ROTT N CHATTER, August 1992, Volume 1 Number 1

 

                               CHATTER BOX

 

   Through Baron, Ingrid Adkins (Fullerton, CA.) has learned that seizures

do not always mean epilepsy.  She writes:

 

   "When we brought our little Baron home at the age of 8 weeks, we thought

we would have a life of joy, dreams and happines.  Those dreams were soon

shattered.  We found out he had hip dysplasia after a preliminary xray at

the age of 1 year.  Six months later he needed surgery for elbow dysplasia.

But he was still our baby and we loved him very much, so these little

setbacks weren't the end of the world.  However, three years later we

discovered that our problems were just beginning.

 

   In the middle of the night we were suddenly awakened by Baron's heavy

breathing and his muscles seemed to be jerking his whole body.  At first we

thought he was just having a bad dream because afterward Baron seemed fine.

The next morning my husband and I discussed the incident and we decided to

take him to the vet.

 

   The veterinarian explained to us that he though Baron might have

epilepsy.  We asked ourselves, how could be happening to our Baron?  As I

stated before, it was just the beginning because the following afternoon we

witnessed a full blown epileptic seizure.  Had it not been for my husband

staying calm with Baron, I would not have been of any help at all.  At this

point, back to the vet we went.  Again, the vet warned us that the dog was

more than likely epileptic.  He did a complete blood panel workup and found

that Baron had low thyroid.  At this point, we thought our prayers were

answered and that this certainly had to be the cause of the seizures (my own

diagnosis, not the vets).  Baron stabilized with Soloxin and all was calm

for about six weeks.

 

   Then it happened again.....only this time Baron had two seizures in 24

hours.  Now the vet put Baron on phenobarbital.  We went through hell the

first week, Baron was so groggy until he adjusted to the medication.  We

went from a sweet, playful and yet mellow Rottie to a zombie.  I would sit

with him and just silently cry.  Then another series of 2 more seizures.  By

this time, my gut feeling told me we were dealing with something else

besides epilepsy.  Our vet referred us to a specialist to do more extensive

testing.  A CAT scan, EEG and spinal tap were all performed.  The CAT scan

and EEG results were negative, however, the spinal tap revealed

Demyelinating Disease or Inflammatory Brain Disease.  He was put on

antibiotics and Prednisone along with the phenobarbitol.

 

   To date, it has been concluded that Baron does have some brain damage,

but with the medication, he can live a normal life.  The quality of life he

once had is no longer there but as long as there is a breath left in him,

and he is happy, we will continue to care for him and love him.

 

        EDITOR'S NOTE:  Dave and Ingrid share their love and home

        with Max, another very special ROTT N ROTT.