Also they did the test when he first started having seizures in Nov. 2013. He went 7 months without another one, and only since October have the seizures increased in frequency. the last two were clusters of 3-4 seizures on July 15th and again last night/this morning

not sure what food you are feeding or if your feeding raw but i have read that some peoples dog can be sensitive to preservatives in the dry dog food and have seizures. I'm not sure if its from build up of toxins in the body, not sure if that's the case for you. they make home made food and many say that it dose help clear them up or reduce the frequency of them. it sounds far fetched but its worth a try.  
here are some links if your willing to try.

turmeric is also good for dogs here's the article http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/11/turmeric-and-curcumin-good-for-your.html

here's a good place to find a book of recipes and advice http://www.k9instinct.com/

a good article on coconut oil benefits
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/02/coconut-oil-is-good-for-your-dogs.html

jschrader wrote:

Also they did the test when he first started having seizures in Nov. 2013.  He went 7 months without another one, and only since October have the seizures increased in frequency.  the last two were clusters of 3-4 seizures on July 15th and again last night/this morning

Besides Yukons initial seizure, has he ever been to the vet because of another seizure? Or has it only been for checking pheno levels and things of that nature? I know when both Blitz and Malukhai went in because I didn't feel something was right after a subsequent seizure, the vets always did additional blood tests. I'm also kinda wondering why, if they're checking Yukons blood for pheno levels and stuff, why they wouldn't just check it for the other things at the same time. I would think at the very least they would be checking if the liver and other organs are still functioning properly.

At what age did Yukons seizures begin?

Artic_Wind wrote:

jschrader wrote:

Also they did the test when he first started having seizures in Nov. 2013.  He went 7 months without another one, and only since October have the seizures increased in frequency.  the last two were clusters of 3-4 seizures on July 15th and again last night/this morning

Besides Yukons initial seizure, has he ever been to the vet because of another seizure? Or has it only been for checking pheno levels and things of that nature? I know when both Blitz and Malukhai went in because I didn't feel something was right after a subsequent seizure, the vets always did additional blood tests. I'm also kinda wondering why, if they're checking Yukons blood for pheno levels and stuff, why they wouldn't just check it for the other things at the same time. I would think at the very least they would be checking if the liver and other organs are still functioning properly.

At what age did Yukons seizures begin?

Yeah, when he had a cluster of them back last October I took him in and they did blood tests. This is around the same time that I switched vets because the other one was too far and I didn't feel like I was getting the best treatment. Plus this vet took Care Credit and it was getting expensive.

Yukon's seizures started in November 2013. He remained free of seizures until July 2014, and he had another. And then starting in October he would have them every 2-6 weeks

RedFlashFire05 wrote:

not sure what food you are feeding or if your feeding raw but i have read that some peoples dog can be sensitive to preservatives in the dry dog food and have seizures. I'm not sure if its from build up of toxins in the body, not sure if that's the case for you. they make home made food and many say that it dose help clear them up or reduce the frequency of them. it sounds far fetched but its worth a try.  
here are some links if your willing to try.

turmeric is also good for dogs here's the article http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/11/turmeric-and-curcumin-good-for-your.html

here's a good place to find a book of recipes and advice http://www.k9instinct.com/

a good article on coconut oil benefits
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/02/coconut-oil-is-good-for-your-dogs.html

He is on Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream. I Have had him on the same food since I had him at 8 weeks old.

For right now I have decided to keep with the current treatment. I got some advice from the Canine Epilepsy Network forum and I am asking the vet about Keppra ER and other meds that we might be able to add.

It is just not financially possible for me to take him to a neurologist. I did apply to one of those programs and I signed up for insurance, so we will take it one day at a time.

jschrader wrote:

Artic_Wind wrote:

jschrader wrote:

Also they did the test when he first started having seizures in Nov. 2013.  He went 7 months without another one, and only since October have the seizures increased in frequency.  the last two were clusters of 3-4 seizures on July 15th and again last night/this morning

Besides Yukons initial seizure, has he ever been to the vet because of another seizure? Or has it only been for checking pheno levels and things of that nature? I know when both Blitz and Malukhai went in because I didn't feel something was right after a subsequent seizure, the vets always did additional blood tests. I'm also kinda wondering why, if they're checking Yukons blood for pheno levels and stuff, why they wouldn't just check it for the other things at the same time. I would think at the very least they would be checking if the liver and other organs are still functioning properly.

At what age did Yukons seizures begin?

Yeah, when he had a cluster of them back last October I took him in and they did blood tests.  This is around the same time that I switched vets because the other one was too far and I didn't feel like I was getting the best treatment.  Plus this vet took Care Credit and it was getting expensive.  

Yukon's seizures started in November 2013.  He remained free of seizures until July 2014, and he had another.  And then starting in October he would have them every 2-6 weeks

I, here's the thing, and I don't kno why I didn't catch it before, my dogs that had seizures were text book idiopathic epileptics, from the age they began seizuring g to the symptomatic progression of the seizures, with Yukon I see the opposite which leads me to believe yuk one seizures stem more from his environment or medical reasons...which tells me that if you were able to pinpoint the cause/get a diagnosis, the meds you are buyi g and he is taking could be for his treatment instead of just managing his seuzures...with my dogs all I could do is manage the seizures because there was no known cause, in my opinion Yukon has the possibility of being treated (I'm not a dr though, I'm just going by what I e learned and my own experiences) if I were you, I would put as much effort I to getting as much financial aid as you can and get Yukon to a neurologist, I honestly think this is crucial for Yukon. Cluster seizures are no joke, they are very serious and ultimately are what took my dogs lives. You don't want to experience that. I''ll give you an example of what I mean, in text book idiopathic epilepsy, the dogs start out seizuring quite often, as much as every two weeks/several tines a month, then they decline as they get older, clustering usually happens in the latter part of the ur lives, Yukon we t an entire year after his very first seizure! That just doesn't normally happen with idiopathic epilepsy.

you can try adding coconut oil to the food it helps detoxify their body's, i add it to Leo and Joey's food every day. Leo get 1 tsp which helps quite a bit, he use to get lethargic and very uncomfortable after taking his heart worm med before i started the coconut oil. then when i stated the coconut oil he did pee a lot for a few days, but the next time i gave him his heart worm med i notice that  he was not very lethargic and hot after taking it; almost like he was never on it. it has also helped Joey's arthritis.

I contacted a neurologist to see if they can give me a rough estimate for a consultation. However, from what I am researching, the chances of him having a brain tumor is pretty low (although I realize anything is possible and I am not a doctor). Most of the time, it occurs in dogs age 5 and older, and Yukon started just over 1 year of age. He has had several blood tests that have all came back fine, and even a thyroid test that came back normal.

I apologize for all my typos in my previous post (that's why I normally don't post during the day...my phones keypad is just too small! And the auto correct that is never correct doesn't help either)

I highly doubt tumor as well, although like you said, it is possible. I'm leaning more towards environmental or medical reasons. Examples of environment are things like allergies (guess that's medical too huh) or even the Smart Meters the electric company installs on our houses. I know from my dogs there were series of blood tests, the initial ones that tested for about 6 things, like toxins and organ function, but there are additional blood tests that can be done that are above and beyond that. I wanna say there's like 3 sets of *series* of blood tests (there could be more). The first series is almost a given each time the dog is brought in after a seizure episode, the other blood tests are more specialized. It is of course more money being spent but for the time being its not as expensive as a neurologist (which really is the ideal way to go but of course things like cost can prevent that from happening)

I am a newbie on this forum and found this entry about Yukon having a seizure while falling asleep. You might want to ask your vet if valproic acid also called Depakote, which is an anti-convulsiant medication is an option. I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder as a teen and have been taking it for 26 years. It seems all seizure meds have different side effects. Hope Yukon gets better.

I have been keeping a log of all of his seizures and they seem to be all over the place. Last week he had 3 more seizures, but since then the Dr. switched him over to Keppra Extended Release, so we are hoping that this works better for him.

And i have to say, that Sam's club is soo much cheaper! I can get 60 pills for $10, which has been a huge savings

Today was a bad day. I was on my way to work and got a call that he had a seizure. I expected it, since its been 2 weeks since his last, but was hopeful that the Keppra Extended Release would work better for him.

Then, he had another, and another until he had 6 in a row. I took the next train back home, but he had stopped the seizures after about 45 minutes. There was very small breaks in between them.

I called the vet, and unless we can't get him out of the seizure there really isn't a point to go in. He may have to change up the meds, because we are on 1500MG of Keppra 3x a day plus 50mg of the pheno.

I am afraid that it is worse than epilepsy and they are just going to get worse. I tried preparing myself that today might be the day this takes him. Right now he is just tired and laying down, hasn't really moved much since I got him. I can imagine 6 seizures took alot out of him.

I am also going to try the Canna Companion thing Meridith suggested. I didn't want to add that in before because I was hopeful adding Keppra was going to keep these seizures from occurring so frequently.

Jason

Don't give up hope! Lyra went through a bad time with multiple seizures before we found the right cocktail of drugs and doses. If you haven't already, I encourage you to seek out a neurologist with experience with huskies. I remember Lyra's doctor telling us that huskies were always difficult to treat, and that multiple medications was pretty much the norm. All that being said, I know how difficult it is. More than once I really thought we were losing Lyra. Sounds like you are there now.

Kevin

Jason, there is so much love and heartache in this that I don't know how you stand it. I can't imagine the feeling of knowing that he was having seizures and not only isn't there anything you can do but not being there has got to be taking a toll on you as well.
To all the gods that be, I raise my voice in the prayer that things get better soon.

Thanks all, the vet is increasing the pheno for right now, and if that doesn't work he wants to add potassium bromide to the mix.

I spoke to a neurologist regarding an MRI and they agreed with what my vet and I thought, it is most likely idiopathic epilepsy, and a MRI would be unnecessary.

My vet threw the MRI it out there in case it could be a brain tumor, however if that is the case, all the MRI is going to do is confirm that, and with chemo and radiation we would buy 6 more months, which is not feasable for us. Not saying that it is a tumor, but its always a possibility.

Well, I wish I had better news...

We went almost 5 whole weeks seizure free, which is a huge milestone. Not since before April have we gone that long. But, starting Sunday night he had 7 seizures in a 24 hour period. Some of them were the typical grand mal, and a few of them were very short and mild, so I guess that's progress. Still, it continues to be difficult to manage. My quality of life is suffering, and financially it continues to be difficult. I now spend about $100 a month in his meds, and he takes 4 pills 3x a day.

For now I will just continue like I have been, but I am not sure how long it will be before I won't be able to. I can't really go anywhere because of his strict medication requirements, and if I do it can only be for a few hours at most.

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. It has to be a nightmare but truly Yukon is fortunate to have ended up with you. I don't know of many people who would have the strength to keep trying throughout all of this. You and your pack are in my prayers.

I hope I am wrong, but unfortunately I may have a decision to make soon I thought things were going well, we had a big cluster right before Christmas, and then I switched his food and he was good for almost 2 months. But then, this past Monday night it started. He started having seizures every 2-6 hours. At first they seemed more mild, but they progressed. Last night, after one of his seizures he started acting very strange. He became aggressive, even biting me. It didn't break the skin, but he has NEVER been like that before. I tried guiding him inside and he freaked out and snapped at me. And he has been pacing all the time, being very restless and whining for no reason. He does't listen AT ALL. He was stubborn before, but nothing like this. My fear, is that what the vet said might be possible, is what is wrong, that he has a brain tumor. Thinking about it, it makes sense based on the severity of his seizures and how they are increasing. He just isn't himself and does not seem happy at all. I am not sure what his quality of life is going to be going forward. This morning, he refused to go potty before work, and I had to give up, only to come home to a crate full of pee.

Anyway, just kind of frustrated and at a loss right now. It's been really hard and I am not sure what to do. He is at the max on all his meds and I think I have tried about everything I can.

Can you take him for an MRI? Blood work been drawn recently?

When I looked into the MRI the costs are out of reach. Especially since if the MRI comes back and he has a brain tumor there's not much we can do, treatment might give him 6 months or so.

We did updated blood tests not long ago and also did a thyroid test which all came back normal.

Update, we got a referral from our vet to go to Purdue University. They have a very good teaching vet clinic with a neurology center down there. I spoke with them today, and just go get a consultation it's $150, and the tests run between 1800-2500. Unfortunately he is not eligible for any of the clinical trials they have going on.

So in short, I don't think I am going forward with the tests. I just don't have $2500 just to find out if it's a brain tumor or not. Now, if it is they do offer some clinical trials that will pay up to $3,000 to remove the tumor depending on how big it is. I don't even think it's worth the consultation, if I am unable to move forward with any treatments. Still going to think about it, but I think about all I can do is make him comfortable and hope it's not a tumor.

Have you applied for Care Credit in the past? It's definitely worth looking into for this type of thing.

Well I haven't updated in awhile and I was very hopeful that things were going well...

Yukon was doing fairly well, only having seizures every 4-6 weeks, which is much more acceptable. However, the last month hasn't been good. He had a large cluster in early June, then had one seizure every 9-10 days, and then his biggest cluster last week. Between Monday morning and Wednesday night he had 13 seizures, all grand mal. They all occurred between 4-8 hours apart. I took him to the vet Wednesday to check his phenobarbital levels, and he is in the high therapeutic range, but he had a little room to increase, so he increased the dosage slightly. The bigger issue has been his behavior since Wednesday. All day Thursday, Friday and Saturday he constantly paces around and will pee/poop whenever he wants, like his brain is not telling him when to go. I have had to keep him outside most of the day, and he just walks in circles, also stumbling and running into things. He has not been playing with toys at all, and has been drinking alot of water. Starting yesterday, I saw some slight improvements, such as he was not pacing around as much, and he actually went to the door, and immediately went potty where he usually does. He also had some small interests in a couple toys. Today, however I made sure he went potty and came home from lunch to a soaking wet dog in the crate.
It has been exhausting to say the least. I have had 4-5 hours sleep per night, constantly cleaning up after him. Wednesday he peed so much in the crate, and I did not realize it until he was dripping pee all over my house. I spent 2 hours cleaning that up and shampooing the carpets. I feel frustrated, and guilty because it would be so much easier with 2 dogs. I don't ever want to feel that way toward my dog, and I know it is not his fault, but it's very hard as I am sure some of you are aware.

Anyway, I have been talking to my vet, and have asked before about his meds. He is currently on 1500mg Keppra and 80mg of phenobarbital every 8 hours, and 100mg zonisamide every 12 hours. Ever since the vet put him on Keppra, I have noticed absolutely no difference in seizure activity. I have only seen any differences when we increase the phenobarbital or when we added zonisamide. I had asked him a few different times about potassium bromide, and he always says he will research and/or we may try that if something else doesnt work. I have read about a lot of people's success with the KBr and pheno combo, and obviously what we are doing isn't working, and will be more insistent with him.

As I said before we have ruled out doing the MRI. One because of cost, and two, it's not really going make much of a difference. Even if cost isn't an object, we can pay 1500-2000 for the MRI, and then thousands more of treatment if it IS a brain tumor, only to extend his life a few months. The nearest place that does that is over an hour away, and he would be terrified of the car ride, and his quality of life would be crap. I am not doing that to him just so he can have a few extra months and be miserable. The only thing that finding out if it is a tumor is that I an cut out the medications.

Anyway, just giving an update...I have to keep telling myself to remember the good days.

Medical marijuana? Blueeyed ghost had some response to this if I remember correctly.