u/Adventurous-Neck3027

Hi everyone,

I posted here yesterday, too, and will spare you the long story. Suffice it to say - my dog had a major seizure at the vet yesterday while there for a checkup.

She had a cluster of seizures as a young (5.5 months) puppy, placed on Keppra. We had an incredible run with zero seizures for years until a dog sitter missed some doses last year. So, she went five years without a single one.

Then, yesterday, after more than a year seizure free, one hit her hard. I couldn't watch it. I went into an exam room while I listened to the vet and team help her.

I feel like I let her down - like a terrible dog person to her. I want to be right there with her, making sure she's safe. I want to be her "rock," but I just fall apart.

In general, I'm very sensitive to seeing anyone in pain. Movies with violence are hard for me to watch. I hate that I am this way.

Truth is, the vet's conversation with me yesterday was tough. We pieced together, based on my dog's (Olive) recent behavior, that we may be in for a bumpy future. We just don't know.

My heart is breaking for every person and every dog who has to go through this. How do you help your pup (and yourself) during these awful events?

I haven't been exposed to many seizures since she's only had a handful, but as she gets older, I reckon the might get more frequent. Do you develop a thicker skin?

Thank you for all advice. It helps.

My 5 1/2 year old German Shephard mix, Olive, was terrified to walk through the front door for her routine vet checkup today. She had a trazadone in the a.m. and one last night, and while she was a bit tired, it didn't do the trick.

After a lot of coaxing, we got her in the door. Then she had a terrible seizure.

It took a few techs and the vet to get her to the exam room in the back. I could see them trying to help her. Meanwhile I felt hopeless.

This was only her second seizure since having three within a 24 hour period when she was a 5 month old puppy. We had a great run until last year when a dog sitter forgot to give Keppra. Since then, she's been seizure-free.

But lately, she's been acting... off. I can't put my finger on it - it's little things that are adding up.

She runs to the wrong door to go for her walk every time she sees her harness and leash. She's getting even more anxious around others than she's been before. She won't let most people come near her.

Last night, she clipped a sign in the dog park while running towards a dog friend; something that could be chalked up to clumsiness, except that she's never been... clumsy.

She's getting more stubborn on walks - pulling hard in a direction or just plain stopping. And this morning, one eye was half closed for an hour or so.

The vet today suggested it was time to take her to a neurologist, even if I can't shell out thousands for an MRI or other expensive brain imagery. She said the specialist could still give me guidance and may have an idea of what may be going on.

We're home now and she's tired and sleeping off the experience (snoring like a trucker). I'm holding back tears because I'm suddenly realizing my sweet girl may have more challenges coming her way than I thought.

Has anyone noticed your dogs symptoms go beyond seizures? Could she have a neurological issue besides epilepsy that is causing all these things like an structural abnormality or maybe an inflammatory condition? Is it the Keppra, maybe?

Any stories, advice... it's all helpful. This isn't easy.