March 2005:
Tess was pulled from a local kill shelter – her coat horribly overgrown, her past a mystery – all I was told was that she had been abandoned.
This dear little Westie suffers from tremors, or mini seizures daily, many times throughout the day. It is heartbreaking to see this sweet little girl staggering about and falling over when they strike.
She can’t play as other dogs do. It took her two weeks to realize what a toy was for. Even now she will only play with one, a little plush teddy bear. When she shakes it to ‘kill’ the teddy, in only a few moments she will drop him, staring blankly ahead of her, and then the tremor will begin.
Starting at her ear tips, it works its way down her spine. If she is standing, she will stagger, then lock in place. If she was walking at the time, her legs will be locked in the walk stance. When the tremor works its way to her rear section, it frequently knocks her off balance and she lands on her side or her rump.
It has happened while coming back indoors, where she is locked in the walk stance – half inside, half outside. We must wait until the tremor releases her from its grip to continue coming in. I have noticed that her episodes are more numerous during times of drastic weather change.
During times of stress, I have noticed she would have a tremor every seven to ten minutes as we were trying to relax on the couch. They gradually dissipated in their intensity and allowed her to finally get some rest.
Her quality of life could be so much better. This is why I am requesting WestieMed’s help. She should be able to play like other dogs. She should be able to enjoy the outdoors without it bringing on such impingement in her life. She should be able to relax without her self-annoying leg kicks waking her repeatedly. Something is clearly wrong with her, something that is not showing up in the diagnostic testing we have already had performed on her.
It goes without saying that to us she is a very special Westie, she has our hearts and our home regardless of what the future may bring for her. As her caretaker, naturally I want her future to be a very bright one. There is a world to see and experience, and I want for her to be able to enjoy it as fully as possible.
Tess deserves no less than my very best efforts at making her quality of life as complete as possible. With WestieMed’s assistance, she can be seen by a Neurologist and get the diagnosis and treatment she needs.
Thank you for your approval of our application on Tess!
Sincerely, Linda Juszczyk
Update March 25, 2005:
We have excellent news!
Tess is going to lead a normal life! With daily medication (Bromide), Dr. Parker feels she will do just fine. I asked if she will be able to play like other dogs, and he said absolutely.
He did say that what she exhibits is ‘very rarely seen and that she has quite a bag of tricks’. He said they are considered seizures, not tremors and it is definitely not White Shaker Syndrome.
He also said this is not in relation to a tumor in the brain. (Thank heavens!) It is also not a hereditary sort of seizure activity. It was likely brought on by either old head trauma or virus, something ingested once upon a time, maybe even low calcium in her mother’s milk when Tess was a nursing pup.
So no x-rays were ordered, no MRI. He sent us home with liquid Bromide to begin at a very low dose and do a gradual increase monthly until we find her optimum level. We see him again in three months unless there is a need before then.
Dr. Parker said the seizure type where you actually witness them traveling as hers do (from ear tips to tail, quite quickly) are very rare in humans, and even more so in canines.
Something which had been an unusual occurrence for Tess had become frequent this week. Her front legs slide out from her body doing the splits, and she will fall very suddenly and very hard. When she gets up, it will only happen again, and then a third time. It has been a rough week for her.
As her blood work previously done showed slightly elevated protein levels (which he said may just be normal for her) the decision was to not place her on Phenobarbital but to go for Bromide which is known to be kinder on the liver and other organs.
Update May 2005:
Tess had been acting out of character, and I phoned her Neurologist to see if it could be a side effect of the KBr. He was unavailable, so I was referred to our regular vet. He opted to cut her KBr in 1/2, and add a very small dose of Phenobarbital (1/4 Gr) ~ see how she does, and recheck with our Neurologist.
The addition of the Phenobarbital did nothing in helping the seizure control. It did however give her signs of ataxia, where her hind legs would camp out behind her and did not wish to respond to her efforts to get them back under her and walking. She began doing the splits again with her front legs, falling hard face first. Due to the meds, she was sleeping much of the time, and in her waking hours, she was very uncoordinated, walking around the house as if drunk.
When we saw her Neurologist, he decided to drop the Phenobarbital completely as it was not helping her seizure control. He upped the KBr, which has been significantly lessening her seizures.
The irritability we thought was a side effect of the meds, was not. Upon exam, the Neuro found her hind leg response is not right. Her brain isn’t registering where the feet are, thus the unsteadiness and inability to place them correctly. This wasn’t the case the last time he saw her.
He palpitated her neck and spine very well and found extreme tenderness of the back. It had not been like this last visit. He took two x-ray slides of her spine, thinking she may have some degenerative bone disease going on.
As he throws the slides on the viewing screen, he said there was quite a surprise. Clear as day on the screen is the form of a solid, round metal object lodged against her spinal column. A ‘BB’. The vet said the BB stopped when it struck bone and lodged there. It may have been there for many years, we don’t know.
For some reason, this area has now become inflamed and is causing her a great deal of back pain. For one month she is to be on total crate rest, no jumping on the sofa, no stairs ~ we must lift her to go outside, etc. He’s giving her Prednisone to reduce inflammation and rechecking in two months.
Someone used her for target practice at some point in her life. I can’t express myself freely, but I’m sure you can guess what I think of people who treat animals in such a way.
If anyone thinks BB’s are no big deal, they should see this and what she is going through.
WestieMed, thank you for your continuing support as we work through Tess’s health concerns. I don’t know what we would do without you. Due to your help, Tess is now receiving effective seizure control which is greatly restoring her quality of life.
Update July 2005:
Hello WestieMed!
I want to thank you for all your help!
Our regular vet checked me recently and determined I have a urinary infection going on. They took my blood (!), and I sure didn’t like that! Also, they peered deep into my ears. The things they expect us to put up with! humph, I think they are checking my hearing. I did hear mum say much later that the blood test shows I am not at my ‘therapeutic level’ for seizure control. She told me not to worry, we’ll get there yet.
Mum took me back to the Neurologist (whatever that is) and he checked me out really well. He said my lower back is not bothering me as it did before…but he’s keeping a check on my upper back. They upped my meds for the seizures, and I’m feeling so much better! I’m not seizing as hard as before, and things seem much more clearer to me. Suddenly I have more energy ~ I play longer, and you should see me canter across the yard now! Mum says I remind her of a little pony.
Today I went back to the regular vet for a recheck. They said I still show a urinary infection, so we went home with some more meds. Would you believe they peered into my ears again?! What the heck is up with that? I heard them say I need another recheck in two weeks’ time. If it weren’t for the treats mum brings along, I’m not so sure I would go.
Mum says she sure can see a difference in me now! She was holding me at the vets and said I’ve got moves Madonna hasn’t even thought of yet! I don’t know what that means, but it seemed to make everybody happy. (Well, they did look a bit frazzled, but happy.)
Thank you WestieMed for assisting me to get the help I need to feel all better once again!
Tess
Update August 2005:
With your help, Tess is making remarkable progress! She is seeing a Neurologist and he is adjusting her Potassium Bromide levels to find her optimum dose. I can report that this week she is making great strides. The ‘drunkenness’ effects of the meds have worn off. This week she is stronger, more mentally alert, and aware of what is going on around her.
When the seizures strike, it now looks as if she is having a Charley Horse while walking. Her back legs tend to cramp and lock into place, but it only lasts a moment and then she is right back into doing her own thing. Huge progress! A stranger would not think it was a seizure. Her true sweet personality is in evidence; what a wonderful little girl someone threw away!
At her last checkup (last Friday) for a urinary infection, her tests came back that she is still showing signs of one. She has been under antibiotic treatment for a month for this. This Friday, Aug. 12th she is to go back in and have some urine drawn by the vet via a needle. He wants to see if the urine in the bladder is showing infection, or if her samples are being contaminated by her coat as it exists. She has been kept clipped to 1/4″ length for the summer and bathed. I am hoping for good results.
I can also report that her walks are doing her a world of good! Last week she cantered up and down a small grade in the park, all on her own with a huge smile on her face! It made my soul soar to view that, the pure joy of her running like that. No wobbles, no falling over, no blank stares – just a little body enjoying stretching out for a bit, feeling the wind in her face.
When she tires she is perfectly content to sit back in the stroller and let me take over, her little form happily laying upon my refrigerated knee pack. Since our park outings have begun, she has lost 2 lbs and looks so much better. It is obvious she is feeling better too, she is much more playful and responsive. She even got to go to Doggie Beach a few weeks ago and feel the sand beneath her toes, probably for the very first time. I’ll attach a photo from her outing.
Thank you WestieMed, for your continuing support of Tess. You have already made such a tremendous turn around in this little dog’s life! There is no doubt her quality of life is vastly improved.
Sincerely, Linda
Update December 2005:
I am very happy to relate to you that Tess is faring well! She has made great progress in her recovery – even more than I dared to hope she would. Her seizures are very close to being eliminated now. We’re awaiting the results of her blood drawn last week, so her meds may still require a little tweaking – but she has noticeably made tremendous strides!
On a recent walk last week, a friend commented she couldn’t believe she was the same dog! She is smiling, happy, coordinated – able to run and enjoy herself. A very far cry from the weak, trembling wreck who used to seize many times throughout each day.
Her seizures resemble just a little hitch in her stride most of the time now. Her mental clarity has improved vastly. At the park, she is the first to run up to greet new dogs – each one being a potential new friend in her mind. She is just a happy little sprite, eager to explore her world and surroundings.
I just can’t get over the change in her. What a wonderful companion animal she is making. Very sensitive to her surroundings, she is first to lend her support if you are having a bad day. I guess she knows how it feels!
Your funding for her recovery means much more to me than I can relate. I wonder how many years she had lived like that; which must have felt like living a half-life.
Thank you WestieMed board for giving Tess a whole new lease on life! Her future is looking very bright indeed.
Also, special thanks to Tess’ Neurologist Dr. Alan J. Parker of VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital, and her small animal Vet Dr. Joseph Caffarini of Lockport Animal Hospital for the magic they have worked on this little scamp.
Sincerely, Linda
Update February 2008:
It is with an incredibly heavy heart I write to inform you and the WestieMed Board that Tess has passed away.
There is so much I would like to say in thanks to all of you, but I am finding difficulty in relaying just how much of a difference your help has made to her life, and ours. You gave her quality of life back. I can’t express the effect your sponsorship made, and how many lives have been touched by this abandoned little girl.
Tess suffered a stroke in June of 2007. Her vet determined her age to be at least 14. As she was adopted, we’ll never really know. The following months were a series of ups and downs, but I was determined to keep her comfortable and her dignity intact as long as she wanted to be here. On January 23, 2008, she was put down by our small animal vet. We were the last clients of the day, it was a peaceful passing. Her little body had just plum given out and she was in a final decline she would not overcome.
I do believe this is the most difficult letter I have ever written, as my heart is very full and my home seems so empty without her.
Thank you again for everything. I wouldn’t trade my years with Tess for anything in the world.
Sincerely,
Linda Juszczyk
