Starting Maddie on anti-seizure medication
As I've written here http://mycorgi.com/forum/topics/maddie-had-a-grand-mal-seizure-tonight
Madison had two seizures about 30 days apart.
I talked to the vet today and she wants her to start on phenobarbital. It will be 2x a day, with a blood check in 30 days and then about every 6 months thereafter.
Initial side effects can include grogginess and unsteadiness, but that should subside in a short time. My online research says that long-term, it can cause an increase in appetite. Goodness! For a Corgi? Like her normal appetite is not enough. She will think she is starving to death!
So here's hoping this helps. Looking online, the most common cause of new onset of seizures in older dogs is the much-feared brain tumor. I asked the vet if there were any other tests we can do, but apparently an MRI is about $1500 to $2000. I asked if it would change treatment and she said "Not unless you plan on doing brain surgery on your dog." That is, frankly, out of the question (though it can be done) so I figure there is no point in knowing if we can't do anything about it anyway.
My poor girl. :-( Hopefully she will do well with her meds. Time to invest in a baby-gate for the stairs; she'll be kept in the kitchen while we're asleep or out til she adjusts to the medication.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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So sorry Beth...I do know many people who have been phenobarb for many many years. It's one of those old drugs that works well!
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Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on
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Thinking of Maddie, sorry to hear, but glad that she will get something to help out with her seizures.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Payerl on
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Beth, I'm sorry that it came to this but glad that you are now on track to help stop the seizures. We found it helps to feed Sophie three times daily instead of the two we had been doing. Same amount of food total per day, just divided into three portions. Helps even out the hunger --- a little. Sophie disagrees but that's a corgi for you. Take precautions to keep all food and food-like items (wrappers, lipsticks, etc.) well away from Madison. You'd be surprised what a hunger-driven corgi can do. Sophie managed to get up onto our kitchen counters and onto my dresser. Try giving green beans, apple slices and carrot coins for snacks. She'll still like getting a snack but it won't be so fattening as most dog treats. She may also drink more than usual at first and have a piddle accident here and there; at least Sophie did when she started. That resolved soon after. We keep her gated in the kitchen whenever we are gone. We don't want to risk her falling if she has a S. She loves to climb up on the back of the couch and watch the world go by; she's fallen off twice so no more of that. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Nickel on
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Beth, my Magdalen had seizures in April & May 2012, at 5 years of age. She has been on phenobarbital ever since. In the beginning, she seemed a little "off", a little more needy....probably because she felt different (odd) from how she normally felt. It didn't last long. Maggie has not had any more seizures (that we know of, as both my husband & I work outside of the home).
I have not noticed any difference in her appetite. I have continued to feed her & treat her just as I always have & Maggie has not gained any weight.
IMHO, I would not change anything in your routine with her when you begin medication. It will only confuse her more. I guess I don't understand why you would keep her in the kitchen or out til she adjusts to the meds? She is still the same adorable Maddie. Best of luck!
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Permalink Reply by Laura and Tommy Jefferson on
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Thinking of Maddie and hoping the new meds work out well for her! :)
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Chris, thanks for all your information. It's very helpful. I have a good system for keeping their weight ok now, but if her appetite increases we'll go back to adding pumpkin, green beans, carrots etc to her diet. Our schedule doesn't make it easy to feed three times a day, but I do give Jack a bigger treat at bedtime (he vomits foam if his belly is empty). I usually give Maddie a small one, because she puts on weight easier than he does, but I may cut her food a bit and make sure she gets a big bedtime treat too.
Cheryl, the reason I will gate her is because we were told the meds can make her unsteady on her feet for a few days. We have a two-story house with hardwood stairs and tile at the bottom. I don't want her going up. I also don't want her jumping up and down off the sofa if her balance and perception are a bit off. So I'll just do that until we see how she adjusts, and then return her to her normal routine.
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Beth, I now certainly understand why you would gate her considering your home is multi-level. May I ask what dosage your vet has prescribed? I am hoping that she experiences minimal side effects just like my Maggie. Please keep us posted.
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30 mg, 2x a day; she weighs about 28 pounds.
She just had her third dose. She is less groggy than I expected. She stumbled into the coffee table hopping off the couch. She also walked right up to Jack and took his ball, something she would not normally do; I think it lowered her inhibitions a bit. :-) Otherwise she is tolerating it well so far.
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Beth, my Magdalen is on 47 mg 2X a day; she weighs 31 pounds.
Sounds like Maddie is going to do great!! I didn't want to say too much, but I really have thought all along that the side effects would be minimal.
So glad to hear how well she is doing!
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