BULLIES come in all ages

BULLIES come in all ages
(click to see movie trailer)

Surround yourself with positive people,
energy, and situations;
always avoid negativity.

~~~~~~~~~~

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So, love the people who treat you right.

Forgive, and then forget about the ones who don't.


Saturday, May 7, 2011

Update on Cami, by Cami's Mom

After Cami’s first seizure on March 14, I had hoped it would be a one-time event. Four weeks to the day, however, she had her second one, three days later the third, and 24 hours later the fourth. Though the subsequent seizures were less violent and shorter, the vet suggested that it was time to start Phenobarbital. I reluctantly agreed, acknowledging that the med would be the lesser of the evils. We started the med on April 16, and it turned her into a limp noodle. After two doses, the vet cut it in half. She was still woozy, but not limp and the vet said the lethargy would dissipate as her system absorbed the medication. The good news is that there have been no additional seizures!



The rest of the story is that I had been noticing even before the seizures that Cami seemed hesitant particularly in places like the dark hallway. I decided she probably was developing cataracts as many poodles do. About the time she began the Phenobarbital, I noticed she would not move forward at all and would often turn in circles as though trying to get her bearings. I began to think she was blind, but was unsure if her vision were just poor and being compromised by the meds. A trip back to the vet confirmed blindness, and he referred us to an ophthalmologist for assessment.

Tests indicated that her eyes are healthy so the cause of blindness is in the brain or in the optic nerve. Coupled with the seizures, it is possible that there is a brain mass. It is also possible that her immune system is attacking the nerve so he is treating for that with antibiotics and prednisone. If that is the case, there should be vision improvement with two weeks of treatment.



The wonderful news is that after two days of treatment, Cami seems like she sees! It may be that the Phenobarbital is in her system enough that she is no longer lethargic and can operate from memory and smell. She can move around the house, walk in the yard, and get herself off the porch, back on the porch and in! She is in many ways like my puppy…rolling over for belly rubs, hiding her eyes behind her paws, and barking at unexplained noises and the dogs next door! I am grateful!


Cami and Susu


In 10 days she will have blood work to check the Phenobarbital levels and they may be decreased. The vet thinks the dose may still be too high, but a one month check is standard procedure. June 1 she goes back to the ophthalmologist. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Cami is a fighter!






Cami, taking a little stroll in her backyard!
You Go, Girl!!!

18 comments:

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Oh Poor Cami... so much to go through. I will hope and pray that the meds will all do the trick for her!!! She is in good and caring hands, for SURE.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

What a sweet little thing Cami is! She seemed to know right where she was going up those stairs and to the door. We hope the meds help with the seizure and the sight. Paws crossed for her to be well.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

TexWisGirl said...

oh, i hope your baby continues to improve! i know you must be / have been worried about her!

Two French Bulldogs said...

Cami sure is a fighter. All our paws are crossed
Benny & Lily

the teacher's pets said...

Oh my goodness! Cami has been through so much but she is certainly a fighter fur sure! So glad she can see again and that she is getting regularly checked up on! Cami is doing her best to get better and I like that about her!

Anonymous said...

Poor baby....so hard on the doggie and her owner. I hope all turns out well for Cami and her family!

Dexter said...

Go Cami! That seizure monster is the pits and, yeah, the pheno can really kick your butt, but you are motoring around great! That is a happy story and I am thinking of you and hoping you continue to improve.

Slobbers,
Mango

Kari in Alaska said...

Poor Cami, we are sending healing vibes

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I'm so glad that Cami is doing better!! You know our boy Bubba has seizures, but they are coming every 4-5 weeks, and so no meds yet, but I know the time will come when he will need them too.

I hope you're doing well Kit!!

Gail Wilson said...

My heart aches for you and little Cami. I hope for good news at your next appointment with your Vet. We will keep you in our thoughts in the coming days.
Hugs and wags, Mistaya and Maggie

Unknown said...

Oh dear, poor Cami!!! It seems the seizure monster is rather active these days as it visited Mango twice lately again.

My sister's mixed breed was attacked by seizure last year however it has miraculously stopped (touch wood) since my sister rescued a stray dog from the street. My sister thinks it's because of the companionship so the seizure has stopped. I hope she's right about it though.

Our good thoughts are sending on the way to Cami and paws are crossed too!

Minnie and Mack said...

Cami is so lucky to have wonderful vets near by! Hope all the meds and love make her well!

Drools and licks,
Minnie and Mack

My Mind's Eye said...

What wonderful news!! All we want for a furbabies is a good quailty of life and health. Cami has tons of TLC and a good Vet. Most of all she looks so happy and what a pretty girl too!
Hugs Madi and Mom

Kathy said...

That is such good news for Cami, no more seizures and being able to see again!
Thanks for her update, may she continue to do well!

How Sam Sees It said...

We will keep Cami in our thoughts, and keep paws crossed for a speedy recovery.

When Cisco started having her seizures, we also put her on a variety of drugs. We eventually weaned her off of them - we found keeping her in relatively calm surroundings did more for her. If neighbors came over she was put in a bedroom.

Sam

Peruby said...

Brought tears to my eyes.

Hoke said...

You hang in there Cami and get better!!!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

We had a foxhound named Timothy that had a seizure disorder from where he banged his head back when he was a puppy in a research facility (we adopted him from a rescue). Sweetest dog, but he had to stay on phenobarbital.

Great to hear that Cami is improving!