The Doggy Diary: Doc: Always Smiling

I've always been the happiest and healthiest dog of the bunch, but the past few months haven't been easy. One late night in March I started shaking uncontrollably - and then I don't know what happened. The next thing I knew I was lying on the floor with my face and neck wet, feeling confused and exhausted. Momma and Pops said I had what is called a seizure. I had been jerking and foaming at the mouth. They don't know why. I don't either. It didn't hurt, but it sure did wear me out. The next morning they took me to our vet who said to keep an eye on me and hopefully it won't happen again. Maybe I had gotten into something and it was a one-time thing. That's what we hoped.

One month later it happened again. And then again a couple of weeks later. The seizures were getting worse, too; I was starting to urinate and jerk more violently. By this time the vet prescribed Momma and Pops some medicine to give me to bring me out of a seizure, as well as a pill to prevent future seizures. But the seizures came again. That's when our vet sent us to a veterinary neurologist. The doctor scheduled an MRI and spinal tap to rule out tumors or meningitis. But when she tried to do the MRI, the test wouldn't work, which means there was metal somewhere in my head. So the vet did an x-ray and found BB pellet lodged in the base of my skull! My momma and pops were so surprised - and mad. Who would do this to me?! It must have happened when I was a wee little pup all alone in the field where I was found a long, long time ago. The veterinarian assured Momma and Pops that it was not causing me any harm and had nothing to do with the seizures. She was able to do a CT Scan and found no signs of abnormal masses or inflammation. That meant I was to be diagnosed with epilepsy.

So now we know what I have, but we don't know why. Along with the medicine I get every 12 hours, I am now fed a dog food made especially to help my brain. Momma and Pops did lots of research to see how they could help prevent further seizures and found out that there can be many triggers, like some room fresheners/essential oils, rosemary extract, and "natural flavoring/MSG." So, Momma threw out the air fresheners and stopped giving me treats containing rosemary extract and "natural flavoring." I continued to have seizures fairly frequently, though, and it got pretty scary.

But I have some good news to report - it has been almost four weeks since my last seizure! Momma and Pops are so happy and relieved. The only thing different going on is that we have been staying in a mountain cabin in western North Carolina for the past month. Maybe this cool mountain air is helping my brain and body relax. Whatever the reason, we are praying that I stay seizure-free for a really long time. Will you pray for me, too? 🙏🏻

Prayers appreciated. 🙏🏻

I had a bad earache last week, so Momma took me to see a vet here in the mountains.
I like the name of his practice. It's called Animals of Eden.
Oh, and he was very kind and patient with me.

We went for a short hike to a cool little lake in the middle of the mountains.

It's called Fawn Lake, but I didn't see any deer. I was a little disappointed about that.

Speaking of critters that I love to chase and bark at ... this is a White Squirrel, found in only a few places in the world. Oh how I would love to see a White Squirrel before we leave the mountains!