Seizures Post Vaccinations

[LindaR]

My 74.4 lb, 6 year old, female MR1 Australian Shepherd, Aspen Skye, had Bordatella and Lepto vaccinations administered on Thursday. She had a series of seizures in the immediate following 24 hours at 2 am, 10:00 am and 5:30 pm yesterday, (Friday). Went to vet at 3 pm. They gave me two rescue syringes which I used for the third episode and then post third seizure they prescribed phenobarbital. She is eating and staying hydrated, last temp was 101.4 at 7 pm last night. She slept well through the night but now, I need to find out how to reverse the vaccination effects and resolve the seizures. Any help would be greatly appreciated and met with heartfelt gratitude for my sweet girl. A full blood panel underway. Expecting it back by Monday, 9/23. @DrJeff

 

[Dr. Christina]

Critically important to begin ASAP working with a homeopathic veterinarian. Drs, Jeff, Judith herman, Todd cooney, & Adriana Sagrera are good ones.

If you have not taken the 101 course, please do and you can go to the resource library and click on the icon for seizures & brain problems.

Seizures are scary - they even were for me as a new vet, so be sure to take deep breaths if they recur, maybe take rescue remedy for everyone - people and dog.

Also important is to download the Healthy Dog Journal and carefully create the timeline of everything that happened since puppyhood, especially focusing on any reactions to vaccines, even very slight. then in the biography, think about how she was when you first got her, and how she is now - preferences for different foods (real food, not commercial), heat or cold, inside or out, behaviors, etc. This will help your homeopath.

And keep posting.

Dr. Christina

 

[LindaR]

Behaviors: today she is groggy, wobbly. She has been taking phenobarbital medication since Friday night at 6 pm. 1.5 tablets every 12 hours. She sleeps most of the time. Normally she is playful with her stuffed animals. She still barks at the dog commercials and wags her butt. She follows me wherever I go which is normal.
Energy: very little energy. She will stand up by side of bed and let me lift her butt up. She will walk up ramp and lift her own butt up until a few days ago. She stopped jumping up on bed about 12 months ago. A few weeks ago she was playing in the water hose when watering the garden and helped me pull weeds a week ago in the garden. She likes other animals and having playdates. Most recently a friend brought his weimerrunner over several times this past spring. She likes to run and chase frisbees and balls. She is not at all aggressive and tends to run to me if she senses aggression from others.
Appetite: she eats her Metabolic dry food with Badlands Super20 sprinkled on top with vigor. She has been drinking more water since on the phenobarbital. She was eating farmers dog up until a few weeks ago mixed with Science diet weight management kibble. I’ve had her on raw food diets for years. However, my husband does give her scraps from time to time. She had been getting baked dog bones as treats from The barkery. I used to give carrots and celery snacks. She has chewed on deer antlers and raw beef bones from the butcher in the past.
Mood: She is lethargic and not at all herself. She is content when she is near or touching me. Post each seizure on Friday she chased our min-pin chuiwawa . Her eyes are dialeted and she appears sad. She lifts her head and looks at me if I move around but doesn’t make an effort to come to me on her own like normal. I have to call her.

As a puppy, we took her to a family reunion at 10 weeks old acclimating her to social gatherings. She did well no nervous reactions. We had her in puppy training at 6-12 months old. On the way to her puppy class we were stopped at a railroad crossing. The train that went by caused her to shake and pant. I reassured her it was okay and continued to hold her and avert her to pay attention to me until it passed. She doesn’t like loud sounds like thundering, fireworks or gunfire. I give her calm tablets, put a thundershirt on her and headphones when she is in those conditions, keep music or television on to distract and in a lowlight room with me. She pants and shakes in those circumstances. But calms down once I add those comforting elements.

She does get watery eyes and wakes up with crusty residue. I notice watery eyes if I leave her home and when I come back. She had watery eyes post seizures last Friday.

She likes bath time and getting blown dry. She does not like nail trims.

 

[GinnyW]

Yep, I agree with Christina that there are many quirks and symptoms in here indicating competent and thorough homeopathic treatment. The insults and ensuing behaviors are piling up and will take some sorting, so do get started soon. Also I would urge a switch to an all-raw, non-kibble, non-dried diet of mostly meat, organs, and some select veggies and adjuncts. This can be simpler than you think, most likely, so read everything here and ask questions. Of course, the vaccinations did not help any, and serve no useful purpose. Once her system is straightened out, please do what you can to avoid them in future.

You will be amazed at what is possible here.

 

[LindaR]

I have Badlands Raw Superfoods Chicken and Beef recipes. Is this okay to feed her instead of the prescribed Metabolic? I also found the attached three oils, extracts at our co-op today. Are any suggestions for use?

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Hi Linda! Jumping in a little late here, but I had a couple of thoughts.

First, her previous bloodwork showed anemia, was that addressed? Maybe emphasize the beef in her diet and supplement with some raw organic liver to keep her blood healthy. (That food looks fine!)

Here is my article on seizures, and one on vaccine adverse effects; you may want to look at some of the supplements, particularly taurine.

I didn't see any oils attached but it seems to me that her liver is a little tricky right now, so I wouldn't burden her with extra oil, since the liver is the primary processor for most of them.

It probably goes without saying, but no vaccines for her ever again. None! Hopefully you are in a place where the vet can write an exemption for the rabies vaccine.

All this is just to make suggestions until you get established with a homeopathic vet, which I agree is of utmost importance.

 

[LindaR]

You are all such blessings…. I am tearfully thankful to be here! No vaccines ever again! Promised my girl. I will ask vet for Rabies exemption. I’ve intuitively been giving her the Badlands Beef Liver treats for the past two days. Attached are pictures. You can see she likes them. Should I wean her off the phenobarbital medication? Reviewing your articles now.

She is still groggy and wobbly and seems stoned today. Is that the meds or after affects of the seizures?

For the Taurine recommendation. Will the RX Vitamins Formula CV be okay?

 

[Dr. Christina]

@Dr. Jeff will be able to discuss more about the phenobarb side effects and what you can do now.
Most of what you are seeing now, IMHO, are side effects.
Your job now is to make an appointment, then see if you can get one earlier, per my last email.

AND, most importantly, love, love, love. Play. Dance a happy dane in front of her. Do not worry. Visualize her recovering fully with homeopathic care. Laugh. Sing. Cuddle. Go outside. Do whatever makes her happy and does not worry her (keep noises to a minimum.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hi Linda!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet girl's seizures.

vaccinations administered on Thursday. She had a series of seizures in the immediate following 24 hours at 2 am, 10:00 am and 5:30 pm yesterday, (Friday).

Oy...

She stopped jumping up on bed about 12 months ago.

Does she have any mobility issues? How is she with going up and down stairs?

Should I wean her off the phenobarbital medication?

Great question Linda! Personally, I'm very slow to start phenobarb, but Aspen's cluster seizure cycle had to be stopped.

If possible, a consultation with a vet neurologist specialist would be a great person to advise you on the use of anti-convulsants.

Maybe at:

BluePearl Pet Hospital | Maitland, FL | Our Vets

Meet the team of expert and compassionate specialty veterinarians that provide care at our BluePearl Pet Hospital in Maitland, Florida.

bluepearlvet.com

still groggy and wobbly and seems stoned today. Is that the meds

Probably, yes.

If indeed it is the pheno, I'd expect it to diminish every day.

I could not agree with Christina or Jean more. Homeopathic treatment is the best bet for un-entangling the obstructed energy flow that caused the seizures.

Perhaps both schedule evaluations with a neurologist and vet homeopath.

You may want to hold off on introducing anything else into her system right now (especially the Simparica that the vet sold you on 9/6).

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

I'd suggest plain taurine unless she is on the CV formula for an actual heart issue. Hawthorn is a powerful herb, not for everyday use. 1000 mg/day of taurine (Jarrow is a good brand) isn't too much, though I'd split it up 500 mg am and pm. You can get it in capsules and add to food, it has a mild salty taste that should be well accepted.

 

[LindaR]

Hi Linda!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet girl's seizures.

Oy...


Does she have any mobility issues? How is she with going up and down stairs?


Great question Linda! Personally, I'm very slow to start phenobarb, but Aspen's cluster seizure cycle had to be stopped.

If possible, a consultation with a vet neurologist specialist would be a great person to advise you on the use of anti-convulsants.

Maybe at:

BluePearl Pet Hospital | Maitland, FL | Our Vets

Meet the team of expert and compassionate specialty veterinarians that provide care at our BluePearl Pet Hospital in Maitland, Florida.

bluepearlvet.com

Probably, yes.

If indeed it is the pheno, I'd expect it to diminish every day.

I could not agree with Christina or Jean more. Homeopathic treatment is the best bet for un-entangling the obstructed energy flow that caused the seizures.

Perhaps both schedule evaluations with a neurologist and vet homeopath.

You may want to hold off on introducing anything else into her system right now (especially the Simparica that the vet sold you on 9/6).

Thank you @Dr. Jeff - I gave Aspen the dose of Simparaca on 9/16…. Ugh! No more - going in the trash. I’ve scheduled an appointment with you for Friday afternoon, your soonest availability.

My update to her conventional vet this morning and their response is below. I’ve attached the latest full bloodwork report taken on Friday, 9/20/24.

Aspen woke early today and seemed confused, weak and wobbly. She fell several times on her way to potty. I finally was able to get her to drink water after she ate ravenously. Feeling under chin, she seems to be a bit swollen. She does follow me around and is responding to me.
I've been giving her the phenobarbital as prescribed. Given at 7:30 this morning. Could it be too strong of a dose for her ?
Response:
Let's decrease the dose to 1 tablet twice daily. Her bloodwork is back and has some abnormalities, in between appointments and surgeries today I will call an internist to discuss more because again, I'm not quite sure what is going on. Her kidney and liver enzymes are elevated, and she is still anemic. Her cholesterol levels are very high as well, and her thyroid level is very low. Dr. Riley
- Parkway Animal Hospital
*Kidney and liver enzymes mildly elevated, not significantly
- Parkway Animal Hospital

 

[LindaR]

I'd suggest plain taurine unless she is on the CV formula for an actual heart issue. Hawthorn is a powerful herb, not for everyday use. 1000 mg/day of taurine (Jarrow is a good brand) isn't too much, though I'd split it up 500 mg am and pm. You can get it in capsules and add to food, it has a mild salty taste that should be well accepted.

Thank you so much. I’ve ordered Jarrow’s Taurine. It’ll be here tomorrow.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Let's decrease the dose to 1 tablet twice daily.

Great!

Her cholesterol levels are very high

Was she fasted (at least 8-10 hours) for the tests?

The lab form indicates: SPECIMEN REQUIRED ULTRACENTRIFUGATION DUE TO GROSS LIPEMIA

Which means that many of the results (especially cholesterol) may be affected.

You may need to repeat the tests when she is fasting. Let's see what the internist says...

 

[LindaR]

She had not fasted for the test. She ate at 8:30 am and the test was run at 4 pm. In answer to your earlier question if she is able to go up and down stairs. We have a single story home. She does trip over the door threshold down about 4 inches to the patio floor. She is holding her back legs close together when she stands. She has also used the ramp (on her own accord) to get up on the bed twice yesterday of which I helped her to successfully get up on the bed with praise, of course!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

She ate at 8:30 am and the test was run at 4 pm

That usually is enough time to clear the gross lipemia found at the lab.

Her high cholesterol may be from hypothyroidism. Did the vet possibly add on a free t4 to her tests (which only show a total t4)?

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

You can usually call the vet and request to add on tests (like free T4) within 7 days of the original test, most labs hold on to the samples that long. Might be a good idea. Shouldn't cost too much.

 

[LindaR]

You can usually call the vet and request to add on tests (like free T4) within 7 days of the original test, most labs hold on to the samples that long. Might be a good idea. Shouldn't cost too much.

Thank you so much! I asked, Response received: “I will call you to discuss everything after the specialist from University of Florida gets back to me. Likely later today. Thank you, Dr. Riley
- Parkway Animal Hospital”

 

[LindaR]

That usually is enough time to clear the gross lipemia found at the lab.

Her high cholesterol may be from hypothyroidism. Did the vet possibly add on a free t4 to her tests (which only show a total t4)?

Interesting… on 9/6/24 her cholesterol was 422 mg/dL… but two weeks later on 9/20/24 it is 2084 mg/dL. Post vaccinations the day prior. Something feels off here.

 

[LindaR]

I just returned from Parkway Animal Hospital where Dr Riley did a thorough exam. Her eyes appear fine, lymph nodes are fine. Based on the blood test results she would like to run more tests for Addison's dis-ease. She would also like to submit another blood panel for testing on her thyroid. She hasn’t heard back from the internist yet. I told her no more tests until we can get Aspen stabilized.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

two weeks later on 9/20/24 it is 2084 mg/dL. Post vaccinations the day prior. Something feels off here.

I couldn't agree more!

I don't think vaccine-associated hypercholesterolemia has ever been documented in the dog.

Let's see what the repeat test shows and possibly then write up Aspen's case for the AHVMA journal.