It happened again :(

[FilosFolks]

If we go back to "environmental" is it possible she is being poisoned? I hate to say this but I know of a few people whose neighbors poisoned their animals.

Is there anything in your yard (birdbath, buckets) that she can get into?

I'm very sorry to read this & I hope you find some answers soon!

Ailee

[Nishasmom]

Just got back from the vet. They did a full "blood test" along with a urinalisis and a Lyme test. All came back normal. She was a little dehydrated though.

As for the poisoning idea; they said if she had any toxin in her body the white blood cell count would be very high.

They think she is either having seizures or "mania". When I asked about "mania" they basically said anxiety. My "homework" is to catch it on tape; if she does it again they will put her on seizure medication. If she gets better, that is their way of dx it.

She is still not "right"; just not acting her normal self . As soon as we came home she went right to her kennel (her choice); she doesn't even want to be around us.

Breeder said there is absolutely no current history of seizure in her lines. None of the other puppies are having a problem.

So, it is either a mental "break down", or Complex Partial Seizures. We will have to wait to find out. If it is a "mental" issue; how do I fix it?

[rottcrazed]

My old girl has seizures which have been managed with phenobarb, but I will say that her seizures were absolutely grand-mal and she would totally 'space out' for awhile after them, but never more than an hour and it was like she never had one, so I am curious what her diagnosis will end up being as it is taking Nisha a really long time to come out of it.

I am hoping for you guys you can find something environmental to change .... this must be so scary for you.

Kristi

[jlaack]

To me, having seen it before in one dog, it sounds like it could be rabies. A rabid dog actually goes through three phases, the second being labeled the furious stage. Please be extra careful when handling her that you aren't bit or that her saliva does not come in contact with any open cuts that you may have. If that happens err on the side of caution and have yourself treated for post exposure. If you start to see her really slow down or seem not with it but calm, then this would be my concern. I hope it is a minor or something treatable with medication.

[Nishasmom]

Doesn't Rabies move quickly...like 7 days? Her first "episode" was Friday night; it seems like she would be way worse by now. I have considered Rabies, but everyone tells me no (vet, breeder, ect.)

[harleychik66]

This is so sad. I'm hoping you get to the bottom of this so your sweet girl can get back to her old self. Prayers and hugs sent your way.

[Nishasmom]

Jlaack; you have me really worried now! I re-read the rabies info...what do I do? Jesse and I have both come in contact with her saliva ! There is no cure for humans either!

Please tell me that my dog does not have rabies! She has not been bitten by any animal.

[rottcrazed]

Would something like rabies, given what you said about your area and the bat pop., not have been something tested in the bloodwork?

Kristi

[Nishasmom]

From what I know; rabies can only be diagnosed in a dog/animals brain tissue....once they are dead.

[rottcrazed]

Hmmm .... well, that is kinda scary.

Is there NOTHING that can be done in the meantime?

Kristi

[Nishasmom]

I don't know...you wouldn't believe my feelings right now; I have this constant feeling of dread over my shoulders. If it is rabies, the only thing we can do is wait to see if more symptoms arise.

Our possible diagnosis...so far:
Epilepsy....but she stays "out of it" for a while; like since last night.
Rabies....she is current on her vaccine; and hasn't been bit by an animal
Mental breakdown...from what, I do not know

[Bear's mommy]

You have probably already read this, but I just saw it and wanted to let you know. I didn't even know that an animal had to be euthanized before determining they had rabies. I just copied this part from what I read....."A direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) can also detect the presence of rabies antigens in the skin. Tests that do not require euthanasia can be used to examine serum, spinal fluid, and saliva, but none of them can rule out rabies with 100% certainty. These tests are used only in humans and animals that cannot be euthanized."

I do hope you can get a diagnosis soon and your girl gets better. You are both in my thoughts and prayers. I know you are going crazy.

Leslie

[rottcrazed]

Again ... hmmm .....

Well, epilepsy is quite 'easily' managed. Hopefully it is something simpler than that, but if it does turn out to be it, I can speak from experience it is not that big of a deal in the big scheme of things.

Mental breakdown, I am not sure I am into that idea as it doesn't make sense to me, nor does it explain a thing.

I am keeping fingers crossed for all of you!

Kristi

[Maxxx]

This is what I managed to find:

Tests that do not require euthanasia can be used to examine serum, spinal fluid, and saliva, but none of them can rule out rabies with 100% certainty.

Here's an article on the saliva test:

Note: Detection of Rabies Virus Antigen in Dog Saliva Using a Latex Agglutination Test

I don't know of you can get this test? Or how effective it really is...

[KatarinasMom]

Last fall, we took care of a sick friend's male rottie. We knew when he came to stay with us that he had "occasionally" had seizures, but the vet did not think it was necessary to medicate him because they did not happen frequently enough......until he came to live with us He had been staying with us for about a month when the first seizure hit. It was definitely a grand mal, and was horrible to witness being as we had never dealt with anything like that before. When it was over we thought "okay, that wasn't all that bad, we can handle this"....except that one seizure was actually the beginning of an entire weekend of "cluster seizures" that occurred every two hours like clockwork By the end of the weekend we were completely exhausted and freaked out. After each seizure he had been pretty disoriented, and for a few days after the last seizure he didn't want to be around anyone and was very "jumpy". This was the total opposite of his usual personality. He LOVED people and believed that he was a lap dog, so it was very upsetting to see such a big change in his personality.

Anyway, my point to this whole story is that we had taken him to the vet and had all the bloodwork, etc. done and everything came back normal. Our vet said that, just as with humans, sometimes it is difficult to determine the cause of seizures. He prescribed daily doses of pheno for Cody and I am happy to say that he has been seizure-free.....and back home with our fully-recovered friend.

In your case I hope it is something more simple than a seizure disorder, because it can be very stressful "waiting for the next one to happen", but if it does end up being seizures there is medication available to control them.

Your in my thoughts and I hope you find a solution very soon