Pug with Epilepsy on Keppra

[Pooperz]

Hi My Pugsley is 15 months old and about 3 weeks ago had a grand mal seizure I rushed him to the vet and they thought he had PDE as the seizures continued so after an MRI (€900) and a spinal tap we ruled this out and the Vet prescribed Phenobarbiton and put it down to epilepsy. He recovered quite quickly and became nearly his old crazy self again for about a week then he started to become slightly depressed so we brought him back to the vet and they suggested halving the dose of pheno as its known to make you drowsy but as soon as we done this the seizures returned so my vet ran some bloods and suggested we double the original dose of pheno but still the seizure continued so she prescribed Potassium brommide to go along with the pheno but the seizures remained. My vet started to worry so she consulted a specialist who suggested it might be a Liver Shunt which after testing we have ruled out also!!! Thank God! But now he has been prescribed Keppra and is quite sleepy and just not himself at all and cant really stand up I am hoping he will just adjust to his meds in a few days and start getting back on track! My question is does anyone else have a puggy on Keppra and did they get back to normal?? I feel like we have ruled out a lot and that his seizures are epilepsy and that the pheno was just all wrong for him. I would appreciate anyone with experience giving me there thoughts.

Many thanks :)

[Cheryl7777]

I am so sorry you are going through this with your puppy. If I were you I would seek out a second opinion, look for a neurological specialist, and also do a lot of research on line. I don't want to scare you, and I really, really hate to say this, but there is no definite diagnostic test for PDE until an animal has passed away from it. I hope to God that is not the problem, but I feel you should know what most people who are very familiar with this problem say about it. There are a lot of people who are very knowledgeable about health issues with Pugs on this site. I'm sure they will answer your post with some things that may help you and your poor little one. Good luck and please keep up posted.

[barbs pug]

My pug Audrey also had seizures. The vet put her on phenobarbitol. She did very well with it, it did make her sleepy though. Her seizures had stopped with the meds. I don't know anything about keppra in dogs, but I take it for myself for epilepsy. I know for humans most do well on it. I'm not speaking for every one though. That also will make him tired. Any seizure meds have the same effect as to being sleepy. I hope your little guy will do better. He could use to have his keppra level checked to see if he is getting the right amount for his size and how severe the epilepsy is. Please keep us updated. Prayers for you and your little guy.

[shaynapug]

I'm so very sorry that you're going through this!!!!

Fingers are crossed that the meds continue to take care of the seizures and that he comes back to himself!!!

Problem with seizures when they are severe and occur often....they sometimes do damage and the pet is not as he/she once was. I'm a believer in accepting whatever is.....as long as my guys are comfy!
Solo slept in bed with me til the day he died and couldn't control urine or bowels!!!! He wore a belly band for the urine....and I made sure he pooped before going to bed with me......and most times that worked!

[Pooperz]

Hey Guys a little update on Pugsley. He is in recovery at the moment after the vet discovered that in fact he had a stroke!!!! They are not sure if the epilepsy caused the stroke or the stroke caused the epilepsy :( But either way we have identified what the problem is and we treating it with steroids and keppra for the seizures he is recovering slowly but everyday I see a little bit of him coming back and I am so thankful for this!! :) Thanks again for your comments guys xxxx

[shaynapug]

Oh my, so young!!!!! My heart goes out to you! Seeing him progressing nicely!

[Buddy's Mom]

Poor Pugsley and you. I hope he continues to improve and returns to the puggie you once knew.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

You might ask your vet about replacing the Keppra with felbamate, it is a newer drug and doesn't cause as much sedation as the others. Gabapentin is another option.

Take care,
Lisa

[barbs pug]

I am so happy for you and Pugsly. May he see more success in the future!!