terrier seizures

[nightswimmer]

I have been lookling after a small terrier that was abandoned I think due to his epilepsy. As I already have two dogs I've tried to find a home for him and have now been successful, he will go in about a week. The problem is (Which the new owners are aware of) he is still having fits , about 5 a week, which have not responded to medication. He had a full blood test whcih came back clear. There is one last type of medication the vet could try but it is very expensive. Does anyone have any experience with dogs not responding to fit medication? His fits did get lighter, and shorter and he appears to not lose conciousness now, (which seems nearly worse because now he is awake through them and that can't be very pleasant).

Any ideas?

[Lizcat]

What mess is the dog currently on?

[nightswimmer]

He's on phenobarbital and epilese, (potassium bromide) .He's on the highest dose for his weight.

[Lizcat]

Have the vet spoken to a neurologist? In the past under the advice of a neurologist I have used much much higher doses of both drugs as induction doses to control the epilepsy. When the seizures are under control then we have reduced to maintenance levels. I would think your vet is thinking of gabapentin and I would always take advice of a specialist before moving to this.

[nightswimmer]

Really? No I don't think he's spoken to a neurologist but I am seeing him tomorrow and can say this to him. Sounds like you've had quite a bit of experience with epileptic dogs, is this right? I have just read lots lately on the internet, and seen to my sadness some dogs never actually get fully under control.

[nightswimmer]

Oh on re reading it seems you ARE a vet, sorry.

[Lizcat]

Yes I am a vet and in my experience the vast majority of dogs can be controlled with a good combination of drugs. Some times as a vet you have to be very brave and use really scary amounts of drugs initially.

[nightswimmer]

Okay well I will definitely say this to him and hope he doesnt think I'm telling him how to do his job, hopefully he won't! Thanks v much for advice

[GlitterySkulls]

is the suggested medication gabapentin by any chance?

[nightswimmer]

I don't remember the name sorry. But it's too expensive, about ?100 euro a month for the rest of the dog's life. Awful to have to decide on the basis of money. But it's too much for the person who's adopting the dog, and then it also may increase says the vet.

But ...when I spoke to him today he said he said he's talked to the neurologist at veterinary college and they don't treat it that way, ie by using a higher dose of the drugs he's already on , initially. I could't really say, "oh but can you please just try it, this other vet on the internet has had success with it," though I really wanted to.

[nightswimmer]

I'm in Ireland, I don't know if that's a relevant piece of information as far as differences in veterinary treatments go.

[GlitterySkulls]

hmm, i would have thought that the first thing to do would be for the vet to raise the dose slightly until you find a dosage that works. (that's what was always done with my dog)

the reason i asked if it was gabapentin is that you can just pay the vet (it cost me a tenner, it'll vary though) for a prescription, then order them from www.chemistdirect.co.uk, post the prescription to them & they'll post you the meds. it works out much cheaper that way.

[nightswimmer]

Thanks for that tip, that's a useful thing to know. Will check it out.

[GlitterySkulls]

not a problem :)

[Lizcat]

Sorry to hear that the advice is different there are different opinions out there and obviously that of the neurologists I work with is different to that of your vet's. One other thought I have had is have the blood levels of the drugs been checked to make sure absorption is good.
Glittery unfortunately the rules are different for prescriptions in Ireland so it may not be as straightforward as asking and paying.

[GlitterySkulls]

oh, right, lizcat. worth a try though, i used to get a months worth for around 40-odd quid (plus tenner prescription fee) instead of the 80-odd it would cost from the vet..

just thought it was worth a mention, as op mentioned cost being a factor.

[lotney]

How long has the dog been on potassium bromide? Unless you use a loading dose for a short period ( but usually with dreadful side effects) it takes 3 months to reach a stable and effective level in the blood.

Have you tried an exclusion diet? This can be very useful in some cases.

[nightswimmer]

Hi , well the dog has gone to his next home now but I will stay in touch with the owner. I think he's been on the potassium bromide about three months actually. His blood levels were checked yes and absorption wasn't a problem. When you say exclusion diet lotney what do you mean, excluding additives?

He's going to be eating a lot of mackerel fillets where he's gone because the woman's husband is a fisherman and all their pets eat very well!