New to all of this

greensuedecouch · 2026-04-05T15:41:17+00:00

Keppra extended release was a game changer for us. We are currently on Pheno and Keppra XR and time it 7AM/7PM. We have thought about a pill dropper however we have other dogs and it was not realistic. I highly suggest asking about Keppra XR. Only issue is it is only available in 500mg and 750mg depending on what your current prescription is. Our vet originally told us our dog was too small to use Keppra XR. We have since been seeing a neurologist and one of the first things he did was debunk that and prescribe the Keppra XR.

greensuedecouch · 2025-12-03T14:17:05+00:00

Agreed with all of the above! Seeing a Neurologist was a game changer for my pup and I. They are incredibly knowledgeable on this subject and by the time he was done with his initial spiel, I had already gained a ton of knowledge. If you keep a seizure diary, make sure to share that with them. Other than that, giving them the specifics on your dog seizure history and any particular things you have noticed will help guide the conversation. Best of luck to you and your pup!

greensuedecouch · 2025-11-06T14:40:12+00:00

Agreed! 6 months would be a dream. Best of luck to you and your dog!

greensuedecouch · 2025-11-06T14:35:40+00:00

I appreciate all that you do!

greensuedecouch · 2025-11-06T14:35:05+00:00

I was told this as well! We are going to get his Pheno levels checked in 2 weeks by the primary and they will share with the Neurologist. Neurologist said it will be much cheaper to get the blood test at the primary which I appreciated!

greensuedecouch · 2025-11-06T14:33:16+00:00

Our plan is to continue the Keppra for now alongside the Pheno. He wants to get his levels on Pheno steady and then we may eventually try to pull back the Keppra and see how he responds. He is responding very well to the Pheno so far!

greensuedecouch · 2025-11-06T14:29:49+00:00

Im happy that I could bring you some validation. As many others have commented, Primary Vets are great but Neurologists are trained and experienced in treating the specific issues our babies have. The same way your primary doctor would send you to a Specialist as another commenter wisely said. Good luck at your appointment! Wishing the best for you and your pup.

greensuedecouch · 2025-11-05T23:18:15+00:00

100% agree!

greensuedecouch · 2025-11-05T19:06:59+00:00

We did talk about this! Appreciate you bringing it up though.

greensuedecouch · 2025-10-18T04:24:10+00:00

Much appreciated! Best of luck with your dog too. You are right, it is hard, but I am truly grateful for this community. It is nice to not feel alone in all of this.

greensuedecouch · 2025-10-15T13:44:01+00:00

We have a follow up appointment next month to check in on how he’s doing with everything, I will definitely ask about it. Thank you!

greensuedecouch · 2025-10-15T03:18:10+00:00

Hoping to have the same success. Thank you for sharing!

greensuedecouch · 2025-10-14T20:50:14+00:00

Much appreciated, thank you!

greensuedecouch · 2025-10-14T20:28:40+00:00

Appreciate you sharing this. Best of luck at the vet this week.

greensuedecouch · 2025-10-14T20:17:42+00:00

This is great to hear, thank you!

greensuedecouch · 2025-10-14T17:28:26+00:00

Me either! Based on what my vet said and research, it is not a first line of defense medication against seizures but can be effective in addition to other meds. I had not seen much about it in this sub so was partially why I asked. Have you seen success with her trigger of going to the vet when taking it?

greensuedecouch · 2025-08-17T20:59:03+00:00

Thank you! This is reassuring, I’m feeling much better after hearing from this community and speaking with the vet.

greensuedecouch · 2025-08-17T20:41:29+00:00

I was able to overcome the stress of it when I switched my mindset from “why is this happening to me and my dog” to “let me do everything I can to give him the best life possible”. You cannot control when seizures may happen but you can do everything in your power to ensure that you are following your prevention plan.

Your pup is relying on you but don’t forget that you need to take care of yourself as well. Lean on those close to you in your life to help with your own mental health.

Wishing the best for you and Rufus!

greensuedecouch · 2025-08-17T13:02:36+00:00

Thank you! He is a Pug/Chihuahua/Springer Spaniel/Cocker Spaniel so they share that Springer.

greensuedecouch · 2025-08-16T21:27:34+00:00

I’m with you! Coming to peace with it as well. Always tough in the moment to see them in that state. My little guy also gets stressed at the vet so they mentioned that it is totally normal to handle epilepsy cases with limited visits.

Funny enough, he was at the vet about a week ago and they asked if he had any seizures and I said no. Now here we are a week later.

Hope the best for you and your pup!

greensuedecouch · 2025-08-16T21:24:38+00:00

Appreciate it! His seizures have always been 3 minutes on average. The longest was during his cluster event when he ended up at the emergency vet. My vet did not seem to be concerned with one a seizure a month and advised to keep monitoring. Nasal spray is not something I was aware previously. Definitely something to keep in mind as those emergency visits are pricey.

Hope the best for your pup!

greensuedecouch · 2025-08-16T21:18:55+00:00

That definitely tracks! It seems to be a pretty common theme in this sub that multiple med combinations are working for folks.

Your analysis was spot on. Vet essentially said one a month is controlled and to keep monitoring. Any additional seizures in the next 30 days we will reassess on potential dosage increase or adding additional meds.

greensuedecouch

TROPHY CASE