What would you do? Seizures?

Question

My dog is epileptic. He had his first seizure at about 2 1/2 years old. 

He'll be 7 years old in May. 

For the last 2 years, 4 months, he's been seizure free. 

A little before the two year mark, we started backing down on the drugs. We got to *almost* no anti-epileptics in his system. (by the textbook, we were at less than 1/4 of the clinically recommended dose). 

Today he had a seizure (focal). I'm trying to make the decision of 'where to go from here'. The 'safe' route is to put him back on the full dose of phenobarbital and keep him there indefinitely. I'm fairly confident that doing this (along with a couple of other measures we worked out) would give us excellent seizure control. 

The down side is, all of these drugs are hard on the liver, and will shorten lifespan. Also, the sedative effect is definitely not negligable. I noticed this particularly when he was going on the drugs and comming off the drugs. (At pretty much every step down in drugs he got happier, and 'bouncier'). 

So, would you 
(a) put him on the higher (textbook) dose, and increase the side effects (both to his liver, and his happiness). 
(b) try to achieve control with a lower dose, but run the risk of more seizures, which could potentially make the seizures more difficult to control in the long run. 

Please don't answer with "Ask your vet". I'm a third year vet student. Given that I have an epileptic dog, I've made an effort to be sure that I learn everything possible about seizures and seizure control. In a year's time, I'll be a vet. "Consult your vet" is the cop-out answer. The vet still has to base their decision on something. 
(for the record, I'll be chatting with my dog's vet on Saturday, and I'll probably bring it up to a couple of vets tomorrow at school --- in the end its my call though).

Anonymous · Answer

i could positioned him on the med for now after which you would be able to get a 2nd opinion. The blood exams carried out ought to help clean up the subject of any ingredient consequences. My mom has seizures and regrettably drugs is the only factor that helps her and various others with epilepsy. fortuitously, your dogs is being prescribed one low-cost and accessible drug and not 0.5 a dozen. to not say that there at the instant are not determination cures that artwork or a minimum of help sometimes. yet, the final public of the time, you would be wanting drugs to administration seizures. It looks such as you'll be uncertain he's having seizures. if that's so, have yet another verbal substitute with the vet approximately what they seem opt to verify which you do are not needlessly medicating.

sunshine · Answer

I would titrate up on the current dose until you reached a level that had full seizure control. I feel this would be a good compromise. Certainly running it by your peers and your dog's regular vet for feedback would be a good idea, too. 

Best of luck both with your dog and your schooling. You sound like a thoughtful, intelligent person who will make an excellent vet!

Smuag · Answer

You're basically choosing between the lesser of two evils here- you can either shorten his life span because of his liver, or risk one of his seizures killing him. 

I have never had a dog with seizures, however until I was 13 I had seizures that I controlled with medicine. Trust me when I tell you that your dog would rather be on the medication than experiencing the seizures- there is nothing comparable to the absolute fear that you feel when you can't remember what happened. Someone could explain it to me- but there's no way to tell your dog.

Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter · Answer

Hi Dale!  I am one of your biggest fans and you have helped me a lot previously, which I appreciate.  LOL I would never tell you to check with your vet because I know you are one. (or soon to be)

If it were me - I would start out with the lesser of the 2 evils - option B first.  If the seizures increase and can't be controlled within reason with option B, then I would go for option A and have regular blood testing done to keep an eye on his liver.

Good luck with your little guy!

ADD:
The main objective is to make him as comfortable and seizure and pain free as possible.

Chandlergirl · Answer

My personal opinion...I have severe heart problems and need a heart transplant however I dont want to go through the hospital and more meds unless it is absolutely necessary. I would rather live my life to the fullest and be happy than never be happy and live forever.. youre not really living if youre not happy.

Anonymous · Answer

take him to a vet

Trending News

What would you do? Seizures?

6 Answers