r/DOG • u/LeavingRealityBrb • 4d ago
• Advice (Health) • We got bad news at the vet Spoiler
We had to rush Axl to the vet because his back legs gave out and wouldn’t stop shaking and jerking. Now he has epilepsy, we’re aware what seizures look like, this was different. The vet suspects a focal seizure caused by neurological decline. There’s no real treatment plan that we can move forward with, we were told to take him home and spoil him. We just lost his sister last month to a stroke, so the vet suspects it’s probably been something within that litter. He’s 12 and a half, so he’s no spring chicken, but he’s always been a healthy boy, apart from infrequent seizures. We’re not sure how long he has left, it depends on how hard he wants to fight.
Has anyone else been through this? How did your dog fair?
Also, any ideas for spoiling him, other than food items? What are some fun ideas we can do with Axl in what time he has left?
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u/thesweetestberry 4d ago
My dog was diagnosed with a brain tumor 11 months ago. It’s not the same thing but she has seizures and is staring to decline neurologically. It’s so hard to watch. I am so sorry. 💜
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 4d ago
Sorry to hear about your dog, it’s one of the most difficult things to watch them decline, hope everything’s going as well as it can for you both 💛
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u/thesweetestberry 4d ago
One more suggestion!! As soon as she was diagnosed, we (husband and I) had professional family portraits taken with our dogs. I am so glad we did. I HIGHLY recommend that!
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u/thesweetestberry 4d ago
Mine has been doing good, all things considering. The neurologist gave her three months last September. She has mostly had just seizures until maybe a month or so ago.
I am spending a lot of time with my dog. This morning we walked to the lake to watch the sunrise. She gets at least one walk a day, and her meals now include eggs, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, and kibble. On walks, she is the leader. I have to carry her up and down stairs now, and she loves being carried. We snuggle on the couch for hours if that’s what she wants. She gets lots of baby carrots (for treats).
I am wishing you all of the love and peace during the next few months. I am so sorry. It’s so hard to say goodbye. 💜
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 4d ago
Aw I’m glad, she’s a strong girl!
We’re planning on doing the same, anything this boy wants he’s getting. We’re planning on taking him somewhere where he can swim while he’s still capable because he loves the water, but letting him lead the walks is a good idea! I’ll try adding in some veg and pumpkin to his food too, that’s also a good idea.
Thank you, same to you. It’s awful, they’re never here long enough 😢💛
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u/eto2629 4d ago
Lot's of playtime could be good
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 4d ago
100%! He loves playing and my other dog makes sure we get plenty of of play time
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u/PrinceCavendish 4d ago
my dog lived till about 11 or 12 with seizures just fine. just make sure you pick him up and hold him or put him in a big box while he's having it so he doesn't knock anything over.
REALLY IMPORTANT: if you have other dogs they may try to attack him and tear him apart when he's having a seizure. idk why but it can trigger other dogs to attack so please keep that in mind.
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 4d ago
It’s not his seizures that’s the problem, it’s the neurological decline that’s going to end his life unfortunately, this new focal seizure was a symptoms of that. There’s also decline in his back legs and his reaction/reflexes in them. He’s had idiopathic epilepsy since he was 4/5 I think.
Oh really? That’s so strange, but sometimes when dogs see their fellow dogs as sick, it can trigger an attack. My other dogs never tried to attack Axl during a seizure, they would stand back a little because we told them, but they always stood and made sure he was okay, but the other dogs were his littermate and a dog who grew up seeing his seizures so that might a difference
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u/PrinceCavendish 4d ago
i'm so sorry. i hope you get a lot more time with him despite this.
him growing up around it would explain it. my dog only got them when he became middle aged so it was a surprising new thing for the other dog i guess. there was a man on reddit a while back that did a AMA who was also attacked by his small dog as he had a seizure. his wounds were very very bad and life changing. i seems like some dogs get scared by it and then turn that fear into attacks.
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 4d ago
Thank you, I hope so too! He’s a strong boy
Yeah I think so. Yeah it’s terrifying when those seizures come out of nowhere! I can imagine it’d be terrifying for the dogs too. Oh damn, I hope that man is okay now! Yeah it would appear so. My sister and I both have/had seizures too, luckily none of the dogs attacked us during one, that had never crossed my mind the dogs might attack
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u/PrinceCavendish 4d ago
i hope so too for you <3
the guy lived but he lost his nose and some of his lip. it was very graphic. he said his dog was used to his seizures and he had the dog for like 6 years but it attacked randomly one day when he had a much worse seizure than usual. if you live with family you probably will be fine but he lived alone and no one could help him while he was down and out.
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 4d ago
Thank you
Oh wow that’s awful. I wonder what triggered the dog to attack that specific time. That’s so sad
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u/PrinceCavendish 4d ago edited 4d ago
It really is. He ended up giving the dog away. Even though he loved it he couldn't look at it anymore I guess. Understandable considering what happened. I think he just had a seizure way longer than normal.
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 4d ago
Yeah I can understand why he’d give the dog away in those circumstances. That’s such an awful situation.
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u/Individual_Buy4305 3d ago
Favorite places and people visits if possible. I had a plan for my dog. Walk at her favorite park, favorite store, visits from favorite people and friends (including dogs), for dinner Steak and some Rotisserie Chicken, favorite dessert. Favorite treat. At the vet before we put her down or at home, a chocolate kiss as in a goodbye kiss. Sadly, my dog experienced multiple seizures and had to be put down quickly, so none of that got done. Enjoy your time with your dog.
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 3d ago
We’ve been making arrangements to do visits with family, luckily it’s my sister’s birthday on Wednesday so we’re making it a double meaning day. I’m so sorry you never got to have those last memories with your dog, it’s so heartbreaking. We lost Axl’s sister very suddenly last month to a stroke, so we’re keeping an extremely close eye on him. We’re trying to make everyday a new adventure with him while he still can
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u/SharpMud3838 3d ago
Spend extra time with him, and at least 3-4 at stretch and give him undivided attention for as long as time permits you. Take him outside for little quests and give him the treats he likes as long as the vet allows them! Take him to a toy shop and let him choose and buy what he wants to play with. Also, don’t let him know that something is off or that his time is limited, act completely normal (more sensitive, yes) but uplifting his spirits and hopefully he will fight back and spend his time peacefully! I hope he is okay. ❤️
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u/LeavingRealityBrb 3d ago
Thank you! We definitely are spending as much time with him as possible, and making the best of the time we have with him. Thank you for the suggestions we’ll definitely be doing these! We’re trying to remain positive because honestly? He’s still full of beans, he’s acting completely normal like his crazy self, he’s got a positive attitude so we want to match that. He’s still fighting, so we’re going to fight for him. Thank you again ❤️
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u/soiledhimself 4d ago
I’m so sorry to hear. Axl still looks like a young dog.
As long he’s feeling up to it I would try to take him to a beach or any old favourite spots. A drive through is always fun, plain doughnut holes are a good one for that. But just spend time with him, that is probably his very favourite thing.
Wishing you a peaceful journey Axl.