Seven Days on Phenobarbital

It has now been a week that we've added a low does of phenobarbital to Gracie's medicine.  So far, so good.  Time will tell. She might be a little bit uncoordinated and I am seeing less facial tremors.  Knock wood, no seizures in this week.

Enjoying the dog days of summer.

Reluctantly Adding in Phenobarbital

Looking back at August, we've seen the duration and severity of Gracie's seizures lessen.  On August 16th, we increased the CannaCompanion hemp from 2 capsules to 3 a day.
These are the days we saw seizure activity:

Date	Description
08/02/14	Mild <  90 seconds
08/03/14	Mild < 90 seconds
08/06/14	9:40am - Mild <  90 seconds 10:00pm Mild < 90 seconds 11:30pm Mild < 90 seconds
08/12/14	Mild < 90 seconds
08/13/14	3:15am - Mild <  90 seconds 11pm - Mild <  90 seconds
08/18/14	about 3 min, paddling / air snapping
08/24/14	about 2.5 min, paddling / air snapping

Although we were glad the severity is less and her recovery time is much improved, we weren't happy to have this many in one month.  We have chosen to add the most common anti-convulsant, Phenobarbital. Phenobarbital acts by decreasing the activity in the brain cells (neurons) that cause the seizures to occur.

Beginning 8/27, we are starting with the lowest dose possible (16.2mg) for her in the hopes of minimizing side effects in coordination and liver values.

The following videos illustrate the body tremors she has been having and her mobility after a stronger seizure on Aug 24th:

 

  

From this site, http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-SeizuresPhenobarbital.htm. I have read
"When your dog or cat is first started on phenobarbital, you may notice that your pet is uncoordinated, unsteady on his feet or acts as though he is a bit intoxicated. This is a temporary effect and usually resolves as your dog or cat adjusts to the phenobarbital dosage. "

We will see what the month of September brings and hope she can remain my Amazing Gracie.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome?

A little knowledge from the internet can be a dangerous thing - but we are wondering if Gracie also has "Cognitive dysfunction syndrome".  Over the past year or so she does occasionally exhibit these symptoms that goes along with what was once called "old dog syndrome".

• goes to the wrong door or wrong side of the door to come in
• stares into a wall
• restless at night (although this improved once we stopped the potassium bromide)
• tremors (seeing more of this occuring) 

 

I would like to avoid returning to the commonly prescribed anti-seizure medicine if possible so that we don't return to the strong debilitating side effects.  I will mention this to her vet and ask about choline.  I found this an interesting read, http://www.naturalawakeningsmag.com/Natural-Awakenings/August-2013/Preventing-Seizures/, which mentioned, "Patients have experienced good results with phosphatidylcholine, which works to stabilize brain cell membranes, and so reduce and prevent seizures, while also providing detoxification support for the liver. Phosphatidylcholine supplements are also used to prevent and treat another common neurological problem in pets—cognitive disorder (akin to Alzheimer’s in humans). "  The VCA offers  up this information, "Choline supplementation has been shown effective for treating cognitive disorders and seizures in both humans and laboratory animals. Recent studies support its effectiveness in treating cognitive disorders in dogs and cats." http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/choline/258