~Anne~

Maybe put the question to the epi list?? With Monte's condition being as chronic as it is I would never consider experimenting and prefer the traditonal methods but that is no to say that other methods wouldn't be suitable for you though.

Hi, Sorry to hear avout the tine you are having with your little one. As frufru said, I too have a dog that clusters. His max has been 10 and he averages around 5 - 6 per cluster over a 45 - 60 minute period. We also give valium but we give it rectally as it can be difficult to give an injection to a dog convulsing. Monte is on pheno and bromide. At the moment we are just over 30 days seizure free and this year has been a good one for us. This has happend before though so we are very timid about rejoicing just yet. A few questions and suggestions. *What state/suburb are you in? *Has your vet taken bloods to check his trough levels? What were they? *Has your vet ruled out all other possibilites for the seizures? Seizures can be a sign of another illness or disease. *The valium dose can be repeated if he doesn't stop. It is important you stop the cluster as he could easily go into status. Valium is relatively harmless and it is not easy to overdose. *It is vitally important you keep him cool during the cluster. His temp will rise dramatically during the convulsions. Use ice packs or put on the air con (no matter how cold you are). After the cluster, give him a little something to eat as his sugar levels will be low and he will be exhausted. It is like running 10 marathons at once. I give a little bit of bread with jam usually. *Be patient. The meds take months to sort out and to get the correct levels. The trough levels will tell you if you can 'up' the meds more. *Reduce or eliminate sodium from his diet as this will effect the absorbtion of the drugs. *Reduce or eliminate grains, preservatives and carbs from his diet. *Feed raw or natural where possible. *Give his meds with food to help prevent nausea and to assist with absorbtion. *His meds MUST be given EVERY 12 HOURS PRECISELY. There is no swaying on this. If they are not given ever 12 hours precisely you will risk the levels dropping in his system of the PB and he will start having seizures. *A third drug can be added if you are able to stick to an 8 hourly regimine but it is not overly common in Aust. I have also heard of a new drug that has recently been introduced in the US and will be made available here in given time too. *Accept that the best you can do is manage the condition. Some dogs, no matter what you do will still have seizures but you can slow and reduce them. The drugs given are not a cure but are used to manage the seizures only. Most assume the drugs will stop them and, if they do, great but in many cases it only slows the frequency, number and severity of the seizures.

Aural = of the ear Heama = blood ................ not sure what 'toma' means. Damage to blood vessels that causes blood to collect in the pinna or layers of the outer ear flap.

The bile is only because the stomach is empty. If the dog is not showing any other symptoms and is not still vomitting it might make it hard for the Vet to diagnose anything. It might be best having it checked regardless though even just for your piece of mind.

Why were his meds reduced? Usually they will not recommend reducing meds unless the dog has been seizure free for a minimum of 12 months. Monte has been only having single seizures lately which is great. The bad thing is that I am now worried about Pb toxicity. His ataxia is really bad at times. So much so that just recently I purposely reduced his meds for 2 days to drop the levels in his system. His seizure control is better on the high med regime as the single seizures prove but I am torn between control and the side effects he has to endure.

What breed of dog is Edward? I would take a guess at the possibilty of palate or laryngeal issues. The food could be getting caught under the flap of the palate or it could be getting caught due to layngeal paralysis or a growth. It could also be due to inflammation or infection. The best advice is to have him looked at by a Vet.

But it 'juices' doesn't it? I thought you'd need a processor more then a juicer.... what exactly do you juice or does it do both?? Oi... I'm sooo confused....

How old is Steve now? I met him over 20 years ago.... he must be around 50 odd by now???

But then you are risking a dog under aneasthetic twice.... and you pay for two operations..... I think I'd rather spey immediately after the caesar.

It may have been swelling and not his actual testes. Each dog that I have had desexed looks like they still have the testes until the swelling subsides and the empty sacks shrink after some weeks/months.

I have had numerous blind and partially blind rescue Pugs in over the time. As they are rescues they are new to my home, routines and my other animals and so, as you would imagine, they have alot of settling in to do. I have found scent training to be very beneficial for the Pugs. We use different scents to indicate different things. As I have Pugs who do not have a highly developed sense of smell I use very strong smelling scents such as lemon, pepermint and citronella but any would suffice. We use one scent for danger areas, for example stairs, and we reapply the scent every couple of days. Citronella is good for this as dogs do not like the smell although if it is stairs that the dog needs to use you would obviously use something else. We use another scent to indicate the water bowl. You could also use a scent the dogs likes for the areas that they can lay down or where their bed is. The important things is consistency. Don't alter the scents. Always keep furniture and objects in the same place. Follow a routine. Use a bell tied to your ankle or your other dogs (if you have them) so that the blind one can follow the sound. Be gentle and never force. If she is comfortable on a lead and she feels secure exploring while on a lead, then walk her around the yard while on the lead and let her explore. When you take her for a walk, tie a bell to you leg/ankle/wrist again so she can be reassured that you are beside her. Train her to a 'warning' word for steps and gutters. I use the word 'STEP' for a down step (for example stepping down from a path/gutter onto the road) and 'UP' when we are in the reverse and going off the road onto a path or when there is a step of some sort. If she is smart you might be able to train her to several words for uses such as when there are three or four steps up or down. Use a reward method when training her to sound and take it slwoly. You don't want her to associate the word 'step' with tripping or something that is scary. Most of them when they have tripped have taken several minutes beofre they feel comfortable about walking off again so take it slowly and gently and let her hear your voice encouraging her gently. I use a combination of things for the scents. Essentail oils (oil burner and massgae oils) and food flavourings (theones you use in cakes and things). Good luck.

Shmoo, this book of yours is going to be smashing. I can't wait to buy one. When can we place orders? With the amount and quality of information that appears to be in it I would pay anything for it.

I love it when you talk like a vet Rappie! Thanks for clarifying.

Not quite. The uterine stumps will be tied of using suture material. Then there is the internal abdominal wall to suture using the same material as the tie off of the stumps (usually, unless they use clips to tie off) and then the external sutures that you see usually using a nylon suture.

Yes, I have this too in the garage for the dogs. From memory it was only about $14/sqm unlike flooring places whose cheapest was around $21/sqm. I think it cost us around $40 to cover the floor area we needed.

It is very possible that he is just a picky eater. There are many dogs like this and there isn't anything physically wrong. If your Vet rules out any illnesses and parasites then I would just concentrate on finding foods that he likes. Is there a reason you cook his mince?

Why not give real yoghurt instead of the capsules? Plain yoghurt is best. Don't give flavoured as it contains sugar. Have you tried fresh mince (human grade0? Maybe some sardines (tinned) or fresh ones from the seafood vendor? Ensure the milk you give is pet millk and not cows milk.

When I was Veterinary Nursing we always used cat food to tempt dogs that had become anorexic due to illness. As always though feeding your dog on tinned food isn't, in my view, the best food regardless of it being cat or dog food. I gather your dog is a small breed? Maybe a Malt or simialr?? They can be fussy as far as I know. Have you tried fresh mince, chicken and fish?

Cat food is not dangerous to dogs. It is the other way around as far as I am aware. Lately people have been confusing the issues relating to taurine. Cats must have taurine and this is found in cat food but not dog food. Therefore, you can not feed a cat only dog food as it will miss an essential ingredient it needs to stay healthy.

You need a saw to cut it. If you have the time, take it to your nearest butcher and ask if they could cut it up for you on their machine. It will take them 2 seconds.

Cool! I would also suggest you speak with your Vet about what quarrantine proceudres to take. They deal with these issues all the time.

Thanks for that Poodle wrangler but I think I could safely rule all of that out. I am also aware of certain cancers fo the lung that cause fluid build up but I am not sure that cancer of the lungs is common in dogs? Anyone else with any experiences with this? How do you manage the medication/water/urination issues?

Now this is the kind of post that is needed in the rescue forum. Good thread Daisy. Where are the experts now though (obviously too busy elsewhere.....). I can't help as I am not overly informed on these matters myself but I would love to know more.

I have had a little Pug come in that has been on Frusemide since being diagnosed with pulmonary edema in May. Tests have apparently revealed that the heart is ok? I am taking her to be reassessed by my Vet as I don't like the thought that fluid is collecting inher lungs just 'because'' and I would rahter a definite. Has anyone else had any expereince with fluid in the lungs and the causes. Little Mollie is not yet 7 so age would not be a big contributing factor I wouldn't think.

Yes, I am the same Trish. Only Cordy and Horus have been to my home from memory... maybe Meganm years ago???