Pepper apparently had a seizure yesterday morning. She acted scared and got under the coffee table. I figured that there were distant thunder storms because that's wat she does when she is scared, so I got on weather.com. No thunderstorms within 200 miles. As I was checking that, she staggered into her crate (her safe place) like a drunk person. I pulled her out of her crate. She couldn't walk, appeared not to be able to see, and just fell down. Hubby quickly put her crate in the car and put her in it while I called the vet and said that Pepper had an emergency situation. When we arrived, he was waiting for us at the door. By then she had regained her ability to walk. He observed her all day and ran tests.
Out of range tests:
GLU 113 (max range 110)
WBC 5.77 (min range 6)
MO% 4.7% (max range 4%)
PLT 134 (min range 200)
EKG normal
There are two ancestors in her lineage over the past five generations with epilepsy. Epilepsy is common among show-bred standard poodles.
We were referred to a neurologist at Auburn University Vet College. The first available appointment is on Monday. We are so on edge. We are scared because we have no idea when another seizure will happen again. We don't leave her alone for a second. Hubby has a trade show to attend in Europe and leaves on Friday, so we are both totally freaked out.
If any of you have any clout at Auburn and can possibly get Pepper in for an appointment at the vet college this week, could you PM me?
Please pray for Pepper.
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hood
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hood4,548 views
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momof2kidsmomof2kidsBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach793 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
momof2kidsBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach793 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticIt's scary when your furbaby has seizures. Good luck at Auburn! I hope you can get in sooner & get your questions answered.
Our dog has them occasionally, (approx 3 times a year) and our vet has said that until they come regularly (once per month or more) than don't put him on medication. Some last longer than others, or at least they seem like it. I try to get a stop watch out & time them if I can. Otherwise we have a blanket he favors & we set him on it and just make sure he isn't near anything that can harm him while keeping out hands away from his mouth/face.
Our dog has them occasionally, (approx 3 times a year) and our vet has said that until they come regularly (once per month or more) than don't put him on medication. Some last longer than others, or at least they seem like it. I try to get a stop watch out & time them if I can. Otherwise we have a blanket he favors & we set him on it and just make sure he isn't near anything that can harm him while keeping out hands away from his mouth/face.
DDDDSoWal Expertgrapevine, tx. /On the road to SoWal23,871 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
DDSoWal Expertgrapevine, tx. /On the road to SoWal23,871 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertBR, I'm so sorry about your Pepper. I hope you get some answers ASAP! Prayers sent up.
kathydwellskathydwellsDarlene is my middle name, not my nicknameLacey's Spring, Alabama13,303 postsJoined View profileMessageDarlene is my middle name, not my nickname
kathydwellsDarlene is my middle name, not my nicknameLacey's Spring, Alabama13,303 postsJoined View profileMessageDarlene is my middle name, not my nicknameMy Angel baby has them occasionally as well. My vet told me the same thing as momof2kids. They would not put her on anti-seizure medicine unless she was having them regularly. It is scarey when it happens though. Will be praying for Pepper and hope that everything will be ok.
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthor
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthorSame here. Vet won't put her on meds until Auburn sees her. He said if she has one over 10 minutes, make an emergency call to him. So we just watch her like a hawk and are scared to leave her.
Thanks for making me feel better about the frequency. I am hoping that nothing serious is wrong with her and that they only happen a couple of times per year.
Thanks, y'all.
Thanks for making me feel better about the frequency. I am hoping that nothing serious is wrong with her and that they only happen a couple of times per year.
Thanks, y'all.
iwishiwasthereiwishiwasthereBeach FanaticTennessee2,875 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
iwishiwasthereBeach FanaticTennessee2,875 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticHugs to Pepper. That has to be so scary!! Praying for no more seizures and good results from the dr.
ktschrisktschrisBeach FanaticSt. Louis1,877 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
ktschrisBeach FanaticSt. Louis1,877 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticSorry to hear about Pepper. My greyhound used to have them....its scary to see. My vet told us the same thing, unless he was having them all the time...no meds. Good luck.
scooterbug44scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertKeeping her calm and avoiding rigorous exercise in hot weather can help prevent more seizures.
Scooterbro's dog had some scary seizures and then went on meds and he has been doing fine ever since.
Scooterbro's dog had some scary seizures and then went on meds and he has been doing fine ever since.
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,970 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal GuideYou are doing all the right things BR. Your Pepper is well cared for and will be fine because of YOU and Mr BR. Going to Auburn is a very good plan.
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthor
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthorKeeping her calm and avoiding rigorous exercise in hot weather can help prevent more seizures.Thanks so much for the advice. :wub: It makes sense for us to keep her calm based on what I've googled. We were at the beach last week, but only took her to the beach near sunset. But she is black and her hair gets hot quickly outside even when she goes outside for a quick potty break. Maybe after Auburn we should give her a summer cut so she won't get so hot. Her health is obviously more important that her being beautifully groomed.
Scooterbro's dog had some scary seizures and then went on meds and he has been doing fine ever since.
deborskdeborskBeach Lover133 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
deborskBeach Lover133 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverOur black lab Ace has been having seizures for a couple of years now. He was tested for being hypo thyroid and now takes thyroid meds plus Phenobarbital. He has had cluster seizures (5 within a 24 hr period) a few times--scary!!
Then we had him tested for allergies and found that he is allergic to just about all foods, trees, , mold, even human dander. So we changed his food and all treats so that they do not contain any of the known foods that he is allergic to--we now feed him Canidae chicken and Rice formula. Getting overheated can also trigger his seizures. We are back to about one seizure a month, but they are grand mal now and he loses control of his bladder each time. The vet says that if his thyroid is regulated and we watch the foods he gets--which means he can't have any people food when he goes to Modica at Seaside during his morning walks, then we should be able to control the frequency of the seizures. He went for about 2 1/2 months without one until he ate a bit of a bagel some little boy gave him in Seaside. There are lots of websites about dogs and seizures--just google it. It helps to read what other people say works for their seiaure prone pets.
Then we had him tested for allergies and found that he is allergic to just about all foods, trees, , mold, even human dander. So we changed his food and all treats so that they do not contain any of the known foods that he is allergic to--we now feed him Canidae chicken and Rice formula. Getting overheated can also trigger his seizures. We are back to about one seizure a month, but they are grand mal now and he loses control of his bladder each time. The vet says that if his thyroid is regulated and we watch the foods he gets--which means he can't have any people food when he goes to Modica at Seaside during his morning walks, then we should be able to control the frequency of the seizures. He went for about 2 1/2 months without one until he ate a bit of a bagel some little boy gave him in Seaside. There are lots of websites about dogs and seizures--just google it. It helps to read what other people say works for their seiaure prone pets.
ksyoshikawaksyoshikawaBeach Comber8 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
Do not despair! My sisters beloved dog had occasional seizures and eventually had to be put on medication that has put an end to them. It is scary to watch but as you now know is more frequent in dogs than you may have thought.
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthor
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthorDo not despair! My sisters beloved dog had occasional seizures and eventually had to be put on medication that has put an end to them. It is scary to watch but as you now know is more frequent in dogs than you may have thought.Thanks. I had no idea that seizures were so common in dogs. We lost our last dog, our beloved Weimaraner Winnie, due to seizures. But those that turned out to be endocarditis from a heart infection from a tooth infection, and the blood clots from the heart caused seizures. Auburn tried to save her life, but with endocarditis, once an infection gets into your heart, no matter how many IV antibiotics are applied, it's hard to cure it.
So that's why I get Pepper's teeth professionally cleaned every six months. Now she had a seizure for some other reason, not a tooth infection. Just can't win.
momof2kidsmomof2kidsBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach793 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
momof2kidsBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach793 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticOh BR, that is so sad. No wonder you are pulling out all the stops. I would too. Take care of that baby & keep us posted!
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthor
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthorI contacted the woman who runs the standard poodle toe cancer registry. (Pepper had a suspected toe cancer, and this woman helped me get Pepper properly diagnosed and treated). She keeps track of all diseases that are common among standard poodles and has contacted a professor at FSU who is doing research on standard poodles and epilepsy. The FSU prof has developed a protocol for properly diagnosing epilepsy and is going to email it to me. It makes me feel better that an expert is on Pepper's team.
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthor
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthorUpdate: Nothing conclusive yet. She is hospitalized at Auburn tonight. :(
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeowHere's hoping you get some good news tomorrow! She is in good hands.
MinnieMinnieBeach FanaticMemphis4,328 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
MinnieBeach FanaticMemphis4,328 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticPrayers for both of you, I would not completely shave her, as she could sunburn. Just get a puppy cut. If taking her to the groomers stresses her I would not advice that right now.
Hope you get good news soon.
Hope you get good news soon.
ScooterScooterBeach FanaticAtlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA686 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
ScooterBeach FanaticAtlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA686 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticHas she been tested for Cushings?
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthor
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodAuthorHas she been tested for Cushings?Cushings is on their list to check. They will also check for thyroid disease today. Last night I got an email telling me that of one her litter mates has Addison's Disease, so I emailed the professor at Auburn and told him that. There is a long list of standard poodle diseases at poodlehealthregistry.org.
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