[hollyandduke]

Hi all... I really hope someone will be able to help me!

I have two golden retrievers - an 18 month old bitch and a 4 year old dog. The 4 year old is a typical retriever- gentle, placid, loves attention and a great family dog. The bitch is a completely different story- constantly hyper, jumpy, territorial... you name it. Earlier this week she had 4 seizuers over night and we brouht her to the vet. He diagnosed epilepsy and gave her epiphen 60 mg - one tablet to be taken twice daily (she is 30kg).

The vet told us that the unbelieveable level of hyper-activity he witnessed during her over night stay was a direct result of the epilepsy and that the medication would really help.

BUT...

she is worse than ever!! Can't stay still for 10 seconds and is on a constant adrenalin high. Its unbearable!! My wife is 6 months pregnant and she has hurt her by jumping on her bump a number of times already. She is a lovely dog and we don't want to loose her but she would be a real risk to both mother and baby if this continues.

She gets long walks and plenty of exercise but it makes absolutely no difference.

Can anyone suggest anything we can do to help?? Finger crossed it will all work out! :crossfing

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

I put my first Golden on phenobarb when he was 7 and he lived to 13 and never had problems. Sounds like she needs a different medication and a lot of excersize!

 

[msdogs1976]

I put my first Golden on phenobarb when he was 7 and he lived to 13 and never had problems. Sounds like she needs a different medication and a lot of excersize!

My Golden was on p/b at 3 and until the day she died. It solved her seizures and lived a normal life. I would ask about trying that.

 

[BeauShel]

I would ask the vet to change the meds to something else. Personally I have only heard of phenobarbital or potassium brohmide used for seizures. There is a great site that I used alot when one of my goldens had seizures. It was a godsend and had alot of great information about seizures and meds to use.
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/CanineEpil.htm

Good luck.

 

[AquaClaraCanines]

18 months is very young, too. I would contact the breeder. This is most likely gentic and in that case the parents should not be bred again.

It's odd to me that a seizure med would cause hyper-activity. I take a number of them (for anxiety, not epilepsy) and they make me calm and chill. I guess she needs doggie Benzos! lol

 

[KatieandAngie]

Potassium Bromide. No doubt about it. We had Katie on it for 6 years with no problems.