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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

A Visit from a Monster

Just about a year ago, Shyla started taking phenobarbital to try to control her seizures. It took a long time before I appreciated how well it worked because it turned Shyla into a zombie. It wasn't until about six months later that I thought that she was back to about 98% of her normal self.

I'm going to pepper this post with photos from the desert to keep it happier than a discussion of seizures.

Despite the very long acclimation time, phenobarbital worked wonderfully - she had no seizures for a year, until the other night. We had some warning because a blood tested showed that the phenobarbital level in her blood had fallen below the therapeutic range late last fall. Because we didn't want to subject her to the "zombie phase" again if we didn't need to, we decided to wait to see if she had any breakthrough seizures. Darn, now it's happened.

We are waiting to hear back from our regular vet and neurologist to see if this recent seizure means that we need to increase her dose of phenobarbital. I'd rather err on the safe side so we probably need to do so. I truly hope that the zombie phase isn't as long it was when she started phenobarbital. Does anyone have experience with this to share?

Since her seizure in the wee hours of Sunday, she has had no more seizures and seems to feel good. That's good news because she used have clusters of seizures - which were no fun for anyone.

Shyla has proven herself to be amazingly resilient over the years. From a rough start in life, she is plagued by myriad fears yet she's figured out how to navigate our world with happiness (most of the time).
I have little doubt that she'll continue her resilient ways no matter what happens.

27 comments:

  1. So sorry that the seizure monster visited Shyla again. I hope you can figure out the drug dosage so that the impact on her is minimal.

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  2. hari Om
    As yucks... sending POTP to Shyla and a few hugs to you; no doubt she will flourish again due to your cares but it is disappointing when there are relapses. YAM xx

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  3. Oh, no. I just started crying reading this as I am going through some issues with my own heart dog that have me very emotionally fragile. However, Shyla has youth, otherwise good health, the best health care, and YOU on her side, so I know you will get past this latest hurdle with limited side effects. So sorry you have to deal with this, though :( Wishing you all the best...

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  4. We are so sorry to hear that the Monster cam back. I know you will figure out how to help sweet Shyla and we all send purrs her way.

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  5. so sad for her and for you and she looks the picture of health in these photos. I agree, you will probably have to up the dose and prayers that it will not make her a zombie again. since she has it in her system maybe this time it will not do that... keep us posted what the vet says

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  6. I'm very sorry she's had a breakthrough seizure. I'm not experienced with epilepsy in dogs. Based on my daughter's experiences, I expect they'll want to adjust Shyla's medication to prevent them from recurring with increasing frequency. Keep us posted on how your sweet girl is doing.

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  7. I am so sorry this happened again.
    She has the best care in that you are
    so health consciousness with all your dogs.
    Sending POTP to you all.
    xo Astro

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  8. We're so sorry the S-monster is back to bothering Shyla! We hope that she can increase her meds enough to help without any bad side effects.

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  9. We're sorry to hear that Shyla had another visit from the seizure monster. Our paws are crossed that the medication adjustment works well and that she adjusts to it quickly.

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  10. So sorry Shyla had a seizure. Hopefully it will be easy to fix with a medicine tweak.

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  11. Shyla we are so sorry and we know this is scary for all. Mom and I have no experience but one thing we do know is L O V E cures lots of things or at least makes them tolerable, and you pretty girl have L O V E.
    Hugs to all in your castle
    Madi and mom

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  12. This saddens us tremendously. We hope that the change in dosage gets you back on track soon, Shyla.

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  13. The best part of all this is that Shyla lives with you, has so much love, care, and more, and this must be the biggest bonus in her life. She shines with love, and will jump over this low hurdle like she has with all other obstacles. XXX from a cold morning down here, gales last night, and snow has fallen in many places already.We lit the fire yesterday!!!

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  14. Seizures are so terrible. We sure hope she doesn't have anymore and the medicine won't need to be increased to zombie level again.

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  15. So sorry to hear this about Shyla. But she has had a good long stretch. Maybe the change in seasons and moon phases had something to do with it. Wishing we had some advice for you from our experience with Ciara, but the phenobarbitol never seemed to do anything good for her:( We hope things go well for her whatever the decision is. Hugs.

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  16. I'm hoping maybe just a small increase in dosage won't be as significant as when you started from scratch. It seems promising that you went a whole year, and that she bounced back quickly. We will be hoping you can get this fixed again, with less side effects this time.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  17. And were rooting for Shyla to get better. Were sooo sorry the monster came back,,, Shyla, we love you!
    love
    tweedles

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  18. As part of your world wide fan club and cheering section, we are all cheering you both on, and sending our best vibes for Shyla, and for you to know what you should/need to do about your girls meds. As you know, Rhett is also on medications for seizures - phenobarbital and zonisamide - He's had 1 seizure since he's been on the medications regularly (he wasn't before he came to us in October) and I've not felt the need to change his dose because it was a single focal seizure. But I know that it is different with every dog and for Rhett there may be a time when we get to a crossroads and will have no choice. Think positive, and let us know what you decide. All my best coming to you and Shyla!

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  19. We are sending lots of POTP in hopes the monster will stay away from Shyla and you won't have to increase her meds!

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  20. Well, darn it. Hope you and your vet can work out a good adjustment on meds, and that Shyla responds easily and well.

    Good luck!
    Chris from Boise

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  21. Praying she can get her meds adjusted, I hate "the zombie phase", too... my Lilly is currently having to go through this because of an ACL tear.

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  22. All pugs paws crossed that this was just an isolated occurence.
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

    Pee es
    Yes the rock chuck is part of the marmot family. And the mice will make trails through the grass under the snow

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  23. Love your desert photos. We leave soon for CA - our travels through the desert landscape always make me smile. Good Luck with Shyla's seizures.

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  24. Sorry she had a seizure. Is she on CBD oil in addition to the Pb? Elsa was able to reduce her Pb with the CBD oil which the vet recommended. She has had a couple of very small seizures but they are quickly managed (I've learned to apply occipital pressure and it seems to reduce the duration of seizures). While CBD is processed in the liver like Pb, it's less toxic. Feel free to email me (tailsaroundtheranch@gmail.com) if you want to discuss more fully. I'm happy to share any info. All the best for you and your sweet girl. 😊

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  25. I'm just reading this now, KB, and I'm so sorry Shyla has had a seizure after such a long hiatus. I do hope it was a one-off and, if you do need to try upping her medication, that there won't be a big adjustment period this time. Fingers crossed.
    I have probably never said this, but I associate so much with Shyla. I really do. And it's wonderful how much she has overcome and continues to deal with in her life. She is SO LUCKY that whatever fates there are brought her to you.

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