I KNOW Internet. I’ve been *kind of* absent.
Partly because well, Tim is home and he has a wii. Golf is pretty much his I’m-on-vacation life…and I basically suck at wii golf so he always wins. Actually, I suck at any kind of golf. My body wasn’t *meant* to play golf. Once, at a driving range, I managed to hit a golf ball 180 degrees into the air and smash the tin roof. The guy next to me left. And I’ve never been back. True story.
The other part? Not *exactly* nice and I’m pretty much ripped apart from the stress and unknowns. First, I’m pretty sure I’m fighting with my dad, even though I told him I didn’t want to fight and worse still, Maddie, our golden retriever, had a seizure on Christmas day…two more yesterday…and one this morning. We just got home from the vet and they cannot find anything “wrong” with her…which basically points to epilepsy.
The fuck, universe? What did I do? And more to the point: What in the hell did Maddie do?
Maddie is pretty much perfect…so…
As of now, Maddie isn’t on any meds and we’re watching and waiting. She’s not having full blown (grand mal?) seizures but still…she’s having SEIZURES.
Pray they stop? That it’s an isolated event? That she leads a normal, healthy, long life? I know some of you aren’t dog people…but think of Maddie as a non-dog? She’s pretty much human save the fur and the walking-on-four-legs bit…she’s one of those dogs everyone loves because she’s so full of love and life and she actually listens.
She understands English, y’all. For serious. You tell her to do something and she cocks her head to one side, perks up her ears so she hears *exactly* what you’re saying and then does whatever you ask, flawlessly.
Also? If you have or had a dog with seizures…any advice or help or tips…anything…are all very much appreciated. We’re at a loss…
Totally sorry to be such a downer…but I kind of wanted explain my recent lack of enthusiasm…and my absence at all of your awesome blogs…which, by the way, I adore.
Oh no! Poor Maddie! And poor fur-mommy! I noticed in your Christmas pics how nicely her fur was growing back.
I don’t know if there’s anything to do for doggy seizures… kinda like there’s not really anything to do for human seizures except wait them out and make sure no one gets hurt. It’s always scarier being the one watch someone have a seizure than to be the one having the seizure.
I hope she feels lots better soon and that it’s just the weather messing with her or something. (Damn weather!)
I’m so sorry to hear about Maddie! Poor doggy – I hope the seizures go away
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so sorry to hear about poor Maddie – a dog I “board” from time to time, a yellow lab named Griff, has epilepsy – after his first bout of multiple seizures he seemed to “get over it” except for when he gets in to stressful situations – like being locked up in the pound over night when an over-zealous animal control person “caught him” 10 feet off his own lawn without a leash – yeah, I know, right?
don’t know if that helps at all but sending hugs to your furry one all the same
oh no! thinking of your furry family, especially maddie.
keep us updated, ok?
hugs
I’m sorry
I really hope they just go away
Oh I’m so sorry about the seizures! I have no experience with those, but I have a lot of experience with dogs, and I know how heartwrenching it is to see them in any kind of pain or trouble. Crossed fingers, toes and everything else that it was some kind of weird blip and she is totally fine from now on.
I’m so sorry! I know how rough this can be. Our dog has had seizures in the past. Well, I’m not sure they’re technically seizures, but that’s sure what they looked like. He has a disc problem in his back. It took them AGES to find it. It starts with him shaking and then can go full blown where he has no control over his limbs at all and can’t remain upright. But, he’s a tiny toy poodle. I’m not sure if back problems are common in the larger breeds. But when we notice the shaking starting, if we quickly ice his back (yes, we actually hold ice packs to his back while comforting him), we can usually prevent the full blown one. Also keeping him from running/jumping/playing helps too (although that’s virtually impossible). I don’t know if this helps at all or if her seizures are even like our dog’s but I’m thinking of you guys.
There ain’t anybody tellin ‘ this Ozarks farm chick that Tiger the Wonder Dog does not understand every word I say! I will certainly say a prayer for your Maddie. As a Sunday School teacher and Kids Church leader rest assured I’m quite experienced in praying for pets. Heeeheeehe! Seriously I WILL be praying for Mattie, I know how pets are part of the family.
Have a good day!!!
poor baby girl. lots of love to maddie!
I’m so sorry to hear about Maddie!
I’ve had 2 dogs in my life that suffered from seizures. The first, I was really too young to understand (about 5-6), and he was a cocker spaniel. Apparently he had them for years though (according to my mom).
The second was a St. Bernard when I was in high school. I was home alone with her when she had her first seizure and it was a terrifying, heartbreaking experience, even though I knew what was happening. It ended up that she would get them whenever a thunderstorm was coming because she would get so freaked out. My parents ended up medicating her until she passed away.
Clarification…
When I said “medicating her until she passed away”… I meant “medicating her for the rest of her life”. I realized it kind of made it sound like we euthanized our wonderful dog – which of course, we did NOT.
My doggins mean a lot to me too. I hope Maddie gets better soon – no one likes to see their ball of fur uncomfortable.
Oh poor Maddie! I wish I could give you some amazing advice about seizures but I don’t have a clue about them. Espeically in dogs. Perhaps a visit to a different vet for another opinion would be a good idea? Sometimes what one person misses is obvious to another.
I really hope you find some answers or they just stop and Maddie can go back to her normal life. I can only imagine how worried you are as I know I would be a wreck.
I’ll say a prayer for Maddie!
I have no tips on dog seizures but I have been witness to a couple and they are terrible. I am so sorry your poor doggie is having them. I fall apart when there is anything wrong with me dog almost as bad as my kids. ::Hugs::
Poor Maddie, and poor you. I shudder to think of what I’ll be like when my cat’s health fails. As for seizures, I know my dad’s lurcher had seizures and it wasn’t epilepsy. I just can’t remember what it was, although it was ‘serious’. There were no tumours or anything like that. My dad is at work so I can’t ask him, but I’ll try to find out for you.
Sorry that should have said ‘it WASN’T serious’.
Aw. That just sucks. ]:
i had a doggy that had seizures occasionally! he lead a happy, normal life!
Yikes. I am with you on the she’s a person thing. I know nothing about dogs with seizures, but I just had to comment to show my support. I am pulling for you and Maddie.
And, what’s up with the “I think I am fighting with my Dad?” More details! It will be cathartic for you.
Oh booboo, I am thinking of you guys and sending happy thoughts. I’m a pet parent myself, and totally understand from where you’re coming.
My ex boyfriend had a dog who had been kicked in the head by a cow (he was a border collie and a working dog) who had seizures from time to time. They just had to wait them out and once the seizure was done Cola was back to his normal self again.
Damn girl I’m sorry. I wish I had some sort of helpful adive but I have nothing. I hope she gets better soon and it is just a passing phase.
I know it’s probably wrong, but animal-woe stories tug at my heartstrings harder than people. I will be sending her good thoughts. xoxo
Oh, poor Maddie. I will be praying she gets back to her sweet and fully recovered self soon. She is so beautiful!!
I don’t have experience in seizures, but I do have experience in human seizures … my Husband is epileptic. Aside from medications, I have to make sure that my Husband eats properly, gets enough rest daily, and doesn’t stress out about too much. Those are the human triggers. I wish I knew what to tell you about the doggy triggers.
Having watched my Husband have seizures many times (no grand mal, yet), I can tell you that it gets easier, but it’s always terrifying. Just stay close, hold Maddie in your arms (if you can) and let her know you’re there for her. Those having seizures don’t even know they’re having them. My Husband will actually argue with me DURING his seizures!
My thoughts are with you and Maddie. *hugs*
er … that was supposed to read, “I don’t have experience in PET seizures …. “.
I’m so sorry that Maddie is having difficulties. I am very much a dog person and also have a golden. I don’t have any advice for seizures, but Maddie (and her caretakers) will be in my prayers.
That just breaks my heart. There is nothing worse than watching the friend you love be in pain or have problems that you can’t fix or take on yourself.
My mom has a little Yorkie with seizures. She has to give her a sugar type medicine every 6 hours. It is apparently due to (sortof) low glucose.
Peedee’s dog has seizures if you can reach her.
I’m sad and I’m praying…..big hugs.
I’m so sorry, Jess. I too have a golden retriever dog-person, and my heart breaks for Maddie. She is so young to be having problems like this. I wish I had advice, but rest assured that she’s in my and Mia’s thoughts.
Oh your poor fur-kid. Hope you guys get it sorted out. A second opinion might be a good idea.
when i was back in america i had a dog that developed epilepsy when she was about 4 years old. she would have sever seizures. horribly scary. we switched her food and everything else to organic. i made her food every day because the vet said it could be triggered by anything so i grasped at everything that it could be. the organic seemed to help and she went two years seizure free. she still has them but not as frequently. she takes medication now which is what we didn’t want, but we didn’t have a choice – but she was a very serious case. good luck!
poor baby! hope she feels better!
Completly gutted for you all. Hope the fits go away but if they don’t then hope the vet can perscribe a good anticonvulsant. xo
Oh sweetie…I am sending you and Maddie love and prayers. As a fur mom myself I know how hard it is to see our fur babies, who God has entrusted us to care for and love, have an illness, hurt, and in my case, just plain get older.
Hugs….big, big hugs.
xo
Poor Maddie!! And poor you! I know Maddie is a fur baby, but one of my human babies had seizures for about two years and then they just went away. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and Maddie. I love my fur babies like they were human babies too!
♥Spot
PS~ I rock at wii golf!
So sorry about your pup. I know it doesn’t help but I had a cat who suffered seizures and lived to the ripe old age of 17…
Hey Booshy,
Sorry to hear about your familial difficulties, and I don’t have any advice for helping Maddie. I don’t play golf (real or wii), either. But, maybe I can suggest some entertaining reading…
Hearing you describe Maddie reminded me of a book series I’ve been reading. They are legal thrillers about a laid-back, North Jersey lawyer and his very smart and adorable Golden Retriever, Tara. They are told with first-person narrative, some great humor, and interesting characters. Start with the first one, Open and Shut, and read ‘em in order.
Also, there are the ‘Orchid’ books by Stuart Woods, where the main protagonist (a former M.P. turned small-town sheriff) finds herself adopting a very loyal and smart doberman.
Take care,
Sirrahc
AViewFromTheRight.wordpress.com
Btw, the writer of the first series of books I mentioned is David Rosenfelt, a Hollywood bigwig who owns 37 golden retrievers!
Sirrahc
AViewFromTheRight.wordpress.com
Ugh…I hear your pain, Booshy. Prayers I’ll lift for your Maddie. Prayers I’ll lift for your relationship with your father…that parent/adult child thing can be downright weird sometimes. Sometimes I think they forget we’re not kids anymore, that we’re adults just like they are.
Rest up, enjoy your pups, watch your hubby wii and don’t worry about us fellow bloggers/readers–we’re here for you Booshy
Jodi
I’m really sorry to hear about Maddie, Jessica. You definitely have my thoughts and prayers for her recovery and for your relationship with your dad. If we can do anything to help, you know how to find me.
These doggies….they break our hearts don’t they. It must be wrecking you to not *know*. I really hope she stays seizure free…she is such a cutie. Take care! and Happy New Year!