Hi all, I would never normally post stuff like this but no one I know has any similar experiences and I'm over thinking things.

My 10 year old BC presented with neurological symptoms similar to those seen after a seizure. Uncontrollable drooling, lights on but nobody home, staggered around, no balance. After antiinflammatories, a full (clear) blood screen, and an antiemetic, she bounced back the same night. This was a couple of months ago.

On Monday of this week she was quiet, a bit under the weather I thought. Didn't want to come for walks though I still took her, she didn't fight me just didn't get excited about going as she usually would. Still quiet the rest of the week, last night a bit spaced out and wobbly, and the same this morning only slightly worse. Been to the vets, possible late onset epilepsy but some things don't fit that diagnosis, I've never witnessed a seizure in her either. She has had a few tumbles today and is a bit confused and wobbly, very lethargic. She's had more bloods taken for a more thorough screen, results tomorrow but we aren't expecting anything to show up. She is booked in for an MRI with a specialist on Monday as they suspect something disturbing the central nervous system. Vestibular was ruled out last time too.

I know I'm unlikely to hear of any similar experiences but I'm just grasping at straws as everything I read says things I don't even want to think about! And I know it's all speculation til the scan anyway really. Just being a worried dogmum.

Thanks in advance :-/

Jess

Poor girl I hope they get a diagnosis and can sort it out x

Poor girl and poor you. I was thinking Vestibular until I read it had been ruled out. Hope MRI scan provides answers.

My little old Terrier had epilepsy but she had Petit and Grand Mal seizures.  The Petit ones varied from fit to fit.  Sometimes she would just seem abit out of it and other times she would be wobbly and then stagger around for varying amounts of time.  Sometimes her head would shake from side to side, other times it wouldnt.  Sometimes these would lead into a Grand Mal seizure, which time, she was totally out if it, falling over, paddling, drooling etc.  Although this was not always the case.  In the end I kept my phone by my side which enabled me to email a video of her to my vet, who diagnosed her with epilepsy.  These generally happened, when she was either going into sleep or just coming out of a deep sleep.

Hope you can get some answers soon xx

Justine, what medication was she on?

Jean our vet put her on phenobarbs but the dose was too much for her. They made her very wobbly and disorientated so over a period of a few weeks, we gradually dropped the dose and managed to get from 2 tabs a day to 1/2 twice a day and she was alot better.  She went on like this for a couple of months but sadly had a huge Grand Mal seizure early one morning which she didnt really come out of so I had to make the dreaded decision. :(

Bless her.  We do have to make the most awful decisions.  You took away her pain and made it yours.  As we all should.

So sorry to hear about your girl Justine. Thanks for sharing your experience though.

I'm feeling a little more positive today, she was a bit more with it yesterday. Up bright and early to head up country for her MRI now. Just looking forward to talking it all through with a specialist and hoping we can shed some light on it.

Thanks for all your thoughts, they are greatly appreciated :)

Jess

Had something similar a few years back with a ten year old Lab. He was, to use your expression, spaced out looking and used to duck under imaginary obstacles. Nothing showed up at Vets and he got more and more lethargic and vacant until he collapsed. We rushed him to the Vets prepared to let him go and he gave him one more chance and referred him to the Neurological hospital in Glasgow. He was admitted after initial testing suggested it was his brain, He was in for almost two weeks and had various CAT and MRI scans which revealed no real diagnosis. He had good days and bad days until eventually something burst and he had pus like substance coming out his eyes, ears and nose.
We collected him soon after and although he wobbled up to us with wagging tail he did not really know either us or where he was. He circled when he walked and once home the other dogs avoided him. He eventually came to himself over time and lived for another four years without another episode. The only suggestion was that he had chewed a stick or something and a splinter had stuck leading to an abscess forming and pressing on his brain, hence the pus when it had burst and the slow recovery afterwards. Sorry cannot be of any greater help, just your story reminded me of his symptoms. Hopefully medicine has advanced since 2006 and a diagnosis is forthcoming.

Oh Flattiemum, that sounds frightening. But I'm glad he had some quality time after it burst.

Sadly my worst fears were confirmed, she has a large tumour on her frontal lobe. Just what I feared but never what I expected. I am completely devastated. How do you live normally with them with knowledge like that? :(

Tectona I am so very sorry.  What an awful shock for you to deal with.  You will need time to come to terms with this devastating news.  Sending you some of my strength to help you cope.

Love her while you can.

So sorry Tectona . Wish there were words to take away pain.

So sorry to hear that. As for living with them, make the most of every day, especially the good ones. Build up the good memories, you'll need them later on. Remember that the dog doesn't know the prognosis so keep your spirits up for her. I do have some experience on this front unfortunately, my seven year old Flattie was diagnosed unexpectedly with DCM from being crazy one minute to an invalid the next. Make the most of your time left together, time passed far too quickly in these situations.

I'm so sorry Tectona, I had a suspicion it would be a tumour as I lost my ten year old Spud to a brain tumour last year, and his symptoms were very similar.
You just have to take each day as it comes, in Spuds case he was ok for about five months, then started fitting, which he didn't come out off.
I would suggest you ask your vet for rectal diazepam to have at home in case of emergency, when Spud started fitting continually one Monday night, I was so thankful of it as it allowed us to get him down to the emergency vet, sadly, he never came back.

I am so exhausted from all of this. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts. I have seen my own vet today and am a bit more clear with what to expect. She is pretty much her normal self today, so it's so hard to imagine that there's something sinister underlying. My only hope is that I can keep her symptoms managed for as long as possible with steroids and when it comes to it anti-epileptic medication, and keeping her happy. So it's business as usual, only with a lot more belly tickles, hugs and an extra treat here and there. Just can't believe it won't last an awful lot longer :( just so unfair.

Celli, thank you for that advice, I have to take her to see my vet on Monday so that is certainly something I will run past him. He doesnt think it will be too long before she starts fitting. Was Spud put on steroids? I have asked him to fax everything over to his out of hours vets, just in case.

Any other experiences greatly appreciated.

Jess

Aww Jess I'm sorry you have had such bad news :(  Heartbreaking for you all.  Dixie had steriods too which did help so hopefully your dog will be the same and it will keep her symptoms at bay. xxx

Spud wasn't put on steroids, he was just given anti seizure meds which worked very well for the short time we had left with him.
When the end came, it was very quick, so be prepared just in case. He had one fit on the Saturday, two on Sunday and Monday, we just got back from taking him to the vets to tweak his meds when it all kicked off and he went into a near constant fit, that diazepam enabled me to get him down to the emergency vet calmly , which was obviously better for all concerned.
I hate to imagine what it would be like driving down the motorway with a dog having a seizure in the back.
He was sedated at the vets and kept in overnight, something that fills me with sadness to this day, I have always had all mine pts at home, and I could kick myself for not having him pts sooner, but none of us come equipped with a crystal ball.
If you feel the need, your more than welcome to pm me.

I just wanted to update this post a bit in case anyone ever searches for anything like this, this might help.

Chili is doing really, really well, touch wood. Back to her normal self. Once I learnt that surgery was not an option and decided not to put her through radiotherapy my options were limited. Alongside a tiny dose of steroids she has also seen holistic vet Nick Thompson (who I can't recommend highly enough), and has started CV247 treatment and also started on some mushrooms! Alongside her raw diet I am hopeful that she is set up with the best possible chance for a happy, healthy time, however long or short.

Just re-read the comments as I was in such a daze when I first read them, thank you all SO much for your responses, and for the helpful advice by PM. We are coming up to 3 months post diagnosis and unless I told you, you honestly wouldn't know there was anything wrong with her, I feel so lucky. I hope it lasts much longer but either way I feel very blessed to be having such a wonderful time with her right now.

Thank you all again, give your pups an extra big hug from me and Chili, every day is special :)
Jess

:-)  :-)  :-)

{{{{  HUGS  }}}}

A friend of mine had a dog with cancer on CV247, and I believe it extended his life considerably. When the end came it was quick, there was no long slow slide, but really that was no bad thing, and he had a very good quality of life until then.

Really pleased to hear this for you and I do hope you continue to enjoy your girl for a good time to come.

Hey guys, guess what :) it's now 12 months since first symptoms and she is doing GREAT!!! She is off her steroids and just having holistic therapies, though every now and then she gets a bit quiet for a couple of days and I'm waiting for things to kick off, they still haven't. She is happy and for all intents and purposes healthy!

We are very lucky :)

Sorry to resurrect this but I am so pleased :)

Fantastic :), nice to hear a success story for once.
Have you kept her on the CV supplements ?.

Yes I have Celli. CV247, Apocaps and Reishi :)

A few months ago she ran head first into my next door neighbours caravan tow bar at top speed chasing their cat, and I was convinced it was all going to spiral out of control then as she had a concussion for a short while, scraped a patch of skin off of her head, had a small puncture wound right on top of where the tumour is. But in true Chili spirit she embraced the bald spot and recovered really well. Other than that, she's had a handful of 'quiet' days, and that's all. She is her "normal", stroppy, noisy, naughty, bossy, manipulative self, and I'm so happy! :)

She had a GREAT 11th birthday too, and I am actually looking forward to her 12th :)

Brilliant :)

It's an emotional and special day :)

12 MONTHS SINCE DIAGNOSIS :) :) :) :) :)

Feeling so lucky and grateful. Sorry to drag this thread up but it's the day I've been counting down to. She is still really well.

The specialists sent me a few images some time ago, scary how big it is but you really wouldn't know. http://oi60.tinypic.com/28kn0ww.jpg

The low steroid dose has taken its toll, she has carpal hyperextension and absolutely no coat, but she's had no brain tumour symptoms to speak of whatsoever.

Yippeeeeeeee :)

That really is fabulous, long may it last :)

I am so glad she is doing so well . Having lost my Puds recently to a severe neurological episode no symptoms just collspsed and died within a hour I am so pleased for you , treasure every day you have with her x

So sorry LJS that you had such a terrible experience with your Puds :( Since Chili was diagnosed, a few of my friends have lost dogs far too soon to terrible diseases. It is so tragic, it makes me so grateful for the extra time I've had with my girl. I know it won't be forever but we are making the most of it.

Good as loosing Puds has made me realise that. Give her a big hug from me x