Need help or advice for our dog, controling fly-bites and other behavior episodes please!?
Question by nookster: Need help or advice for our dog, controling fly-bites and other behavior episodes please!?
Our siberian husky has been having seizures for 2 years, he was diagnosed with low thyroid and epilepsy. We seen the worst of what can happen during his seizures and I with me being home all the time, I can sometimes tell when he will have one or the “aura”.
But then after his seizures he can go into another phase or “post ictal” behavior and lately they seem to last more than a day, sometimes 4 days. Aside from confusion, bumping into things, etc, he also whimpers, alot, or this high pitched squeeling type sound and this happens alot anymore during fly-bites too. He doesn’t have to have a seizure for these other episodes, its as if he just goes right into the after phases. I read that fly-bites can also be mini seizures? He is taking phenobarbital 60mgs 2x’s a day, and medication for his thyroid as well.
I been researching for any way, to help him control these fly-biting behaviors and the whimpering too. Any advice or what else can or should we do? He is our world! Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by dalfilms@sbcglobal.net
maybe try consulting a flee-treating expert.
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Strange .. I didn’t know siberian Huskys were prone to seizers….always thought they were a very sturdy healthy northern breed…I learn something every day… Sorry I can’t help you..
Ask a vet tech.. Probly allergies.
sounds like his phenobarb level is too low…ask your vet
Sir or Mam with all do respect, it sounds like your friend is suffering and you are holding unto them far past their capability.
This animal would probably go through hell for you (probably is now as this is typed), and you are forcing them to endure for what?
My mother had a cat that had seizures and I remember her doing the fly bite thing you mention. When I witnessed this behaviour I felt as if the poor girl was embarassed that anyone had seen what happened to her and tried to make it look like something else. Knowing what I know of seizures now, I believe after the neurology of the seizure happens it sends ‘hot’ pulses to the nerve endings (skin layer) and the animal is responding to more pain.
I do remember having the cat put down in her 16th year of life after a particular bad seizure that resulted in physical damage to her, thus ending more of her quality of life.
Yeah I guess that is what I am trying to say, how is the quality of life for your dog, and at what percentage of his day is he spending not enjoying?
I know you love your friend and want the best for them. Best of luck to you.
I do not work for Entirely Pets so please understand this is in no way a solicitation. I volunteer with a small dog rescue in Michigan and have 4 dogs of my own. I purchase a lot of my products from http://www.EntirelyPets.com and looked on their site upon reading your post. Below is a link to items they sell to repel flies as they are problems to various animals.
http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=entirelypets&query=fly+bites&.autodone=http%3A%2F%2Fstore.yahoo.com%2Fentirelypets%2Fnsearch.html
Also, if the Phenobarbital isn’t working, ask your vet about using Lamictal. One of my pekingese, Juliet (in the photo) is on phenobarbital and has responded well, but my friends dog didn’t respond as well and has found relief with the Lamictal.
Good Luck and continue loving him.
I would recommend a full blood panel (chemistries, CBC, differntial) with a Free T4 by Equilibrium Dialysis and a phenobarbital level. It sounds like the phenobarbital level is low. The vet may also want to add bromide to help supress the seizures. If that doesn’t help, a visit to a veterinary neurologist may be in order. Good luck. That’s very sad.
The behavior you are describing can also be called bubble gum chewing. It is a form of seizure. You may need to take your dog to an emergency facility, seizures need to break their focal point or they can continue for days. An emergency facility can give your dog medication to break this point and allow him to rest. If your dog is not actively having one of these events then I would agree with the others you should see your veterinarian or an internal medicine specialist. There are a number of seizure medicines available and different combinations may be beneficial. You should also consider a Brain CT, this image can help to identify any possible brain tumors which may be causing the increase in seizure activity.
Good luck to you and your family, epilepsy is very scary and can be very frustrating.