The Poultry Keeper

fenwoman · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:14 am Post subject: naughty Kip

He has been getting cocky lately and this afternoon when I made my bed, I found 2 of his 'fitty pills' so he has spat them out. Well just now he paid the price. I was sat here reading and heard thump thump thump and the other dogs barking downstairs. So I shot down to discover hiim in one of the varikennels I have in the dog room,having a huge epileptic fit. He always goes into one of the varikennels when he feels a fit coming on and I think it's because they are darker and he feels safe in them. It means he cannot hurt himself as he thrashes about. But boy is it whiffy as he empties his anal glands and pees himself when he fits. Anal glands have to be about the nastiest smelling things ever. He is out of it now but still a bit disorientated I washed his back and and tummy with a nice warm soapy flannel cos he isn't coming up to bed with me all stinky and wet Wink

and no way would he stay downstairs if I was in bed.
Sheesh, what a night, Serves him right for spitting out his fitty pills.
Incidentally the RAF used to fly their german shepherd guard dogs abroad using wire dog cages and found that if they had an epileptic fit in one, they always broke a leg as they thrashed about and thereafter they started to use vari kennels.GSDs and collies are both prone to epilepsy and Kip is half and half.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

My gorgeous GSD Chili suffered from fits as a result of a previous owner beating her as a puppy.
Fortunately the last two years of her life we managed to get her off her meds.
Although in the end it was a massive fit that ended her life Sad

And yes! Even the girls smell SO bad!!! LOL

fenwoman · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:27 am Post subject:

Yes a lot of people don't realise that it can be life threatening. Kip is fine as long as he takes his phenobarb' but when he goes all silly and spits the pill out, well tonight is a prime example. I daren't think what would happen if I took him off it, but I don't think I would be brave enough to try to. He is fine on it and it costs only about £6 a month so he will stay on it. I couildn't bear to lose the big old lump of a wolfie dog.
Got to take a cat and the giant schnauzer to the vet tomorrow. I think the GS immune system is starting to fail. She is 12 years old now which is old, and she is getting cysts one after the other on her legs and paws poor old girl.They are sore too so another vet visit is due. And the cat has a limp on her back leg. More money spent out. They're worth it though. Not a month goes by it seems without I am at the vets. Confused

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

My girl was on both phenobarb and mysoline (sp?)
but when we moved to our current rural location from the town - she needed them less and less. Says so much for the stress effect!
I used to have a running account with the vet due to all the stuff that was going on for my animals. I think I've been half a dozen time in all since moving. It's been fabulous for us all!

Good luck tomorrow with yours

madslg · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Farnham

It is the worry for us owners too though isn't it! If only they could talk eh! Mind you my cats seem to be able to communicate certain things quite ably and as you say fenwoman, they have certain places they go when certain things are happening to them

Hope all is well for you and yours....