Good to read he's back to himself. What epilepsy meds is he on? The reason I ask is because we had similar problems with our previous lab BJ who was epileptic and on Epilease (same as human epilepsy treatment) for over 8 years. Every now and again he would have episodes like you describe with Snowie, clearly uncomfortable, tucked up, drinking more than normal and constantly lip licking which was BJ's sign of pain. He would shortly be hugely sick and as well as any recent food, he would throw up what looked like coffee grouts. It was digested blood because the years of meds had weakened his tum to the point he would develop an ulcer that would bleed - hence the pain. It could also be bought on by any additional drug which he had needed, just a treatment too far for his stomach. I hope Snowie continues well and fingers crossed he remains fit-free.
Oh my gosh. I'm glad to read Snowie seems to be getting better but what an ordeal. There is Canine Flu in a town north of me. Some similar symptoms, some not. Is it anywhere near you? More of a respiratory disorder from what I've read but there is always that individual who doesn't have the average symptoms.
Thanks for sharing your dog’s experience. Sorry to read about it - poor boy. Snowie’s on potassium bromide. It affects the kidneys, and pancreas in severe cases. He’s on a v low dose (1.4 ml per day)and his blood levels at last test (June 2017) were on the lower boundary. Vet said only nec to test annually, that his levels won’t go up (he’d had a few tests while varying the dose, and they’d been coming down - originally they were dangerously high, caused hindquarter paralysis!!). Boy oh boy. I hope this was a tummy bug and not the meds. If he’s seizure-free for two years, he can start being weaned off the meds. I’m counting down the months! 13 months to go...
@FayRose just looked up epilease. It’s potassium bromide!! But tablet form (Snowie is on liquid form). What did your vet say about the ulcer and nausea and the link to the meds? What dose was he on? And did it control his seizures? And how often did he get these nausea episodes?
I know when Poppy is experiencing a seizure aura, because she starts flicking her head and eyes up to one side, as though she is catching sight of something at the edge of her vision. Glad to hear Snowie is feeling better today.
Catching up now. So glad to hear that Snowie is better but poor poor boy and poor you guys. Harley went through a period of very painful stomach cramps as a puppy and we did the same thing, sat on the grass and massaged her stomach.
I’m in good company here! I somehow think we might be a minority in the greater population! In between wanting to vomit, Snowie was also licking his anus as if he needed something to come out of that end, too. So I wet some cotton wool and wiped it for him - he was in such a bad way and I felt sorry for him having to twist and contort himself. Interestingly, it smelt of honey!!!! I wanted my husband to confirm, but he refused to smell it. It was very weird - I was expecting anal gland smell.
Yes but authorities here are saying it's from dogs rescued from China and brought here. Any place with laws as lax regarding importing rescues as ours are could have it. LOL, and smell is important to diagnosis of many things.
Vet said it was the drug used over a long period. Towards the latter part of his life BJ was on a maintenance dose, I'm sorry I can't recall the exact figures but vet confirmed it was as low as it could be without stopping. We had gradually dropped it over a couple of years because, yes, he was fit free for his final 4 years. He was a couple of months short of 14 when he died. The vomiting episodes also reduced as the meds reduced. They only happened in the last few years when something happened that required other meds, abs for example. The vet, knowing what was likely to happen, also prescribed a powerful stomach lining drug to help reduce the irritation. Again, I can't remember what that was, but can find out if you need to know. Anything else you might wish to ask MF, more than happy to reply. Again, fingers crossed for Snowie's continued recovery.
Thank you @FayRose - I so appreciate all this info. It helps give insight into Snowie’s condition. Once he has his annual blood panel tests (the vet recommended annually, last time was June I think), I’ll ask her about reducing the dose even more. I’m pleased to say Snowie is back to normal. We did a stunning walk this morning - from home to a beach via a mountain trail, then back along a scenic road that was closed to traffic (major bicycle race was on). We were out 4.5 hours and covered about 12 km. Snowie coped brilliantly, and made excellent poos! And slept the rest of the day!
