Aunt lisa brought some good questions up to us.... and i should probably explain a few things as I understand it so far.... remember I'm a newbie at all this and a lot more people know more than me.

 

The phenobarbital he takes is to control the seizures. He'll always have epilepsy and there is no cure. The phenobarbital in the case that he hasn't had seizures since Tuesday is working.  The drug is toxic to his system and he'll have numerous blood tests. Right now we're getting the Pb to a theraputic level and he is more prone to have seizures for the first few weeks. The phenobarb also has some major side effects - the permanent effects is the constant hunger, thirst and urination. The ones we hope goes away is the mucscle weakness. Mason has a pronounced head wobble - less today but he doesn't have a lot of hind leg control either.  I've read where some have it within 3 days some 3 weeks. I'm unsure if his might be more permanent since he ended up seizing for so long - but if that is the case I can be okay with it - he is alive.

 

so yes the phenobarb that he is taking so far seems to be working - no seizures (yet). He can still have them with the phenobarb and if he does - there are other options to increase his dosage, or add her medications.  There are a lot of families going through much worse and some having much better luck than us - so it appears it's different for everyone and we all seem to just take it a day at the time and love 'em as much as we can as long as we have them.

 

I hope that answers some of the questions I got. It's how I understand it but I suggest if you have a canine with epilepsy you do more research rather than just reading this. - I myself am still learning - and there is so much information to read!

 

as for the rest of the day - I'm still sleep deprived. I had planned on having dinner with my parents but apparently while I was napping my hubby decided I needed to sleep more and called my parents to cancel out (I'm not to happy about that but I also have to remember to keep a calm house for Mason's sake) Dave gets his sleep most of the time - you know how it is for a momma.  I did get out of the hosue for a couple of hours today and went for some retail therapy with my mom. Of course Mason and Blue got new toys. Not that they need them - but it's one of the pleasures right now to see Mason get excited over a toy and want to play. He lasts about 15 minutes and crashes out (like now). I dont think I bought a single thing for myself - figures. I did get a pill organizer for Mason as well as pill cuter. Those are just two things you never think you'll need for your child.  *yes Mason is my child - he just has 4 legs and has fur*.

 

so besides my dad having to shoot a snake in their yard when we got back from shopping today has been an okay day... wish I could stay home again tomorrow but I've got to go back to work to pay the bills. I'm just going to have to trust the hubby to be able to look after my son to the level that I do.

 

I just hope I concentrate on work instead of Mason most of the day.....so much to do tomorrow - I just want to survive as for now I guess I'm just going through daily life like some sort of zombie now.

Well our normal life is looking after the boy... He is having a so far good day ....like I said so far. A bit better than yesterday considering he had such a bad day yesterday.  if he is up to it - we'll try another small walk tonight - I did read where I need to make sure he has a walk to keep his muscles strong.

 

I just got him inside out of the sun a few minutes ago - it took me a bit to actually wake him out of that drug sleep. We used to have to bribe him with a treat to come inside - we have to stop that... but today I used a tiny piece of non-fat cheese (ick)... and I mean a tiny piece.  so much to do, learn, and train apparently.

 

A friend of a friend is a dog trainer - he is to call us today - we have questions of course. Dave wants to know if we can train blue to alert us if need be when he notices something is wrong with Mason.  Such responsibility on the Blue son.....He is being so good with all this - he knows something is different and he misses the amount of attention he used to get. Mason was always the independent one - and Blue the "clingy" one.  Its changed - now we have two clingy ones that want our attention 24/7.

 

So I'm going to try to run a few errands while the boys are napping. I have to go grab some more bandages for Dave's injured leg and pick up that journal calendar thingy I talked about last night to keep a record of possible triggers and behavior changes.  The canopy we started on - still not finished... we now need a replacement part so it may be next week before we get to it.  one day at a time at our house - that's all we can ask for... if it's messy, dusty, whatever we'll get to it - Mason comes first.

 

Looking forward to dinner with my parents later - the boys will love it when they come over - I'll have to prepare them for the wolfy child though - and they thought his begging was bad before.

 

Happy Memorial Day - and to all the military & vets - Thank you!

 

I read this tonight... this morning whatever time it is....

and it's so true. I found someone else's blog tonight of her dog's journey and it fits what we're going through right now and pretty much what we face from here on out. I thought I'd share it so some of you can understand a bit more.

"here are just a few things you lose when your life is invaded with Epilepsy.

1. A good night’s sleep

2. A sense of security

3. An objective view of the future"

That is so true - what is sleep?  It’s like you never sleep soundly again "pre-seizure day sleep" - you wake to every sound, movement, - anything.... cause you never know. Someone described it like the monster under the bed visiting. Cute way to say it.  Some sleep on floors, couches anywhere so they can be close to their baby- and I'm like that - I slept on the couch today for a nap beside Mason - but I sleep better when I know Dave is up and is able to watch out for Mason while I sleep - night time is the worst for me cause I want to watch him all the time. I don’t sleep - can't sleep..... This is so not healthy and I know it.

My life is changed - I know there are going to be nights to the vet clinic, emergency calls form home to leave work, sleepless nights,  I know there is going to be more trips to the vet for more test, I know there is medication to be given daily, more research, more natural eating and supplements, cooking meals for him, falls, lack of coordination, behavior issues, weight issues, and  expenses, ....whatever it is Mason is worth every dollar, every moment, every breathe. I'm pretty fortunate that I have a husband that can work from home to look after him during the day - if not He'd have to have a sitter or a doggy daycare provider. I have great parents who are supportive both emotionally, physically, and financially - and especially who can care for blue while one drives a hysterical parent to the vet clinic in the middle of the night. And I'm so lucky to have a great co-worker and boss who understand my passion and love for my son Mason.  I have wonderful friends who care and love us all and who are there to help any way they can. Over all I'm one lucky girl!  And my wolfy boy is one loved pup!

time to check on him again - he likes to be outside on these nice cooler nights..... probalby okay since he drank a full bowl of water before going out there. :)

I dont know if anyone else will find this blog and if it's helpful to them with their canine epilepsy but i must say reading other's journeys and blogs is very helpful to me knowing I'm not alone.

 

 

 

 

I tell you I've learned allot from http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/  Really if you want to know more about canine epilepsy and what to do - this is the site! I'll have to get some natural ice cream now. I'll need to home cook - there is so much info - even what to talk to the vet about - what test they should do and how often.  this is from other epi- parents and they've been through it all - this is a great site to learn - why not learn from others who have gone through it - good and bad apparently.

 

read more of what my Mason is going through - this is the site.  I don't want to experience the clusters again - but from reading this site - and talking to my vet when I picked Mason up on Wednesday he prescirbed the rectal valium for him - and the pharmacy acutally had to figure out how to make it - so this site has come in very handy for me and Mason.  If it wasnt for this site I wouldn't have know that this protocol could stop or reduce clusters.

 

There is so much to do - I'm going to buy a good calendar or something tomorrow - a seizure journal. The blog is helping but after reading things that could cause seizures I need to document everything just in case - and we all know nobody wants to know my daily schedule at home!

 

I so wonder if I can leave him = I have/had such high hopes for this summer  - and my whole life has been turned upside down - this really sucks but you know - I have faith that everything happens for a reason and if this had to happen - something good will come of it.  who knows what that is yet but something.... I have faith.

 

I hated that I missed David's sermon in church today - it was his first Sunday back from his trip and I so wanted to hear about it.  Maybe next week I can sneak away from Mason - he'll be better I hope and i won't be so sleep deprived.  I actually took a nap this afternoon when Mason napped - geez it's the same advice I always give new parents.

 

Well Dave turned off the tv - it must be bedtime in the smart house.... Mason is sleeping and blue has settled in on the couch.. okay spoke too soon - Mason just stretched his paw into my foot nails and all - he wants my attention so I beter sign off.    yep Mason wants mommy time..gotta go!  wish he'd sleep!

 

 So tonight while Dave and Mason are napping and Blue is guarding the house by monitoring traffic by the window - I sit here like every night researching and learning what I can do for Mason.

 

Tonight’s topic - raw diet and the health benefits...and home cooking....

 

So I'm going to be posting some notes in this blog as I go along - so by the time I post it you'll see what I've also found out.  Just tid bits of info that is helpful to me ...

 

***

Remember too a dog cannot digest raw veggies unless you put them in a food processor first.once a day, huskies can be very food oriented.
But beware huskies were specifically designed to subsist in a very harsh environment on very little food and work all day on it. So they can become
very overweight in the absence of this.raw meat, all different kinds, keep it varied, but for growing pups chicken is the best. All uncooked bones are great,
but do try to avoid the real big hard ones like the ones from a cow's leg. They are so dense and hard they can chip and injure a dogs teeth and cause
wear if they have them too often. Other than that all bones are great. For a growing pup poultry and pork are the best but give him red meats as well. Remember the only dangerous bones are ones that have been cooked, all raw bones are fine. Raw eggs, cottage cheese, lactose reduced milk, all whole milk not skim. Mince is great all different kinds, fish is great too. Blend up some veggies from time to time and mix them in as well. Honey on the cottage cheese, yohgurt, all full cream of course, and any general table scraps.So give a diet of 80% raw meaty bones ***

 

I've emailed the poster of the previous quotes to find out a bit more of what she does, what kind of meals and cost.. so we'll see what info I can find out.

 

 

a really great site is http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com

Commercial dog food is not the best food to give dogs with seizures.  Dogs evolved from Canis lupis - the wolf. Wolves eat caribou or the like, but if they are forced, they will eat smaller game. They have been observed to graze on grass, eat berries, etc, but only when they need to. This is our lesson in canine nutrition - they are omnivores who do well with fresh meat, the vegetation they get in a caribou stomach (which is mostly green), and a smattering of other stuff if they are hungry.

 

It is important to bring to light the cautions for feeding raw meat to epileptic dogs, whose immune systems may already be compromised.

Most people who feed a raw food diet have very strong feelings about raw. However, with the vast amount of information on this subject raw vs. home-cooked or commercial) it can become very overwhelming. Moreover, raw food enthusiasts are so steadfast in their belief that they are doing the best for their dog by feeding raw, they may not even consider compromised dog's needs, such as an epileptic dog when recommending a raw food diet.  I have always believed that each dog is an individual, and what works for one dog may not work for another, I truly am convinced that this includes diet.  And the reasons why the Guardian Angels do not advocate feeding a raw food diet, especially to epileptic dogs are due to the following:

First and foremost, dogs with epilepsy may be "genetically challenged" and therefore would not process food (and most other things for that matter) like other "healthy" dogs.  Many epileptic dogs also have other ailments (for instance my epileptic dog, Aisha. In addition to his epilepsy, he is auto-immune along with other genetic shortcomings).  To that end, our epileptic dogs may already be compromised and raw meat (even "organic", "free range", etc.) contains bacteria.  The liver is one organ that actually filters the bacteria that has been ingested, and since a lot of epileptic dogs are on Phenobarbital, the liver is already working hard on metabolizing a hepatotoxin. 

 

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/weight_loss.htm

Diet is one that we kind of backed into. When some of the Epi Guardian Angels were dealing with liver damage and their dogs were on the liver cleansing diet (developed by W. Jean Dodds, DVM), we noticed a slow weight loss without the dog being hungry. They would lose about a pound every week or so which is a good rate for dogs. Here is the liver cleansing diet adapted for weight loss which has been highly effective. WEIGHT LOSS DIET 2 cups zucchini 2 cups string beans, celery, carrots, or summer squash 4 cups cod fillet or chicken Wash the zucchini and cut up with string beans, celery, carrots or summer squash and cook in a covered pot until very tender. 4 cups cod fillet poached in a frying pan with water until fish is white OR 4 cups of chicken which has been skinned. Simmer a whole skinned chicken in a covered pot (barely covered with water) for about 2 to 3 hours. Drain the chicken in a colander and put the left over chicken soup in the fridge and skim off the fat when it is cold. You can use 1/2 cup of the chicken soup heated in a microwave mixed in with the meals for extra nutrition of trace minerals. Mix all the above ingredients together until it is well blended. This will give you approximately 8 cups of food. Depending on the size of your dog, you can double or triple the recipe. Try and feed in 2, 3 or 4 small meals (depending on your schedule), the last one being at bedtime. Smaller meals spread apart will burn more calories. Put one meal portions in baggies and freeze what you won't use in 3 days. Then you can put them in the fridge the day before and they will be thawed out. You should be able to cook once a week and freeze what you don't use. This recipe will stay fresh for 3 days in the fridge. To determine how much "Weight Loss" food to feed, start with the same amount of cups you feed regularly. If your dog eats 4 cups of food a day, give 4 cups of the "Weight Loss" mixture. Divide it up into the different amounts you are able to feed (2, 3 or 4 meals). If you don't see weight loss in 2 weeks, reduce the amount slightly until you do. For full supplementation, use an infant's liquid multi vitamin (use the dose for the body weight recommended) or read the list of supplements in the article "Supplements For Home Cooked Diet". Joanne Carson, Ph.D. Metabolic Therapist

Homemade diets can be used instead of naturally preserved commercial diets, provided that the formula is properly balanced.  All other food supplements, including treats, are withdrawn, with the exception of such ingredients as fresh or stewed vegetables; low-fat cottage cheese or plain non-fat yogurt; boiled or scrambled eggs; chicken, turkey, fish, rabbit, venison or lamb stewed after removing the skin and fat; potatoes, steamed brown rice and pasta.  A mixture of fresh vegetables, excluding onions and the cabbages, can be stewed together with basic kibbled cereal.  Animals with known or suspected intolerance to dairy products, eggs or other ingredients should not be given these foods.  A variety of individual diets can be developed by owners in consultation with their veterinarian and a nutritionist.  While animals treated in this way sometimes experience complete remission of symptoms, most show a 75% or greater improvement of their existing condition.  This holistic approach to diet is combined with the minimal amount of drug therapy required to extend the clinical remission and enhance the well-being and longevity of the patient.  It is easy to implement, employs a common sense methodology and is inexpensive.  The clients and patients like it, and best of all, it works!

 

Okay so it looks like a more home made cooked meal is what we need to go to - I'll need some direction on that but I think it'll be better for him. I'm not if it's less expensive now with the cost of food but since my own diet I don’t spend a lot on food as it is and I’m sure I can get what I need from Summerals (however you spell it) out in Ayden. Barbara swears by that place and I’m sure I can get allot of the mean Mason will need.  I'm trying to feed the two separate now - Tonight I placed Mason in the living room with his food - he is more stable on his feet on carpet - and Blue is having to learn to eat in the kitchen only when his food bowl is down - it's a big adjustment but I think with time it's going to work. Blue's genetic make up I'm not real worried about weight gain but since he has bad hips since a puppy this might actually help him too. I could cook allot in the crock pot - and since I basically have a nice one for us and two older ones - I can cook their in the older ones. I found a calculator online that I can know how much to feed them.

 

yep I'm definitely talking with Dr. Dail this week - we need a change and find something that we can hopefully take him off this Phenobarbital - we'll see.... a lot more research is needed on my part mind you. After all I work in the medical field and know the benefits of Phenobarbital on kids - but canines and humans are different and their bodies metabolizes it differently too - it can be fatal for dogs, toxic and destroy their livers.

 

 

Feeling information overload like me yet??????????

Well it's a rough day around our house today. Not what i had expected after such a good day yesterday.  Oh and to top it off I have two to look after - they're wearing me and blue out.  Needless to say we didn't get the canopy top up today - and poor Dave now has a nasty gash in his leg cause of it - probalby needs a couple of stiches but I have it wrapped pretty good.  hmmm am I a nurse or a vet tech now?

 

Blue is getting jealous today - we almost had a fight over a toy = so it's getting to him finally - especially today since Mason is having a really difficult day. He doesn't have very much coordination at all today and has fallen numerous times today - even inside. I can't say how this makes me feel and really get across to everyone - besides heartbreaking - I literally just want to cry - I hate seeing him this way -and it hurts my heart so much.  I can tell he knows we treat him different. Oh and he wants to jump up and lay down on the couch like he always has and he can't - it's pitiful - I got him up today - and he loses his balance and I have hold him - then when he falls I have to position his legs  - he gives me the "look".  I remember that "look" from Sam right before he passed and lost a lot of his control too. 

 

Northern sled dogs, breeds are different than most typical breeds - to me they seem so much smarter - humanistic (even though you're not supposed to give them humanistic qualities - I guess I do since he is my child). Blue is a good old hound dog - most dogs are just really good all american pets/sons/ whatever - but when it comes to northern breed dogs - they're different - they can be too intelligent for their own good - and Mason is so close to a wolf breed - he can be smarter than most. I'm not saying all huskies are like that or even that Mason is smarter than most - I'm just saying he knows it's different and he can show us.  Sam was even more - but then again I met Sam a lot older than what Mason is now so he knew more - and could spell - Samoyed - now that is a smart dog - ask Barbara and Nick they went ahead and got another one after their Sammie - where we decided on a husky.  Kelsie puts both of my boys to shame.

 

Well since Dave can't do much but keep his leg up today we may actually do nothing the rest of the day but read the paper and watch out for the boys - Mason just went to sleep. I had planned on going into work today but I got an email last night after midnight that Joan was still there and just finished charts - so depending on what things look like tonight around 7 I may or may not go in - she gave me the choice. I don't know considering what a rough day we've had.

 

I hate the thought of leaving him when Mason is having such a bad day - but come Tuesday I need to go back to work. Dave has been doing a wonderful job and I havne't had to remind him about Mason's pills. 

 

We're all just wore out here - totally exhausted.  I still should feel optimistic - I've done a lot of reading online and joined a few listservs and yahoo groups where their dogs seize constantly - weekly monthly - and we've only really had to deal with it 4x - but the worst was his clusters the other night - which is the most dangerous - we hope we don't see that again - but from readig most see it right after they start 'em on Pb - we haven't ...(YET).

 

well I'm going to relax a bit and read some of the sunday paper and try to rest when they rest - especially since I read the resetlessness Mason is going through is from t medicine too - I hope that wears off....one day... SOON!

 

Thanks for all the caring thoughts and prayers.

 

To have had such a good positive day yesterday, this morning makes it a reality. It's been a rough morning. Mason has fallen about 3 times, once pretty much tumbling over sideways - he just couldn't catch himself.  He did make it up and down the steps this morning which was good cause after I saw him attempt to get up - I was very worried. He walked sideways all the way to the back door.

 

I also had to do the mother duty and clean his butt this morning - not sure Dave is up for that one or not. 

 

I also read this morning that one of the side effects that I didn't know about from Pb is restlessness - that explains why I can't get him to settle down half the time. I'm so tired and worn out. I may have gotten 4 hours of sleep.  Right now all I want to know is how people deal with the constant hunger and begging - is there anything they can have or do that occupies them - I can't find anything online and I need to know that more than anything.

 

I've read so many things about their diets - they're all different - and he needs to lose weight - I just figured with everything we were doing before this happened he'd have lost and now..... it's just all so exhausting.

 

I love my blue - he has been so good though all this....mostly... but he keeps protecting which means barking which excites Mason..... the thing we don't need to do.

 

okay thats it for now - I'm going to try to get the two settled back down - maybe I can get a little bit more sleep.... I've had so little over the last week I'm shocked my body hasn't totally shut down.

I'm so happy!!! Mason did so well!!!

 

We walked the one block and even stopped and saw Barbara/Nick/Kelsie for a few minutes!

Mason got tired quick and it was the slowest walk I've ever had half way back. Going down the street you'd think somebody lit a fire under his butt - he wanted to go.

 

I came up with the idea for now to walk blue on the trekking belt and have mason on the flexi-leash - that way Mason can lead the way and we'll go at his pace. It worked okay - a bit more work trying to manage the two like that but its worth it for Mason to get out of the house for a bit. He stopped a couple of times, stumbled a few times but over all I'd say the walk was a huge success!  He is a bit more wobbly now since the walk but doing wonderful.

 

I had to share the happy news.

 

Now if I can only figure out something to distract him from begging - more research to help with this constant hunger he is feeling.

 

 

  Mason Learning balance again by playing!

 

  Mason tired after playing for the first time after his seizures.  At the end of this video you can see some of Mason's head wobble that I've mentiond in the blog.

 

 

 

OMG he is like a puppy today - after since his PB has peaked today - it's been puppy like - he has started learning how to manage with his wobbly legs and the more he plays the more he figures it out! It's been non stop play, rest, play, rest, play... i get him settled and go to do something else and 5 minutes he is asking for my attention ALL DAY! I love it don't get me wrong but he is so needy today and I'm so tired - but I rather him be this way than how he was earlier any darn day.

 

we're in a resting moment - so I"m typing while I can.

 

I saw more of my old Mason today too!!! Grandma and Grandpa came over and his tail went up and his ears went back he was so happy! It's the first I've seen his ears back! I love this boy more than anything!  He gave kisses galore and he played. He went through every toy in his toy box until I told Dave to get the new squeaky pig out of the closet - he hasn't let that pig get out of his site yet. He even takes it outside with him. So I had to find Blue a toy and I had a big stuff duck - so I gave him that - and they both have had so much fun with it - Mason and Blue both will grab it - shake it and Mason even falls over it but gets back up and does it again and again - he loves it.

 

He must really feel better - still very uncoordinated and he knows it but he likes playing inside. Today he even stole toys away from Blue, stood over him and told him he was still his boss although he didn't feel like it - that's my boy!!! My pack animal wolfy child. :)

 

I've got a few pics and some video from today I'll try to get the pics up and the videos soon. I've got to figure out how I'm going to do the walk again tonight.... Blue has so much energy he needs to get out - Mason has a bit to and will have more once he wakes up from this nap - he just shut his eyes.  Blue is guarding the house - standing at the front window watching out for us all - so sweet.

 

We've worked all day for the boy - We got the hockey table out of the living room and upstairs - which meant we had to move a table, chair, and a desk - oh the fun - then we also finally got a chance to start working on our patio canopy = it's taken forever because like I said 5 minutes at a time for me and I have to give Mason my attention.

 

I'm thinking of trying to go to church tomorrow morning and I know I have to run by work - I'm wondering how that will go.  He is definitely experiencing that separation anxiety from me like he used to when he was a puppy - it took me forever to break it - looks like I'll have to start all over again. I wish I could have him with me every day but I can't do that at the hospital... Granted with him on this medicine so far he is allot calmer and he doesn't jump anymore - maybe he could be a therapy dog one day... I always figured that would be Blue but I may have been wrong about all that.

 

Well I should probalby get some other things done around here - I still have the regular house work to get done - I have such sympathy for parents with kids with special needs and mine isn't any where near what they go through.... I really think this will make me a better social worker in my job - I dont' feel what they feel the same but I have a whole new understanding.

 

Oh and Aunt Lisa was going to bring dinner tonight and see the baby - we like to thank her again - but we had already taken something out plus I had just settled the boy down from his grandparent's visit - so he may get to see her tomorrow.  I'm just thankful that it's a 3 day weekend - granted I still have work to do from last week at work - I'm so far behind now I dont know where to start. I feel that way here at home too I guess - I've just got to let it go and not stress about it - take it one day at a time and one thing at a time.

 

Well that's it until I know how everyone does with the walk tonight .... thanks again to everyone.  I hated missing Marietta today at tractor antique show but I'm sure she understands I couldn't leave my boy.

We're all exhausted but there is still so much to do before we can turn in... we'll get what we can done and start again tomorrow.

 

Blue playing with the duck, Mason with both toys - he got 'em both! And the depressed tired look laying on the new piggy toy.

 

Mason and the ducky toy - notice the last one - that's my happy wolfy child I love those eyes! sorry some of 'em were blurry the battery was dying plus some of 'em theyre moving. it's like having 2 year olds.

 

  See Mason stealing the toy from Blue, and then you see Mason's tail half up - and the last two - wiped out from playing so hard.

 

so not a bad day after all.... not going to walk until much later and it's already 9 - probalby going to wait until 10 so we won't wake mason from his nap - he needs to rest and lower that excitement level a wee bit.

 

 

Well I can understand more and more how some of the parents feel that have special needs kids - exhausted, tired, and in need of a break. Mason was wide awake and very needed for a good 3 hours or more before I got him to settle down - and at one point - it can be so frustrating...I finally just sat down on the step and that's about all I could do. You just need some respite. Dave is so worried on how he'll be on Tuesday when I return to work (granted i'm going in tomorrow too) but when Mason is in one of his needy moods - he wants his momma.

 

We did play a bit - it's different and when he falls on his blanket he gets frustrated and puts his head down - I hate to see that though. I have noticed a bit more head shaking today too - and I'm worried about that - I'm not sure if that's normal or not . I haven't read anywhere about that - I'll call the vet and ask though. It's not a really concerning behavior - he doesn't act overly medicated at all.

 

I've emailed the lady who made my trekking belt - asking if she thought I could hook two single line bungee lines to it to walk the boys. We were walking with the shared bungee line but I dont' want Blue to pull Mason over especially with his hind leg weakness - and we dont know if that will go away since he had a pretty traumatic episode Tuesday night - there is a chance he doesn't get that back.  So we'll wait and see what she says - have mercy I have no idea how this stuff works - who trekks and has sled teams here in eastern NC - I have to depend on someone more experienced in Maine.

 

We both Blue and Mason are taking their normal afternoon nap here inside. It's quit raining but Mason is on the tile floor and Blue is curled up on the couch. Mason would love to be on the couch but he feels so unsteady. I had to hold him up last night when he got up beside Dave then help him down because he got scared.  We're still working to remove obstacles for Mason - a bit of furniture moving and well we'll take care of ourselves at some point.

 

I've got to get back to helping Dave.  I needed a break and this has turned into something healing for me to help me deal with the stress of it all. It's a kind of escape really.

 

Dave did a good job remembering and giving Mason his meds today! I didn't say a word - yea!!!  He has morning duty and I have evening but it's nice to check behind each other.

 

Masonmoonshiner.com is up and automatically directing to this blog - so now my boy is a web star too I guess!  As long as Blue doesn't find out...

 

I put some explanation of terms in the blog before this one so you know what kind of information overload I"m into already. my reading and research is daily now to make sure we give Mason the best care possible.

 

I'm questioning now if his lack of coordination is the phenobarb or permanent damage from his cluster seizures the other night.... I guess at this point we'll have to wait and see. I can only hope that it isn't permanent but if it is - well we'll adjust and do whatever we can for him.

 

well we're to to move our air hockey table today since it's raining outside - to get it out of Mason's way. We need to put the canopy up on the back deck but since it's raining that'll wait - Mason will love it once it's up and he'll be able to lay out while it's raining.

 

okay let me get at this moving plan - I have to make room upsatirs for it but that also means moving a desk into the storage room upstairs.

Explanation of Terms

Seizure: Brain cells communicate by means of electrical impulses. A seizure occurs when these electrical impulses become abnormal and the brain cells cease to communicate effectively.

 

Well it's raining and it's the weekend..... still feeling lost with the time.  We all slept in til 9 this morning- that never happens but apparently we are all so tired even the boys.  Mason is very clumsy when he wakes up but has done very well. He went out in the rain and was able to manage the deck and stairs pretty well. I still lose my breath every time he wobbles and i think he is going to fall - but he didn't...

 

We feed them both a little bit of their food in the mornings - I've read online that it helps Mason rather than the one bowl a day. I'm seriously considering the buster cube to help him slow down while he eats. We're going to have to bring in one of the stools from outside to lift his food bowl off the floor a bit - it's difficult for him to bend down to eat. I sat in the floor in held it for him this morning and it worked better for him.  I thought we may get in to a bit of trouble this morning - he finished way before Blue. Its difficult to distract Mason away from food but we were able to so Blue could finish most of his. The bowls are in the closet again. I have to keep reminding Dave about that one little thing we have to do - no bowls of food out anywhere, nothing defrosting on the counters - not that he can jump up yet.   I sure do miss Mason pounding his way into the house when he wanted in though - but who knows maybe in  a few weeks - after last nights excitment of walking I'm a bit more optimistic today - still worried but optimistic. 

 

I'm still sick and not sure what it has turned into - I won't go into the details = believe me you don't want to know. I'm sure it's cause of stress - but it's more flu-ish now so who knows. - I dont think i have a fever.  I am still not so concerned about me right now.

 

So the boys are settling back down. Mason is laying by the back screen since it's raining - he still loves the outside. I dont' blame him at all especially after this week and having to be in crates while they watched him.

 

so we're all still haning in there and feeling a bit more optimistic.

 

Well, I saw some of my Mason tonight!!!!

 

It was time that I wanted/needed to take Blue for a walk. Well Dave got Mason outside and as soon as Blue thought that I may be getting ready for a walk both came back inside and Mason's tail was up and curled tonight!!!!

 

So we decided to put Mason on a leash and have Dave walk him around while I held onto Blue. Mason was so happy to be going for a walk - even though it was only in the yard.  Well he was go from the gate opening and he would have walked - he didn't need to yet but he was ready.... he was my boy!!! When he is walking fast I don't see the stumbling as much unless he makes a sudden move sideways or something.  Dave got him back inside the gate and I kept on. Apparently Mason was not happy about that. I had told Dave to call me if Mason got too upset but since I didn't get  a call - I visited with Barbar/Nick/Kelsie tonight. We got home and all you could hear is the howling from the back yard. Oh let me tell you my boy gave me sh*t once I walked into the house..... and he wouldn't take no for an answer - so I hooked him up and took him out the front door - he was almost doing circles in the front yard - we walked down the street and turned around - nothing really but enough to see my boy acting like himself.... it was the best night so far!!!

 

A bit later he was very clumsy - not sure if it's from the walk or not - but he is settled in for the night so it's time for bed around here. It's going to rain tonight and our biggest concern now is that he may slip and fall on the wet deck or the steps to get down to the yard. We'll see how that goes tomorrow. He is at the moment asleep on his bed with a fan. Blue is flaked out on the couch in Dave's spot.

 

So tonight I'm feeling okay to actually get some sleep. With the walking excitement - we didn't see a seizure and we're out of the danger zone of 24/48 hour.  Things may be looking up.

 

We will probably call Dr. Dail next week to get that second opinion...

 

I've already gone to amazon.com - a few things we'll want for the boy - there is a self water bowl we can hook up outside - have mercy that boy is going to need it - we now have two bowls outside and he goes through 'em like nothing....

 

I"m worried about the rawhides and his seizures but they have never given him seizures before - I"m limiting them anyways due to their calories ....considering we were walking and he didn't lose weight I"m still concerned how this month is going to be when we go back to get his blood panels done.

 

goodnight - more tomorrow..... we hope for a nice calm night. time to give my boy a "big bear hug" and a kiss goodnight... both boys actually.

Blue is adjusting quicker than most to be honest! Blue has always been a sloppy slow eater - not anymore. We have learned to put food in their bowls - sit it down, they eat and pick them back up. Blue has learned that if he doesn't eat his food Mason will eat it and the way Mason eats now - he'd better hurry. He's been so good with all this.  He hasn't spilled a piece on the floor since we've started this new routine.

 

If by chance Blue doesn't eat all his food, we've learned you better place the bowl in the closet and shut the door - Mason will beg for it if it's out any where in the kitchen.

We have to keep any trashcans empty - no tissues or paper - Mason apparently will also go after such things to fill his stomach. This contant hunger is definitely tough to get used to - tough love at the best.

 

Mason is a bit more off balance tonight than he has been all day - He has basically fallen a few times in the last hour - it's heartbreaking for us to watch. I keep hoping this stage passes.  I noticed some shaking in his head after he got up - but nothing that would cause alarm yet to call the vet - if I see more of it - I'll call - for now he is fine - it's just right after he wakes up that he needs to figure out how to adjust to the mediciation.

 

Mason just ate his food tonight - I added some carrots - to try to get more natural raw foods into his diet - I'll try to continue to do that probably until most of it is natural. He is fast asleep on his bed with a fan blowing on him keeping him cool and comfortable.

 

So next is to make signs for the outside doors for visitors not to ring the doorbell - got to cut down on the excitement.

 

Here is a picture of Mason's shaved leg where his cath was - he has been really good about not licking it

Do I feel like a bad mom or what - Mason's birthday is September 26th! I knew I was burnt!

 

The boys are down for a nap. We have mason on his bed his grandmama made for him - and a fan on him as well - the AC feels good on a warm day.  We're glad he is resting.