Buddy Boston Terrier's brain cancer

[AnnS]

@Dr. jeff
Hi Dr. Jeff!
So, looking back on our last correspondence, it was either Saturday or Sunday (8/3 or 4) when I started giving Buddy 3mg CBD in chew form, 1.5mg at 6:30AM and 1.5mg at 2:30PM. Yesterday (8/7) Buddy stopped eating (he had vomited the night before). Only once before have I seen him refuse a meal in his life, and that was when he was started on zonisamide on 7/1 last month. The neurology vet suggested I give him a drug to stimulate appetite, but I did not want to give him an appetite stimulant on top of all the other drugs he takes, so they gave me a prescription for topiramate to replace zonisamide. I filled it, but never used it because Buddy's appetite returned to normal when I started using sardines and goat cheese as toppers. After the initial adjustment, he didn't even need the toppers, as he was eating normally. I figured "why mess with success."

I did some digging online, and I am wondering if the CBD has enhanced the effects of zonisamide? First of all, up till this time, I would only give him CBD intermittently and rarely, as need be. As of last weekend, I put him on a two or three times daily dose (once I had to give him a little more after the two doses), so he might have a therapeutic level in his system now. I read that CBD interacts with zonisamide, and can enhance the effects. In this case, it is a very unwanted enhancement! Yesterday, he did eat, but later than he usually does. Today, even putting lots of sardines in the bowl hasn't helped. He just picks the toppers off and leaves the food.

I am SO reluctant to give up on CBD, as it seems to help his more frequent barking spells. But I am thinking I should wean the dose down and see if we can get his appetite back. Maybe give him 2mg daily (the lowest possible dose for his weight), but I am not sure how effective that will be in stopping the barking spells. I think I am going to order some toppers I saw in your recommended products section. I don't want to try topiramate, as it also interacts with CBD and can cause inappetance.

Also, this morning has been 38 days grand mal free, but he seemed to be having focal seizures (not sure that would be the label, but a less severe incident). He was rolling around in bed (which he does frequently), but I have never been sure if this is normal (it doesn't look like a normal back scratch), or a type of seizure, not grand mal. He wanted to go out at 5:30AM, and stood barking in the center of the yard. A while later, when I tried to feed him, he was frantically sniffing and licking the floor, and I have never seen that before. It seemed like it could be a seizure of sorts. His seizures do seem to have to do with smells. He has a piriform glioma. Could this type of tumor cause seizures that seem smell related at times?

I am asking you rather than the neurology department, as the last time this happened, the neurosurgeon who sees Buddy regularly recommended an appetite stimulant, I mean a drug, and I don't want to layer drugs on top of drugs. Also, they are not against CBD, but they don't recommend it as they say there is not enough research yet. But they have been very positive about me trying it. Do you think it would do any good to try topiramate (very reluctant to make any changes, especially when he was eating normally two days ago). So reduce or eliminate CBD (and would this help the barking spells), try the toppers on your site, switch to topiramate? The neurology vets also gave me a prescription for a sedative, trazadone. Again, I am reluctant to use it, and was hoping CBD would be a good substitute bark-stopper. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated! Thank you so much, as always!

Ann & Buddy

P.S. I asked the neurosurgeon who oversees Buddy last month if he thinks his lack of appetite then had to do with his cancer, and he said no, he thought it was drug-related.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

tumor cause seizures that seem smell related at times?

Yes. The tumor itself is not causing it but smells can certainly trigger seizures in some individuals (even if they don't have a tumor).

So reduce or eliminate CBD (and would this help the barking spells), try the toppers on your site, switch to topiramate?

As you said Ann, why change. anything and mess with success. So perhaps just see if he likes the toppers before changing anything else.

oping CBD would be a good substitute bark-stopper.

Yes!

Also, please remind me if you are working with a vet homeopath? I ask because the smells triggering seizures could be a useful symptom for a homeopath.

 

[AnnS]

No, Dr. Jeff, I don't have a homeopath. When we get another dog, I will most certainly want a relationship with a homeopath/holistic/integrative vet. I live in New Britain, Connecticut. Do you know of any homeopaths up my way? I saw you recommended Dr. Stone in Watertown to another member. I guess my feeling is to work with our regular vet (hardly ever now), the veterinary hospital (neurology in particular), and Holistic Actions for the remainder of Buddy's life. I also want to call hospice when the time is right.

I appreciate being able to "talk" things over with you. Your advice is wise. Make a change that has worked in the past and see what happens (toppers). I think I will drop down to 2mg CBD and see if this affects his appetite, too. Thank you so much! I will let you know how things go!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Do you know of any homeopaths up my way?

How about my good friend Dr. Hermans? She also works at. Aspetuck Animal Hospital FWIW:

Anne C. Hermans, D.V.M.

www.vethomeopath.com

 

[AnnS]

Thank you so much! Now I have two doctors' names to tuck away, even if I don't work with a homeopath at this time in Buddy's life.

I don't know the difference between a homeopath, holistic practitioner, and naturopath. Need to consult Google!

Do you see clients in person, Dr. Jeff? You would be top pick!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

YW Ann!

I don't know the difference between a homeopath, holistic practitioner, and naturopath.

Great question. The homeopath is the only one that primarily treats the energetic dis-ease which underlies all of the physical symptoms.

Holistic is primarily a way of seeing all things as being interconnected. Compared to the reductionism of modern medicine that sees the body as made up of separate parts.

General holistic docs may use drugs, vaccines, supplements, herbs (sometimes used like drugs? etc.

Naturopathic treatment is based on the vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature) using herbs, supplements, lifestyle, etc.

Some Naturopaths are also vitalistic (energy based) and are called vNDs:

Vitalism – Naturopathic Medicine Institute

naturopathicmedicineinstitute.org

Do you see clients in person, Dr. Jeff?

Yes, I do work 1:1 with some HA! members.

 

[AnnS]

@Dr. jeff
Good morning, Dr. Jeff!
Thank you for taking the time to define the areas of wellness I mentioned not knowing the difference between, or much about really, except for believing in a holistic view of health and wellness, and a little about natural remedies. I am learning! I answered your question about 2025 webinars with wanting to more about homeopathy.

Anyways, I wanted to give you an update. Buddy is eating again. I did cut his CBD way down to 1/2 mg twice daily, and he did fine yesterday, but you never know with Buddy. I am speaking about his barking spells that have been escalating. Thursday was awful, but it occurred to me that he was not eating that day, so he had all his seizure meds as well as a larger dose of CBD than I had been giving him on an empty stomach. No wonder he was agitated and barking all day! It seems I can use CBD with zonisamide, but in a smaller dose. Maybe I need to try other avenues, like the flower essences you mentioned, to calm Buddy I ordered the toppers from your website, but hopefully the inappetance is done now. I know the toppers will be healthy and enjoyable nonetheless!

Oh! I never got a sniff mat, which you recommended in January when we had a phone consult with you. I looked back at the links you shared back then, and saw a recommendation in one of the articles, but do you have a favorite sniff mat? And where do you buy (was it chicken heart?). Buddy does adore sniffing, but I can't walk him in this humid weather in CT! A sniff mat would be a good distraction when he is barking, too. I am sure some of the barking is due to boredom. Not only can he not walk, but he cannot go up and down the stairs like he used to many times per day, which was great exercise.

Thank you, as always, and have a fun weekend!

Ann & Buddy

 

[Dr. Jeff]

do you have a favorite sniff mat?

https://www.amazon.com/PAW5-Snuffle-Encourages-Foraging-Washable/dp/B01N1FV55I

And where do you buy (was it chicken heart?).

Yup, chicken (higher taurine).

treats-hearts — Smallbatch | Dog & Cat Food

smallbatchpets.com

 

[AnnS]

@Dr. Jeff
hi Dr. Jeff!
It's been a while, and I want to run by you what has been happening with Buddy. On 8/20, Buddy had six seizures in less than 24 hours. We went back to the emergency department, and they gave him the cluster buster drug as well as tweaked his meds. He had a seizure as we were checking out, just like the last time when he had a seizure when we had just walked out the door, and he stopped to sniff peemail. They said they didn't know if they could stop the seizures, and it would have cost $1500 or more to keep him overnight or longer to hopefully stabilize him. My husband and I were both reluctant to okay that commitment, as we had been expecting to bring him home and care for him there. When they saw how upset we were, they said they could keep Buddy for two hours and do for him there what we would have done at home. If he stabilized, they would send him home, and if not, well, we would cross that bridge when we got to it. I called Lap of Love as we drove home, and we made plans for the worst case and best case scenarious. As it turns out, Buddy did stabilize and was able to go home. We cancelled our worst case scenario (Peaceful Passing appointment) for the next day, and decided not to start hospice, as the hospital had instituted comfort measures in that they changed his meds. He has not had a seizure since (29 days), But he has not been well, especially regarding food. He has gotten extremely finicky about what he will eat. I can prepare beautiful bowls of enticing food, and he will just sniff and turn away. I might make three different offerings for any one meal, and he will refuse most foods, even foods he has loved and eaten heartily in the past. Today., he mostly ate chicken with some broth, a few apple slices, a couple of carrots, a small portion of Honest Kitchen, and a tooth chew. Not a whole lot of food! Chowie time is very stressful because he turns away from almost everything.

What is going on with my Buddy? I noticed some blood on his belly today and near where he pees, also a clot of blood near his poops outside. I am wondering if the prednisone is causing ulcers, or if this is end of life for my dear Buddy. I put in a call to the neurology department, and may call his regular vet tomorrow. I am also reaching out to you. I am wondering if now is the time to have a hospice appointment, or just keep trying to get him to eat for now. He has been failing in other ways, too. Every aspect of BEAM is deteriorated, though we see glimmers of Buddy, like last week when he wanted to hang out with a new friend in the backyard (a handyman we had hired). Any thoughts or wise words are appreciated! Thanks for listening, Dr. Jeff!

Ann & Buddy

 

[Dr. Jeff]

I'm so sorry for everything you and Buddy have been going through.

This transitional stage of life can be very difficult. And it's also an amazing time to share Buddy's spiritual essence being the conscious pet parent that you are.

What is going on with my Buddy? I noticed some blood on his belly today and near where he pees, also a clot of blood near his poops outside. I am wondering if the prednisone is causing ulcers, or if this is end of life for my dear Buddy

Yes, the long-term pred can be very hard on the body in many ways. He may also be entering his final phase of life.

I am wondering if now is the time to have a hospice appointment

Yes, I think that would be a great idea. Gail Pope (co-founder of Animal Hospice Group and founder of Brighthaven) would be a wonderful person to speak with:

Caregiver Education – Animal Hospice - BrightHaven

BrightHaven: Pioneer & Leader in the Emerging Field of Animal Hospice Hospice became a way of life at BrightHaven as we have cared for hundreds of senior and special-needs animals since 1990. In doing so, we have learned so much about love and the circle of life from our animal loved ones. We...

www.brighthaven.org

It would also be a good idea to review Gail's courses which are in your HA! resource area.

Every aspect of BEAM is deteriorated, though we see glimmers of Buddy

Yes, his BEAM will continue to slowly fade but you still will see rays of hope and love shine through.

The more time you can spend with him focusing on what he loves, and the more time he can spend out in nature, the better.

Regarding food, perhaps just share your food with him as well as whatever he i willing to eat like sardines, lightly scrambled eggs + parmesan cheese, etc.

Good luck Ann. If I or the HA! community can help in any other way, just post here on the forum.

 

[GinnyW]

Ann, your care of him, as well as your sharing with us, has been truly inspirational. His little soul could not ask for more understanding and love.
We will be watching and sending love to you both. Know that this process will be easier for Buddy than for you. He has the strength and the divine knowledge to do what will come naturally, and we can only stand by in awe and respect.

All blessings on you both.

 

[AnnS]

Thank you, Dr. Jeff and Ginny!
Your kind words and advice put the wind under my sails! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for me during this time.

We were back to the emergency room twice yesterday. Buddy has a UTI, and an ultrasound (that they didn't charge me for) revealed a large blood clot in his bladder. His liver numbers were high in August, so that seems to be the explanaation. I didn't have them do any other diagnostics other than the urinalysis. But we got home, and I couldn't give Buddy his evening meds because he spit them out. I could return to the ER without charge since it was under 24 hours since we had been there, so we were there again overnight. Again, we decided not to do the bloodwork. The vet said his inappetance could very well be related to the urinary tract infection and blood clot, so they gave Buddy Gabapentin, Entyce, and an anti-nausea med. I was so thankful that I have been able to give him his 6:30 & 9AM meds today. He still doesn't seem too interested in eating, but he is also sleeping. He didn't sleep much overnight at the vet.

Thank you for being a sounding board! Ginny, I didn't know you have been following, but I always appreciate your kind encouragement, as well as Dr. Jeff's.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

You're welcome Ann!

 

[GinnyW]

Thank you, Dr. Jeff and Ginny!
Your kind words and advice put the wind under my sails! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for me during this time.
....

Thank you for being a sounding board! Ginny, I didn't know you have been following, but I always appreciate your kind encouragement, as well as Dr. Jeff's.

and, Ann, my heart breaks for you. I'm sending even more love to Buddy...

ginny

 

[AnnS]

@Dr. Jeff @Dr. Christina
Good morning, Dr. Jeff & Dr. Christina!
Since I spoke with you both during the Q&A webinar on Friday, I am addressing you both today.
Wanted to let you know that I have come up with a concoction that allows me to get Buddy's soil-based probiotic into him: half a slice of no-nitrate liverwurst mixed with cheddar cheese spread. He gobbles it up, and it is a bit more substantial than the cheddar cheese alone, therefore easier to feed.

Today is a milestone: the longest Buddy has gone without a seizure since early May when he started having them in earnest. Prior to that, he had gone four months since his brain tumor diagnosis without having a seizure. Also, on 10/6, he will have doubled his initial prognosis. He has been on gabapentin for two weeks because of a UTI and blood clot in his bladder, resulting in "anorexia." He is no longer anorexic, though he IS finicky!!! It seems the gabapentin had another effect that may have been helpful: he stayed quieter, with no agitated barking which usually signals we are heading for our next bout of seizures. My son is scheduled to have a pituitary tumor removed on Friday. I need to keep Buddy as well as possible, as my son will be needing me, too. So I considered asking the neurology vet to prescribe another course of gabapentin. Then I reconsidered, as Buddy's hind legs have been very weak, and he has been collapsing. I did talk to the neurology vet, and decided not to ask for a refill. But then I started worrying that Buddy would be more likely to have a seizure, and second-guessed myself. I talked to my husband, and we are trying him off gabapentin but back on CBD, which I took him off when they upped his seizure meds in August. So far, he seems to be resting quietly. Do you think this is a good course? Any other thoughts? It is really important that Buddy stays well for the next week or so, Lord willing.

Another question: Buddy's liver levels were elevated in August. I did not have them checked again when he was diagnosed with the UTI for financial reasons. If I understood the emergency vet correctly, if his levels had continued elevating, they would tweak his seizure meds (which could result in seizures). If they don't do that, his levels will probably keep rising, as he has been on prednisone since January. I know it is not ideal, and after being a member here, I will do things differently if we get another dog someday. But do you have any recommendations for ways I could support his liver? It's time for me to reorder his DMG, so I can add another supplement perhaps.

Thank you for listening!

Ann & Buddy

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Today is a milestone: the longest Buddy has gone without a seizure since early May when he started having them in earnest

Yay!!

Do you think this is a good course? Any other thoughts? It is really important that Buddy stays well for the next week or so,

Yes, it sure is. I am sending your son healing energy for an uneventful and successful surgery. You may want to keep Buddy's regimen unchanged for now.

recommendations for ways I could support his liver?

Yes! Standard Process Livaplex and a free SP consult which you can get from @Dr. Jean Hofve here:

Holistic Health Consulting - Standard Process Products | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve

In my first job out of veterinary school, I quickly learned how to use high-quality, whole-food nutritional supplements to help my patients. The company we used was Standard Process. (Read more about them here.) They started out with supplements for humans, but so many veterinarians used them...

littlebigcat.com

 

[AnnS]

Wonderful! Thank you!!! I look forward to hearing what Dr. Jean has to say!

 

[AnnS]

@Dr. Jeff
Dr. Jeff, it is with heavy heart that I want to let you know we had to put Buddy down yesterday. Last week, he was pretty much refusing all supplements and balking at some of his meds. As last week wore on, it became more and more difficult to get him to eat anything, and I was beginning to dread time to give his seizure and other meds, as I was having to coax them into him, one in particular. I was able to get him to gag down his first round of meds at 6:30AM Sunday, but by 9AM, he was refusing to take two seizure meds and prednisone. He ran away when I tried to put the ball of goat cheese and butter with meds enclosed to his lip. He obviously was trying to tell me he was done with all that, as he could barely walk, and he dragged himself to his feet to run away from the medicine. I wanted to leave him in peace, respecting his wishes, but I must admit I was very fearful that he would begin having seizures, so I tried a third time with Jarlsburg cheese, and he took his pheno. I relaxed a bit knowing that he had gotten two of his three seizure meds into his system. My husband and I had made the decision that, if he would not take his meds, we had no choice but to take him to be euthanized. I did NOT want my last memories of my beloved baby to be of him seizuring out of control. So we took him to the vet hospital that has been treating him all along for his brain tumor and related issues. I have never had to put an animal down, and I dreaded it. But I have to say that the staff was oh-so kind and compassionate, and my Buddy passed oh-so gently. I am glad we were able to do that for him. He was critical when we arrived at the vet hospital, and we think he probably would have passed at home if we had not taken him, but he may have had seizures, and I did not want that for him. Now we just have to get through the hurting hearts! We miss our little man so much. His loss is evident at every turn. I know it will take time.

Part of what will help me get through is writing to kind people who have been there to support us through Buddy's brain tumor diagnosis. I have so appreciated being able to consult with you and others at Holistic Actions at any time, and your counsel and advice have been valuable and appreciated. Buddy is my first dog (we did have dogs when I was growing up, but my mom took care of them). The only other pets my family has had were six beloved guinea pigs. The extent of my holistic knowledge in the pet realm was what I gleaned by reading Dr. Becker's newsletter, and that is where I learned about Holistic Actions, too. I also learned a lot of valuable pet husbandry from guinea pig forums. We were already on the conventional path in Buddy's treatment when I joined, and I didn't get far in holistic actions, but I will do things differently when we get another dog, which my husband and I want to do, but not right away.

Thank you so very much! God bless you!

Ann & Buddy, forever in my heart

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Oh Ann, I'm so sorry to hear of Buddy's passing. But what a blessing that you understood his message of not taking the meds, and he went gently with you by his side. It is a tremendous gift to be able to let our beautiful pets transition so easily. Thank you for being such a loving family for that precious little soul!

 

[GinnyW]

Dear Ann, they come to teach, and he surely did that - his gift to you, with all the good and bad moments. You are a changed person for this experience, in the best way. Your next dog will benefit from all you learned, about medicine and about love. Rest long and easy; you did a terrific job!

Love and hugs...