Spoke to Berman's vet re: seizure

Jenny G · April 16, 2007, 10:16:38 AM

Berman's vet wants to draw more blood. He said when he checked Berman's blood after the 1st seizure, Berman had an abnormally low calcium level. I remember him telling me this back then, but we didn't do anything about it. He thinks if the blood test comes back again with low calcium, Berman may have to be on calcium supplements.

Of course I Googled low calcium and dogs and found all sorts of links to kidney failure information. EEK! Now I'm getting worried! I'm taking Berman in Saturday for the blood work. I'll keep everyone posted on the results.

Valerie · April 16, 2007, 10:45:18 AM

Ack! Stay away from the internet. It always list the worst possible diagnosis...

Glad you talked to the vet. I hope its something simple like a calcium supplement that will help him.

Please let us know how it goes on Saturday.

Barb · April 16, 2007, 11:54:19 AM

I am glad you called. Did it say anything about a relationship between low calcium and seizures?

Jenny G · April 16, 2007, 12:25:37 PM

Quote from: Barb on April 16, 2007, 11:54:19 AM
Did it say anything about a relationship between low calcium and seizures?

No - but I guess the low calcium was just something that wasn't normal. Again, I googled and did find a few things that mentioned both calcium and seizures:

6.2 Hypocalcemia- This is an endocrine disorder (affects electrolyte, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous) that is characterized by low levels of calcium. Typically the acceptable range of calcium levels from the blood serum chemistry is in the range of 8.5 to 11.0 (mg/dl). Loss of appetite in a dog will cause the calcium levels to decrease which in turn may cause seizures. Some dogs may develop muscle weakness early in the disease. Another symptom of hypocalcemia is cataracts.

and:
Canine Eclampsia, more correctly called Puerperal Tetany, and sometimes erroneously called "milk fever", is a startling and dangerous condition brought on by extremely low levels of calcium in the blood stream. Also called hypocalcemia, veterinarians consider these epileptic-like episodes emergencies and the patient is admitted as soon as possible. Most canine patients (the disorder is rare in cats) are presented suffering from severe muscle spasms, panting, eye twitching, and incoordination.

Berman has always been a very picky eater. It will sometimes take him 10-15 minutes to eat 1/4 cup of dry food. I've tried every single trick in the book - nothing seems to work - oh, except when Lucy comes charging up trying to get to his food first which of course results in Lucy getting in trouble!

I'm going to print out these 2 things and take with me to the vet on Saturday!

Barb · April 16, 2007, 12:59:08 PM

Interesting.....definatly take the info to the vet !!!!

Is Berman interested in canned food?

Jenny G · April 16, 2007, 01:48:02 PM

Quote from: Barb on April 16, 2007, 12:59:08 PM
Is Berman interested in canned food?

Berman never has really liked canned food either. He does like chicken or hamburger - really any human food. I try to only give those on special occassions so he doesn't get spoiled and refuse to eat anything but that! I guess I'm comparing him to Annie and Lucy who both scarf down their food in about 10 seconds. Berman just takes some coaxing. Of course he likes any treats - it's really just any sort of dry or wet dog food. I don't think he knows he's a dog! Wait - maybe I don't realize he's a dog!

Mike · April 16, 2007, 07:18:39 PM

Have you tried putting some no-salt added green beans on his dry food? Clifford loves them.

Merion · April 16, 2007, 11:21:22 PM

Zeke was a slow eater too. But if he was worried Zelda would take it he would eat. I finally started to put him in a kennel to eat and put her food right out side. It encouraged him to eat right away but kept her out of the dish. Maybe it would work with Berman and Lucy :thinik:.
Merion & the ZZ's

cheryl186 · April 17, 2007, 04:43:16 AM

So sorry to hear that Berman had another seizure....he is such a sweetie pie!!! Please let us know as soon as possible what the vet says....prayers for nothing serious!!!!!

Jenny G · April 17, 2007, 09:07:32 AM

Quote from: Mike on April 16, 2007, 07:18:39 PM
Have you tried putting some no-salt added green beans on his dry food? Clifford loves them.

I've tried EVERYTHING! Green beans - which he likes - but he'll only eat the green beans, chicken broth, parmesan cheese - just about everything you can think of. He usually eats around the dog food and fills up on the other stuff.

Delia and girls · April 17, 2007, 10:35:01 AM

Have you tried letting the dry food soak up the chicken broth or green bean juice? I've never had this problem, so I'm just talking off the top of my head.

I sure hope fixing this calcium problem makes these seizures go away. I can only imagine how scary those seizures are to both of you.

Leslie · April 18, 2007, 06:54:29 PM

canned salmon and bananas. The old fashioned way for expecting mothers to get more calcium. My two loved cat food, so maybe he will like it. Give him maybe a tablespoon at first and see how his tummy tolerates it.

Mike · April 19, 2007, 06:56:26 AM

Clifford loves canned salmon, but I can't stand the smell of fish!!! So I give him flax seed oil in yogurt.

Roberta · April 20, 2007, 06:06:27 PM

Why not try the infant liquid vitamins we used to use them to the pups till they put it in the food now.

Food wise Amy was the first who would not eat certain food and Ray our vet siad put her food down if she did not eat it take it up, don't feed anything between and try her again a the next food time. I felt rotten doing this, it took a few meals, but I now do not have a fussy eater. Rays thoughts are 1.No junior goes hungry if there is food in their plate.and 2. start how you mean to finish, meaning if you are OK spending X time cooking etc that's OK, I would rather spend the time with them walking and playing.

Roberta