Hi folks

My 9 year old boxer bitch had 3 fits yesterday (all lasting quite a while) I rushed her to vets (as you would) but they've advised me that they suspect she may have a brain tumour!!!!  However they've advised against having a brain scan due to her age and the fact that boxers where cancer carriers..... Today Phoebe has been having mini fits - she seems to stop her self going into a full one but does collapse.

I basically wanted some advise as to what would be the best for her, I don't want her to suffer but I also don't want to lose her, I've been given Diazepam Rectal Tubes to be used if she has another major fit, Diazepam 5 mg tablets to give her when she comes round after a fit, she is also on Carprodyl for her arthritis. 

I also have her daughter who is about to give birth from Thursday to Saturday.. so am a bit like a headless chicken at the moment

Any advise would be gratefully recieved.

sorry to hear your girl is not well. have they just left you to deal with this?? i would ask for a referral to a specialist immediately, 9 is not that old for a dog, and in the referral centre i work, there are highly qualified anaesthetists who are with your dog the entire time it is under the anaesthetic, and highly equipped monitors and nurses watching at all times.
i would be requesting an appointment with a neurologist, not necessariliy for a mri, but even just a consult, a consult at my workplace takes about an hour and a half, and is a full workup.

Our first Boxer had fits as a young adult and our vet said Boxers were prone to it and usually a hormone imbalance. Due to this she was spayed at 18 months which did reduce the fits but she still had them if she got over excited etc. Bless her, her legs would go all wobbley and she'd wee herself. Is this the first time of fitting?? Has she been spayed etc. Only asking as our girl has recently had a litter and her mum whos 7 had a phamtom at the same time which vet said could be due to the increased Hormones etc the pregnancys thrown out??? Which could be the cause in your girl. I would be seeking a second opinion.

Thank you for the reply.  I got the impression that the vet was advising me to just let Phoebe go, she's recently had every test possible as she had blood in her poo, they couldn't find anything except arthritis (they was looking for cancer).  As I said she has advised against a brain scan and said that Phoebe was quite old for a boxer who has lived a good life ...... I did ask about where I could go for a scan but al she said was that they don't do it there....

Hello

This is the first time she's had fits, the vet said if she was younger she would treat her for epilepsy, but she doesn't think its that and the medication they use for epilepsy could make her worse if the fits were being caused by a tumour.. she's been spayed.

I think I will ask for a second opinion, but my vet is very good I've had the same vets since I've had Phoebe, I think he's trying to let me down gently...

Our girl was 10 & half before she became ill with Liver problems, altough your girl is 9 she still has a few years left ....bless her. If they have been testing her already and no mention of brain tumor why now??????

Must admit though at 9 we did get another pup as we thought her time maybe limited................the pup (whos now 7) gave her a new lease of life and she was like a teenager again. Hopefully your new litter will give her a spring in her step again!!!!

Hiya
We have had something very similar. My 9 year old started to have fit a few months back for the first time. they gradually increased and she was on Epiphen. Apart from whining she was okay really.Dramatically over the weekend she started to vomit and could not even keep water down. There was also lack of coordination in her legs. Her pupils did not react quickly to light. She just had this 'vacant' look about her. Almost like the lights were on and no one home. we went to vets with her yesterday and after an extremely thorough exam, the vet was pretty sure she had a brain tumour which was spreading. She had made a likely diagnosis of this a few weeks back but the sudden neurological change, she felt was conclusive. After much deliberation I had to let her go. I loved that dog so much and had 10 magical years with her. Today all I have done is to cry.
Dime had a massive accident a few years back and we still had another 5 precious years. I could not see her go through anymore but I had faith in my vet and looking at my dogs symptoms and how she had deteriorated I know I did the right thing. You know your dog best and have to weigh up the options according to what you are aware of yourself and how much trust you have in your vet. My experience may not help but I truly understand how you feel and my thoughts are with you.
Sue

Thank you again, no idea as to why they've only just mentioned a brain tumour, there are so many questions I need to write down and ask my vet tomorrow...

I'm hoping she'll hang on in there to see her grandchildren, and then make great improvements when they arrive (Jordie is expecting 10+ pups according to the sheep scanner) - although I am a bit concerned about her falling on the pups seeing she's collapsed quite a few times today already, everything seems to have happened at a hundred miles an hour with her over the last 48 hours :-( 

Star - your story sounds so much like mine - you have my deepest sympathies, I think my vet knew that there was something wrong because of all the tests Phoebe has had lately.

Phoebe is stumbling all over the place, she appears to fit when she tries to lay down??? She's pacing a lot and is drinking a lot of water, she's also had the runs for the past 2 days, no vomiting though, she is also acting totally out of character, e.g. she has never licked before yet she's licking me non stop now, she also appears to not know her surroundings too well - it's very distressing for all of us (I have 14 year old twins who are finding it extremly traumatic).

Your experience has helped me a lot, I am torn at the moment but know that I have to do what's best for Phoebe and try not to be selfish to my feelings, I'm hoping and praying that this is just going to be a little episode that will improve.

That is how Dime went towards the end. Perhaps if there is any doubt, you should think of a scan to determine the cause. I trained as a nurse and was as sue=re as I could be that my Vet was correct in her diagnosis. If it  is a tumour the symptons are likely to progress at a reasonable rate. Good Luck. Let us know how it goes.xx

Thank you again Star, I will be taking her to the vets again tomorrow morning, I don't think any of us will be getting any sleep tonight

I'll update you then

Thank you again
x

Bless her,she seems to be trying to comfort you at this difficult time.Such heartbreaking i know. We decided our 10 year old just didnt have the quality of life she use to and she was getting distressed if she had accidents etc (not that we told her off) when the time came we weighed up several points but in reality we would be keeping her going for us......she wasnt happy and wasnt enjoying life any more. I feel for you and send warm wishes to you & star x

Thank you Wooliewoo for your kind words.
x

no advice for you, just wanted to wish you luck at the vets with her

> Our first Boxer had fits as a young adult and our vet said Boxers were prone to it and usually a hormone imbalance. Due to this she was spayed at 18 months which did reduce the fits but she still had them if she got over excited etc. Bless her, her legs would go all wobbley and she'd wee herself. Is this the first time of fitting?? Has she been spayed etc. Only asking as our girl has recently had a litter and her mum whos 7 had a phamtom at the same time which vet said could be due to the increased Hormones etc the pregnancys thrown out??? Which could be the cause in your girl. I would be seeking a second opinion.

My sisters boxer was having a phantom pregnancy (just under 2 yrs at the time) and also had a bad vaginal infection, during this time she had a few fits. Sine the infection cleared and she was spayed (advised due to both phantom & re-curring infection) she has had no more fits *touch wood* :) (it's been about 5 months since).
The vet could only come to the conclusion that a hormone imbalance & possibley being ill with the infection brought the fits on.

Good Luck at the Vets this morning, thinking of you.
Sue

years ago I had a boxer, she started having fits at 11 years old,
we where told this was due to a brain tumour, she started wandering which she had never done before.

she would fit, after the fit was over she would push her head into a corner of the wall. or walk round in circles.

A couple hours after the fit she would be fine but sleepy, I decided to pts after the fits became daily, she was just getting worn out by them.

hope all goes well at the vets

DeBoxingPhoebe

I'm so sorry to hear about your precious boxer girl.
Many years back it was not so uncommon for boxers to suffer with Idiopathic Epilepsy (not in consequence of some other disease or injury) but fairly rare these days which is probably why your vet is looking for another cause.
It's true that Vets will assume that most problems with older boxers are connected to cancerous tumours but not always the case. There are other things.
If you can, I think you should opt for a scan and if it's a good outcome you can have her on Epilepsy medication and hope for a few good years.
Wishing you the best of luck.

Hi, How did vets go today??

The vet visit didn't go too well, she has deteriorated so much over the last 48 hours; they feel it would not be beneficial for her to have a scan they are not very hopefull of her lasting the weekend!!!  My vet does not have a scanning facility and they would need to refer her.  She's got an appointment to return to them on Friday, or earlier if she has any more major fits or gets worse ..... I'm still convinced that she'll get better...... However we've all decided to let her go if she shows no improvement over the next couple of days (I feel sick even thinking about that happening). 

Thank you to everyone who has given advise by posting messages it really is much appreciated.

Hiya
I am so sorry  that it is not good news. I truly understand how you feel. I still cant stop my tears as everywhere I go there are little reminders of Dime. I just keep trying to remind myself that how she was at the end and that she was simply not the real Dime because her quality of life had diminished so rapidly, at least she is not suffering.The light had just stopped shining in her eyes. If the worst happens that is what you have to focus on. There is no choice if push comes to shove and you will do the right thing because you love her so.
I am not religious but will keep everything crossed that somehow she turns the corner and you will not have to say Goodbye just yet. there are many of us on CD who have been through this and they will all pass on their positive thoughts to you.
Sue
x

Oh so sorry to hear this.......been thinking of you all day. Its one of the hardest heartbreaking decissions us pet owners ever have to make. Trying not to let our personal feelings cloud our judgement and do whats best is so hard..................we're only human afterall. I know is going to be difficult but you will need to look after yourself with the new pups arriving soon as you will be busy then.
Sending lots of positive thoughts and hugs to you and your family and of course your special girl x

Hugs, it's never easy having to play God whenever or for whomever.
It doesn't get easier either with more experience..

Thoughts are with you and your family.

I can't thank you all enough for your kind words of support, Phoebe has had a quiet evening and appears settled, I will update you all tomorrow - I'm just grateful to every extra day I have with her.
xx

Hi Sue,
So sorry to hear about Dime.
Its so awful when we lose them whatever the age.
Thinking of you!!!

Elaine

sending warm wishes and hugs for phoebe and your family too and keeping everything crossed for you.
Jonelle

Thanks Elaine
She was the first GSP we have lost and the house is so hollow without her wonderful presence. She was an amzing girl with no vices at all. We nearly lost her 5 years ago from a dreadful accident but her chilled personality brought her through together with a fantastic vet.i suppose those years were a bonus but it does not lessen the heartache of losing her.....

Thank you Elaine

Phoebe is back at the vets today, my children are begging me to keep her for the weekend .... I think I'm going to follow the vets advise, we all need to think about the quality of life she has now and she's having a mini fit every 10 to 15 mins and I know that if she fits in front of my vet they will suggest that I let her go there and then

I will update you all later on today

x

Hi Phoebe.have been thinking of you today, how's things?
xx

Been checking this thread daily and when i saw another post today my heart sank............
Hope you are doing the best you can at the moment.  Sending hugs to all xx

Phoebe has been prescribed Epiphen 60mg to see if it helps, the vet wants to see her again on Monday we'll decide on a brain scan then,, she is still with us :), however I have been advised that she may decline dramatically over a couple of days... time will tell...

Sorry I haven't updated you all sooner Jordie - Phoebe's daughter went into labour today so life has been a bit hectic today

x

Hi Phoebe
That was the  medication Dime had. They can be a bit agitated when they first start it, so dont worry anymore than you need to. Still keeping everything crossed.
xx

Fingers crossed for you with the medication........................Good luck with the new baby's, hope all runs smoothly for you & mum xx

Hi

quick update while I'm waiting on a call from the vets re Jordie

Phoebe appears to be fine on the epiphen (so far) she is still fitting but they're not as violent and we seem to be able to snap her out of it

On another note Jordie finished giving birth last night to seven puppies; however we was told she was having 10 by the sheep scanner!!  Now waiting for the vet to call back as she has dark green discharge - I'm a bit concerned that something might be stuck....

xx

Thinking of you and sending good wishes. Hope everything turns out well for you all. Kisses to Phoebe and Jordie.xxx

Oh you poor thing.....
What a time of it you are having.
I so hope all is working out okay for you.


Karen