Le-le has made a miraculous recovery after a 36 hour bout of seizures.
Many of you know I have an epileptic Rottweiler named Le-le (aka Stinkbutt, Slobberface). Le-le started having terrifying seizures years ago. As difficult as it is to witness, we’ve all become accustomed to dealing with them. The vet care here is not like in the US, so testing for brain tumors and other causative issues is not possible. We manage it with medication the best we can and aside from his occasional bouts he’s a big, happy goofball.
Having a large animal go into convulsions in the house is traumatizing and messy. Le-le loses control of his bowels. Urine and feces go everywhere. Over time, he seems to have been able to keep a small part of his brain online to hold in the poo until he can walk and go outside, but the pee is still beyond control.
Like I said, we’re used to it and have developed a protocol for attacks using the following steps.
- Launch from my bed mid-dream (they usually occur early in the morning) and swoop down on the dog to make sure he’s not banging his head or his limbs into anything. If The Hubs is around, he’s usually paralyzed in shock at this point.
- During the first stage, the dog is rigid and on his back. I throw a towel over his wee-wee to prevent projectile pee from drenching nearby furniture.
- Use another towel to wipe his foaming mouth as he chomps on his tongue.
- If I’m really on the ball, I can grab the mop and bleach to clean the floor as he finishes up the second stage of thrashing and kicking.
- Keep him calm and pet him until his breathing returns to normal.
- Guide him outside so he can finish any bathroom business.
- Meanwhile, take all towels and doggy bed to throw in the washer.
- Bathe him and feed him a huge breakfast with a 150 mg phenobarbital appetizer.
Shortly after that, everything returns to normal. I mark the seizures on my calendar so I can estimate when the next one is due. We’ve managed pretty well all these years.
Then last week I was startled awake by a huge bang. I flew from the bed, and there he was by the laundry room door. He had slammed his head into the door. This attack was unusually violent. Once the initial part was over, Le-le stumbled around the house in a panic, knocking things over, getting stuck in corners, crying and yelping. I had never seen him like that before. I was scared and worried. Was it brain damage? Was he in a permanent seizure state?
He regained his senses within a half an hour, but he just didn’t seem right. Then later in the day, he began drooling lakes of saliva onto the floor. It bubbled non-stop from his mouth. We thought maybe he was stung by an insect in the yard, but then another seizure started. We went through the whole routine again. After I washed him up, his face was twitchy and his eyes were glazed. He had a difficulty eating and he never stopped drooling.
The next morning, Le-le stumbled around the yard like he was drunk. He looked lost and disoriented. I thought, this is it. We’re going to have to put him down. I was a mess. I couldn’t sleep anticipating more attacks. He began pacing constantly throughout the night. I froze to listen every time Le-le moved. It was hell.
Le-le not feeling so well in a twilight seizure state.
I imagined bringing him to the vet to be killed and just felt sick about it, but we had to end his suffering. We decided to wait till the weekend was over and make arrangements on Monday.
During the following days, we upped his dose of medication to try to drown the attacks. I increased his exercise and cut his caloric intake because he has gained weight recently, which makes his medication less effective. I gave him lots of affection and cuddles and kisses.
The drooling stopped Sunday. His energy returned Monday. We’ve been jogging and playing. Now he is back to happy-go-lucky Stinkbutt. His brother-from-another-mother, Teri, is being grouchy with him again–a very good sign the situation has returned to normal.
It seems Le-le’s not ready to give up yet. If he’s not ready, than neither am I.
So I’ll keep you posted with pupdates as we recover. If anyone knows any home remedies or alternative treatments for this sort of thing, please leave your advice in the comments section.
I have not replied to your blog about Le-Le, as I have been consumed with Niko, he has diabetes and choose to give him natural supplements from the site petwellbeing. We have made the decision not to put him through anything at his age between 15 – 17, He is steadily going down hill and we are devastated.We sleep on beach chairs in bar/garage to be with him as he is loosing kidney functions and we do not want our bed mattress wet even though we are using pee pads. Our hearts are breaking watching the regression. We are spending every moment just holding and loving him. He was the best little guy ever. I rescued a chihuahua and she is so thrilled to have a home, she is the size of chihuahua with the heart of a rottweiler.
It is so wonderful how you take care of your dog, we both are just returning all the love they have given us. It still rips your heart out when your dog is going through illness. I totally understand your feelings watching Le-Le go through this, but she has a great Mom. Hope she just goes on and has a happy life.
We are beside ourselves watching our little pal deteriorate but this is life and we were just so lucky to have him and all the love between us and he knows he is loved..
Your are doing the best thing for your dog, taking care of her and giving her love.
I read on net ice pack on neck during seizure works to get body temp down to cut down time of seizure
I’m SO sorry to hear about Niko. I didn’t realize he was so old. He looked well the last time I saw him about a year and a half ago. It seems once they start going downhill it happens very quickly. He’s a rescue dog too, right? He’s a very lucky guy. He was treated like a prince. It’s so sweet you two are sleeping in the garage with him. I’m sure he appreciates you being by his side. I’m getting teary just writing this. Give him a kiss for me and I’ll pray for all of you. I know you’ve been through the doggy grief before. It’s so difficult, but I’m glad you have another dog to help keep you company through the pain. And thanks for your kind words about Le-le. He’s doing great right now. Let’s hope it stays that way. He seems so happy, like he knows how lucky he is to have made it out alive. I’m still having a hard time sleeping, but the longer he goes without a seizure, the better it gets. Love to you all <3
I’m so sorry to hear about your Le-le. He’s so lucky to have you in his life. My beloved Kartouche’, a greyhound/staghound mix, had years of grand mal seizures. His symptoms were much the same as Le-le’s and often occurred between 1-6 am, as his brain relaxed and he fell through the rabbit hole. Since he was a runner, sometimes he’d try to outrun the seizure and bounce off walls, doors… I got really good at hearing his jaw begin to clap, so was able to circumvent that behavior.
Kartouche’ was on phenobarbital, strictly timed to three times a day to keep the circulating blood level at its peak, but he still had clusters of seizures every 3-4 weeks. My guess as a biologist? Either some chemical depleted or built up in his brain during that time and perhaps the seizures equalized it for a time. Still…
I had great effect with shooting a plastic syringe of 14.5 ml liquid diazepam (Valium) up Kartouche’s poophole as soon as the seizure began. It shortened and moderated the cycle. Only once did he poop it out :~}. He was 72 pounds, so you might have to adjust for your Le-le.
It did help…until he went blind and developed other issues, probably from brain hemorrhages caused by seizures, which may be what’s causing more issues with your Le-le. If you can inject diazepam, be prepared for a loopy, overly relaxed hound for a time after the seizure. For about 30 minutes afterward, I had to support Kartouche’s tippy rear when I took him outside to do his business. I also placed ice packs between his back legs to cool him down faster, but I’m not sure if that was more for me than him.
I hope this wasn’t too much. Just know you’re not alone out there and again, Le-le’s so lucky to have you in his life. Wishing you all the best.
Oh, thank you so much, Janine. I feel terrible for you, but it also is comforting to know that someone else understands. It is truly a horrific thing seeing your dog in convulsions.
I never tried the Valium in the “ppophole” lol. They’re very strict with that class of drugs here in Panama. For some reason it’s okay to buy pheonobarb at the agricultural store without a prescription though???
Le-le’s seizures are usually quick, so by the time I administered a syringe of Valium, he’d probably be settling down already.
I don’t think he’s overheating, but maybe I should do as you did and put ice packs on him afterward to make sure. I didn’t know they could get hemorrhages. That’s scary! I was worried he’d have a heart attack or something. All the more reason for me to be extra vigilant.
Has your Kartouche passed then? How long did he last? Le-le is 8, which is a bit old for a Rottie, but he’s in excellent physical condition and very animated. I think if I can keep a handle on the seizures he can live happily for a few more years. Let’s hope so!
Thanks for sharing your experience and for the tips!
My beautiful Kartouche’ died about a year ago after nearly 3 years of heavy seizures. I’d hoped he had a wiring problem in his brain, but he ended up with tumors.
I think we carry all our beloved companion animals with us as we move forward. Still I miss his presence as does Nina Sophia, who he raised from her puppyhood. Now she’s teaching her new buddy, Bodhilicious, the same skills and humor that Kartouche’ taught her. The circle of life and all.
Again, best of wishes for your pack, my sweet.
I’m sorry for your loss of Kartouche. I lost my best dog, Roscoe, two and a half years ago and I’m still grieveing, but your’re right. I see qualities in both Le-le and his bro Teri that they learned from old Rossy in their puppyhood. Just goes to show you that we all leave something behind in the lives of those we touch. Thanks so much for your kind words and good luck with your two furry kids <3
Thinking of you and hoping you’ll have more quality time together.
We have been. I think he’s starting to take advantage of all the pampering.
Wow you really must be so strong to cope with Le-le and what love you’re showing him…must be because you have a wonderful friendship. I’m going to find out if anything we have in our natural product range could possibly help with what you’ve described.
Yes, he is my buddy. He comes and lays his head on my lap whenever I’m blogging. I’d really appreciate any natural products. I’m open to any home cures or therapies. That’s really our only option right now. concerned about his liver from all the drugs too. I think I should get him a liver support supplement. Thanks, Lina.
I admire you for taking such good care of Le-le. Most people probably would not. When my dog started crying and having problems getting up I was working full time and her care really became too much for me. It was incredibly hard to “put her down.” Hope you don’t have to do it.
If I wasn’t working at home, I don’t know how I’d be abel to cope. Imagine him going through this alone in the house, and what a mess we’d come home to! I’m so grateful that the circumstances allow me to be here for him. I can’t imagine how hard it was to make the decision with your dog, but I’m sure it was best for both of you.
So good to hear from your story that Le-le has recovered. He was definitely not ready to go. I really admire how you’re taking care of him. He’s definitely been lucky to get you.
Thank you, Carla. I believe part of the commitment of taking in a pet is to do the best you can for them until the very end. He was definitely not ready to go. he’s been full of life since he’s recovered. It’s like he knows he’s got a second chance at life!