How is our boy doing?
Thanks for asking Barb. Things are much the same. Still having the seizures about twice a week...although last week he hit three times. They don't last long if I catch it early....
We have an appointment next week and we will be starting him on a short course of anticonvulesant therapy. He will have the drugs...most likely phenobarbitol, for two weeks. If he doesn't seize during that time we will slowly reduce the dose and take him off. If it starts again we will probably have to give it to him daily for the rest of his life but sometimes the short dose works. We do know that his organs look good and that he is (of course) heartworm negative now. We also know that he had a head injury at some point and his white blood cell count was down a tiny bit last time. Because of the possible damage his heart and his lungs from the microfilaria, we do not want to put him under general anesthetic. Epilepsy cannot be diagnosed with 100% accuracy...the MRI and such outrules other things and that is generally how epilepsy is diagnosed. His seizures are "Focal seizures" or "Complex Partial Seizures" which basically means that they are affecting only one part of the brain and not the entire thing as in a Generalized seizure. In his case they seem to be affecting the part of his brain which controls behaviour and so they are called psychometer seizures.
He has not displayed any aggression at all since the morning of the nose munch and I truly do not think he realized what he was doing until it was done. I picked him up from behind (broke my own number 1 Toby-Man rule), and I think he was just startled and acted instinctively. As soon as he saw it was me he stopped and started to do his whine-cry thing....which is what he does when he has the seizures. I just want this to be over for him and although I would far prefer to handle this without meds if it helps him we will go for it.
I'll let you know how he does on the short term meds. Keep your fingers crossed that this works for him...I think the little man has been through just about enough already! Thanks again for asking Barb.... I appreciate the support from everyone here!
Terri, will be praying that the short term medications work for Toby-Man. The poor little guy (and you too) has certainly been through enough. Hugs and kisses to you all.
will be sending big time rays that the short term meds help him !!! Please let us know and give him and the rest of the group a snuggle from me !
If Toby-Man goes on phenobarbitol, PLEASE be sure to monitor his liver functions with blood work REGULARLY!! :meme:
When Cooper-Angel was on phenobarbitol, his liver function went from normal bloodwork in May to off the charts four months later. He had cancer in the center of the liver, which made it inoperable, and he was put down. It all happened in four days.
So watch the bloodwork like a HAWK! See if you can check it every two or three months! :crazyeyes:
:pray: Rays and good thoughts from all the Herd - even Winston the petrified bunny! :icon_albino: :icon_albino: :icon_albino: :rescue: :rescue: :rescue: :rescue:
Continued rays soming your way and praying that you can get this under control
Rays to Toby from Patches & Buddy & Papbouv