me ...I didn't forget
the times you have not yelled at me when I cannot see and run and pace in a
panic...and break things you like...I am sorry but what a blessing you are
to not scold me I didn't mean to do it and you did not shame me..Thank you.
I am sorry for the times I have went potty on the floor or bed and you had
to clean it...please know if I could I would clean it myself. You are
always so sweet about it ...thank you. ...Thank you also for staying up all
night when the S comes and laying on the floor by me..or staying up while
I pace it out of me. I know you would rather be doing something else or
sleeping. I notice all you do...even when you try to hide your fear and
tears...I know, that's why sometimes I put my paw on you or lay my head on
you.....I saw and felt how you felt inside and didn't know how else to comfort
you....And for those moms who say.."Oh he or she is not my dog they are just
a foster dogs". You are not kidding US we know regular people do not
spend the time and more so worry and fear, and tears for us ....and though
someday we may find another home....YOU will be Mom ...and for some of us...we
know, you know....we will not get another home because many do not want
dogs like us...but you took us in.....you're not kidding us....we know you
love us AND are our mom
Thank you for the ice cream...I see you eat less to afford it.....and for
all the time you spend online learning how to help me on foods and
treatment options so much study to help me.....I know, and cannot thank you enough.
I know, I can act rather odd, thank you for overlooking that. It is easier
to love a healthy dog. It takes a special mom to love an epi dog. In my
eyes you're a saint.
I know sometimes you take me with you when you fear the monster will
come...and I know sometimes you can't cause you have to fetch the food and keep
the cave over our heads thank you mommy
Thank you for helping me to the bridge when I could not go on. I KNOW it
was hard and how you have cried after.Know I am well now and that monster
did not follow me Though in your arms is the best place..I will be there
again when you come.. I did not go far from you I am right here by your side
and in your heart..I cannot cover all that you do and are that I am so
grateful for....but know I see it all. A special thank you for helping one
another on this list ...I know you have learned a lot that helps me. You have
shared in joys and sorrows all of that makes you a better person and ME
a blessed dog. Mom , I want you to have a great day. I wish you a day that
feels like the moment I hear your voice...or see your face......Simply put,
I love you too!!!



(Please keep in mind a mom is one who nurtures so you can be male or
female ...it is not gender specific)

Aqua Acupuncture Visit with Dr. Peace

On Monday May 3rd, Brady went for an Aqua Acupuncture Session with Dr. Peace. Vitamin B-12, which is very calming, was injected into various acupuncture points and fortunately she was able to get many points done. He was a very good boy and the session went extremely well. We look forward to our session next week.

Aqua-acupuncture or aquapuncture is the injection of a liquid, typically
Vitamin B-12, Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan or PSGAG), normal
saline or homeopathic remedies, into acupuncture points. The purpose of the
liquid is to put pressure on the acupuncture point, similar to the way an
acupuncture needle is used. One of the main benefits to aquapuncture is the
continuous stimulation or sedation of the point for several days. In
general, practitioners will use aqua-acupuncture in conjunction with
acupuncture on one to a few specific points that require prolonged
stimulation.

April 26, 2010 visit with Dr. Katherman

On April 26th, Brady went to see Dr. Katherman for a peak and trough blood draw to check levels of Levetiracetam (generic for Keppra).

On Monday, May 3rd, his lab results were in. Brady's Levetiracetam levels are about where we would like them to be. What we need to do at this point is to monitor Brady's seizure control over a longer period of time and if it looks like we have significant improvement and satisfactory control then we can talk about reducing his other medication.

Brady is doing very well and we pray that this will continue for him. Thank you Dear God for being with us and watching over us.

Ear Acupuncture Tacks in Place

On Friday, April 23rd, I took Brady to see Dr. Peace for his ear acupuncture. She implanted a tiny stainless steel staple in each ear at a strong acupuncture point. He will keep these in forever and if they happen to become dislodged, we will simply put them back in.

Acupuncture is another helpful option which has helped to control seizures in many pets. Sometimes just placing an ear acupuncture tack in a dog's ear will stop seizures and this only requires one acupuncture visit.

If the ear tack doesn't work, gold implants can be placed in different locations under a pet's head. Or your pet can be treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture.

Holistic Veterinary Medicine « Gardner Animal Care Center's Blog

Holistic Veterinary Medicine « Gardner Animal Care Center's Blog

Acupuncture in the near future?

Brady is doing incredibly well. He has been behaving and playing like his 'ole self' for quite some time now. He is really looking and feeling good these days. We are so thrilled and thankful; we pray that this good pattern will continue for him.

We are going to talk to Dr. Peace on Friday, 4/23, about acupuncture for Brady. Acupuncture is known to be helpful for dogs with epilepsy. Will post our findings soon.

The bare necessities of "come"

The bare necessities of "come"
the secret to teaching a happy recall

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Introduction
Experience
Experiment
Consideration

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Introduction
Previously, we wrote about developing a relationship with your dog, a relationship that should be coming along grandly by now.(See "The secret of a happy recall" Now we will add experience, experiment and exploit (the “e” in recall) and consideration and confidence (the recall “c”).


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Experience
Experience is a biggie. You and your dog need lots of experience in different situations and places. When you have time and your dog is up to the challenge, train through a few situations in the same place.

When a novel situation appears, don’t avoid it, exploit it. Work through it or at least through part of it. If this is not practical, remember the distraction so you can recreate it at home. Always remember to break things down into easy-to-learn pieces so your dog can succeed.


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Experiment
Experiment with your voice to see which tones, pitches, and other variations your dog responds to. Teach him to come in different voices. If he has trouble with a voice, turn it into a game. Speak in the voice he doesn’t particularly like or respond to and follow it with silliness, treats, and toys. Soon he won’t mind your Jekyll and Hyde voices.

Don’t use the recall command when playing the voice game. If your dog is a real softy, use the weird voice for a fraction of a second before getting silly.

Experiment with different facial expressions as well.

Why go to this trouble? It may seem extreme, but when you are nervous or frightened, your voice and expression can change. These are the times your dog may hesitate to obey.


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Consideration
While working through these wild and crazy recalls, be considerate of your dog. After all, he’s just a D.O.G. Don’t fry his little brain or scare him. End on a positive canine note.

You may not be satisfied, but make sure your dog is. Dogs are happy with very little, so stifle your goals and your ego and let a little be enough. Considerate training gives your dog confidence – confidence in what he does and confidence in you.

Remember, you are the bearer of all good doggie things and all good things come through you! Keep up the good work and one of these days before chasing something tempting, your miracle dog will stop, turn around, and ask, “Mother, may I?”

Next issue, we’ll finish the recall training process with ALL

Jackie Krieger & Cacky Vincent of Dew Drop Inn Dog Training

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[Dog Owner's guide: The bare necessities of "come" (www.canismajor.com/dog/clk9910.html)] is a part of the Dog Owner's Guide internet website and is copyright 2010 by Canis Major Publications. You may print or download this material for non-commercial personal or school educational use. All other rights reserved. If you, your organization or business would like to reprint our articles in a newsletter or distribute them free of charge as an educational handout please see our reprint policy

The secret of a happy recall

The secret of a happy recall
What every owner would like to see

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Every dog owner would like to have a happy, tongue-lolling, speedy recall.

However, you don’t see a great recall often because the secret of teaching a great recall seems elusive. But the truth is that there is no secret – it simply takes hard work, dedication, love, and mutual respect to create a great recall.

I say “create” because I consider a recall a work of living art. To get a dog to stop doing anything and everything it is doing and run back to you as if it can’t get there fast enough will make your heart skip a beat. Once you get a recall like this, you will never again have a dog that isn’t trained to that level.

We’re not going to teach “come” from a sit-stay or teach perfect square sit-in-front. Obedience competition recalls are set-ups and have nothing to do with real life.

When do you really want your dog to come to you? In my mind, he should come to save his life.

How do you feel when all you see are rear legs flying towards the street to get to the bunny on the other side? Pretty sick, huh? This is the time you pray that training time has been effective and shout out a very controlled “Come!”

Or you panic.

This is the time you want your dog to slide to a stop, wheel around to look at you and willingly leave whatever she was thinking about doing to run back to you – to see what Mom or Dad wants to do!

Sound impossible? It’s not, but don’t lie to yourself about how well you trained your dog to come. It’s your dog’s life you are gambling with. Be safe – be honest with yourself. If you haven’t put in daily time teaching your dog “come” from the first day you brought him home, you haven’t trained enough.

Now that I’ve burst your bubble and depressed you, let’s start with The Bare Necessities of a recall


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Relationship
You must have a good relationship with your dog so he enjoys being with you. It’s not what you think is enjoyable, but what your dog thinks is enjoyable. He should feel completely safe and at ease when you are around. After all, you are the supreme bearer of all good doggie things.

So be honest; don’t get your hackles up, just answer the questions.

Have you ever called your dog to discipline, bathe, or do toenails?

Have you said “come” in a cranky, embarrassed tone of voice because she was flaunting your underwear on the front lawn for the neighbors to see?

If you can answer yes to any similar question, you have lots of work to do.

On the positive side, your dog thinks you are the supreme bearer of all great doggie things! You have everything at your disposal to create a great relationship with your dog – food, water, treats, petting, games, toys, playing with other dogs or people, shade, warmth, swimming, being silly, etc., etc. Use them all to show your dog she is wonderful, she is right, and she needs to depend on you for everything.

A strong bond of communication can be created with these tools – not just a one-way person-to-dog bond, but a dog-to-person bond as well.


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“Come”
Your dog should love the word “come.” When she hears the word, she should think “I can check out that squirrel later because I surely don’t want to miss what Mom’s doing!”

If “come” has already soured, you can always change the word and the attitude. I know an Old English Sheepdog who turned into a bounding bundle of fun when he heard “free beer”!

Jackie Krieger & Cacky Vincent of Dew Drop Inn Dog Training

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[Dog Owner's Guide: The secret of a happy recall (www.canismajor.com/dog/recall.html)] is a part of the Dog Owner's Guide internet website and is copyright 2010 by Canis Major Publications. You may print or download this material for non-commercial personal or school educational use. All other rights reserved. If you, your organization or business would like to reprint our articles in a newsletter or distribute them free of charge as an educational handout please see our reprint policy

Just My Dog

JUST MY DOG

He is my other eyes that can see above
the clouds; my other ears that hear above
the winds. He is the part of me that can
reach out into the sea.

He has told me a thousand times over that
I am his reason for being: by the way he
rests against my leg; by the way he thumps
his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he
shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.
(I think it makes him sick with worry when he
is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.
Without him, I am only another man. With him,
I am all-powerful.
He is loyalty itself.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With him, I know a secret comfort and a
private peace. He has brought me understanding
where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection against
my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me...
whenever...wherever--in case I need him.
And I expect I will--as I always have.
He is just my dog.

Poem by Gene Hill

Happy Easter!

Things continue to go well. Brady is doing fantastic as are all of our dogs. We've really been enjoying some beautiful, warm spring weather for the past several days. It's been great weather for being outside and playing with our dogs.
They have all been thoroughly enjoying themselves; for them there is nothing like a good roll in the new green grass.

I thank God every day for the beautiful blessings in my life.

From our family to yours, have a Happy and Blessed Easter!

Infections of the 4th Premolar (Carnassial Tooth)

Infections of the 4th Premolar (Carnassial Tooth)
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Race Foster, DVM

If you look inside your dog’s mouth you will notice one tooth that is much larger than the rest. It is on the upper jaw, about half way back. It is the fourth premolar, sometimes referred to as the carnassial tooth (Figure 1). In wild canines, it is the main tooth used to break up or crush hard material in their diet such as bones or large pieces of meat. Today’s canine diets, even the all-dry ones, really do not require this big "work horse" tooth for the animal to adequately break up his food before swallowing. Still, it is there, and it poses some unique problems for the older dog.
Signs and development of a carnassial tooth abscess

An infection of the 4th premolar is a unique dental problem and has outward signs that are often misunderstood by the owner. The large carnassial tooth has three roots, while most other teeth have only 1 or 2. From 1/2" to 3/4" long, they extend from below the gumline up into the bone of the skull just in front of the eye. There are two in the front portion of the tooth and one in the rear. Carnassial tooth infections actually involve only the roots of the tooth and not the visible exposed portion. The individual root usually involved is the front one that is closest to the skin.

Carnassial tooth infections are caused by bacteria that gain access to the root, either by working their way under the gum at the base of the tooth or by being carried there by the bloodstream. Once the bacteria are in this location between the root and the bone of the skull, the body has a very difficult time ridding itself of the infection. Treatment may control the outward signs but when the medication is discontinued, the infection returns.

The bacteria take up residence on the surface of the root and slowly destroy its attachment to the jaw. In doing so, they deprive the root, and therefore, the tooth, of its blood supply. This eventually leads to death of the affected tissue. Dead tissue in the body is treated the same way as a splinter or other foreign material. In an attempt to isolate and repel the material, the body shunts millions of white blood cells into the area to:

Isolate it from the remaining healthy tissue
Dissolve or break it down so that it can be eliminated as typical cellular waste
Expel it whole from the body
This accumulation of white blood cells at the site of an infection or necrotic material is referred to as pus or an abscess.

In the case of a carnassial tooth, the abscess builds up around the affected root just under the skin below and in front of the eye. The swelling may reach the size of a golf ball. In the case of an abscess, the white blood cells and chemicals that are released have the ability to dissolve the body’s tissue. The weakest portion of the body in this case is the skin, so a small pore soon opens from which pus (or a pink-tinged fluid) will drain. Left alone, this opening will occasionally close but then reopen later as more material accumulates.

Owners often confuse this condition with an eye infection, insect bite, or puncture wound. They may consider it something that, if left alone, will heal on its own. The untreated abscess will, in fact, often spread to 1) the eye causing a very serious and potentially blinding infection or 2) other teeth causing them to be lost also. This is fairly painful for the animal, especially when eating. In dogs that stay outdoors or those with long hair, it may remain unnoticed for a long period of time.

Treatment options

Carnassial abscesses are typically seen in older dogs, especially those over seven years of age. By the time we are able to actually recognize a problem, the initially affected root is often dead. Today, veterinary medicine allows the owner to choose between several methods for handling this problem. There was only one option in the past - pull the tooth along with its roots. The tooth is actually split in half so that the roots can be entirely removed. This is the most difficult tooth to remove correctly and if any portion of the root remains, the problem may continue. Veterinarians today can save the tooth with a procedure similar to the 'root canal.' This can be fairly expensive, but it does save the tooth. Either therapy choice is followed by a long-term use of antibiotics to prevent future problems.

When determining which method to use for your animal, keep in mind 1) the cost, 2) the dog’s dental health and overall health, and 3) the effect the loss of the tooth would have on your pet. In most cases, a dog does just fine without this particular tooth and is able to eat any type of food you may choose to give him.

Healing nicely

Brady's gum is healing nicely and he is doing well after having his tooth extracted.
He is feeling well and doing his normal activities.

Brady's tooth extraction

On Monday morning, March 22nd, Brady and I were off to the vet to have his tooth looked at.
Since Dr. Slayman was already performing surgery on other patients that morning, Dr. Peace took a look at his tooth. It was evident that there was an abscess and the tooth needed to be extracted. Dr. Peace gave Brady an injection to 'make him happy' while we waited.

Shortly thereafter, he was taken away to have the procedure done by Dr. Slayman. The extraction went well, though unfortunately, there was a bit of bad news. Note: the carnassial tooth is very large and has three root tips. The tooth must be broken in half to be removed. When Dr. Slayman was removing the healthy part of the tooth, two of the root tips broke off and were left in his gum. The good news is that those 2 root tips were healthy, so leaving them in the gum shouldn't cause any problems. The infected part of the tooth and the infected root tip came out with any trouble at all. Dr. Slayman advised me to keep an eye on his face for signs of infection just in case; but ultimately did not anticipate any problems to develop.
The extraction site was left open, not sutured, to allow for drainage. Brady will be on an antibiotic, Clindamycin, 150mg, twice daily, for 10 days.

Brady's swollen cheek

On Friday night, March 19th, I noticed that the right side of Brady's face was swollen. Although he was eating just fine, playing as normal, and didn't seem to be in any pain, something was clearly going on. After looking inside his mouth, I discovered that the right upper carnassial (4th premolar) tooth was more than likely the culprit. The gum line above the tooth was inflamed and would bleed a little with gentle pressure on the gum.

I called the vet's office the following Saturday morning and at Dr. Slayman's recommendation, I decided to wait until Monday morning to bring Brady in. It was evident that it wasn't bothering him at the time and so it wasn't considered an emergency. If the tooth needed to be extracted, then waiting until Monday morning shouldn't be a problem.

Things We Can Learn From Our Dogs

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
Allow the experience of fresh air in and the wind
in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent,
sit close and nuzzle them gently.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience,
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising,
Run, romp and play daily.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
Thrive on attention, and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days, drink lots of water and
lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around
and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded,
don't buy into the guilt thing, and pout...
run right back and make friends.
Deight in the simple joy of
a long walk.

Enjoying beautiful days

Brady continues to do well; things are looking good. We've been spending some wonderful time outside the past few days playing ball, going for walks, and sometimes just sitting. The weather has been just gorgeous. Cool mornings giving way to warm afternoons and a big bright blue sky.

All of our dogs love being outside and especially on spring-like days like we've been blessed with recently (although, in all honesty, they will take any kind of weather). Whether running and chasing each other, rolling in the grass, playing ball, or whatever it may be, they go at it with gusto. Come to think of it, that's good advice to live by: enjoy each and every moment and give it your all. Remember to run, romp and play daily.

Keppra/Levetiracetam (generic)

Keppra: Keppra is an excellent long term anti convulsive treatment that has the added benefit of being associated with an exceptionally low incidence of toxicity. The draw back of Keppra at this time remains its high cost. Therefore, in most cases, Keppra is reserved for use in dogs as an additional anticonvulsant to be used in cases where seizure suppression has become refractory to doses of phenobarbital and potassium bromide that are approaching the maximum. It also may be a better choice than potassium bromide for additional anticonvulsant therapy for cats in cases where phenobarbital alone does not adequately control seizures.

Update

Brady has been on his new medicine, Keppra, for 6 days now and is tolerating it well, which is wonderful news. It is always scary to add another drug since the reaction to it is always unknown in your own dog. He's doing well and his motor skills are good. He hasn't been ataxic and is doing his normal everyday routine, which involves his long morning walk and daily ball playing. He can run after the ball as normal, without any tumbling over or losing his balance.He can go up and down the stairs, jump on the bed, jump up on us, etc.; all is done normally without any wobbliness or loss of balance.

One thing I have noticed is that his water consumption has gone up again; this is definitely a side effect of phenobarbital. It seemed that his love of water had diminished somewhat, but once again his water intake is up. Not a big deal whatsoever, just something I noticed. With the possibilities of side effects, this is one we can definitely live with.

Our Decision and Next Plan of Action

Per Dr. Katherman's recommendation, we have decided to add Keppra to Brady's cocktail of medication.

Keppra must be given 3 times per day. His dose will be 375 mg three times daily for a total dose of 1125mg daily, in addition to the other medications.

Zonisamide is being decreased from 250mg to 225 mg twice per day, for a total of 450 mg daily.

Phenobarbital will remain the same. The dose for that is 64.8mg twice per day, for a total of 129.60mg daily.

Potassium Bromide will remain the same as well. That dose is 2ml three times per day, for a daily total of 6ml=600mg.

This new medication schedule began on Monday morning, March 8, 2010.

Blood work results are in

On Friday, March 5th, Dr. Katherman called with Brady's blood work results. The Zonisamide levels were on the high end of the therapeutic range; thus being higher than what she prefers to see it. So even with the Zonisamide being on the high side, we still haven't gained the seizure control that we'd like. Potassium Bromide levels were low so there is plenty of room to increase that drug if needed. However, the Zonisamide must be decreased since it can cause problems in the long term if it remains at the current dose.

At the present time, our choice would be either to increase Potassium Bromide or to bring on another AED (anti-epileptic drug). If we choose to increase Potassium Bromide, it will take another 4 months until it reaches a steady state or efficacy. Also, rear end weakness and ataxia will be a very real possibility. The other choice would be to add Keppra, which has very minimal side effects and is fast acting. Per Dr. Katherman's recommendation, the rational choice at this time would be to add Keppra to the mix.

Seizure #2

I really hate to be posting again so soon, but Brady had a second seizure at 4:41 am. It lasted about a minute or so and within 5 minutes total he was on his feet. Once the seizure was over and before he arose, I inserted a valium suppository. This seizure was very similar to the one 8 hours before at 8:36 pm, although this time he was uncoordinated and wobbly for a little while. Several times he lost his balance and fell over. He seemed to have more rear end weakness than usual. With this one there was more pacing and he seemed to be extremely hungry. I gave him a cup of food to help his hunger and also some rescue remedy on a small piece of bread. Before too long, he was able to settle down and we all got a little more sleep. At 6:45 am I gave him his normal morning medication along with his breakfast meal.

At this time he's doing well; recovery was fairly quick, thank goodness. Once we awoke again at 6:45 am, he seemed fine. We are at that 6 week mark where the seizures always seem to occur. Usually the pattern has been for him to have 2 at the 6 week mark and then be fine for another 6 week stretch. I'm waiting to talk to his neuro vet to see what her recommendations are as far as his medication.

Please pray that the seizures are done with and that everything will go back to smooth sailing. We need good thoughts and good vibes sent our way. We will appreciate them more than you know. I really despise this ugly epilepsy monster!

There were eight hours between these two seizures. I hope and pray that the cycle has been broken with this last one.

Clock restarts :(

I'm sad to have to write this, but Brady had a seizure at 8:36pm tonight. It did appear to be a grand mal, but fortunately, it seemed somewhat mild and not as traumatic as they have been in the past. He did thrash and paddle, though not violently. I was able to hold him and then it started to subside. There was a good amount of drool, but he did not lose control of his bladder. The seizure itself was a minute or less and he laid there for maybe 2 minutes before he got up on his feet. While he was still laying down after the seizure had stopped I inserted a half of valium suppository (the reason for only putting in half was because the other half crumbled). I then decided to insert another whole one and was able to do so before he got up. The post-ictal phase seemed better than usual and his recovery was very quick. Once he had been up and had walked around for a few minutes I gave him some rescue remedy and some water. A little bit later, I gave him a cup of food.

I did speak with Dr. Katherman and she instructed me to follow the general guidelines and to call her in the morning. His blood work results will hopefully be in by tomorrow. His blood draws to check Zonisamide and Potassium Bromide were done last Thursday, 2/25/10.

It has now been an hour and a half and he is doing well; he is settled on his bed and resting.

It has been 37 days and 15 hours since his last seizure.

TITER TEST

TITER TEST

Clean Run Magazine Article About Vaccines - Rabies Challenge Fund

Clean Run Magazine Article About Vaccines - Rabies Challenge Fund

Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals

Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals

Titer Testing | Truth4Dogs

Titer Testing | Truth4Dogs

Appointment with Neurologist

Today Brady went for a visit with Dr. Katherman. He had blood drawn to check Zonisamide and Potassium Bromide levels. Brady is doing really well at this time and all of his current medication will remain the same for now. All of his ataxia has disappeared after the reduction of Phenobarbital on 2/16. He is once again steady on his feet, well-balanced and coordinated. Thankfully, he isn't a 'little drunk sailor' any longer. He can jump on the bed and travel up and down the stairs without losing his balance, stumbling, or falling. At this point, you really can't even tell that he is on medication as there are no noticeable side affects. We can't wait for the yard to dry out so that he can get back to his ball playing. I will post the results of his blood work once they are in. At the doctor's office, his stats were good, temperature normal, his weight is 40.5 lbs.

Things are looking good and we are praying that he will have continued success and seizure control. We are so very thankful that at the present time we are smooth sailing! Thank you God! Thanks to everyone who always asks about Brady and also for your continued prayers and concerns. It really means the world to us to know that others care.

Amazing improvement

There has been an amazing improvement in Brady's ataxia since reducing his phenobarbital dose on Tuesday night (2/16/10). His balance is back, he can go up and down the stairs without any problems, no more signs of being wobbly or staggering. He is even jumping up on the bed and making it up there without any problem. This is an incredibly fast improvement! He is alert and his eyes are bright!
All we can say is wow!

We are so thankful to see Brady back to his 'ole self ' again and are praying that the reduction in the dose of phenobarbital won't make a difference in his seizure control. I feel that Dr. Katherman wouldn't have made the recommendation if she thought otherwise. The Zonisamide was increased in January (1/26/10) and the Potassium Bromide hasn't been changed since the latter part of October ('09) so we should still have plenty of drugs on board to keep control over the monsters. That is our hope and our prayer.

Things are looking good! Dear God please let things continue to go well! Thank You for watching over us all and Brady especially, and for keeping us under Your loving care.

Update on Brady and how things are going

We have been waiting for Brady's ataxia to improve, but unfortunately, we haven't seen much of a change in his balance or coordination. I spoke with Dr. Katherman today concerning Brady's continued wobbliness and unsteadiness on his feet. The weakness appears to be in all four legs. Yesterday morning he fell down the last three steps going downstairs and that really prompted me to call her. Also he now has to wear booties on his front paws during our morning walks due to his toenails dragging on the pavement and wearing down to the point of where they bleed. :(

Her recommendation is to decrease his phenobarbital from 97.2mg twice a day to 64.8mg twice a day. We want to gain significant seizure control, but we also want him to be able to walk and function properly without the fear of him falling down and injuring himself.

Brady is scheduled to see Dr. Katherman on Thursday, February 25th to check the trough level of Zonisamide and to check a Potassium Bromide level. Those results will tell us if the Zonisamide was increased too much on January 26. The Potassium Bromide will be at a steady state by then since he has been on the increased dose of that medicine for 4 months. Remember everytime you increase Potassium Bromide it will take 4 months for it to reach a steady state. KBr was increased to 600mg at the end of October. (2ml three times a day)

Those blood draws will give us insight on where the levels are with those two drugs. As of today Brady has been 3 weeks seizure free and we continue to pray that it will remain that way.

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Just a few of the many things I love about dogs…

A dog loves you even when you leave your clothes on the floor.

A dog limits her time in the bathroom to a quick drink.

A dog never expects you to phone.

A dog will not get mad if you forget her birthday.

A dog does not care about the previous dogs in your life.

A dog does not get mad at you if you pet another dog.

The later you are, the happier a dog is to see you.

A dog does not shop.

And, a dog never expects flowers on Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day dog lovers!"

Signs of Ataxia

Things are going well, however, once again Brady has become ataxic. His dose of Zonisamide was increased on the night of January 26th and he showed no signs of unsteadiness or wobbliness at all for the first several days of being on the increased dose. Becoming uncoordinated and being dubbed 'our little drunk sailor' once again began approximately on February 2nd. I am hoping that as before once his body adjusts to the increase in medication he will return to normal and will have his coordination back and be steady on his feet. I will hold off on calling Dr. Katherman a while longer and give him more time to see if the adjustment period makes a difference for him. When he first started on Zonisamide in December the adjustment period took about two weeks and after that all signs of ataxia had disappeared. I'm sure his body has to adjust to having more of the drug in his system. I believe that this will resolve itself as before and the silver lining is that there have not been anymore seizures. Thank God!

Beneficial Vitamins and Supplements

Canine Seizure Remedies - Vitamins and Supplements


Daily doses of vitamins and supplements that are beneficial to the nervous system should be fed to an epileptic dog.

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 is essential for helping brain function.

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids (fish oil, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, or borage oil) can reduce inflammation and degeneration of brain tissue.

Dimethyglycine (DMG)

DMG is a compound that is produced naturally in both humans and animals. It forms an intricate part of animal and human metabolism. It also has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fugal properties. In animals, DMG also has anti-seizure effects.

Here is a natural product of DMG: Vetri-Science Vetri-DMG Liquid

Amino acids

The amino acids L-taurine and L-tyrosine can increase the resistance to seizures. The amino acid L-tryptohpan can soothe the brain and is therefore beneficial for dogs with seizures.

God's Love

Thank You God for the overwhelming comfort I feel from knowing You are there.

Happy Update

I'm posting a happy update for a happy dog and his happy family! Brady is doing great! So far things are really going well and he is tolerating the increased dose of Zonisamide well. He did have a bout with an upset tummy for a couple of days which thankfully a bland diet seems to have taken care of. His neurologist says that it would not have been a side-effect of the drug increase since Zonisamide doesn't cause digestive upset which is good news! Tonight he is going back on his regular food so we are keeping our fingers crossed that his tummy will not be upset again. We are chalking it up to just one of those things....where sometimes tummies get upset without any explanation.

A Good Day and Night

I am so happy and grateful to report that there have not been anymore seizures since yesterday at 5:21 am. Brady had a great day yesterday. He looked good, his eyes were bright and alert and from all indications he felt very good. We played fetch with his tennis ball for a really long time; he didn't want to quit but I made him take a break and then later went for another round of fetch. He even got to go for a ride to the pharmacy to pick up his new dose of medicine.

Per Dr. Katherman's instructions, I increased his Zonisamide dose by 50mg starting with last night's evening dose. So he will be getting 250mg of Zonisamide in the morning and 250mg in the evening for a daily total of 500mg. Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide doses will remain the same.

Praying that things will continue to go well and that we will have a long seizure free stretch!

Seizure Monster rears its ugly head again!

At 5:21am Brady had another seizure which makes two seizures in 23 hours. It was pretty much the same as the one he had at 6:41am yesterday morning. He didn't lose bladder control and again it was a little shorter in duration than past ones lasting about a minute or so. I inserted the valium suppository at 5:24am once the convulsing had stopped and he was lying there calmly as he does before he regains consciousness and is aware of anything. By 5:25am he was up and on his feet. At 5:30am I gave him some rescue remedy on a small piece of bread along with two-thirds of a cup of dog food. At 5:35am I gave him all of his meds. Brady recovered quickly, although this time he was a bit wobbly and unsteady on his feet at first but that improved in a matter of 20 minutes or so.

I called Dr. Katherman and fortunately was able to speak with her right away. She is increasing his Zonisamide by 50 mg twice per day. The intention is to see some obvious control over his seizures and there is room to increase the dosage according to his latest blood work. Hopefully, the Zonisamide will be more effective at an increased dose since it is now obvious that the initial dose that he started on isn't doing the trick.

I am thankful that Brady has recovered from both of the seizures quickly and seems to be doing fine. I am also thankful that as hard as it may be to see this, both Jeff and I are handling things a little better each time. But I must say, I really despise this ugly seizure monster and want it to go away!!!

Making Tracks to Defeat Canine Epilepsy

Please Mark your Calendars: PURPLE DAY is March 26, 2010

Please wear purple on March 26th!

To support Epilepsy Awareness Globally for canines and humans!

Same Disease Different Species

Toby's Foundation is partnering with www.purpleday.org


Can you and your dog help by wearing purple on March
26th to increase epilepsy awareness for canines and humans and show
your support for this worldwide initiative?

We are representing canine epilepsy in this effort
though we want to show our support for both humans and canines affected
by this disease.

Wearing something purple is a simple way for you to
reach out and help so please wear purple on March 26, 2010. Purple is
the international color for Epilepsy!

For more info please visit us at
www.tobysfoundation.org/whatsnew.htm
and click on Purple Day.

Many people do not realize that dogs suffer from this
disease.
At the American Epilepsy Society conference Dr. Ned Patterson
tells people "Same Disease Different Species"
By joining together we can help increase epilepsy awareness worldwide for
people and their pets with epilepsy.

Brady's seizure clock re-starts

I'm sad to report that Brady's seizure clock had to be re-set this morning. At 6:41am, our sweet boy had a seizure. Of course, we've have hoped and prayed that he wouldn't have any further seizures, but we must be realistic and as hard as it may be, we must deal with them as they come. It has been 41 days since the last seizure, one day short of making it 6 weeks. Although I consider this seizure a grand mal it seemed to be less violent and less severe than those of the past. There was no loss of bladder control which is a positive since normally he does lose bladder control. There were other positives as well, it was of shorter duration, approximately 1.5 minutes, 2 minutes at the most of actual seizure activity, the convulsions weren't as violent as usual. The teeth gnashing occurred but also seemed less severe. There was plenty of drool but not an enormous amount as in the past. Since the seizure took place on our bed, I sort of laid over his body and held him close to the bed. Once the seizing stopped I picked him up and laid him on his bed on the floor so that once he came around there would be no chance of falling off the bed. The post ictal phase was much better than usual, there was almost no pacing and he seemed calmer and not as anxious as in the past. Also he didn't seem very ravenous at all, although I did give him two-thirds of a cup of dog food, and normally he is literally starving. The seizure happened only 4 minutes before he was due his medication. He recovered quickly and was on his feet by 6:46am, so all said and done it was 5 minutes total (from the minute the seizure began until he was on his feet again) as opposed to the usual 7-8 minutes. At 6:46am I inserted the rectal valium and at 6:48am gave him all of his medication plus quite a few drops of rescue remedy on a small piece of bread. Over all it was more toned down than the others. He wasn't wobbly or uncoordinated when he got up and walked around. His balance was good and he was able to walk down the stairs on his own.

At that point he was just fine and we went about our normal activity. We didn't get to go on our normal morning walk because it was pouring rain, but he would have been fine to go had it not been raining. Needless to say I have been watching him like a hawk since and am so thankful that I am able to do so.

I spoke with his neurologist on the phone and she recommends that we don't do anything different at the moment with the Zonisamide. There is room to move up to a higher dose if needed but it hasn't been long enough to say for sure if we need to. Also his Potassium Bromide dosage was just changed at the end of October and every time the dose is changed for that drug, it takes another 4 months to reach a steady state. It should be at a steady state by the end of February. Dr. Katherman is looking for better control of his seizures than only going 6 weeks between seizures, but said it will take some time to see a good trend. She is looking for that trend to happen over a period of time. So for now we will leave all meds at their current dose and pray that no seizures come again for a long while or never again would be a dream come true. Hopefully this time we will see much more time pass on his seizure clock and of course we will continue to pray that we will never have to re-set that clock and that he can become seizure free forever.

We put this all in God's hands long ago and will continue to do so. I will never forget what someone who lives with an epileptic dog told me recently and that is: God only gives these special needs dogs to those people who can handle it. I believe that applies to all special needs, not just epilepsy, and not just dogs, but all pets and people for that matter. Reminding myself of that statement truly helps me through the rough spots when life is not always smooth sailing. I am thankful that Brady belongs to us, that he is our dog to take good care of, and that we are able to do all we can do to help him through this dreaded disease. At times it feels devastating but then I quickly remember that we must be strong in order to help him when he needs it most.

Blood work results are in---Great news!

I spoke with Dr. Katherman, Brady's neurologist, today and the results are finally in. His Zonisamide levels are in the therapeutic range where we want them to be. Therefore, the Zonisamide will remain at the current dose as will the Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide. When he has been seizure free for 8 weeks, we will have a further discussion on his medication. But first of all, we have to be sure that without a doubt his seizures are under control. Brady continues to do well and is adjusting to the cocktail of drugs that he takes. He has just recently gotten back to his ball playing and is able to run and catch the ball as if he never missed a beat. That was something he really missed for awhile because he was just too uncoordinated to run and chase a ball without the risk of injury. He would literally tumble over and want to keep playing. Going up and down the stairs and jumping on the bed are now much easier tasks for him than when he was first trying to adjust to the combo of meds. There were some nights especially when we would carry him up or down the stairs because he was so unsteady on his feet and would so easily lose his balance. There were times when he would be so weak in the rear that he's rear end would just collapse. We feared that he'd fall if left to navigate the stairs on his own. We are so thankful that he is adjusting to the meds and that he can do his everyday normal routine again because for one, playing ball is on the top of his priority list. It's wonderful to see the sparkle back in his eyes again too! For the most part he is as agile and coordinated as before. When he is just rising from being asleep or is tired, he may be a little clumsy, but hey, that's okay!

Thank you God for leading us to Dr. Katherman and thank you Dr. Katherman for being such a competent, knowledgeable neurology vet. Please let the medications continue to do their job!

Living with an epileptic dog

Most importantly, LIVE

Epileptic pets can lead happy,
fulfilling lives.

Do what's enjoyable; all the things that make anyone keep a pet. You may need to make some adjustments to avoid dangerous situations, but go have fun with your companion! Concentrate on the time your pet is happy and doing well, rather than dwelling on the small percentage of time when there are problems.

Most epileptic pets can live relatively normal lives. We can successfully control epilepsy in over 2/3 of the cases. These dogs may require daily medication, but they can still run and play and love. Even the best controlled epileptic will still have some seizures, but usually we can keep their occurrence down to a tolerable level. The number of dogs who have serious side effects from the medications is very small. Some may experience sedation, but this does not prevent them from being loving companions. They don't need to stay awake in class or behind the wheel, so if they need an extra nap in the afternoon, who cares!

Unless the seizures are due to low blood sugar or heart disease, there is no reason to restrict exercise in your pet with epilepsy. While swimming carries some risk of drowning should the dog have a seizure while in the water, most seizures occur when the pet is relaxed and quiet or sleeping. Thus the odds of having a seizure while swimming are pretty remote. Canine life vests are also an option.

An epileptic needs a high quality, balanced diet. Any top quality commercial dog food will supply the needs of your pet. Diets based largely on table food or less expensive commercial foods may require supplementation to maintain optimum health in your pet. Consult your veterinarian for specific recommendations.

Understanding Canine Epilepsy

What is a seizure?

A seizure occurs when there is a misfiring of neurons in the brain, causing an "electrical storm" of brain activity. In response to this brain activity, the dog's muscles react accordingly resulting in the physical manifestation that we recognize as a seizure.

What are some causes of seizures in dogs?

Seizures can be caused by a number of things, including, but not limited to:
- head trauma
- congenital defects such as hydrocephalus
- infectious diseases such as distemper or cryptococcosis
- hypoglycemia
- hypothyroidism
- ingestion of poisonous substances
- reaction to vaccinations or certain medications
- reaction to flea/tick preventatives
- organ disease
- bacterial infection
- brain tumor

These acquired causes may result in singular or multiple seizures. If seizures happen recurrently then the disorder is called "epilepsy". If the cause of the seizures is unknown, then it is termed "idiopathic epilepsy", which basically means that the dog is having seizures but we don't know why.

What is a seizure trigger?
A seizure trigger is some stimulus that can result in a seizure in certain dogs. What is a trigger for one dog may not be a trigger for another dog. When a trigger exposure level surpasses an individual dog's seizure threshhold, then a seizure results.

What are some common seizure triggers for dogs?

Some seizure triggers are more common than others. They include, but are not limited to:
- vaccinations, particularly Rabies vaccinations
- flea/tick preventatives, particularly Ivermectin (Ivermec)
- nutritional factors including protein levels, grains, chemical preservatives, artificial colors or flavors
- turkey meat
- herbs, plants or fragrances of rosemary or lavendar
- stress such as thunderstorms, fireworks, excitement, visitors, etc.
- changes in weather, air pressure, humidity
- loud noises or flashing lights
- over-exertion
- chemicals such as household or industrial cleaners, detergents, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers
- scented products such as air fragrences, perfumes, deoderizers, detergents/cleaners

How do I know if my dog is having a seizure?

Seizures can manifest themselves in a variety of different ways. They are normally divided into two catagories: general and partial. General seizures result from "electrical storm" occurs everywhere. Partial seizures result when the "electric storm" is limited to one area.

Further, there are a variety of different types of seizures:

Grand Mal (General tonic clonic) - These seizures involve the entire body of the dog. They will go rigid, collapse, and then begin flailing their legs in a characteristic "running" motion. Often also accompanying grand mal seizures is jaw chomping, excessive drooling, uncontrolled urination or defecation, labored breathing, failure to respond/rouse, vocalizations.

Petit Mal (Partial or Focal) - These seizures manifest themselves in one area of the body only. Simple focal seizures affect the area of the brain involved in movement. As such, the dog is often conscious and aware of their surroundings, while presenting twitching in one area of their body, commonly the face. A complex focal seizure affects the area of the brain involved in behavior. This will often result in the dog losing awareness of their surroundings while exhibiting abnormal behavior. Common behaviors are "fly snapping" or senseless running with seemingly little to no control. Complex focal seizures are also sometimes referred to as psychomotor seizures.

My dog had a seizure, should I take him to the vet?

Eventually, yes. But there is generally no need to rush to the vet immediately. If possible, allow the dog to recover from the seizure before adding the extra stress of a car ride and a vet visit.

Situations when you should rush to the vet IMMEDIATELY are:
- if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes (status epilepticus)
- if there are multiple seizures within 24 hours (clusters)

If the seizure lasts less than 5 minutes, the dog does not appear injured or in immediate danger, and is recovering safely on their own, then there is nothing that the vet will do at that moment. You would be better off to call your vet and let them know that your dog has had a seizure and follow their directions from there. Generally, allowing the dog to recover on their own and then scheduling a vet appointment for your soonest convenience is sufficient.

What do I do if my dog has a seizure?

First of all, stay calm! Gently move the dog to an area that is safe. If they have collapsed, move them away from stairs, corners, furniture or other hard objects that they could injure themselves on. If they are on furniture, ensure that they cannot fall off.

Keep your fingers away from the dog's mouth. In humans, there is a risk of the human swallowing their tongue when they have a seizure. This is not a risk for dogs. But there is a risk of your dog unintentionally biting you if you get your fingers in the way. The last thing you need is to have to run to the hospital for stitches and a tetanus shot when your dog is having a seizure.

Lower any bright lights and turn down the volume of any televisions or radios in the area. Limit extra stimulus that may cause undue stress to the dog as they are seizing.

Speak gently and softly to the dog, do not try to stop them from seizing or "wake them out of it".

After the seizure ends, allow the dog to recover at their own pace. Many dogs will be disoriented, confused, or uncoordinated when the seizure ends. Some dogs may be temporarily blind, not recognize you or other family members, know their own name or common commands. Pacing and aggitation is a common symptom after a seizure. Ensure that the dog does not stumble into corners or down stairs or get stuck behind furniture or in tight corners. Allow the dog to pace if they so desire. Once they are SAFELY able, offer the dog some fresh water to drink or a SMALL bite to eat (a single dog cookie, a couple of kibbles, etc.). Blood sugar levels can drop significantly during a seizure, and failing to raise them can result in more seizures. But be careful, raising the blood sugar too quickly can also result in more seizures. So be sure to only offer a small amount of bland food or treats.

The post-seizure (post-ictal) stage can last from a couple of minutes to a couple of hours. During that time, ensure that the dog remains calm, comfortable and safe.

It is important to keep a seizure diary for every seizure that your dog has. This will help you to recognize patterns and hopefully narrow down a trigger for your dog that may help in prevention of more seizures. In the diary, note the date and time of the seizure, how long it lasted, what the dog did during the seizure, any abnormal behaviour you noticed prior to the seizure, the weather of that day, what your dog ate that day and the day prior, what they did that day and the day prior, any changes in environment, any new cleaning products/chemical agents in or around the house, any activity in the neighborhood or places that you have visited with your dog recently, any recent vaccinations, medications or flea/tick treatments, and any other information that you can think of, even if it sounds silly at the time.


When I visit my vet after my dog has a seizure, what tests should I ask for?

The general course of action is to order a CBC and a Chemistry Panel. This will screen for infection/immune deficiency and organ health and function.

Something that is often not suggested by veterinarians, but is very important to screen, is a 6-panel thyroid test. There has been significant research into the correlation of hypothyroidism and seizures in dogs. Interpretting the results should take into consideration the dog's age, breed, size, and physical activity level. In many cases, a thyroid test may come back "within normal range", but still be lower than what is recommended when taking into consideration individual variances.

If all of those tests come back clear, then you may want to consider abdominal ultrasound and/or x-rays. A final step would include MRI, though this is an expensive option so is often not taken.

When should I consider medication for seizures?

Medication generally becomes an option if there are multiple seizures within the course of a month. If they are occurring less frequently than that, the risks of medication outweigh the risks of the seizures.

What are the primary medication options available for my dog?

There are two primary medications for treating epilepsy: Phenobarbital (Phenobarb) and Potassium Bromide (KBr)

Phenobarb is effective in 60-80% of idiopathic epilepsy and takes 1 to 2 weeks to take effect. Common side effects of Phenobarb include ataxia, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, incontinence, lethargy and exciteability. These symptoms will normally disappear after a couple of weeks. If they persist, contact your veterinarian. Phenobarb is processed through the liver, so close monitoring is essential (see below).

KBr does not have the same liver effects as Phenobarb, though it can be significantly more troublesome to the digestive system so should be given with food. KBr takes up to 3 to 4 months to reach full effect so should not be used if immediate control is required. To get around this time delay, a higher loading dose is often prescribed for the first week. When on KBr, chloride intake food levels must be monitored closely, and any switches in food brand or formula must be taken very gradually so as to not disrupt the levels of KBr in the blood. Common side effects include excessive hunger, excessive thirst, incontinence, exciteability, lethargy, ataxia, nausea, diarrhea, or bromide toxicity. These symptoms should disappear within a couple of weeks. If they do not, contact your veterinarian.

Some dogs require a combination of Phenobarb and KBr to obtain the best control.

Other seizure medication options include Keppra, Felbamate, Primidone, Gabapentin and Zonisamide.

What precautions should I take after medication is prescribed?

Routine monitoring is essential, regardless of which medication is prescribed.

If your dog is on Phenobarbital:
- a blood test to determine the level of Phenobarb in the blood is required 2 weeks after starting treatment
- a blood test to determine the level of Phenobarb in the blood is recommended every 6 months afterwards
- a chem panel to monitor GGT, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase (indicating liver function) is strongly recommended every 3-4 months

If your dog is on Potassium Bromide:
- if your dog was given a loading dose, then a blood test to determine the level of KBr in the blood is recommended after 1 week of treatment
- if your dog was not given a loading dose, a blood test to determine the level of KBr in the blood is recommended after 4-6 weeks of treatment
- subsequent blood tests to determine the level of KBr in the blood is recommended every 6 months afterwards
- a chem panel is recommended every 4-6 months to monitor organ health

What can I do at home to prevent more seizures?

There are a number of steps you can take at home to prevent additional seizures or to lessen the severity of impending seizures.

Nutrition plays an important role in our dogs lives. A home prepared diet, either cooked or raw, is recommended so as to avoid unnecessary fillers or grains, chemical perservatives, flavors, colors, or synthetic nutrients. Preparing meals for your dog takes significant research and effort, so should not be taken lightly. Though it certainly isn't rocket science, so with adequate reading and commitment, it is possible to provide a natural, safe, and balanced home prepared diet for your dog. If you are unwilling or unable to prepare a diet for your dog, then a high quality kibble is essential. For information on how to choose a good quality kibble, consult the Dog Food Analysis website and the Dog Food Project website. In general, if you can purchase the food at your favorite grocery store or at your vet's office, it is NOT a good quality food and is potentially doing more harm than good.

Changing how you clean and treat your home, yard, and garden can make a significant difference in the severity of seizures that your dog may have. Take into consideration the amounts of chemicals that you use around the house. Attempt to replace those chemicals with natural alternatives and limit the use of chemicals to only those that are absolutely necessary.

Consider a minimal vaccination protocol with your dog. Titer testing is an available alternative to vaccinations, so discuss that option with your veterinarian. Also source out natural alternatives to pest prevention. There are a variety of dog-safe natural insect repellents on the market, so check out your options.
Most importantly, do some independent research and reading. Veterinarians are not guaranteed to know everything about epilepsy. You know your dog best, and you are the best person to take the initiative to make a difference in your dog's life. Don't rely on everything that your vet recommends without asking questions, making suggestions, or requesting explanations. Take a pro-active stance in dealing with your dog's epilepsy, stand your ground for what you feel is right.

No news is good news.....

We still haven't received the results of Brady's blood work that was done on January 7th to see if the new drug, Zonisamide, has reached stable serum levels. I was told that they would probably be in on Tuesday, January 12th, however they were not. I've called the neurologist's office 3 days in a row because I am on pins and needles waiting. Brady is doing well but I am still anxious. The friendly receptionist, Lori, assured me that Dr. Katherman will call me as soon as the results are in and that if they are not in by Monday, they will be calling the laboratory to find out what is going on. So I am trying to chill out and not to worry.

In God is our trust. Everything that God does is worthy of our trust, and in His hands, we willingly place our life. Reminding myself of this helps in times of worry and fear, restoring peace and calmness. Whenever things get stressful, whatever the circumstances may be,
that statement is one that is constantly true and uplifting.

January 7, 2010 back to neurologist for 2 blood draws

On January 7th Brady and I went to Yorktown for another visit with Dr. Katherman. I was very happy to report to her that Brady had not had any further seizure activity and that after about 2 weeks of being on the Zonisamide we were beginning to see improvement with the ataxia. There was still some slight uncoordination from time to time but nothing compared to the way it was. He was there to have a Zonisamide peak and trough blood draw. A blood sample was taken at 10am and another one was taken at 12 noon.

Peak and trough are methods used to establish the effectiveness of a drug. Peak is drawing the serum blood levels after the drug is administered as it distributes rapidly and reaches its peak in therapeutic range.
Trough is drawing the serum blood levels right before the next dose. Trough is the lowest drug level that is needed to reach therapeutic range. If trough is > than normal, the patient is at risk for adverse effects. Therefore, the doctor should expand the time interval before ordering the next dose or decrease drug dose.

In general, a trough is usually drawn one hour prior to start infusion and the peak about one hour after the infusion finished.

Our little drunk sailor

I spoke with Dr. Katherman on Friday December 18 about Brady's continued wobbliness and unsteadiness. The ataxia that he was experiencing can be a side affect of both Potassium Bromide and Zonisamide, but the hope is that this side affect will subside with time. The definition of ataxia is loss of coordination of the muscles. Her advice was to divide his Potassium Bromide (600mg) dose into three 200mg doses per day instead of giving him 600mg all at once. In order to do this I would have to change him over to the liquid form since he was on one 600mg capsule that couldn't be split. As it turns out the liquid form is less expensive than the capsule form. Either way, Potassium Bromide has to be compounded by a compounding pharmacy. Not all pharmacies compound, something I was not aware of before.

The day after Brady's appointment with the neurologist

On December 16th Dr. Katherman called to get a progress report on Brady. I let her know that thankfully there had been no seizures. However, Brady was terribly unstable on his feet, very wobbly and uncoordinated. We were calling him our little drunk sailor. She said it could be the result from all of the seizure activity that he had experienced or it could be the side effects from starting the Zonisamide. Or it could very well be a combination of both things. Her advice was to give him some time and hopefully we would see improvement.

She also had the results of his liver function test that was done the day before and the wonderful, fantastic news was that his liver is functioning normally. That is an incredible blessing because all the years he's been on phenobarbital, only liver enzymes were checked never liver function. Dr. Katherman told us that checking the liver enzymes don't give any information about how the liver is functioning and only a liver function--urine bile acids test will reveal how the liver is actually working. It is a great relief to know that Brady's liver is functioning normally. It will be very important to have this test done periodically since phenobarbital can cause liver damage.

Another blessing

The cost of Zonisamide would have been extremely expensive if we were to have it filled at a regular pharmacy and run about $200 a month for Brady's prescription but thank God once again that Dr. Katherman directed us to Costco to have the prescription filled. The cost there was only $25.00!!! How wonderful!
How can the other pharmacies get away with charging such a ludicrous amount?!
One would expect it to probably be higher at an ordinary pharmacy, but almost 10 times higher? That's pure highway robbery!

December 15th, the day we get in to see the neurologist

As I wrote in the previous post after Brady's seizure at 10:27pm on December 14th, we tried to get some sleep so we would be somewhat fresh for our visit with Dr. Katherman. At 3:15am we were awaken by Brady have another grand mal seizure, this made 5 within a 20 hour period! I gave him a valium suppository once it was over but before he got on his feet. At this point both Jeff and I were a complete nervous wreck! Brady came out of the seizure fairly quickly as usual and seemed to be okay, but we were terrified that another one would start up.

Knowing that the neurologist's office was connected to the Emergency Vet, we decided to get ready and leave to make our trip to Yorktown. Our thoughts were that if another seizure did come on and it ended up being an emergency then at least we would be in route or have already arrived. We pulled out of our driveway at 4:20am and arrived in Yorktown a little after 6:00am.
Thank God Brady didn't have any more seizures and we didn't need to go to the Emergency Vet.
But at least we were there if the need arose. Our appointment wasn't until 11:00am, but once the office opened I went in to let the staff know what had been going on with Brady. The receptionist said that the Doctor would be in shortly and would be seeing us soon. It was about 9:30 am when we met with the Dr. Katherman. We were very pleased and impressed with both her and her staff. They were all very informative, helpful and compassionate. After talking with us at length about idiopathic epilepsy and the various methods and drugs of treatment, Dr. Katherman told us that her plan for Brady was to leave him on his current medications and to bring another AED (add-on epileptic drug) on board by the name of Zonisamide. It is a human anti-epileptic drug that has recently been used with great success in some dogs. We were cautioned that every epileptic dog is different and what may work for one may not work for another. Brady started on Zonisamide that very day. We left Dr. Katherman's office on what started out as a somber, dreary day with a new ray of hope!