Worried about dog and what to do for the best?seizures

[ellebelli]

Our 9yr old border terrier suddenly had a seizure earlier this year,it happened totally by surprise to us as we had not noticed any deline in behaviour etc.
We took him the vets and he was given different tablets to try(vets suspected a brain tumor but without tests couldn't say for definite)
After about a week or so of him basically not moving from his bed and being practically unresponsive (we had to carry him out to toilet and feed him by hand)we took him to the vets who suggested it was time to pts.
We decided not to and to try without the cocktail of meds he was on as we thought they may have been some side effects happening.
Once he was off them he came back to us,almost the same happy jumpy licky wanting cuddles dog he was before the seizure.
Then afew months later he started having seizures again,three mini ones in a day.
We have now tried a different vets and he os back on tablets albeit different brand and dose but steroids and anti seizure tabs.
He isn't comatose like last time but he has started weeing constantly in the house and won't go for walks(he hides or cowers)he very rarely wags his tail or interacts with us or his doggy brother
I feel he won't come back from this now and it would be kinder to pts.
My partner wants to keep trying with meds changes and doses.
I miss the dog he was and he looks so unhappy,the only thing he is interested in to thr point of obsession is food.
He will pinch anything left and tries eating non edible items left around!?
Surely if he was too far gone food would be the first thing he wouldn't care for?
So he's eating,sleeping and weeing/pooing(usually on our floor)
But thats it! No walks,no play,just surviving.
Any one have any good advice?perhaps been through having a dog with seizures and what happened?
Thank you

My ndn has such a ddog. Slumps along on her walks like a zombie. Poor thing has been like that for 5 years. Breaks me every time I see her. When I ask how she is the ndn says 'She's still here' At what cost I want to ask... Quality of life is nearly nil imo. Ask yourself what quality your ddog's life has.

Is there a reason you haven't had some tests?

Steroids can cause excessive weeing and huge hunger in dogs.

You need to go back to the vet and explain all of this to them. They are the only ones to be able to say if it times to stop or if the medication is causing more issues. There may be alternative meds.

His quality of life now does sound difficult for him.

I think you have to make the decision which benefits the dog and his quality of life does not sound good. I had a Sheltie who had fits for a few years but was fine in any other way. One day he had fit after fit and we took him to the vets who advised it was time to put him to sleep. Dreadful decision but I have not one single regret - it was the best decision for him - but really really tough for us.

Thanks for the replies.
We have explained everything to the new vets(I even wrote a list of all his ailments)
The vet said 2wks of medication and if no improvement probably best to put to sleep.
It is my partner who doesn't want to do that-dog will have a goodish day and be up and about more,wag his tail and come over for a stroke so partner can see improvement and glimmers of how he was and thinks there is a chance he could get back to being more his old self.
We are going back next week as we will need to get more meds/talk to vet.

I guess I just don't want to give up too easily and maybe he's like this because of the meds again but if he comes of them he will only gradually get poorly again and ultimately he needs the medication!
It's just hard to know..
Have had bloods done but nothing else as quoted a lot of money for a scan
However maybe new vets will be cheaper or do different tests first.
Will ask.

I had a westie yorkie cross and she took a massive seizure. Took her to the vet and it turned out she had a tumour on her liver. It was inoperable and were told a few weeks at best. Put her on steroids and she picked up a bit. Had another 2 seizures and we were about to pts when a friend suggested cbd oil. Spoke to vet and she agreed it was worth a try. She was like her old self again and lived another 18 months. Gave us time to get used to the idea that she was on her way out and make the most of the time we had left. She was only 11. Not saying it will work for you but might be worth thinking about

Yes I would recommend following the vets recommendations about diagnostic tests such as mri etc. At least then you will know what you are dealing with rather that just shooting in the dark. Good luck.

Sorry to hear about your dog, seizures are so stressful.

it would be really important to rule out a genetic disorders that affects border terriers called Paroxysmal gluten sensitive dyskinesia (PGSD, also known as CECS or spike’s disease)
it can present as seizures and can often start later in life, generally by 7 years old, but not always.
it is actually much more manageable than epilepsy.
most of the symptoms you have mentioned are actually side effects of the medication rather than symptoms of the disease.
I have attached a link below with more information.
www.veterinarynutritiongroup.com/post/paroxysmal-gluten-sensitive-dyskinesia-in-border-terriers