Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Seizures


Let me tell you this is not easy.

He is the sweetest guy. I won't say he's bonded with us yet: he spends a lot of time alone, sleeping, sometimes in another room. He isn't necessarily affectionate, but we can tell he's appreciative. I understand greyhounds sleep a lot. But Chase, I think his anti-seizure medicine knocks him out. And he has an ankle he can only run and play on so much before he will suffer for it the next day. 


He has been with us two months. He is of course unfamiliar with many things: doors, toys, walks, even cookies. Our lack of a routine has probably wrecked havoc in his very controlled life as a racer. But all in all he and we are coming along pretty well and I can see trust and loyalty building. What better gift from a good dog than loyalty?

But these fucking seizures.

Chase had one this morning at 11:30 and it lasted I'd guess two or three minutes. That is a very long time to helplessly watch the terror of thrashing and teeth clattering and head banging. JB and I have been given a heavy duty drug to use if he has more than one seizure within hours, which worse to say, seems to be the case. We are supposed to attach a clean needle to a syringe, inject the needle into the liquid medicine, attach a catheter, lubricate, and inject through his rectum. This is not in my comfort zone, not one bit. I am a wreck about it.

We feel so helpless. Chase suffers In eight weeks we have now witnessed four seizures and each is  equally horrible.

Can we do this? Yes. But not easily. The whole thing sucks.

How is it that of all the dogs in need of adoption, we ended up with a breed unknown to either of us, a dog with a unattended broken ankle, thyroid problems, and these horrible seizures?


This is the answer. Stella. Somehow she managed to send word to me in my dreams to seek and find a dog named Chase. This is true. 

.
 So here he is. All three of us are on edge tonight. Please we hope there will be no more seizures tonight or tomorrow or any time soon. They seem to be 5-6 weeks apart. I think JB and I will get use to preparing that damn syringe and not freaking out so badly when we are forced to watch Chase afraid and thrashing. We want to love him and help him. 

But did I mention this is not easy?

love
kj

25 comments:

  1. Oh,hard.
    Very, very hard.
    My Grand dog has seizures, but she only takes pills.
    Dottie has only had one seizure when I had her in my care, and it's very frightening indeed.
    All I can say is God bless you kj, and JB!
    This is deep love,,,for Chase, and yes, for Stella.Bless you all! ♥

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    1. Now where did my reply go?

      Chase takes pills too, babs, but it seems he has multiple seizures once he has one. So we have to shut the down with drugs administered into his blood stream fast.

      Damn scary, babs. Here's hoping the meds prevail

      Love
      kj

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  2. Hugs to all three of you at this difficult time! Stella was a wise one. And I love the photo of him on his bed.

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    1. I think that photo is sweet too, Andrea xo
      Love
      kj

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  3. You have so much love for Chase! That is wonderful. And I'm sure he is returning as much as he can. But being in a new place, and having these seizures — it is all making life horrid for him.

    Still, I'm glad he's got you!

    Blessings and Bear hugs to all of you!

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  4. Do you love him yet?

    He is very lucky to be with you guys but this ain't easy. You will have to be very honest with yourselves about the ability to keep doing this. That poor doggie will end up loosening up around you in the long term, and love will flow both ways. He's no Stella....but he's a lovely dog, who needs you both.

    Is there any clue as to what triggers the seizures?


    Good luck with the meds. I mean...really - a drug enema? that seems a bit over the top!!! I sympathize and hope that when you have to do this, you have a nice adsorbent towel ready.

    You and JB are good souls KJ, you really are.

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    1. Mim, who knew that a catheter was also used to administer meds fast?! No issue with rectal messes :-)

      We are in the midst of this and hope we can make it work for chase and for us. For me it would be easier if I weren't do uptight about putting that whole needle catheter thing together with no time to spare. Today is another day. Will be good to know chase has bounced back....

      Love
      kj

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  5. poor fella. poor you guys. blessings, suki

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  6. Every 4-5 weeks the dog has a seizure? And after the episode does he attack or sort of shake it off and go on doing what it was he was doing or lay down and rest.

    If it's the first-have him put down.

    if it's one of the other two, just leave him be. Do not stick anything in his butt. Just let the seizure happen and let him recover.

    I had a dog that was 20 years old had two three a day sometimes but when she woke up she was fine...total time maybe 5 minutes. One day she just stood up on the back seat of the car looked at the Shenandoah Valley laid down and died.

    If the episodes are not harming the dog, worry but do nothing else and only worry if you feel like you have to. No it's not normal but on the other hand this was an abused dog and probably has brain damage, just let it be what it is.

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  7. Mark, chase is on no way aggressive but in this case his seizures are so serious they could last for two days, creating brain spasms and such discomfort and potential neurological damage . With a neurologist from angel memorial animal hospital we are trying to get them under reasonable control. They can't be ignored. Chase paces and is quite disturbed for hours and days without intervention. Today thank god he seems okay again and we are again hopeful

    xoxo

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  8. ugh, can imagine on the seizures...i put my parents through that when i was younger....had them for several years...and know they terrified my mom...

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    1. Brian, you are a great guy. I just wanted to tell you that

      xo
      kj

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  9. Poor sweet Chase. He looks so peaceful and vulnerable, asleep on his bed. My heart goes out to all three of you. You and JB are a huge blessing in this poor dog's life, because now he has love for the first time ever.

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    1. I hit the publish button before I had the chance to add this important bit:
      xoxoxo

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  10. Do what you have to do to keep Chase healthy. You'll adjust to the shots; I have to stick myself twice a day and at first it was not fun and now it's just more of an annoyance.
    I know Chase has a good life there, and what more can you give?

    XXOO~~
    Anne

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  11. oh i am so sorry kj and jb and that poor pup suffering so much - you guys are angels for sure. as i listen to my 15 year old airedale barking downstairs at someone outside our front door, even though it's annoying i'm grateful because i know it may not be a sound i will be hearing at some point in the future.

    i don't know how you manage this. i would be a wreck too. goddess bless to all 3 of you.

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  12. What can I say? Only: poor brave boy and poor brave girls! But if I am not mistaken, I understand that the medication is doing a good job?
    Take care now and never ever freak out. ;-)

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  13. Do you think that you and JB will get to a place where you can mentally detach while you are having to fiddle with the damn needle and all? It sounds scary as hell, but I know nurses who tell me they just 'switch off' during the crisis and go on auto-pilot. But they also say it is 100 times harder to do that with their own children. I know if it were me I would be thinking "Hurry hurry hurry!!" So stressful for all of you. Sending love and hugs - xoxo

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  14. Poor thing. It's not the breed, it's his own quirky neurological system. I'm sure it isn't easy for you or him.

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  15. Kj...are you sure your dream meant chase was a dog, and not a little boy in Oregon?

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  16. This is hard on all of you!
    And yes you can do it and yes I do believe Chase is in the best care he could wish for.
    And I also believe that the seizures will get less as time goes by and he gets more used to his new life.
    Meanwhile sending you all big warm hugs!
    ♥M

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  17. Hi kj, I am so sorry to hear that Chase is having seizures. It's a hard road for everyone. Thank DOG he landed with you and yours.

    There's a HUUUUUGE support system in blog land consisting of seizure dogs and their 2 legged partners. Begiining with the 5 Sibes
    http://fivesibes.blogspot.com/

    and their resource page
    http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/

    also, November is epilepsy awareness month

    Thanks, again, for giving Chase the soft landing he sooooooo deserves!

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  18. Chase is a very lucky dog to have you and JB.
    You are amazing.
    Sending love to you all...

    Kristin

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  19. He's in the best place and at least you don't have to physically give him injections. It's a shame he's not in great health. I wonder what causes them? Makes you ponder what happened to him in his previous life. He's lucky to be alive if he had seizures back then. Most greyhounds that are injured or dont win are euthanased, remember my brother's dog,"Go Black Teddy"? I was furious when I found out they'd put him to sleep because he couldn't win a race.

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  20. My heart is all aquake and a quiver at the thought of you all struggling like this. YES he is in the right place- with two angels who will care for him. YES he knows you and loves you inside. YES this is fuckin hard, and you can do it and you will do it and it will break you up into tiny pieces every time you do. I admire and love you for what you are doing. Wish I was nearer to help even to make cups of tea for you both. xxx

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