Longtime member, not active. Had a basenji with the same diagnosis back in 2004. He took a tremendous amount of bicarb each day, his Fanconi was being well managed, but he started having seizures at night. Our vet gave us something to stop the seizure that we'd administer rectally. We kept track of the number of seizures and they started becoming more frequent, to about twice a week, if I recall. The final seizure he had he went temporarily blind and howled and howled and we knew that was it was time. I just sat on the floor with him and cried. A couple months later we looked at photos we had taken of him right before and he looked very, very tired. Very much the hardest thing we had ever done was to let him go across the Bridge, but after looking at those photos, we had done the right thing. Our vet had told us that it was possible he would have a seizure and not come out of it, and we certainly didn't want that.
Blaze had a seizure
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He's 15, with no liver, on two types of daily medication for this issue. He's been going deaf over the last year and has been losing his perephial vision as well. This morning he was snoozing on the bed at hubby's feet. I snuggled my arms under the blanket and was giving him scratchies. He was groaning and stretching and just loving it. He got up after I stopped. He stretched, then looked down at the floor, then looked at me. I am such a sucker for his face, so I lifted him off the bed and set him on the floor. He started to stretch again, and I went to walk behind him. All of the sudden I tripped over him. I stumbled, then turned around. He was curled over his head on the floor and against the wall. His legs were extended, but he couldn't lie flat with his head curled under his body. I dove at him, righting his head and neck, and moved him so his nose wasn't pushed up against the metal heat register. Hubby jumped out of bed and we held him as he was stiff, then his legs started going, like he was running. His legs stopped, then his head started to nod up and down, he lost control of his bladder at that point. The entire time his eyes were wide open and showing his whites, staring straight ahead, and his jaw was clenched. He was also breathing very deeply, but not rapidly. Then he was relaxed, not stiff, but not moving. His eyes came back into focus and he started to shiver. We held him on the floor until he was ready to move.
He was really embarassed about peeing on the floor, asked to go out, then laid by the fire cleaning himself. We offered him some food and water, he didn't take water, but ate a few kibbles. Right now he just seems tired.
Searching on the internet, there isn't much on seizures in older dogs. Anyone else go through this?
He just had his annual check up in August, where our vet did a blood panel and checks his vitals. We do it every year since he lost his liver.
Nothing new has been used in our house, no change in his medications, he hasn't been anywhere new, no new food, etc. -
What about his thyroid? Did those levels get checked? If it's low then that can cause seizures.
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So sorry to hear of Blazes seizure, it's a horrible thing to witness.
Our old basenji had a problem with his liver, something was destroying it but the vet couldn't find out what. It caused him to have grand mal seizures where he would firstly run and bark then drop to the floor stiff as a board and then his legs would paddle with his lips drawn back and eyes open. He always lost control of his bladder and bowels. we dealt with his fits by just making sure he was safe, maybe with a towel under his head and we also learned to put a towel between his legs to soak up the urine.
Benji was on treatment for his liver problem and initialy the vets treated his fits with valium. His fits followed a pattern of every 3 weeks untill we put him on epilease, this gave us longer fit free periods. Benjis fits were triggered by certain noises and extreme cold like frost.
We were given rectal valium to administer straight after the fit, this helped reduce the effects of the fit,but he was still over active after having one and could feel off for days afterwards.
Because a fit uses a lot of energy some people suggest giving the dog ice cream once it wants to eat but i cant say i tried this.
Sorry if i have given you too much info, but there might be something useful here.
One other thing i will say is that Blaze will no nothing about the fit, he wont be concious of it and it is worse for you to watch.
Hope you get him sorted -
I am also am very sorry about Blazes seizure, I wish I knew more and could help you. I do know one thing for sure after reading about Blaze he sure is loved bless you. I wish you and Blaze the best.
Rita Jean
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Bless your heart to have to see your dog go through that..so sad. I don't know about seizures, but want you to know that I am thinking of Blaze and the two of you…
Did you contact your vet? -
My Zuki had a seizure a few weeks ago - very similar to yours in that it was first thing in the morning when I was getting up. She was also 15 years old but was experiencing a lot of problems, including liver issues, at the time. I'm sorry I have no advice. I can only sympathize and know how awful you felt to see your Blaze go through that. It's horrible to feel so helpless when it's happening. Hugs to you both.
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So sorry to hear about the seizure. They are truly scary to witness and you feel so helpless.
I used to pet sit a chocolate lab that had epilepsy. The only thing I could do when she was having a seizure was pet her and put blankets or pillows under her head to try to make her a little more comfortable. Bailey was always exhausted afterward and usually drank a ton of water.
I really feel for you - it is horrible to see.
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you may want to try a holistic vet.
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I have an appointment for tomorrow. We are checking all of his levels again. He's fine right now, all he really did after it was sleep, but by supper, he was himself. He got a whole bunch of treats today, and I bought him Haagen dazs vanilla ice cream… that's a new low. He gets the good stuff, I get the store brand ice milk... He's pretty spoiled. Hopefully this will be figured out, but I doubt there is much that we can really do.
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Hope everything goes ok for Blaze. When i went on a dog epilepsy site, they recomended Haagen Dazs ice cream for after a seizure, i think it perhaps settles them down, maybe raises blood sugar, not sure. But either way i'm sure Blaze enjoys it.
Maybe as you say there is nothing else to be done, ie cure him. The most important thing is to keep him comfy and spoil him rotten as you are doing
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Had the vet appointment, will hear back on the tests either tomorrow or on Monday. He's been completely normal since, and of course he's getting spoiled! He's getting lots of treats, snuggles, and lovings.
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spoil him every day. The old dogs are so dear.
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Vet called back. All of his levels are within the normal range for a dog of his age. So it could have been a fluke. We will wait to see if he has another one in the next three months. I'm iffy on an MRI to check for tumors and such. If he has them, I can't do anything for him anyway. He's not in any pain, and he's still very much himself. He actually got into the garbage while I was on the phone with the vet. So we will keep and eye on him and snuggle him senseless.
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I'm happy to hear that.
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Vet called back. All of his levels are within the normal range for a dog of his age. So it could have been a fluke. We will wait to see if he has another one in the next three months. I'm iffy on an MRI to check for tumors and such. If he has them, I can't do anything for him anyway. He's not in any pain, and he's still very much himself. He actually got into the garbage while I was on the phone with the vet. So we will keep and eye on him and snuggle him senseless.
I think you are taking the exact right approach… IMO.... When they are elders, you have to weigh the "quality" of life to possible and I do mean "possible" "life" saving interventions... our main concern is to keep them safe and happy... and when that times comes to help them over the Rainbow bridge, we can help with that one act of kindness
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Got into the garbage???:eek:
No, I'm kidding…that's actually good news.
I'm glad he's feeling better and that he has a family so caring. He's a lucky boy.
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Good news about Blaze, thanks for the update
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Sorry to hear that Blaze is having siezures. My Max (13yrs) is having focalized siezures and we were also at the point of MRI to determine if he has a tumor since every other test was normal. We opted to forgo it since we would not put him through a potentially painful brain surgery or chemo if they did find anything. Besides, as the Neurologist told me they don't always see anything on the MRI anyway. So we're just making his life as comfortable, fun and normal as we can. If the siezures get worse there is a medication that the neurologist suggested that does not harm the liver which we will try if they get bad enough. Apparently damage occurs everytime there is a siezure so I'm considering it now.
Max is also having problems with his liver. What happened with Blaze's liver, if I can ask?
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Blaze lost his liver, as in it's no longer there… The vet said it could have been from either the battery he ate or from overdosing on the treat with the chemical that stops the pee from turning grass yellow. He gets pancrease powder with his food at every meal, mixed and sitting for twenty minutes before he can eat it, and a half a tablet to help with the acidity of his poo. Since he's been on the medication, he has returned to a good quality of life, and we've adapted to ensure he gets everything that he needs. Our condo board is happy, he certainly can't yellow the grass anymore...
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I am so glad that Blaze is doing well on his medication.
