Read about the Canine Epilepsy
Research Project
Read Sage's
Update
Read Kenzie's
Story
That morning will be forever etched in my memory. Sunday, November 30, 1997 just shortly after 9 a.m. I was in the kitchen enjoying a leisurely breakfast when 'it' happened. Suddenly from the living room came this frantic scratching noise of toenails against a wall. Running there I found my sweet Sage in a corner by the front door lying on one side, all four feet stiff out from his body yet still moving, crashing against the wall. His neck was arched back in a seemingly impossible angle, eyes were wide-open, he was foaming at the mouth and his whole body was griped in a spasm. Cajun my other Toller tried to investigate Sage but I put him in a down-stay and thankfully he obeyed. However, Duffy my trail-mix dog went into attack mode so I put my body over Sage and pushed him away. I just held Sage gently to keep him away from the wall and spoke softly to him. All this occurred in just under a minute but felt like it lasted much longer!
When Sage 'came back' he was unsteady on his feet, wild-eyed unsure who I was, and wanted out immediately. I let him out into the back yard alone, watched him stumble around for a few minutes, pee and then he was back in the house and was back to being 'my sweet Sage'. This is when I 'lost-it' knowing I had just witnessed a seizure, cause unknown.
After blood tests and physical examine I was given the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. Sage had two more seizures in December so on December 23 we started Sage on Phenobarbital, Merry Christmas! The next year was a period of dosage adjustment to reach therapeutic levels and attempt to achieve control of the seizures. In June we added potassium bromide after experiencing a cluster episode of seizures. Again we waited and watch through an adjustment period. It appears that this combination is the 'magic' key to controlling Sage's seizures, we have achieved excellent results experiencing only one partial seizure the last year.
Sage is one lucky Toller; many others owners with epileptic dogs have a much more difficult time achieving any kind of control. Each day without a seizure is a gift and each day I wait for the 'other shoe to drop' and we will have to start counting again. We have control today - this may not always be the case - we may face status, a life threatening continuous seizure, which requires quick emergency treatment that may stretch for days.
Many things may cause seizures; a short list would be
distemper, brain tumor, head injury, environment - toxins and the possibility
of a hereditary link cannot be excluded. Since I have heard of other
Tollers suffering from seizures (for whatever reason) I thought that the
opportunity for the Toller community to participate in an epilepsy research
project would be of interest to all. Confidentiality is assured;
all it takes is a blood sample and a four or five generation pedigree.
The only cost is from your vet for obtaining the sample and the cost of
shipping. Because this is a funded project that does not request
money from clubs, it should be seen as an opportunity to get valuable information
at no cost. I sincerely hope you will consider participating.
I am very pleased to say my sweet Sage has not had
a seizure for 1 year, 10 months and counting! This is a very special
achievement but we still take each day one at a time. The only
blip on a very sunny picture was when his Potassium Bromide level got too
high and we had to quickly lower the level - more stress because any time
you decrease the meds it may cause a seizure. Sage was fortunate
and made it through the adjustment period without an episode. Here's
hoping we don't have to adjust the levels again - or we may loose a valuable
tool in coping with this disease.
Introducing
Kenzie
Another very sweet Toller has joined the household, two year old Kenzie. Unfortunately Kenzie too suffers from seizures. His original family loved him dearly but due to circumstances were unable to keep him - the choices were 'Have him put down or find a new home'. After giving it serious consideration I decided to welcome Kenzie into our canine family and we've been having a great time getting to know each other both human and canine. The official canine count is now three Tollers and one 'Trail-mix" dog and all have adjusted nicely to each other although Duffy (the Terrier mix) still carries the name of grumpy, just has more dogs to 'grump at now'! Kenzie is on Potassium Bromide and Phenobarbital and in the three months he has been with me has not had a seizure. Here's hoping that trend will continue.
I could get very emotional at this point in voicing my concerns regarding epilepsy in our breed but that would not help anyone. Please participate in the "Toller Health Coalition" Health Survey and be honest in reporting any health issues. From my little corner of the "Toller world" it seems to be something we should be tracking/dealing with but that's a very narrow view so I"m hoping the survey will indicate that this is not a true health concern for the Toller community. If anyone would like to talk further about this condition I may be contacted at ruth.peacock@sympatico.ca
Ruth Peacock with Sage and Kenzie