Just diagnosed with epilepsy, feeling lost

[AcasterTwins]

Hi all,

Not quite sure what I'm asking here but my old boy (9) has just been diagnosed with epilepsy. Vet didn't explain what it means in terms of life expectancy/how life will be now, simply said we will need drugs and dispensed.

I feel so lost, my boy is my life and way more than 'just' a pet, he's the reason I get out of bed in the morning and I'm so afraid of losing him.

Anyone with experience of how life goes with epilepsy day to day? I have obviously started medication as advised.

I guess what I'm asking is am I going to lose my boy soon? (So sorry for confused post, this has knocked me for six).

Bump

and don't worry OP
Epilepsy is often very manageable.

How often is he fitting? Is he insured? What tests have been done? Any meds prescribed?

Being invovled with collies I haves seen a lot of epilepsy in dogs. It can vary hugely in how it impacts the dogs so try not to second guess the situation. Some dogs have infrequent fits and some dogs the medication works really well. Other dogs seem to have clear triggers so avoiding those can help, other dogs it seems more random. Many dogs go on to have a good life living with epilepsy.

It is a shock to you but do not assume the worst at all. Do speak to your vet again if you need more specific advice for your dog.

Thank you so much for replying @Veterinari and @PollyRoulllson

Sometimes he can go two months without a fit but then others he will have one with only a few days apart. We have lifetime insurance with Agria, thankfully!

He now has EpiRepress, only a small dose to start but I'm watching for side effects so that I can note them for vet. We think one trigger is flea treatment so we can changed from Bravecto to Advantage, vet did say often Bravecto is best avoided if it seems like a trigger.

I guess I'm just afraid not only will I lose my little guy but also that this will in some way change his quality of life or cause him to lose his little personality. 😔

I'm that's great his personality won't change although he may still seizure occasionally and be a bit disorientated around this time.
He'll also need periodic blood tests to check his phenobarbital levels and ensure his liver is ok.

If you're worried you could ask for a referral to a neurologist who can fully assess him (mri scans etc) to check for any underlying triggers.

But honestly for now, maybe take some time to adjust and breathe. It sounds like he's in good hands

@veterinari Thank you so much, I'll probably ask for those MRIs. I know he's 9 and classed as more senior now but anything I can do to help him or give him more time is worth it for me.

Our 2 year old collie has started having seizures in the last 9 months. She is on tablets twice daily which have helped in controlling them. She also has regular blood tests to check her phenobitacal levels and liver are ok. Try and workout it there are are triggers for her ours is a typical collie and is a sensitive soul and when one of our others was ill that triggered one. Also some flea treatments have been known to cause them. There is an epilepsy in dogs facebook group if that is something that might help you. Ours is disoriented after a seizure and takes a while to calm down but apart from that she is the same. Good luck with it all x