westiemum

LOL! Sorry to alarm you Jules - but its become very clear very quickly that the Pexion didn't suit Maccles. And I didn't want an expensive drug to go to waste when someone else might benefit from it. Maces is still with us - hogging the gas log fire as he does most nights still wearing his Gallomph PJs. So all is well today. But as I said earlier I din't think it will be long now...

Thanks all - they have a new home in NSW.

Not at all DC - Mac already has significant hind end weakness as part of a neuro disease which means he is quite wobbly these days. The Pexion exacerbated the hind end wobbles to the point he couldn't stand. It also had a big sedating effect on him and he was a bit floppy. I'm told its a very good drug for some dogs and given Mac's age and neuro health problems I suppose I shouldn't be surprised they didn't agree with him.

Thanks ness - the day is certainly coming - but I'm feeling calmer about it than I have in the past. He's had a marvellous life in the last almost ten years since he left THAT puppy farm - and I've given him every smidgen of care I possibly can. He'll go to God knowing he's cherished and he'll be there waiting for me!! A marvellous thought.

Hi All, Mac started on these anti-convulsants earlier in the week and they didn't agree with him - but I'd hate to see them go to waste. I believe its a relatively new anti-convulsant which is only given twice a day - which is a real bonus for those of us who work full-time. Its an almost new bottle with still 97 or 98 out of 100 tablets left. Expiry March 2018. So if anyone would like them and is prepared to cross their hearts and hope to die that their dog is already on them as prescribed by a vet, I'm happy to send them to you - just pm your name and address so I can get them in the post. First in best dressed. Don't want anything for them - just would like to see them go to a good home. Hope it helps someone.

Thanks Stressy, Caz and DD - he's off the anti-convulsants and back on his normal pain management, anti-reflux and AB - and he's pottering around and appears more with it. In fact I think its the perfect combination for him in his last days - keeps him comfy. He's also loved having his grandma here for a day or so as well - so I'm sure this perked him up too.

Tibbie and even resembles a cav in some ways... wow - how they've changed.

OK - I spoke with the vet morning - she offered a different type of anti-convulsant - but after some research I did overnight we've decided to see how he goes off the medication. And if he seizes again with poor recovery, he'll go to God. When he was on the anti-convulsants he was so bombed out on an initial half dose and so wobbly he couldn't walk.. Now he's off the drugs he's back on his feet and brighter - but I think he has a bit more cognitive knock-off - he's doing a lot of walking into walls. But overall he's much better than earlier in the week. So I think its now a day by day proposition. Thanks everyone for your kind words and support.

Sorry Tara - there's an internationally renown vet dermatologist here at the University of Adelaide vet school - but don't know about your neck of the woods - I'd try the vet school in Sydney and go from there.

Thanks DD and Aunty T - he hasn't had the anti-convulsants this morning and he's much better - pottering around like his old self. So we all feel back on an even keel - gee its been a rough week. I'll talk to the vet tomorrow and go from there - but I suspect the answer is no seizure meds and back to what we were doing and see what happens if he seizes again. His quality of life on the anti-convulsants plummeted so I don't see much point in continuing on them.

YG I've seen that high-stepping in dogs with cerebellar dysfunction and the ataxia fits with the cerebellar possibility too - so I think the point is that there are a number of things this could be. If Suess has returned to normal I'd make some diary notes to go with your video - date time, duration, description - and then keep a watching brief. Make diary notes of anything else you notice (you'll be surprised at how easily it is to forget the details which can really help a vet diagnostically) If it recurs then you should head to the vet, diary notes and video in hand as unfortunately if you go to the vet now it will be simply be guesswork.

Hi All, Well I decided to go out in sympathy yesterday with a severe migraine - so my old boy and I both had the day in bed, both bombed out on our various drugs! It was lovely despite the pain. The anti-convulsants aren't agreeing with him at all. They are making him even more ataxic and wobbly than usual - to the point that he can't walk for some hours after the dose kicks in. So I've rung the vet this morning and we've stopped them until I can talk to the neuro vet in the morning (he was only on a half dose anyway and even that was really bombing him out). He's much brighter this morning without the medication. So I'll talk to the vet in the morining and go from there - but my instincts are that he's better off without them despite the risk of another seizure - and if that happens them I'll probably have to make a different decision anyway. But I'm interested in your thoughts. TIA

Thank so much everyone - it means a lot. I've just picked up his anti-convulsants from the vet and given him his first dose. And boy am I looking forward to a better nights sleep. Masterchef and then bed!! And it will be so nice to have him back on my bed where he belongs. Will report back again tomorrow.

Thank you all - Mac is much better this morning. He started barking at 4 this morning but had at least settled in his bed in the laundry. Around 7 this morning I went and got him and he was happy to snuggle down in bed with me which he wouldn't do earlier this morning - he kept wanting to walk off the bed and wouldn't settle. We've been to the vet this morning and she said it was a big grand mal seizure and the post-ictal period was particularly long. He's going to start on anti-convulsants this evening after they get them in for me this afternoon - its a new twice a day drug that is newly available from the UK instead of the more usual three times a day (drugs that are required 3 times a day are really problematic here when I'm working). So thanks everyone - I hope it will be a once off - he's certainly much better this morning and surprisingly steady on his feet after a very rough night. I'm very tired but doing OK. Fingers and paws crossed for my lovely old man.

Hi lovely DOLers, We've had a set-back tonight. At bedtime Mac appeared to have a stroke or seizure/convulsion. He fell off the lounge, was shaking quite violently, became mildly incontinent of urine and faeces and went stiff. It lasted for 3 or 4 minutes. He now seems to have recovered, if anything he's walking better but his vision seems worse and he’s getting caught in corners. And I'm not sure he recognises me. And instead of a post-ictal sleep (which is what I would expect) he is now pacing uncontrollably - so much so he was in danger of walking off my bed. So I’ve had to put him in the laundry with a warm bed, blanket, 2 pet heat pads and a night light in the hope he eventually settles. As its now 12.50 am, I’ve given him a Valium (previously prescribed for him) and I plan to monitor him overnight and see how he is in the morning. I can’t think of anything the emergency vet can offer me at this hour of the night now the episode is over. I’m hoping he’s settled by morning and will take him to the vet then if needs be. Yes I realise this might be the end for him but I’ll cross that if I have to and it comes to that tomorrow. In the meantime does anyone have any other suggestions?

Damn it!! I knew I shouldn't look in this thread. I hope all these beautiful deserving seniors find a warm couch really soon. Poppy...

My Andy will confirm its a small price to pay for life in paradise!! Andy arrived from the puppy farm on a Monday public holiday and went in for the snip the next day!!

That's brilliant - thanks for posting Hazy. Mac has a gradually weakening hind end and the other day I held him up to wee by his belly band! This is a much better idea.

Thanks coogie and DD - prepare to be inundated!!

That's wonderful news ash1 - thanks for letting us know and I hope the deserving Boss has found his forever home - sounds like it!

Well Mr Mac continues to trot along - quite literally! He's had a few wobbly days early this week but is much steadier today - and has been very demanding!! Since his laryngeal tie-back operation he barks like a demented seal - letting me know he needs to get down off the lounge as he needs a wee, barking at Andy, barking to let me know he's stuck on the top level and can't get down the stairs - and I couldn't be more pleased. He's doing so well I've gone ahead and booked a gathering of our usual westie clan on 15 August for his birthday on the 13th. Its a birthday I genuinely didn't think he'd see - and I'm just so proud he's doing so well we can celebrate! I'll post some photos afterwards.

As an old incontinent dog Mac is never allowed inside, sleeps in the cold, never looked after or cuddled, not allowed to sleep in front of the fire on great-grannies crocheted rug... he has a really really mean mother...

Oh yes mine too - Mac is forced to 'work for his supper' doing the dishwasher 'puppy pre-wash'! Absolutely hates it poor baby!!!

You can set your watch by Sarah at bedtime. She takes herself off to bed at 9.30 pm sharp. And if I don't go as well, she re-appears 15 to 30 minutes later stands in front of me and stares at me as if she has her hands on her hips and says 'Well are YOU coming'?? She gets quite agitated!! And its really very funny!!

You're so right H. Last night he snuggled right into the crook of my arm in bed - which he doesn't usually do - usually I put him there for a snuggle on Saturday mornings - he was there until 1.20 this morning when I just had to move him so I got some sleep!!! I really couldn't love this old boy more if I tried.