Hi Deanna,
I've read and re-read your email, then printed it out. What a wealth of information you are! I see why everybody asks for your advice.
I'm going to contact Dr. Symes tomorrow. You're so right. The vets don't really know about seizures. I took Cooper to three different vets and got three different stories, but they all did agree that a lot of tests should be done even though those tests will not be conclusive. Huh??
Cooper didn't have any seizures today. But he is making little noises in his throat and is just acting "differently". I can't explain it. Or maybe it's me looking at him in a different light - thinking every little twitch is the beginning of a seizure.
Deanna, thanks again.
Carolyn, Cooper and Joe
From: Deanna Corey <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, December 16, 2010 4:32:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Re: Phenobarbitol
Carolyn,
I want to share some things with you that may make you feel a little better but may be controversial on this list. First off...you know Nugget, my Mini poodle has seizures...has now for over a year. We think they are a result of boosters...but of course I have no proof of that...although 2 different vets actually admitted that could definitely be the issue. When they first started...about 5 a week... I joined a "seizure" group list...b4 I did anything but testing...no test ever told us a thing other than that he has seizures...lots of wasted $$ there!!! Vets don't know squat about seizures...sorry they just don't...it is a guessing game. As I was researching on my own I found Dr Symes...www.dogtorj.com who was the only Vet (just a cyber-vet and the only one that was free LOL)that really gave me some sound advice. He writes tons about diet/allergies and reactions to
vaccines, spay/nueter etc.. He talked with me extensively through phone and emails and had me try a few of his methods. I did HIS methods and waited on the med route...what I learned on the "seizure" groups told me that not always are the meds affective...that once they are on them they are ALWAYS on them and that there are MANY side affects long term with them. This is the information I learned for months with 100's of people that were actually dealing with the issue of seizures...not the vets! I really wanted to find another way! or at least TRY a more natural approach. I am not a fan of meds anyway if there are other options. What Dr Symes had me do improved Nugget 10000000%...He went from 5-6 seizures a week to one every 28-31 days. At 28-31 days of no seizures I was happy but wanted to see if I could make them be gone altogether...so we decided after more tests...of course more $...to try the meds...a combo of PhenoBarb and eventually added
KBR. Not only did the seizure NOT go away...they increased...which I was told was simply an issue of adjusting doses...which we did 5 times...only to see seizures back 5-6 a week and now clusters of them...2-3 within a few hours of each other. I was told that Nugget really should be put down because it was a matter of time b4 he had a heart attack or issues with the meds on his system. I called Dr Symes again...he had me go no meds...a cleansing diet and back to what we were doing. Now we are right back to one seizure...maybe 2 every 28-31 days. I can live with that. There was damage done with so many clusters and I have no idea if he will regain some of the mental damage that was done...but we are working on it. We work a lot on building memory and bringing back all the things he knew...and some are coming back. Although Nugget's story is not a common one, I will tell you that I have found so many people with exactly the same
results...same scenario. We have decided to NOT put him down if I can keep him where he is...he is not 100%..but there is a LOT of quality of life there!!! He is scheduled for after the Holidays now...and I am so glad I waited...so glad the Vet postponed because I was a basket case...that melt down in the vet's office just might have given Nugget a second chance!! So...even if you hock your life to get testing...meds...etc...it may not be as productive as you had hoped. I would encourage you to start doing your own research...email or call Dr Symes...start reading everything you can about his G.A.R.D. diet and his methods. He is a great place to start!You have nothing to lose! There are MANY holistic vets out there that don't subscribe to the Pheno-barb route...start reading and looking into what they DO do!! Much of it is very inexpensive and natural in nature. Many of my friends have had GREAT success with acupuncture...but that
does cost $$. Acupuncture is something we are going to try after the holidays. I don't know or nor am I suggesting that ANY of this will help Cooper...but you might as well give it a shot!!
Waggin' Tails in The Dog Park,
Deanna
DeannasPack2Ani-CaNb-1v9-1 src="">
and
The Dog Park Pack:
Nugget, Shuai-Li, Mouse, Myrtle, Mable, Madison and Caleb
and honorary non-dog members of The Dog Park:
Stella-Macaw, Stanley-Amazon, Miles the cat
From: C.M. <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, December 16, 2010 12:37:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Re: Phenobarbitol
Definitely. But so far I can't find a vet that will prescribe phenobarbitol without at least four of the tests. ($700 estimate). So, I'm just going to have to deal with it as best as we can. No, they won't accept a video.
I'm very sad and just don't know what to do.
Thanks everybody for your advice. I'll keep you posted if there's any change.
Carolyn, Cooper and Joe
From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, December 16, 2010 12:00:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Re: Phenobarbitol
The variance in prices quoted by different people is amazing, its going to be worth shopping around.
Gloria.
