Slightly anemic puppy with seizures

[sweetethel]

Hello there. I'm seeking advice about my 11-week old puppy Stewart.

Stewart had a small seizure on Tuesday night - the whole episode, from the first seize until he was up and walking around, lasted about a minute. There was no drooling, defecating, etc. - his muscles simply tightened up and he looked very bewildered. We brought him to the vet (of course), who tested him, and found that his hemoglobin/rbc's were low, and that he thinks it was related to Stewie's vaccinations the week before. We brought him in for a second blood test on Friday to monitor his levels, and the vet said that everything was a little more back to normal - low, but improving. He has been playing like a champ, energetic, etc. - he's showing no signs of amemia, which the doctor said was great. (He is an excellent, excellent vet).

All seemed very well until about 15 minutes ago - Stewie had another small seizure. He will be brought back to the vet in the morning for more follow-up, but I was wondering if anyone else has had an experience of this kind with their puppy? My older boxer, Ethel, also had a short struggle with anemia when she was Stewie's age, but ended up getting over it all within a month, and never experienced any seizures.

I know that the vet with have new info for me tomorrow, I am just looking for anyone else's experience with this kind of problem. It is so extremely upsetting to watch him go through that, and I am crossing all of my fingers that it is something that will pass. Any words of advice/stories about your own furbabies is much appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.

Angela (& Stewie!)

 

[Austin's Mom]

I don't have any advice but want to send lots of well wishes to Stewart. Hope it's something that will be short lived.

 

[Net45582]

What are you feeding?.....did the vet check glucose & thryoid levels?...these can all play parts in seizures. Good luck and hope its just a "thing" that passes.
Wanda Kiddo & Chancey

 

[Jan]

How is Stewart today?

I would definitely have them test the thyroid levels. Seizures can also sometimes be caused by low blood sugar. Do you know how long it had been since he had eaten?

I hope you find out what is wrong. Sending positives your way.

 

[sweetethel]

Thanks for all of your well wishes

Stewart went back to the vet today for two more tests - another CBC test to check his blood levels, as well as a liver shunt test. The vet is pretty sure that it isn't a liver shunt, but in the interest of being thorough, she performed the test anyway and we'll get the results tomorrow. She was also fairly certain that it wasn't a case of puppy hypoglycemia, though she didn't check his glucose levels/thyroid. When she calls tomorrow, I will definitely mention that. She seems to be pretty convinced that it is a reaction to his vaccinations (the same problem that our older baby, Ethel had). He is off all dry food and we've been monitoring his diet per the vet's request. (He went from Wellness puppy to Natural Balance chicken - I've actually never fed Natural Balance before, so I'm curious how he'll react to it).

The great thing about our vets is that Dr. Leiman does traditional veterinary medicine, and his wife, Dr. Eisner, does traditional and Eastern medicine, so she's been researching some homeopathic remedies as well (lobelia drops and thuja for the seizures, etc.). We're getting the best of both worlds. But alas, no concrete answers yet. We should make some headway tomorrow.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and advice, I will keep you posted!!

Angela & Stewie