Species: Dog Breed: Miniature long hair Age: 8-11 years
"My dog has mental breakdown in which he acts like he is on drugs. he runs in circles...he see's things...his eyes turn black as night....his eyes go back... and stays up all night...his original owner was a methamphetamine dealer and I think he ate it regularly....I took him to the vet and she put him on Prozac for a couple months but he still has these breakdowns...they are occurring more frequently...sometimes...2 times per week...from once every couple of months... Please help.
Dr. Marie replied:
I'm sorry to hear that you are having this difficult problem with your dog. This sounds like a very tough thing to deal with.
I have seen some dogs that actually have a seizure disorder that can cause them to do things like this. You may want to ask your vet about trying a medication called phenobarbital. If this is a type of a seizure then this may help.
Another possibility, (although it seems less likely) is that he is having episodes of pain, perhaps back pain?) It could be worthwhile to try him on some anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your vet to see if that makes a difference.
If this is because of the drugs I'm not sure if there is anything else that can be done.
I wish I had more advice for you!
Dr. Marie.
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Customer reply:
thank u dr....isnt phenobarbetol a heavy duty type of narcotic or something like that? could his siezers last that many hours....over 24 most of the time...he does cry when i pick him up or rub his back so i dont think his back hurts...i could be wrong though dr...im willing to look at everything but please tell me more abt the lhenobarbetol and the seizors? what kind of seizures? and cause from what?...he was up for a day in a half and is completely out today...he will all day today and part of tomoerw...i hav to force feed him water in an eyedropper when he is having an episode too...i
Dr. Marie replied:
Phenobarb is not a narcotic. Most dogs do well with it and really don't have side effects when they are taking it.
I'll be honest, the seizure idea is really just a guess. It would be unusual for a seizure to last that long. However, it's possible that he has a seizure and then what you are seeing for 24 hours is something called the "post-ictal phase". Many dogs who have a seizure will feel really really strange for a good number of hours afterwards.
It's worth asking your doctor about. But unfortunately what we do from here will just be trial and error.
Customer reply:
thank u dr...i was hopi.g u woulding say it was more than likely his brain...my fear .was a possibility of brain cancer etc...he is my baby...my best friend....so should i just go back to the vet with ur ideas...i at least feel like i have a little amunition...u understand? i dont want to spend $100'$ on bs tests et......i want the truth a.d theb i will do what it takes for my baby...thank u dr....pls reply..
my last questions...
Dr. Marie replied:
I think the problem here is that you could end up doing a lot of tests but still not have an answer. So, yes, I would say it is worthwhile to ask your vet if a trial of phenobarbital is a good idea.
A tumor in the brain is a possibility as well, although it doesn't usually cause symptoms like this. Unfortunately the only way to diagnose this would be to do a CT scan which would be quite expensive. And even then there wouldn't be anything that could be done.
Customer reply:
Thank u again dr.mSo what do I say to my vet? That I have spoke to you and that u feel that this could be a type of siezer and you feel that phenobarbital may relieve it? Yes...a ct sounds very expensive...it just kills me that vet bills are so expensive...that there is no good insurance for them...and that we even have to think twice about treating them...we wouldn't think twice if it were our children....I'm sorry...I'm just very sad over this..he is my baby and .he is having another episode right now...3 in 3 days...very bad....excuse my French...but shit what am I to do???
Michele
Dr. Marie replied:
I would simply ask your vet if some type of a seizure is possible and if they feel that phenobarbital would help.
Customer reply:
thank u dr...i was hopi.g u woulding say it was more than likely his brain...my fear .was a possibility of brain cancer etc...he is my baby...my best friend....so should i just go back to the vet with ur ideas...i at least feel like i have a little amunition...u understand? i dont want to spend $100'$ on bs tests et......i want the truth a.d theb i will do what it takes for my baby...thank u dr....pls reply..
my last questions...
Dr. Marie replied:
Hi Michele. There really isn't much more that I can tell you. I hope things improve soon.
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Veterinarian, Dr. Marie created this site to be able to provide quick, accurate veterinary advice online. She would love to help with your pet's problem!
Dr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.
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