A Woeful Woo

The Momster here tonight.  I wanted to give you all an update on Ciara.  Brief background - a week and a half ago, we had four nights in a row where she woke us up multiple times pounding on the gate that keeps her in the kitchen over night.  At first we thought she just wanted to be outside, but after the first two nights, it became apparent that she was very stressed.  This behavior is TOTALLY out of character for sweet Ciara.

I let her go out, forced her to come back in, soothed her, gave her some treats, you name it, I tried it.  During the day she was more or less OK, lots of sleeping, a little bit of anxiety. Thursday morning, she started following me everywhere. She could not have gotten any closer to my legs.  This went on for a good half hour.

So I called my vet's office, and they told me to bring her in.  Physical exam showed no obvious problems.  No temp, clear ears, teeth and mouth fine, stomach fine, back end fine.  Good mobility.  Since she started being treated for low thyroid this past spring, we decided to check her thyroid levels.  Vet also suggested a full blood panel just to be sure all was OK.  Thankfully, all test results came back good.  A few numbers were slightly off, but nothing of concern.

As you can see from the photos I have posted, Ciara is not herself.  The positioning of her ears in the above three shots show that she has not been feeling very relaxed.  The bandana she is sporting is the one step we have taken so far.  It is sprayed twice a day with a pheromone spray to try to get to relax.  I can see a difference, a little more relaxed, fewer nighttime anxiety attacks.  

THEN came tonight.  I had just placed dinner bowls for herself and Lightning on the floor.  Phantom eats in a different room.  The two of them must sit and wait for me to release them to eat.  Prior to this, Ciara had been perfectly fine.  As soon I gave the OK to eat, she cried out, fell to the floor, and had a 4-5 minute seizure.  Phantom has had them when he was younger, so I have witnessed them before.  But it doesn't make them any less scary.  She thrashed all four legs, foamed at the mouth, pupils filled the entire colored part of her eye, she was biting furiously at the air and managed to cut the inside of her gum.  

SO I guess we at least know now why she has been acting so strangely. She must have been feeling something coming on.  I don't know if this is her first, but it is the first I am aware of.  I talked to the vet for about 45 min. on the phone.  For now we are going to monitor her closely and keep track of all circumstances around this seizure and any others (hopefully none).  If they continue, we will take her to see the neurological specialist at Blue Pearl for further evaluation.  I know that typically seizure dogs are not put on medication unless the seizures become more severe and frequent.  I want to avoid medication if possible.

After losing my special boy Thunder just a few months ago, I must admit I am so not prepared for this.  I am feeling quite defeated.  I know that many of you have experience with this issue.  I am open to any and all advice/suggestions you may be able to send my way.

Meanwhile, about an hour after her attack, Ms. Ciara was ready for me to give her that dinner she had missed:)

Hugs to all, Kathie