11.20.2011

November 20, 2011


White Dog, Puff, Nuka, and YoYoMa were a little afraid and a whole lot confused as they watched Quinn go through what we know now were two seizures on Friday night and in the wee hours of Saturday morning.Steve and I, although calm and reassuring, were right there mentally with the rest of the WDA in our fears.

Like TOWD, the seizures themselves were not violent but definitely indicate that he has a neurological issue that needs much more investigation and then, treatment. After dinner on Friday, Quinn went out into the yard and came back in doing zoomies...only he did not stop...and the frantic-ness increased to the level where our normally calm, steady boy was jumping and crashing into things. Then he started circling around and around and around to the left. This continued well over an hour and half. At this point White Dog was barking for him to stop and Yo was starting to get agitated. Steve gave him a Composure, a natural calming chew we use for when Puff gets overly anxious and cuddled him in his arms. After a bit, TOWD went to his favorite sleep spot and sank into an unusually deep coma-like sleep.

We woke him near midnight for his prebedtime walk and he was fine. After all the walks are completed we prepare and go to bed. Quinn was very restless and Steve thought he needed more potty time. At night TOWD won't use the dog door without a chaperon because YoYoMa sleeps at the foot of our bed a few feet from the entrance; so Steve walked Quinn to and saw him through the door and watched waiting to help facilitate his return.

In the yard, Quinn was like a puppy on mega caffeine, racing around the yard at top speed over and over and over. Several times, we thought he was coming in but he just circled and circled to the left for awhile and then returned to racing in the yard. Finally he crashed through the dog door back into the house and literally fell into the water bowl gulping water as fast as he could lap it into his mouth.

He began manically pacing the length of the hallway, back and forth, pushing the other dogs out of the way and seeming to not have a purpose. He would pace for a long while then gulp water, then trot back and forth more then drink...at some points he actually galloped the length over and over. Steve sat on the floor and Quinn allowed him to hold and soothe him for brief minutes before breaking away and continuing his pacing. He was panting the entire time, but his eyes were normal and he was not drooling...nor was his balance severely impaired (although he did stumble a bit). After more than two hours, he suddenly laid down and once again crashed into a coma. We watched for a while and let him sleep.

At 7am we called the emergency vet (Dr. Julia is not there on weekends although we left a message to be sure she gets it first thing Monday) and let them know we were on our way. Steve woke Quinn who appeared fine save briefly circling (less than 5 minutes) outside before coming in.

Dr. Russman turned out to be a friend of our Dr. Julia so we felt much more confident in placing our Mighty Boy in a stranger's hands. She went out of her way to avoid stressing him...even getting down on the floor to take his vitals and check his reactions. She listened to our recounting and asked questions (many which we could not answer because TOWD has only been part of our lives for such a short time). She took xrays and drew blood for a complete blood workup and did a neurological exam.

The xrays looked good. The radiologist indicated there was disc wear but nothing that would cause pain; his internal organs all looked good; his liver is slightly enlarged but still within normal range. She agreed with our gut feeling that Quinn is probably more like 10-12 years old, rather than 8. His blood workup showed nothing extraordinary, ruling out a host of diseases, toxins, nutritional issues. She felt he is outside the age range to develop epilepsy. The issue is almost certainly a neurological one and we all whispered our fear that it might be a brain tumor.

Before we jump to any conclusions, and Dr. Russman agreed, we want Dr. Julia to see the emergency reports and test. We want her to fully reexamine Quinn...and if we all agree that is warranted, the next step will be to take Quinn to a canine neurologist for an MRI and further diagnosis.

He has had no further episodes...and that is as scary as it is relieving. Dr. Russman (and our research) indicated that he might never have another seizure again...or he might have a series of them starting as I type this line. The uncertainty kept both Steve and I (and as it turns out White Dog) awake long after everyone else had settled into sleep Saturday night...we listened intensely for sounds of unrest or twitching or something new and unexplained. It didn't happen, thankfully, but we were on alert because it could.

When we brought the Mighty Quinn into our lives, we promised him a forever home where he was safe, and cared for, and always protected...and we will keep the promise no matter what for all of his days. Please ask the Universe to grant Dr. Julia extra insight and wisdom as she reviews our boy's case...and for Quinn's path to be one of health, pain-free living, and mental competence. The White Dog Army Thanks You.

19 comments:

TimberLove said...

All our prayers and pawsitive siber vibes for the mighty Quinn!

RA, Isis & nuknuk

rottrover said...

Why do these things ALWAYS happen on the weekend? Sending strong and steady rottie vibes of wisdom and strength to Dr. Julia and the the WDA. Sending love, too.

-Bart and Ruby

Berts Blog said...

We are soooo thinking of you all and hoping for good things. Those sound like some long nasty episodes and we worry.

Take care and keep us posted.

Love
Bert & My Vickie

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We have missed so many posts with the Momster being out of commission and then we finally get here to see THIS. We are so sorry. Quinn, we hope there will be no more seizures and we all have our paws crossed for good reports. You are too sweet a boy to have to deal with this.

Hugs and Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Cappy the Eskie said...

We too have our paws crossed for a positive outcome for Quinn. What a frightening experience for all of you!


Hugs and yips,
Cappy and Ollie

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I have my paws crossed for you Quinn. I also am asking the universe to grant the doctors knowlege to help you,.
I send magical bubbles of healing and peace to your family
love
tweedles

Wyatt said...

Poor Quinn. That must have been scary for you and the entire pack.
Feel better, white dog.

Wyatt and Stanzie

ForPetsSake said...

Oh Sue! I'm so sorry your pack is going through this! It must've been a very scary time indeed...And I agree with Rottrover - things like this always seem to happen on the weekend when your vet is unavailable. I'll be thinking of you and the WDA, anxious for news on Dr Julia's thoughts. Quinn is strong and able - many hugs!

24 Paws of Love said...

Do you know "Five Sibes" at http://fivesibes.blogspot.com/? She just did a post about her dog Gibson who has epilepsy and she has some back post as well.

What a scary experience. I can not imagine how frightening it must have been for all of you. I hope Quinn is able to rest easy and that you will be able to find out what may or may not be wrong. Hopefully with as little wait as possible.

WDA are always in our prayers, but we will give a special 24 Paws for for your little Quinn and Dr. Julia.

Hang in there. Paws Crossed.

bichonpawz said...

This must have been very frightening!!! We are sending along heartfelt prayers and lots of good vibes...sure hope that Quinn is feeling much better very, very soon!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

Teddy Bear said...

We've got our paws crossed for Mighty Quinn. We are so sorry to hear about his seizures.:( You are all in our prayers.

Love,
Teddy Bear & Siera

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

All 36 paws crossed for Quinn along with good vibes and lots of Florida warm sunshine coming your way. Mee sissy April had seizures until her went on medication. Now her has been seizure free for over 2 years. Better to be Epilepsy den da alternative. Epilepsy can be managed.

Hugs to All,
Amber (and Mom)

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Sweet adorable Quinn I am sending you my loudest purrs and mum sends her love and we so hope it helps. How awful for you to go through this and for your family to have to see and not know what to do. hope it does not turn out to be what you fear and pray that Dr Julia can help. Sending healing purrs and love.GJ xx

Random Felines said...

We are sending LOTS of purrs to you guys and to Quinn....mom says sometimes the not knowing is much scarier than the knowing. She has spent many a night laying in bed just waiting for something to happen..... Paws crossed!!!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Oh sweet Quinn, my sisters and I are sending our best comforting purrs your way. We pray that all will be okay sweet one.

GOOSE said...

Came over from Bert's. You all will be in our prayers.
Goose

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi White Dogs, we have all paws crossed here for your special boy. That must have been very frightening for everyone. Take care and special hugs to you all. No worries (especially for your family) and love, Stella and Rory (and Carol)

Kari in Alaska said...

Sending Quinn some super special love

Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Paws khrossed and fluffy tail held high to pull in pawsitive energy!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra