As some of you may remember, Poppy had a single seizure back at the beginning of February. Blood and neurological tests showed no underlying cause, and her breeder says neither the dam nor the sire, nor any siblings, have had epilepsy. Although it was a shock to us, we kind of wrote it off as a reaction to the pain and stress of an injury (she was suffering with a bandaged paw after ripping a claw out). After that, she didn't have any other seizures for a long time - until five weeks ago, she had what the vet termed a 'cluster seizure', i.e. two big seizures, one following immediately after the other, with no possible cause that we could ascertain. Four days later she came into heat. We took advice not just from our usual vet, but also from a well-known epilepsy specialist. Since a few weeks have passed since the last seizures, he advised us to watch and wait, but to be prepared for another bout. If and when she does have more seizures, we will immediately start medication. I also have diazepam for emergency intervention treatment (which I also administered to her during the cluster seizure). The bad news is, he feels it is just a question of time until she has another episode, and he felt it will be difficult to impossible to ascertain what the triggers are. The good news is, with most epileptic dogs, medication helps them to the extent that they can pretty much live a normal life, with seizure activity kept to a minimum. He also said we should treat her as normally as possible, and continue training with her, as this is what she loves above anything else. Anyway, after much soul-searching, we have decided to have Poppy spayed in January, since she must not be allowed to have puppies (both for her health, and for any possible pups), and because it is possible that hormonal changes may be a trigger for the seizures. I feel very emotional about this. Some of you know that I had intended to breed with Poppy, and put a lot of time, energy and money into getting myself registered as a breeder and having all possible health tests done. From the moment she had the first seizure back in February, I knew that dream was over, but I still didn't think we would need to have her spayed. But now it really seems, on all fronts, to be the best decision. Sigh. The only good thing to come out of all this is that we have decided to start looking for a second dog. The specialist felt that while a puppy might be a source of stress to Poppy, that it might also be the very best thing for her. We always thought we would get another bitch, but actually Pops likes male dogs better, so we may actually be looking for a male puppy. I'm not in any great rush, but if the right litter comes up (and I am in contact with a couple of breeders), then we will put our names on the list. In the meantime, Poppy seems completely normal; you would think there was nothing wrong with her, which is a good thing. It's just the uncertainty, never knowing when it might strike again.
Whilst it is not the outcome you could have hoped for, you have reached a decision - that must make you feel more at ease. I realise you still have the uncertainty of "will she have another seizure?", but you know where you are and where you're going. Wishing Poppy the best of health xx
Oh, having read about your journey through all the breeding health tests, and researching potential sires, I'm sure this must be hard for you. Even though you have known for some time that that was no longer a possibility, this must feel somewhat like the nail in the coffin. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you to cope with the seizures, and to be worrying about when the next one will come. It's great that you're able to continue training; that would have been devastating if you'd had to stop that. And, of course, exciting times looking for a new puppy. Big hugs.
I am so sorry to hear about Poppy's seizures, what a blow to all your careful plans. On the upside it's great that you can continue training with her, and looking for a puppy is so much fun!
So sorry to hear about Poppy, but (as others have said) at least you have a way forward now. My friend's dog has lived with epilepsy for many, many years now - he is the happiest of happy dogs and has a marvellous life!
My heart goes out to you. I read with enthusiasm about the health checks and the process you went through. I can only imagine how hard it is after everything you have done, but am glad that you have made a final decision, albeit a difficult one. Im sure Poppy will enjoy life to the full with such a conscientious owner. I look forward to hearing about your search for a new pup xx
Oh Karen I am so sorry this is happening to Poppy, what a worry for you. You worked so hard to do all the health checks plus extra to breed from Poppy, I too read your posts with interest. I think you should be congratulated for being so responsible and not taking a chance and breeding from Poppy no matter how small the chances are that the seizures could be passed onto her pups. I wish more potential breeders and current breeders were this thoughtful and conscientious. Good for you. Poppy will be happy doing what she loves which is to work and train, soon she will have a baby brother to teach, can't wait xxxx
Aaah I feel your pain! It is just devastating and feels somehow all the worse acknowledging that, yes, my dog is epileptic. I have read that oestrogen does affect dogs with seizures (female dogs to be precise! ) -- I can't remember the details (I am sure you already have read the research). I have read that spaying can reduce the number of seizures. If you are so averse to spaying her, could you not wait it out and see if medicating can help her? Or are you planning to spay her to see if it has any effect, ie no more seizures, and then wait until you decide if to medicate? Almost every day I read another story of a dog that had a seizure from taking oral flea/tick meds. Do you give Poppy any of these and, if so, do you think these could have caused the seizures? I am pretty sure the triggers for Snowie's seizures were Milbemax (he had a seizure the night we gave him the tablet) and Bravecto (two seizures soon after taking the tablet). He's been seizure free since then, thankfully, although he is medicated on Potassium Bromide. Best of luck with all the decisions. I was terrified of having a dog with epilepsy and felt it had ruined his life and our lives. But we have all got used to it and get on with life as normal (except that when food is around he drools a LOT since being on the medication!). The medication did not change his personality at all -- he is still Mr Ultra-Friendly and can act like a wild puppy on occasion. I actually think the medication cooled him down and calmed his brain and made him more comfortable. Of course in time we hope to wean him off the medication -- if he goes two years seizure free we can start this process. He's been seizure free for about 5 or 6 months. It really is life altering, and especially so for you with all the dreams you had. I am sorry.
My head tells me the best thing is to have her spayed. It is my heart that hasn't quite caught up with that decision yet. But I will do anything that will help avoid a trigger for seizures.
Yes, Poppy gets two tablets of Bravecto per year. But neither was anywhere near the time when she had a seizure - the first seizure was four months after the last tablet, and the second set of seizures was six weeks after the tablet. Nonetheless, I am looking at alternatives, maybe the scalibor collars (we HAVE to have tick treatment, our woods are crawling with the blighters in spring and summer, and they carry Lyme Disease and meningitis).
So sorry, after all the efforts you made to become a registered breeder, but I think you've made the right decision to have Poppy spayed. I'm sure the thought of possible fits must be a worry but they don't always keep recurring. My sister had a Collie who had several over a period of some months, but then didn't have another and lived to old age without epilepsy meds -so there can be a good outcome. Hope the thought of a puppy brightens your thoughts.
The pattern you describe is very much like the pattern I have read about: a seizure some months after the first tablet and then a seizure sooner after the second tablet. Which is not to say Bravecto is causing Poppy's seizures, but of course it is something I am concerned about given my experience with my dog.
I agree; I am very concerned about it too, and am of course very eager to avoid anything that could be a trigger, so we won't be giving Bravecto to her again.
Like the others, I'm very sorry to read this after all your plans and careful preparations, heart breaking. I do think you're making a wise decision with regards spaying too. As for the epilepsy, may I suggest if and when you have to use intervention in the form of medication, that you ask your vets to prescribe something like Epilease (potassium bromide) rather than phenobarbitone? I hope you don't see these remarks as interfering and please forgive if you do. Our old boy BJ was epileptic from the age of 3. (He also had a brain scan as well as all the other tests to try to find a cause, but was eventually diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, meaning, no actual cause identified) Back to the meds - he was put on phenobarb originally and it worked but had a devastating effect on him, turned a lovely dog into a zombie. Eventually with much veterinary assistance and overseeing we weaned him off and onto Epilease which made a huge difference. Thereafter over the years we got him down to a very low maintenance dose and he didn't have a seizure at all during his last 2 years. He was a happy dog and died a couple of months short of his 14th birthday. I've said this before and no doubt I'll say it again but I'd have him back tomorrow, epilepsy and all. Very best of luck with getting things sorted for Poppy and of course in your search for a pup.
Ack - what a journey. But it sounds like Poppy can be kept healthy and happy and can do her training, and live a long active life with her loved family. Which is the main thing.
I am so sorry,Karen. Glad, though, that Poppy will have a good life with you and be a normal doggie except for breeding her.....she does not know she may have another seizure so will just be a normal pup, with you doing the worrying. Also,am glad you will be getting another puppy. I have a boy and he just fills my life .... so, good luck in finding a boy puppy soon and I will cross my fingers that Poppy never has another seizure ever.
So sorry about the new seizure Karen. It must be awful having to make these decisions. For the record, its not uncommon for hormonal contraceptives (combined oestrogen/progesterone pill, or progesterone only mini pill, OR depot progesterone injections) to have an adverse effect on epilepsy control.
Thank you so much everyone for your supporting and helpful comments, I really appreciate it. I'll keep you updated as to how things go on - and of course on the search for a new puppy too x
So sorry to hear about Poppy's epilepsy. It must be very hard to come to terms with it. I hope everything works out well. Good luck with searching for your new puppy too!
