Friday, March 27
Early Morning
On this morning, our beautiful Dougie Dog suddenly experienced what we now know was a seizure. Whether there had been others, at night or when we were not at home ~ never witnessed ~ we will never know. Just after that morning they were identified by his veterinarian as "idiopathic epilepsy", not uncommon in Labradors. Though medicated since that day, the seizures have continued. Randomly, without warning. There seems to be no way to know when they may attack, time of day, day of week. There is no pattern at all. We cannot even know if the medication may, or may not, have lessened their frequency. And it has sadly become obvious that the medication (the preferred one) is of minimal help; we were told some seizing would likely continue.
As anyone with a seizure prone pet knows, they are horrific to witness, even though literature will tell you the pet is unaware during the time of happening. Literature also tells you that damage, to the brain and nervous system is taking place. For Dougie Dog, they tend to last about five minutes. Afterwards he may be a lethargic for a time, but soon becomes his normal, active self. The only thing one can do during a seizure is stroking of his back, cooling of his paws with a damp cloth, and soft, gentle calming words ~ while watching him, waiting and hurting inside.
As anyone with a seizure prone pet knows, they are horrific to witness, even though literature will tell you the pet is unaware during the time of happening. Literature also tells you that damage, to the brain and nervous system is taking place. For Dougie Dog, they tend to last about five minutes. Afterwards he may be a lethargic for a time, but soon becomes his normal, active self. The only thing one can do during a seizure is stroking of his back, cooling of his paws with a damp cloth, and soft, gentle calming words ~ while watching him, waiting and hurting inside.
Please keep paws together for this gentle and good boy who fills our lives with love every moment of every day, thank you.