My 'Kid Rockin' dog Lily...her love of KR Music, and update on seizure disorders in dogs! :)

*NOTE*...I put this subject post in the wrong format...it should've been a personal blog, respectively...but I can't move it now...so I'm gonna tell ya'll something I originally didn't include below about my dog Lily in keeping with the spirit of 'discussion's' being related to the music! :)

My dog Lily is a highly intelligent dog! She absolutely loves Kid Rock & TBT music! TRUTH!! :)
I can't crank it up too loud, for her benefit of course, but any time I have Kid Rock playing in the house...she lights up! She becomes full of energy too, haha...starts running around trying to get me to dance around in play with her. Maybe she senses how the music fills me with positive energy, and it transfers over to her, haha. I dunno, I just know she reacts to Kid Rock music, and doesn't to any other...with exception of when she hears the Monday Night Football theme song...she reacts to it the same, but no other music on TV, lol. She's her momma's dog (that would be me as being her momma, haha)...no doubt about it!

Let me also add, that music can soothe an animals soul the same way it does a human beings! Proven fact! :)

Many of y'all know about my precious dog 'Lily', and the battles she and I have endured for 1 1/2 yrs with her severe seizure disorder. It's been several months since I've mentioned how she's doing, and given information that may help others who have dogs suffering from seizure disorders.

For those not knowing...Lily is an English Springer Spaniel...my third in life, and will be my last. I love the breed, but can't risk going through what I've been through with Lily again. One in four purebred dogs now suffer from siezure disorders, regardless of breed. This is a result of our environment becoming un-natural for animals in general, as well as, over the centuries breeds have been established and refined...weakening the natural immune systems of dogs. I'll stick to mutt's from now on, knowing these facts, haha.

I also have two other dogs...Dakota, a 4 yr old black Lab I adopted from the shelter at 2 yrs old...he was 'urgent'...had been there too long, & faced being put to sleep if no one adopted him soon...so I did! My other is Sunny, short for 'Sundance'...he's now 11, and I also adopted him from the shelter, when he was 8 wks old. I love dogs, and have always adopted from shelters...but I love my Springer Spaniel breed too, so have had one in my life the last 25 yrs.. My first was Maggie, 2nd was Pebbles, now Lily.

A year or so ago...a vet specializing in neurology, took Lily off all her pheno/bromide drugs, which caused her many horrible side affects, making life miserable for her and me! He put her on a new drug, which is used in human epilepsy, and has shown positive results in dogs who were resistant to other drug treatment, which Lily was. Her seizure disorder is of the most severe level in dogs, and it is considered 'refactory'...meaning no known cause, or cure. It will shorten her life span, but I enjoy every day I can with her and try not to worry about how long she will or will not be with me.

Since she began the 'new drug' treatment...she has improved remarkably!! She is now herself, full of life, joy, and happiness! She still suffers from ocassional seizure 'modes'. These modes come every 4-6 wks, and she'll have seizures randomly throughout the day & night for about 5 days or so until the 'mode' ends. She is coming off a seizure mode now, which is one reason I've been around here so late at night & into the early morning hours...staying up caring for Lily. The lack of sleep is worth keeping her from hurting herself once a seizure begins. :)

Lily has 'grand mal' seizures, which are the severe convulsing ones, lasting from 3-4 minutes each. She also has 'absent' seizures during the modes...which cause her to appear blind & deaf, totally lost to where she is, nor is any thing or any one familiar to her. The absent seizures present the highest risk of injury...they cause her to take off in a dead run as fast as she can. She will run straight into walls, doors, whatever...she doesn't see anything in front of her.

Lily and I are now a year with using the new drug, and I highly recommend any one who has, or knows of someone who has a dog with seizure disorder...mention use of this newer drug to their own vet. Many common vets are not familiar with it, as it's use to treat seizures in dogs is fairly recent.

The generic name of the drug is Zonisamide. It can be expensive even as a generic, depending upon how high of dose the dog requires...higher dose = higher cost. As bad luck would have it...Lily's seizure disorder being diagnosed as severe and refactory requires she take the maximum daily dose...9 pills, 3 per 3 times daily...monthly cost for me is $350.00, but it would be much less for someone if their dog wasn't as severe as Lily. Trust me...it's worth the money to see Lily live happily as long as she can, and without any side affects as occur with the less expensive drugs.

Lily is just like any other dog the 4-6 wks inbetween seizure modes. The seizures are not painful to her at all...but risk of injury from an absent seizure could be painful, even deadly...which is why I keep close watch on her during her 5 day seizure modes. She lives life very happy, as any other dog does. When her seizures first began 1 1/2 yrs ago she was only 2 yrs old, will be 4 this coming Dec.. Many advised I put her to sleep those first few months of battling seizures, as they were more often than now, and closer modes together...every two wks lasting as long as a week. It was a very physical and emotional battle for Lily and me, but I refused to give up without 'trying'. Researching all I could on seizure disorders in canines so I could help save her if possible, I learned of the new drug offered by Canine Nuerologists...so took Lily to one in Kansas City.

We both now live life with her seizure disorder much healthier and happier. If any one ever needs information on canine seizures...I'm your girl!! LOL Trust me, I literally spent 100's of hours researching and learning. It's not unusual for me to tell a Vet something they didn't know about seizures in dogs, hahaha. :)

My Lily...she's also my little running back, haha! We play football together...she runs, I try to catch her & cause a fumble! LOL :)

Lily and her 'brothers', haha...Dakota & Sunny :)

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by BRENDA on September 8, 2009 at 11:50pm: I had a sckipperkey dog and he had the same disorder.. i was so sad when he got hit by a car... the dog was very smart he knew when someone was sick... he used to guard them, didn't want anyone near who ever it was that was sick... i sure do miss him.. thats how i used to find out when i was sick. any way sry about ur dog... but i know its hard to go thru...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Connie Jo on September 9, 2009 at 12:00am: Sorry about your dog too Brenda. I've lost many over the yrs, and know the pain. Mine are 'family', no doubt about it, haha. :)

Yes, I know your dog was very smart if he too suffered from a seizure disorder. Though research isn't confirmed as to why...it does indicate that dogs with seizure disorders typically have a superior intelligence than normal dogs. Somewhat along the theory of many people with Autism having an intelligence level considered genuis. :)

Lily is very intelligent, unlike any other dog I've had...amazingly so. She too is very keen on sensing something 'wrong' within a person...typically though she senses when someone is not okay emotionally...even if they're not showing it, she knows when someone is sad, worried, upset inside...or unstable, haha. When my x-husband became clinically depressed and emotionally unstable...Lily became somewhat fearful of his presence...even though he wasn't revealing the issues on the outside, she sensed them on the inside.

She's much more serene now too with him being an X, hahahaha. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by BRENDA on September 9, 2009 at 2:30pm: yes my animals have always been my family... i loved my little smart dog... i hope ur dog gets better soon...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bitch on September 9, 2009 at 10:25am: Connie Jo, you all have been in my prayers. Especially Lily who was helpless in her illness. I am thrilled that you have found treatment for her that gives you both quality of life back :} But so sorry to hear about the X-factor!! it's always something isn't it girl.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Connie Jo on September 9, 2009 at 12:20pm: Yeah, haha. Seems it is always something, at least for the last 3 yrs of my life...full of grief & life transition. I take it one day at a time, and figure God knows what he's doing...everything happens for a reason, lessons to be learned, and there's always good in bad, as well as a light at the end of each dark life path. :)

I wake each morning grateful for every aspect of my life, especially my family & friends...regardless of what yesterday brought, and today brings, or tomorrow may bring.

The good news...the grief counselor who helps me to help my kid's & family cope with...& attempt to understand my X husbands clinical depression...our divorce...says I have some of the greatest & amazing inner strength she's ever seen, lol. She bases that upon all I have been through the last 3 yrs...yet, "I'm still having a good time, Roll on Roller Coaster!", lol. :)

First x hubby's heart attack scare, resulting negative personality changes from his clinical depression that followed, his cruel emotional, and at times physical abuse. My needing to take care of my brother with his kidney disease, then his unexpected death...my being his COA having to give permission to let him go. Next, Lily starts having seizures, almost loses her life a couple times. Not done yet, haha...x hubby has a complete mental breakdown in March...resulting in the final straw for me after 2 1/2 yrs of standing beside him with his depression...my paying a high price both emotionally & physically druing those 2 1/2 yrs..

Counselor says I should have had my own emotional breakdown long ago, hahaha. NOT YET! Still one of the sanest people I know, LOL. "Life's a bitch, but I deal with it!" :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Connie Jo on September 9, 2009 at 12:41pm: PS: I just hope & pray...my inner strength has been inherited by my adult kids, or they can draw from mine as an example at least...because they're struggling emotionally with our divorce more than any one. Today would've been our 37th anniversary...they've not known a life without mom & dad always being together. They're taking the divorce hard knowing the changes it will bring to their lives...but they're more distraught over the negative personality changes & current rock bottom lifestyle of their dad. I don't think his relationship with them will ever be the same, even if he does come out of his depression someday. He's done much damage to all of our lives & hearts, continues to do so most daily. :(

Hell..."I'm like a dandylion jack, you can cut me down & I'll pop right back"...my kid's however, not so sure they're gonna bounce back as quickly. That's what hurts, seeing the hurt their dad is causing them, and he just doesn't care. Our daughter told me last night, that she & he had another falling out yesterday...she's he's office manager at the family business...so deals with him daily, I don't have to any longer. She can't afford to quit, or would. She was in tears last night over some of the damage he continues to do to his life daily. :(; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bluesuedeshoe on September 10, 2009 at 8:44pm: I love the fact that Lily is soothed by music. Give her a big ol' warm fluffy spot, and a spot in the sun, with music vibrating through the floor, and I cannot think of a happier dog.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Heather on September 11, 2009 at 2:18pm: Connie............

Have you ever researched diet related seizure disorders in dogs? I highly doubt your dog is suffering from a diet related disorder because she is purebred and the disorder most likely stems down genetically, (do you know if her parents or anyone in her pedigree suffered the same disorders?) but I'd thought I'd mention to you that I've read studies posted in the Whole Dog Journal (if you don't subscribe, you SHOULD! ) that ties diet into seizure activity. They linked wheat based diets, and gluten based diets to seizure activity.

If I find the articles I've read, I'll forward them to you. I don't have as much time as I used to for my internet stuff, but I'll keep it in mind to find the time to search for it for you. It was very helpful and being a vet tech, I suggested the vets I worked for to look into it and now one of the vets uses that to try to narrow down what is triggering the seizures.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by joann turi on September 11, 2009 at 3:16pm: My baby just passed away in Aug. He was a pug. He didn't start to seizure until he was 6yrs. old. I had him since he was 7wks. old. I guess we got lucky. They started out like 8 per month, only having 1 in 24 hrs. Then came the clusters. The pattern changed. He'd go a month without then cluster for 24 hrs. He fought it for 3 yrs. I think it was definitely a brain tumor. I wasn't going to put him through a spinal tap and tests, so not knowing and just dealing worked for us, allthough it killed me. In early June he took his last cluster then "All Summer Long", (no pun intended) he looked like he was cured. He acted normal like before the seizures started. I was thrilled and excited. But he began to get real aggravated and agressive toward me. It was always someone else he wanted to attack, but I know it was bothering him. One morning I noticed blood on the floor and out of his ear, then the side of his face was drooping like bell's palsy. They said it was an ear infection. He choked on food began to cough, they said his lings were clear...it got worst another vet said no his lungs were bad, maybe aspiration phemonia. He died within 6 days of coughing... in his sleep at home. Last year his lymph nodes were swelled in all four corners and they said lymphoma and they die pretty fast from it, but his lumps had later disappeared....they said I was lucky. I think he had the cancer due to a tumour and it just spread and that's how he died. He was my one and only. He gave me strength I never had and wings to fly. Until we fly again together I know he is at peace, resting and playing and biting Micheal Jacksons finger tips off for now!!!!! I hope Micheal has alot of band aides with him, ha, ha,ha! I'm sure he's having fun up there!!!!! He better wait for me NOT FAIR!!!!! He was my little miracle. Keep strong for your dog, give her kisses every day! Good luck and keep up the good work!!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Connie Jo on September 12, 2009 at 12:42am: I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your pug. Brain tumors are one cause of seizures, and usually are the cause if the dog's first seizure is after the age of 5 yrs. If the dog is under one year it's usually considered an allergic reaction, or eating something toxic. Seizures beginning between the ages of 2-5 are more often genetic or no known cause.

However, thyroid imbalances are often a cause for canine seizures too, at any age...but often misdiagnosed. Vet's are often behind in their education relating to seizure disorders, don't keep up with new research findings, treatments, etc.. They know thyroid issues can cause seizures, & will perform a common thyroid test on any dog having a seizure...what they don't know...is once a dog has a seizure it changes hormones and will give a false negative reading on the common canine thyroid test, showing the thyroid is normal even though it may not be. A T-6 thyroid panel test needs to be done on a dog if it has had even one seizure, for accuracy & proper diagnosis...rather than the common test.

Literally, over 1000 factors can trigger canine seizures, so it's very difficult to narrow the cause down unless you get lucky and notice a pattern or trigger. Heck, even the scent from fabric softner used on bedding a dog sleeps on can trigger seizures, perfumes, hairspray...and as Heba noted, also food can trigger seizures. It is the artificial flavorings/food colorings & preservatives of which are the culprits in food triggering seizures.

I had Lily on a strict all natural diet...but it didn't help, in fact...she had her worst seizures ever when she was on the all natural diet. Also, only gave her purified water, since the chemicals in tap water can also trigger seizures. In Lily's case, neither made a difference, seizures didn't slow down or stop.

Unfortunately, the more seizures a dog has the lower their seizure threshold becomes, and the more things can become triggers, making it almost impossible then to isolate the original trigger/cause.

Lily sometimes enters a cluster pattern too, but fortunately with the new meds there have been much fewer clusters, which of course are much more dangerous with loss of life, than when spaced further apart. Lily has also had two Status E. seizures, which few dogs survive, but I knew to keep her body temp down when in an SE, as I'd researched it. The body temp rises to deadly degree's in both cluster & SE seizure episodes, & it's that high body temp that is deadly...just like heat stroke.

Anyway...4 months into Lily's seizures...I told my vet I wanted the T-6 thyroid study, which at first he thought it was a waste of time, since he'd already done the common test 4 months prior & it was negative...but at my request he did the T-6. Sure enough, Lily's thyroid wasn't working properly, and it was concluded this was the original cause of her seizures. However, the test was done too late, and Lily had so many seizures those first 4 months...that it lowered her seizure threshold, making her less resistant to any and every known trigger...and will have them the rest of her life now. The average lifespan is 5 yrs for a dog with a severe seizure disorder, that's if a cluster or SE doesn't take her first. :(; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by joann turi on September 12, 2009 at 5:56pm: I guess I knew my dog better than the vets. But of course my vet kept on telling me it wasn't a brain tumor. And yes it's very good to cool them down upon a seizure event. I used cool pacs and cold wet towels on his groin area, the lower belly that I miss and loved on him!!!! He did get tested for a low thyriod and he had it around the same time I found out I had a low thyriod! I almost died as a result of not knowing what was wrong! I had low kidney function and the roof of my mouth was peeling with no saliva! They say that's the end stages of life when you can't produce spit!!!! I would have went peacefully I was really speeping and dreaming like never before. But thank God I didn't, or else who would have been able to care for my baby? God works in mysterious ways. I always said I hope I outlive him because I hear that dogs cannot really cope with the loss of an owner and have to be put down anyway for not eating and not responding to anything. I changed his diet so many times that he did really well with home coked meals, like chicken breast, rice, a few carrots and green beans and little sweet potatoe. He ate better than me!!! He desirved it! I got suspicious when a vet told me it was unusual for a dog to turn "Epeliptic" at the age of 6. My dog was so jealous of people from when he was a puppy that he must have driven himself to a tumor! No, but his attitude and energy level was very much HIGH UP on the rickter scale. He was a Tiger. He didn't suffer too badly in the end other than having the seizures and the tumor. Thank God didn't die of a seizure! All my wishes came true. I said I didn't want him to die of a seizure, I wanted him to die at home with me in his sleep and he had a remission for over 3 months, so we had a rest from the seizures, and I didn't want to not to be able to afford to help him (although I stoped bringing him into the hospital due to the money), and I didn't want him to get the needle. He ltierally ate until he died, and he had never looked so beautiful other than loosing a little weight. But his thyriod was very low, he had to take his pills 2 times a day just to make it normal. Just do your best that's all you can do. But I could never do it again, it's too sad. You seem to be on top of it and you doggie is lucky to have you!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Connie Jo on September 12, 2009 at 1:33am: Heba, I'm familiar with the research studies linking artificial flavorings, coloring, and preservatives to seizures, but not familiar with wheat based & gluten based diets also being a trigger. Heck, even the natural dog foods & treats have wheat & gluten products in the, fairly sure anyway. I would be interested in reading those articles if you come across them, if not to help Lily, to have the knowledge to help others. Not sure at this point it would help Lily, considering her seizure threshold has been lowered dramatically due to now having so many over the last 1 1/2 yrs.. :(; ▶ Reply to This