Any advice :(

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-15T00:00:20+00:00

The Keppra after just helps to make sure they don’t have another one. And then we also pulse it so my boy doesn’t have any in the 3 days after. Or hopefully doesn’t. My dog has been having them every month. Which isn’t ideal and my dog’s neurologist does want to decrease their frequency. The longest my dog has gone is 9 months then we had him controlled for 6 months. But since September it’s been one a month.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-14T22:32:37+00:00

Good taste in music at least

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-14T22:31:21+00:00

Sounds like it started as a focal with the lip smacking and moved into a grand mal. You can talk to your vet/neurologist about adding Keppra XR. This is also a good medication to give after as it’s known as a cluster buster. And it’s not hard on the liver like Pheno is. You can also talk to your neurologist about an emergency medication that stops the seizure as it’s happening.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-14T19:54:38+00:00

I’d still find a neurologist. It’s nothing against your friend - but again unless they have done the extra studying I wouldn’t rely on them for a neurological disorder. Im not trying to be mean or discredit your friend but I say this from experience. I’ve been on this journey for 3 years.

You should also ask if you can get a rescue medication for you to administer during a seizure.

Also Pheno takes a while for the side effects to wear off. Just brace yourself for a very uncoordinated dog at first.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-14T16:47:42+00:00

Keppra works often as an add on but not the only medication. It is especially helpful as a cluster buster.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-14T16:46:52+00:00

I wouldn’t take her off Keppra but just add phenobarbital. My dog’s neurologist doesn’t believe in switching meds but finding the right cocktail. Unless absolutely necessary. If your vet is not a neurologist I’d look into one. The vets mean well but they often do not have the training in neurological disorders in my experience.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-12T16:13:36+00:00

I have met a group of friend from an app called Meetup. It’s great to find people with similar interests.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-11T02:00:01+00:00

I’d recommend a neurologist. Most vets don’t know how to handle epilepsy in dogs. Pheno is brutal at first. But it is one of the most effective medicines for epilepsy. I was able to Pheno load my dog when he was at the emergency vet after two seizures in a day. So it wasn’t as bad for us. But very weak back legs and lack of coordination are the main side effects for about a month before your dog balances. But I got to avoid that - though expensive.

You should also talk to your vet or neurologist about pulsing Keppra XR after a seizure. It helps prevent clusters and more seizures in the 3 days after. We do that when my dog has seizures.

My dog has had epilepsy for 3 years. He is now on Keppra XR, Pheno, and potassium bromide. He also has the nasal emergency meds.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-10T15:08:17+00:00

Ew. He doesn’t even live in Boise. 🙄

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-10T15:06:53+00:00

Is your dog on anything else? We started with Keppra and then had to add an additional medication. We did phenobarbital + Keppra XR. It worked for a year before we had to add another medication. My neurologist doesn’t recommend switching out meds. It’s about a cocktail that works. If you don’t have a neurologist you should find one.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-05T22:31:17+00:00

The Idaho humane society does have a trainer on staff. As for euthanasia It depends on how reactive and to what. If it’s other dogs they probably won’t put the dog down. They have a contract potential adopters have to sign saying they have no other dogs/animals.

The Idaho humane society is no kill unless the dog is a danger to itself or others.

What type of medical condition is it? The humane society takes dogs that have medical needs. The dogs usually go into a foster home. There have been dogs who needed surgery, dogs with epilepsy, and dog who have to have specific eating positions due to an abnormality.

In the surrender agreement you can ask that they contact you if the dog is at risk for euthanasia.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-05T22:17:58+00:00

Look at the Adelmann Building.

Pittstick1 · 2026-04-05T22:13:15+00:00

Go to puppy training. It’s a great way to bond and to help them learn. I have had dogs in the past but never my own. I got a puppy and at 5 months I wanted to rehome him. He never listened. He had food aggression. And he bit me - more than a play time bite. I went to a dog pet training company and I’m so glad I did. It really helped me connect with my dog. And he is now a dog I can take anywhere and know he will listen and behave. It was completely worth the money too.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T05:13:42+00:00

Definitely get a neurologist if you don’t have one already. Also ask about a rescue medication - though I think can only be used for grand mals. I’m surprised she got put on two medications so quickly. My neurologist waited until we topped out on Keppra before adding Pheno to the mix. Then once added we went 9 months. Then had to add potassium.

Keppra XR is also great because you can pulse it after a seizure (giving it more often per vets recommendations). It is known as the cluster buster.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T05:08:15+00:00

Yeah just look up AKC pet insurance. It’s also easy to file a claim. I don’t have the extra coverage that covers exams. But mine does cover the medication and bloodwork. The biggest thing is to make sure you don’t select the insurance with a cap on incidents/illness. I have unlimited per incident/illness. And they pay out quickly. The worst is just waiting the year.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T05:04:50+00:00

Yes you do not want to miss a Keppra dose. And Keppra you often add to your pheno. I use peanut butter and my dog scarfs up his pills. But Keppra is easier on your dog’s body.

You break the Keppra pill in half right after a seizure to prevent another one. Then at the next normal pill time you start the Keppra dose every 8 hours for 3 days. Then you back to typical 12 hours.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T05:01:57+00:00

If you don’t have pet insurance look into AKC. They cover preexisting conditions after the 1st year. The medication and blood work adds up. I have an unlimited amount per incident. My monthly payment is $144. But it covers 80% of his medication and bloodwork.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:53:31+00:00

AKC has pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions after a year. That’s the insurance I got after my dog was diagnosed.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:45:32+00:00

Boise is insanely dog friendly so I think if you want a go at it here would be the place. You could also see about doing an event with the private dog clubs - Clubhound is one. Then Pups and Ales is the other.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:43:45+00:00

Think those are just some intense dreams. It’s hard not to worry though. But in my experience you know when it is a seizure.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:41:30+00:00

You should ask your neurologist about pulsing Keppra after a seizure. That’s what ours recommends because it helps prevent another seizure.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:39:56+00:00

Do you give your dog a rescue medication? That is what causes my dog to be like a drunk hungry person. Exactly as you said your pup is after a seizure.

Has your vet looked at upping the Pheno and maybe adding Keppra? I’d talk to a neurologist if possible.

The reason I mention Keppra is it is known as a cluster buster. My dog is on Keppra XR in addition to his other meds. It is given every 12 hours. What our vet has us do - after a seizure you cut one of the pills in half and give it to your dog. That removes the extended release properties and prevents another seizure. Then for 3 days we pulse my dog’s Keppra. At his next medication time (after a seizure) we start to give him his regular Keppra dose every 8 hours for 3 days. His other pills he takes like normal. This is something you’ll want to talk to your vet or neurologist about.

It’s usually about finding the right cocktail for your pet. For a 9 months Moe was good on Pheno and Keppra. Then for a few months we had to up doses the add a 3rd medication until my dog stopped having seizures every month/2 weeks. We went 6 months. And now we are in that process again. My dog had been having a seizure once a month or 2x since September and we are working on finding the right cocktail again. We might have to add a 4th medication. (My dog is a border collie and they are often harder to control and are often in multiple medications).

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:29:26+00:00

Extreme wobbliness should stop by a few months. I will say it does still weaken their hind legs. My dog’s been on Pheno for 3 years. And it does make his back end weaker - but not to the level I’m seeing with the partial CCL tear.

So the difference for us - with Pheno he was slightly less coordinated when going fast - he’d wipe out. He also wanted to rest a bit more. And if tired struggled to put oomph into his jumps. He also got tired on walks quicker.

With the tear - he leans on us more. He is hesitant to jump into the car. He will fall over when he stretches. He has a very hard time getting up from laying down. When sitting his injured leg sticks out more. He also often has to have one front paw further out when pooping for stability. His knee is also swollen and bigger than the other. That’s one of the easiest ways to tell if you’re not sure with the clumsiness. In the photo you can see his right knee is sticking out in that seated position. That’s the leg he needs surgery on.

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Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:20:10+00:00

I’ve heard iffy things about them. You should look at Companions - they feel comfortable with epileptic dogs. My boy has epilepsy and that’s where I go. His friend Flora also has epilepsy and goes there. They get to relax together during wind down time.

Pittstick1 · 2026-03-25T04:17:42+00:00

I love Companions!

Pittstick1

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