Seizure...Pneumonia...HELP :(

[kashay]

Hello,

I have a 3lb. yorkie named Dallas that has recently become seriously ill in what seems like overnight. He will be 4yrs old on June 28th. He is currently in intensive care and I don't know what to do.

Going back 3 weeks: My vet switched its patients from Frontline to Vectra 3D flea & tick control. Dallas has used Frontline for 3 yrs with no problems. The vet told me Vectra was similar and would be better for him. After giving Dallas his first dosage of Vectra, he immediately showed signs of trouble. He began having trouble placing one paw in front of the other to walk forward or over anything. He would rear up on his hind legs and fall over. He would also walking backwards oddly enough. I rinsed the area. After a day or so he was back to normal walking forward but still a little shaky on curbs. I was happy because it seemed he was improving. Has anyone heard of any side effects from Vectra?

One week ago he showed signs of walking trouble again. He literally could not go forward. He would fall over while standing up on all fours. He then stopped eating, but would continue to drink water. Then came the bloody stool. This last over a period of 4 days. I took him to his vet 3 times during this period, and was told he was okay. The blood tests came back negative. The fecal tests were negative. There was nothing visibly wrong. Xrays came back negative. Then all of the sudden he perked up Wednesday and Thursday as if he was back to normal. He was eating and trying to walk but still a little slow. On Friday evening he had a seizure, his first seizure ever, and was rushed to the emergency vet. He came out of the seizure after maybe 20min. They gave him valium. He calmed down. But since then has been on his side unable to move, eat or drink. I am now told he has pneumonia which he developed from ingesting stomach fluids during the seizure. Initially after the seizure he was completely unresponsive but now he will recognize me and I can see him fighting to get to me from the cage he is in but his body simply wont let him. His tail will wag like crazy and ears will perk up but his limbs aren't cooperating and he is too weak from not eating or drinking. Each time I visit he seems to be more responsive to me, but he is still not eating or drinking and not moving. They are treating him for the pneumonia and have him on IV for fluids. They think he may have neurological issues and/or brain swelling. He has never ever been sick before. I am told he needs an MRI as they have ruled out all other possibilities for the seizure and him being sick and lifeless, but I cannot afford $1,800 right now. I love my yorkie, I have had him going on 4 years. I am terribly devastated and do not know what to do.

Has anyone encountered this or anything similar?

[dwerten]

I am so sorry

I would definitely have him under a neurologist care. It could be coincidence or could be the flea med if you noticed it right after flea med I would trust your gut.

Was the ALT high as that measures toxicity in the liver which can trigger neurological symptoms.

If blood work was perfectly normal then it could be neurological.

I am just so sad reading this as can only imagine how you are feeling

If toxicity sometimes plasma transfusions can help as it rids the body of toxins faster and it runs about $290 for a plasma transfusion so you can ask about this but if blood work is normal not sure if this will help.

was this flea med given with any other drugs or flea meds as another dog on here sunny had a horrible reaction to flea meds that were mixed Seems to be similar to me to what you are describing.

Sometimes when they sedate for seizures as happened to my friends dog that had ivermectin toxicity they have to suction the trachea which can cause fluid to get in lungs thus pneumonia sets in

[dwerten]

i just found this link but have not read it all

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ut-please.html

[kashay]

Yes it is very sad. I have trouble even talking about it but I am trying to research as much as possible in hopes to save him before it is too late. Although I hope it never comes to that. The liver test came back negative, or good (not sure how to state it). Which is why they are leaning to neurological issues.

No the vectra was given alone.

I will ask about the plasma.

Thanks for your concern.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by kashay

Yes it is very sad. I have trouble even talking about it but I am trying to research as much as possible in hopes to save him before it is too late. Although I hope it never comes to that. The liver test came back negative, or good (not sure how to state it). Which is why they are leaning to neurological issues.

No the vectra was given alone.

I will ask about the plasma.

Thanks for your concern.

hang in there and read that last link and hopefully crystal (elliemay) can give you some more info as i do not use flea meds here

I do know the plasma does wonders for toxic situations though as it saved my dog from dying of pancreatitis.

Make sure your dog is being seen by specialists please as this is a serious situation it sounds like

Was there anything off on the blood work highs and lows in beginning and now.

How are the kidneys? Bun and creatinine

ask them if ALT is normal

is white blood cell count high?

If neurological are they using chemo or steroids?

[kashay]

They are using steroids for now until they can get a diagnosis from an MRI. No chemo.

They said the tests from the bloodwork, kidney and liver came back good. I didn't get specifics on high or lows. Unfortunately I am new to this and just learning the questions to ask. I will take some of your questions with me when I go back to visit tonight. Thank you.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by kashay

They are using steroids for now until they can get a diagnosis from an MRI. No chemo.

They said the tests from the bloodwork, kidney and liver came back good. I didn't get specifics on high or lows. Unfortunately I am new to this and just learning the questions to ask. I will take some of your questions with me when I go back to visit tonight. Thank you.

ok are they doing spinal tap as well or just mri as usually they will do both to determine neurological

is your dog under a neurologist care now and at a specialty hospital?

go to CareCredit Healthcare Finance - Payment Plans and Financing for Cosmetic Surgery, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Veterinary & Other Medical Procedures and see if hospital will accept this as it will delay your vet bills and you can get approval or denial quickly to see if this will help

[dwerten]

sometimes things can trigger seizures in dogs and due to age of 4 it can be epilepsy or GME or NME and it takes one thing to trigger that reaction in the dog and this topical could have triggered it.

Have the seizures stopped? or is your dog still having seizures off and on

If blood work is normal then it is neurological as they can have normal blood work and still have neurological signs so steroids will take down the inflamation and hopefully stop the seizures

are they using any anti-seizure medication like pheno or potassium bromide?

He can be ok so keep the faith ok and we will be praying for your little one so hang in there as sounds like they are doing all the right things to get him better

[enzosfamily]

Hi,

My four year old Yorkie started throwing up and having seizure like symptoms once a week last summer- a million tests and almost a year later (and four vets) there was no one who knew why he was doing this - his bile acids were a little high but no one thought it was his liver doing this (no shunt after MRI, ALT levels normal) - we tried everything - food, testing, medicines, etc - finally took him to a holistic vet and tried the natural route - he still had them though they would sometimes occur 10 days apart - an improvement.

My holistic vet suggested a homeopathic vet - she thought it was the best chance to cure him. I went to see Dr. Michelle Yasson a little over three weeks ago - she does phone consults all over the country but we are lucky that she is only 45 minutes away. HolVet - Holistic Veterinary Services with Dr. Michele Yasson - she met with us for an hour and a half - her diagnosis was vaccinosis and anxiety. She gave us a homeopathic cure, vitamins, and told us to get Enzo training. I am ecstatic to tell you that the morning after we went to Dr. Yasson, he had threw up and had a seizure - I started his cure the next day (needed to buy distilled water) - he has not had an episode since! We had the trainer come that she recommended and in 2 hours he was a changed dog - I am hopefully optimistic that the seizure like symptoms will never appear again - however, this is the longest he has ever gone and we feel wonderful.

Best money we ever spent and believe me - Enzo's sickness has been expensive!

I believe your dog had a terrible reaction to that flea and tick - before you spend tons of money on expensive tests and operations - I think you should consult with Dr. Yasson.

A friend's pug had a terrible reaction to the Hartz brand that is sold in stores - your dog is only a few lbs - the dosage was probably too strong even though it says it is ok

Good luck to you - I am so sorry this occurred.

All my research and findings and consulting with the homeopathic and holistic vets have changed me - I home cook, no grains, just vegetables and meat, no flea and tick and Enzo will never receive another vaccine again -

Dr. Pitcairn's site has recommenedd homeopathic vets - I hope you can look into it - I will never see a traditional vet again.

[red98vett]

I'm so sorry about Dallas and hope you find answers - I don't know a thing about the Vectra 3D and I've just ordered frontline plus for my girls - I HATE using flea control - never had to when I had a house and yard as I treated everything myself.....

as far as someone mentioning Hartz - that stuff should be banned from the market - it's the worst stuff to use and many dogs have died due to Hartz....I think they did remove certain things they made but the flea stuff is still being sold and used. I would never ever buy it for my pets. There are other alternatives that are safer even though I believe none of them are completely safe. Fleas are bad so we have to do what we have to do but research before applying meds for this kind of thing......

all the best to you !

[enzosfamily]

Flea and Tick Control - Our homeopathic vet advised us to make a solution of 1 drop of lavender oil per one ounce of water. I made 16 ounces and put it in a spray bottle. Spray from the neck down about once a week.

[Ladymom]

Vectra 3D is made by Hartz and sold exclusively thorough Banfield. Both those names raise red flags for me.

Vectra 3D contains permethrin which has serious known side effects. I am no vet, but it sure sounds like symptoms of permethrin toxicity to me:

Overdose/Toxicity
May see drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, increased excitability, seizures, or change in body temperature (higher or lower).

The Use of Permethrin (Bio Spot-Spot On for Dogs, K9 Advantix)

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ea-tick-2.html

[TLC]

We use Frontline Plus and my Vet will NOT carry any product in his office that contains: Permethrin

I am praying your boy get better realy soon.

Please keep us posted

[Ellie May]

I am so sorry.

I think all they can do is IV, seizure control, and muscle tremor control when talking about permethrin toxicity.

I'm not sure where you are located, but is there another facility that offers MRIs for cheaper? That seems a bit high to me. I thought they were under $1000, but could be totally wrong.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I am so sorry.

I think all they can do is IV, seizure control, and muscle tremor control when talking about permethrin toxicity.

I'm not sure where you are located, but is there another facility that offers MRIs for cheaper? That seems a bit high to me. I thought they were under $1000, but could be totally wrong.

usually they sedate so they do mri and spinal tap at same time and it can be anywhere from 1600 to 3500 depending on area

I was hoping for an update on this little one as real nervous