It happened again :(

[ahhhbe]

Originally Posted by Debbie Ervin

It seems to me to be something in the brain triggering these episodes. It does seem like a type of seizure but the answer to what is causing them? You did all blood work? So if it were menegititis it would show up. That was one of the things we thought at first may have been wrong with Ceasar before the tumor. Well the menigitis is curable at least. You would think if it were some kind of poison CBC numbers would be off at some point at least the WBC.

They had to rule out meningitis in my son and the only way to do that was a spinal tap!

[fostermom]

AngleBunny....this is the article:
Salmon (Raw) Poisoning Disease


This is primarily a problem in the Pacific Northwest and California. But if you feed a raw meat diet it can be a problem anywhere.
It is caused from the infection by a rickettsial organism, Neorickettsia helminthoeca. SPD has been known since the early 19th century in North America. It had been observed that dogs that ate raw salmon frequently died however the connection between the fluke and the rickettsia was not established at this time.(1) It is unusual in that the rickettsial organism does not directly infect the dog but is instead carried by a parasite, a trematode (flatworm or fluke) called Nanophyteus salmincola through two intermediate hosts first: freshwater snails and salmonid fish (salmon, trout and steelhead).

Nanophyteus salmincola are found to infect freshwater snails particularly Oxytrema plicifer. The infected snail forms part of the salmonid species food web and is ingested. Neither the fluke nor the rickettsial organism act as pathogens in the fish. The dog is exposed only when it ingests the secondary host - an infected fish. After the dog ingests the fish, the encysted fluke larvae burst and embed in the dog’s intestinal tract and the rickettsia are introduced. The cycle continues when ova are excreted in dog feces to infect snails.

It is necessary for your dog to eat raw salmon to get salmon poisoning disease.

A sudden onset of symptoms occur 5-7 days after ingestion of fish. Initial symptoms include lethargy and anorexia. Peaking of temperature between 104-107 in the first two days and then slowly returns to normal. Persistent vomiting by the fourth day. There is bloody diarrhea within a few days of vomiting onset. The diarrhea is often bright yellow color. There are enlarged lymph nodes.

In the acute stages, gastrointestinal symptoms are quite similar to canine parvovirus. Nasal and ocular symptoms can resemble canine distemper. If left untreated, SPD has a mortality rate of up to 90%. Treatment is supportive to maintain hydration as well as antibiotic therapy to kill the disease producing organism. Dogs that survive are immune.


It is preventable by cooking all fish before feeding your dog. If you are outdoors hiking or camping or live near streams and rivers were salmon spawn, keep a close eye on your dog on don't let your pet run free to insure that no fish carcasses are ingested. Please see your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested raw salmon.

[fostermom]

I found two organisims listed that can be obtained by swimming in contaminated water...toxoplasmosis that can affect the brain, and cysticercosis that can cause seizures and psychotic behavior...long shot but more as an fyi:

How do people get cysticercosis?
People get cysticercosis the following ways:
By consuming food or water contaminated with the eggs of T. solium (pork tapeworm). Worm eggs hatch and the larvae then migrate to various parts of the body and form cysts called cysticerci. This can be a serious or fatal disease if it involves organs such as the central nervous system, heart, or eyes.
By putting anything into your mouth that has touched the stool of a person infected with T. solium.
Some persons with intestinal tapeworms may infect themselves with eggs from their own feces as a result of poor personal hygiene.

Symptoms of cysticercosis
Symptoms may vary depending on the organ or organ system involved. For example, an individual with cysticercocis involving the central nervous system (neurocysticercosis) may exhibit neurological symptoms such as psychiatric problems or epileptic seizures. Death is common.
When will symptoms appear? What is the duration?
Symptoms usually appear from several weeks to several years after becoming infected with the eggs of the pork tapeworm (T. solium). Symptoms may last for many years if medical treatment is not received.

Who is at risk for contracting cysticercosis?
Persons traveling to countries where sanitation may be substandard and the water supply may be unsafe.

Persons with weakened immune systems including those with HIV/AIDS infection, organ transplant recipients, or those individuals undergoing chemotherapy may be at a greater risk for infection.

How to prevent cysticercosis

Drink water only from treated municipal water supplies.
When traveling to countries where the water supply may be unsafe, either avoid the water or boil it for 1 minute to kill parasite eggs. Drinking bottled beverages or hot coffee and tea are safe alternatives.
Do not swallow water while swimming.
Do not swim in community swimming pools if you or your child are infected with tapeworms.
Wash, peel, or cook raw fruits and vegetables before eating.
Make sure that infected individuals wash their hands frequently to reduce the spread of infection.

Toxoplasma gondii

How do people get toxoplasmosis?
People get toxoplasmosis the following ways:
By consuming foods (such as raw or undercooked meats, especially pork, lamb, or wild game) or drinking untreated water (from rivers or ponds) that may contain the parasite.
Fecal-oral: Touching your hands to your mouth after gardening, handling cats, cleaning a cat's litter box, or anything that has come into contact with cat feces.
Mother-to-fetus (if mother is pregnant when first infected with T. gondii).
Through organ transplants or blood transfusions, although these modes are rare.

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis and severe toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is relatively harmless to most people, although some may develop "flu-like" symptoms such as swollen lymph glands and/or muscle aches and pains. In otherwise healthy individuals, the disease is usually mild and goes away without medical treatment. However, dormant tissue stages can remain in the infected individual for life.

However, persons with weakened immune systems such as those with HIV/AIDS infection, organ transplant recipients, individuals undergoing chemotherapy, and infants may develop severe toxoplasmosis. Severe toxoplasmosis may result in damage to the eyes or brain. Infants becoming infected before birth can be born retarded or with other mental or physical problems.

When will symptoms appear? What is the duration?
The time that symptoms appear varies, but generally symptoms will appear 1 week to 1 month after consuming the parasite.

The duration of the illness depends on the health and immune status of the host. Persons with weakened immune systems may experience illnesses of long duration, possibly resulting in death.

[Nishasmom]

Nisha is still doing fine...for now. She is acting totally normal; me, on the other hand am a nervous wreck. Every time she gets up or makes a noise by stomach turns....it's like I am just waiting for the next "episode" .

I wonder if Nisha has been "snacking" in the litter box? How do they test for toxoplasmosis? Would this had shown up on her blood-work?

I will ask the vet to check for both (toxo. and cysticerosis).

I did some research on brain tumors and menongitus; Nisha really doesn't "fit" in these groups. Tumors cause so much...problems walking, loss of coordination, sight issues, ect. And menogitus (sp?) really makes you feel crappy all the time.

Sweetlee, she has been vaccinated against "Lepto".

Thanks for the floor cleaner alternatives; we will start doing that instead of "Zep".

I will keep you posted! Nisha has another vet exam on Tuesday, which will be moved up if she has another "episode".

[Robenk]

My girlfriend's cat got toxo from a wild bird and it took a very long time to get control of!! If your baby has been perusing the litter box, she may have picked it up there??? I would hope your vet would've checked for that as well. If not, I'd certainly ask for a parasite check!! I am so sorry for her...my whole family's been keeping you in our prayers!

[tla0126]

Any update on Nisha?? How is she doing??? She is in my thoughts as are you!

[Nishasmom]

Thanks for asking...so far, so good (no more episodes since Monday night)! We have another exam next week.

[mamamia1]

So good to hear that Nisha is doing good. I've really been hanging on this thread. I can't even imagine how unnerving it must be for you trying to determine the source of her fits.

Take Care! :)

[Nishasmom]

Okay....here we go again...I got most of it on tape this time!

We were walking inside from a 'potty trip' when she stopped dead in her tracks and started looking around. I told Jesse "she's freaking out again" and we quickly brought her inside to her kennel which is where most of the video takes place. What I didn't get to tape was her running inside and trying to run into the shower, and up the walls.

Sorry the video is so dark...it is 9:00 here and I guess our lights aren't very bright .

On a scale of 1-10...10 being the worst we have seen, we vote this "episode" as a 6.

so anxiety attack...or seizure?

YouTube - Nisha freak out # 5

[leanershnitzel]

what the heck is going on with your girl? Has she been x rayed to rule out a brain tumor. i have no scientific basis for this, but after watching that video I just get the feeling something is putting pressure on her brain. I sure hope not.

[OnyxGold1]

Beautiful girl.....after watching the clip it does appear as tho she is in pain......is the an MRI available in your area to rule out a tumor??

Also what came to mind after watching the clip is that her behavior is very similar to what I saw growing up as a child with a German Shepherd that our family owned. He was TERRIFIED of storms/particularly electrical storms and would start acting similarly to her close to an hour or so before the storm hit.....what reminded me the most was how she lunged up at the window to look outside......

Just a thought.....hope they are able to find you some answers soon!!

Heather Peters

[Nishasmom]

Thanks, I think she is beautiful too....of course I'm not partial or anything

Yes, MRI is available...I have a feeling the vet will tell us to get that done.

It was raining and thundering ALL afternoon and not a sound out of Nisha. Hours after it stopped raining is when she freaked. Also, during every other "episode" the weather was picture perfect

[jlaack]

I would also recommend an MRI of the brain to rule out a brain tumor. I would also ask the regular vet for a referral to a neuro specialist. This video should be very helpful to the vets. The only other thing I could think of (and it is a long shot) our dog somewhat behaved like this in one house because of squirrels in the walls in the roof. He was more ready to rip open the walls than run away from the noise but he heard them and they elicited a strong reaction. But, it appears that they happen outside as well as in? I am sorry that Nisha is going through this (and you guys too!). If it were my dog, I'd ask for a referral to a neuro specialist and then request the specialist to keep him for observation. I hope you have answers soon.

[jlaack]

Yes, MRI is available...I have a feeling the vet will tell us to get that done.

It was raining and thundering ALL afternoon and not a sound out of Nisha. Hours after it stopped raining is when she freaked. Also, during every other "episode" the weather was picture perfect

I think the MRI is a great next step. Could she have ever been struck by lightening?? It can cause nervous system disorders, twitching behaviors... Just another thought. Had she been outside during a storm prior to these behaviors?

[Nishasmom]

Nisha is an inside dog; she has never been left outside alone.

Do you know how much a MRI costs? Everyone I ask tells me it is so much that its not worth it ! Of course, it would be worth it to me...we would pay anything to help our baby.