Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks again, Pam. Evelyn had a total of 3 episodes yesterday and so far 1 today, though it was mild. We'd already decided to take her for a blood workup. I am looking around at the bulldog web sites for a local-ish vet who knows bulldogs. Since our regular one didn't even mention this on the phone yesterday, it's apparent that he isn't aware of it. I'd like to talk to someone who won't advise medicating for a non-existent seizure disorder but who will look for things in the bloodwork that need looking for. They're a good practice but bulldogs can be a bit different, I know, and deserve someone familiar with their oddities.
Wyatt, I am not so sure Evelyn is as indestructible as you and she think she is. She's trying, though!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Hi Shari,
I'm sorry Evelyn is having issues. As you probably remember one of quad pug Tani's issues is epilepsy. Her's is secondary (I think that is right term) because we know it is caused by hydrocephylus diagnosed with a MRI. The MRI was done back in the days before I had a 3 legged cancer dog and bought a house so cash was a little easier to find, but I digress.
When Tani first started with seizures I was worried about pug dog encephalitis, or PDE. I knew about it from my pug books. It is one of those scary pug only, always fatal diseases. When I asked the vet about it he had never heard of it and sent us home with Valium hoping that the seizures would not return. But he did look it up after I left and called me back and then sent us to a specialist. I figured I would give him the benefit of the doubt because there has to be many, many breed specific diseases that he had not run across. He was not our regular vet, and was not at all familiar with pugs.
I does help to find a vet familiar with your breed- especially when you have a breed prone to specific issues like pugs and apparently bull dogs are.
I hope this is a passing thing for Evelyn, or at least something you can manage.
Karen and the pugapalooza
p.s. Evelyn- Obie says he loves you no matter what.
Our first golden, Jack, used to have periods of head bobbing (more like pushing his head out and pulling it back) and sticking his tongue in and out (making slurping noises, but not exactly licking his lips). He looked almost helpless during these episodes, but his eyes would be fixed on you. At first, I thought he was trying to throw up and sent him outside but soon realized it was something else. I didn't think they could be seizures because it didn't sound like how I had heard them described.
The day after we brought Sammy home as a puppy, he appeared to fall off the bottom stair of the deck and staggered when he tried to reach us. We were terrified that he had broken his leg. But, after Rick held him for a minute he squirmed and wanted to get down. He appeared fine. However, during the six months or so, he repeated the behavior so many times that we realized he was having seizures. He was so scared and wanted to be held until the trembling stopped — and longer.
As he grew, the incidents grew less and less frequent until he reached the point that he only had a seizure every 12 to 18 months. His symptoms varied: sometimes he trembled, sometimes (I think because he was coming to us for help) he staggered and a few times he arched backwards and lost control of his bladder. He would be very quiet for about a half hour afterward and wanted to snuggle. The worst thing that happened was that he fell down the stairs once trying to get to me. He fell with such force that he knocked one of the spindles out of the banister with his poor little head.
Although Jack's symptoms were very different from Sammy's I came to believe he, too, had epilepsy. But, from reading Pam's post I now wonder. Since he was a golden and not a bulldog, I wonder what else it could have been.
Anyway, I hope Evelyn feels better. If it is epilepsy, it may be hard to watch — but manageable.
Best of luck,
Beth and Spirit Smilin' Sammy
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Beth, this is a known thing for several breeds. I only remember bulldogs, boxers and dobies but you could google "dog head tremors" and find out. And if you're really curious, you can go here: and see what Evelyn's looked like. Searching on youtube brings up literally pages of people asking "what the heck is wrong with my dog" and there are many breeds there.
I've located a vet who treats almost every bulldog in the world, it seems, and will be trying to schedule an appointment. He's very popular so hopefully the wait won't be too long.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Shari I'm so sorry, this looks so scary. I would've completely lost it and freaked out. You're doing great with your diligence and research though, hang in there. Please keep us posted and give that big ol' gal a smooch from us and Wyatt.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Shari,
I am so sorry I haven't commented earlier (I've been sick and not online much). I don't have any experience with this, but please know that you are on my mind and I hope you get some answers soon.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Shari,
Thanks for the info. Jack's symptoms were vaguley familiar to those, but much more pronounced. I will never know for sure, but I do wonder. He showed no other signs of seizure.
I am so sorry you are experiencing this problem. That poor baby in the video looks so scared. I hope you can find out what is causing Evelyn's problems and provide some relief to all of you.
Best,
Beth
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
That poor sweet baby! I hope you get some answers soon and that it is something easily taken care of.
Big hugs and Rita nose-pokes to her!
Jackie
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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