i wonder sometimes if we're getting into some kind of false sense of secuirty?  Maybe he'll continue with his seizure every six months or so - but not knowing when one is going to happen still leaves you watching and waiting for it. We get tired of watching and waiting - it just seems to never end.  Granted since he has been so good since we've been weaning him off the Pb I tend to not think about it as often.  That leaves me wondering what to write here some days espeically since it doesn't seem the ords could help someone else deal with seizures.

 

Maybe my links will help - and once I really get a chance to get into that book and review it - maybe that'll help. I haven't really had a chance since i've been planning the bridal shower brunch for my coworker - once i get through wednesday I should be better at reading - i hope.

 

I made chocolate fondue today - absolutely too fattening but so good - I didn't do so well the last time I did it and never used the darn thing since - ask my best friends. They tease me about it to no end to this day - at least now I can say I can make it now !!!!

 

Mason is still on his diet and it's time for his nightly pill - good timing since a storm is coming - i had thought I smelled the smoke from the wild fire earlier but i guess not since the storm is moving east that means the smoke should be on the east side of the fire.... my asthma has been acting up a bit but no where near as bad as my best friends - i can't imagine living so close to the fire.

 

so..... like i said - I have no idea what to write that is actually helpful - Mason continues on his diet, we keep him away from toxins as much as possib, and we try to keep things calm....other than that he is doing pretty darn well.

 

tomorrow we consider the flea treatment. we were told to give it to blue and keep them away from each other for about an hour - and if we need it we can give it to mason - we're considering a half dosage we're just not yet sure - it never seemed to bother him before but we have to be so careful - I hate for him to go into status for any reason and since his brain may know how to seize more than before I get scared!

 

well tomorrow is father's day! we're just so thankful to have our Mason and good family and good parents...it's going to be a good day! happy father's day to all the father's of humans and canines! LOL

Today we reduced his Pb to a half in the morning today - and what a difference - it's like he is his old self today - well until the night full pill - once he got that it in him - he is been begging non stop and getting into mischief - I swear it's like he is high with munchies or drunk I dont know - but he is so different on the Pb. I hear about other dogs that you wouldn't know they were taking it but not Mason i can so tell when he has it in him.

 

We went on a late walk tonight - and it went very well - he had a bit more stamina tonight - I'm hoping it continues to increase as time goes by and we can walk longer than we do.

 

Overall I'm starting to realize he may end up okay if we keep him from environmental toxic substances. I still can't believe he lets me wash his feet and Blue gives me the hard time - I figured it would be the exact opposite.

 

Not much to tell - thank goodness!

I finally got to take a nap today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  yea lets celebrate small steps here! 

 

Actually we ran some errands and left the epi boy and his brother for about an hour today - the longest time since his status seizures!   We finally got out for a walk tonight - since it was after his phenobarb he ended up falling once while we walked - fell right off the curb but he just got up but it just took the drive out of him - he really slowed down once that happened. He just doesn't have the stamina like before - He can play or walk 5 minutes and he is tired.  He makes it about half way around our block and thats it. We used to go 4 times.  I'm not sure how else I'm getting his weight off - He is eating low fat - low cal veggies and his walks just aren't going to be enough.

 

Oh well - time for more for me then maybe reading a bit more in that book the vet recommended. So far the first chapter is very interesting - not sure if I i understand it enough to give my impression yet of it... I may actually have to re-read some of it.

 

 

Did you ever notice during today's world we just never have time to get everything done.

 

I meant to blog last night but I got tied up party planning for my co-worker's bridal shower. So I wake up and think of everything i wanted to say and of course by the time I sit down here now this evening - I can't remember any of it.  That is nothing new lately - there is still some lack of sleep but I'm getting a little bit more and more and I guess I'm feeling more comforable. I'm sure this will last as long as he is seizure free.

 

Last night around 330 he wanted to go out and sleep on the deck - I let him.... and I didn't even turn off the AC and open the screen door. wow eh? Miracle.... I'm becoming  comfortable see....?

 

OH and you should see the pills and vitamins now! LOL Blue actually takes more than Mason now. He has 2 Vitamin Cs and 1 Vitamin E a day.... and last night even with turkey and again with cheese - the boy managed to spit the pill out. I endd up tossing it in the back of his throat and massaging his throat so he'd swallow it- he wans't happy about it.  So we'll try again tonight when Mason has his phenobarbital.

 

Things seem to be staying somewhat crazy and overwhelming and always something to do. I'm working extra this week so i can take Friday off for the hubby's bday - of course I need to cut grass, clean house, buy stuff for the shower, and just stay busy as usual. What I wouldn't give just to chill out, and have an evening out walking my boys again. With a week of 100 degrees and now we're stuck inside due to the forest fire  in a nearby county - smoke is every where.   My boys are so bored - and we can't even walk over to spend time in the grandparents' fence - Bored, Bored, Bored!

 

Well so the update is positive - it's been 3 weeks now hasn't it???? feels like maybe 1 - but I'm sure it's been 3 now and we're still seizure free. We're so lucky compared to many i talk to online that go through this weekly or daily.

 

I still think more awareness needs to be out there regarding canine epilepsy - I hear people say all the time - our vet thinks our dog may have seizures but they're not happening very often and they're mild.... Yea we'll that was the same thing for us until he went into status and we didn't know what to do in that situuation - nobody said oh if he has multiple seizures and he can't recover get him to a vet - oh and dont' let that go over 5 minutes... NO WHERE or NO TIME we're we ever told what to do if it should ever get worse.... yea I'm kind of pissed about that - hurt....and have suffered greatly because of it.

guilt because I didn't know, mad cause nobody told me, upset cause it happened to me,... oh i could go on but it's a waste of time. such a waste of time.

 

well let me get off the computer - I hear squeaking behind my head so I guess it's playtime in the floor yet again....  And I LOVE it that he is like a youngen again ---- except for the teeth again! LOL

Puppy Time!

 

OMG the boy is acting like a puppy - it's crazy! He feels so much better, he is jumping around, finding his toys in the blanket - like the old times - but more like a couple of years ago acting - I dont know if he just feels better - is it the new food - the new holistic care? I have no idea....

 

I do know that he had his phenobarb a few minutes ago and now of course he is being the typical wolf begging and hunting for food - the whole begging thing drives me crazy though.

 

The poor boys have energy and they can't walk - it's still almost 100 degrees out - they walk out -  go to the bathroom and run right back in - I know Dr. Mclawhorn said they're fine outside but my boys are wusses.

 

Oh I got the book Dr. Mclawhorn wanted me to buy - It's going to be a long read!  It's Four Paws Five Directions - so we'll see how it goes and I'll report what I find out.

 

there is so not enough time in my days right now! I can't seem to catch up - home, work, life.... is this normal? I guess - especially when you spend most of your time while your'e home watching the epi.

 

he had this weird movement yesterday and this morning and i didn't know if it was some sort of seizure or not - he pulled his front leg close and rubbed his head on the bed - yea you'd think he was scratching but it's just something he never does or did before -..... and when i went to figure out what he was doing - it took a minute for him to focus on me and it was like he snapped out of it- it's so hard to explain without a video of it....

 

so if anyone needs to know he is doing very well so far.... he is down to 60 mb of Pb 2x a day. He is off the milk thistle for the week( I had to hide it this week so Dave won't give it)... and we're still on the food/diet.

His grandpapa did go to Sam's this morning and buy them two packs of beef - should last them about a month since Blue has to eat more red meat.

 

okay things to do - lots of things to do.... so far so good!....... can't ask for much better than that - one day at a time and today is good.

it's hot and we've done nothing but nap...nothing to report.... :( We're all bored!

well I spent most of the night up with the boy - but also cleaning the closet.... Mason watched me as I went through all the clothes and got rid of them.  He was freaking me out a bit so I kept a close watch on him. I ended up giving him some rescue remedy and cooling him off with a washcloth - he still wanted to sleep outside where it was much warmer but I know I know it's healthier. So I let him - and turned off the AC so I could keep the screen door open - granted it was 80 in here this morning but we were able to hear him if need be. I checked on him through out the night - so I hardly slept until Dave woke up this morning and I've been awake since it was "pill time' I try to make that a fun time so he takes his pill - so far so good. Blue is the picky one.

 

So back at the cleaning - boys are napping of course they are in this heat. Blue likes to be in and Mason likes to be out - I always said they were opposites!

Too hot for anything else - and anything outside... ICK sometimes I hate NC summers and it's only the first week in June and we're having August weather - it's going to be a crappy summer.

 

So far - we're trying to find a good price on Blue's new food - we don't have to get the same as Mason since Blue is active but it's solid gold. Granted blue is enjoying the extra raw red meat in his diet!

 

spoilt boys - I swear they're eating better than us LOL!

 

okay back to it! hopefully everyone is enjoying a cool day somewhere.... even if it's inside.

we were up at 430 this morning walking the neighborhood - it's a quiet place that early - but i's the coolest part of the day when you're looking at 100+ day with 100% humdity. Mason did okay - gets tired so quick though! He stumbled once then when he looked for a spot to use the bathroom instead of squating he laid down then remembered he wanted to go to the bathroom - so he picked another spot and was fine after that.  that was a bit strange to be honest.

 

Other than that  - nothing day for them  - they're taking naps and I'm sure Mason is waitng for dinner.  Dr. Mclawhorn read over his menu and said it was perfect!

 

blue had his first visit with the Dr. Mclawhorn today - wow - why didn't I go sooner!  why wasn't allot of what he told me told to me before????? I question that - I have nothing against his other vet - they were fine but this is so much more.  Blue's behavior is a result of his eyesight. No he isn't blind but let me tell you - it's probably like seeing through a kalidoscope - (however you spell that) he may not see the one thing - he may see bits and pieces all over his eye - his ocular never doesn' t just go down to a point - and his color isn't there - i think they said red and green or something... so anyways it explains the barking - he doen's know what it is unless he can smell it - and he has a VERY STRONG SENSE OF SMELL!!!!  i guess like humans you have another sense that takes over where one lacks - so he can smell.

 

Anyways we're to give him vitamins too - He gets C and E  - 1000mg of C and 400 to 500 E - but that is for his hip displasia. He is to get massages daily while laying prone on his back and his hip. We're also to incrase his raw red meat intake as well and he is young enought to improve. So just keep him lean, reduce the jumping and well you read the above.

 

Mom asked how expensive - well it's kind of like it's less expensive I guess if you look at the long term. It's good to know the reason for his behavior when he acts. 

 

OH and don't tell him but his close set eyes and small forhead - he isn't the smartest dog in the pack - but that don't matter to us - he is our little love bug! 

 

okay so I have two with eye issues.... blue has the hips and Mason has the seizures and is FAT.... but we're working on it all now and by next year I bet this blog will sound completely different!

 

bad timing I guess with the economy so freaking bad that we have to spend more $ on their care and food - but it's worth it - we'll cut back in other areas - it's the way of the world in the U.S. now.

 

the plan is to leave them for just a bit this wekened again so we'll see how that goes.   I'm still learning and i have questions and questions...and he is so good to answer them all.

 

If Mason required IV valium or any IV he'll need to go to the emergency clinic.  we can give a pill of Pb when we think he needs it when we ween him off.  there is so much information out there - wish I had known t before he went into clusters/status.

 

okay dinner for the boys, nap, then work on Mason's medical and emergency notebook.... gotta have the plan in writing instead of just my head - i'm not supposed to stress and stay calm - but if he is having a seizure - do youthink I can stay calm??? I mean really - if you know me and my boy you already know the answer to taht one eh?

 

Mason wants to say thank you for calling and checking on him!!! if you guys are headed to the air show - stay cool and have fun!

 

well its' hard to put this down in words cause most people who find this and see it will be upset to know that their epi may never be the same after a status....

 

well I dont know about your epi - but considering Mason was in status for about 40 minutes or more..... we knew he may not be the same.

 

I'm afraid to say he is but he isn't my boy - its so hard to explain - he is but he is changed.   Sometimes he acts like a puppy - a frustrated puppy. Other times it's straight back into the teenage years and challenging me - thats why I got blue for goodness sakes. When the medicine hits him - he sleeps like an old man.  There are commands he seems to have forgotten - he tires so easily now too. He hangs his tail down more than he ever did.  He is possessive a bit more.... but he is also a big old suck puppy more too - I get allot more kisses now.

 

He is so my boy but I'm so wondering if he'll ever be back to what he was.... he used to say I dont' wanna daily - now he obeys 90% of the time. he used to howl when I said "do you love moma" now he just smiles most of the time.  We used to play hide -n- seek with toys - he goes after them but it'schanged = used to we could do hot or cold and he'd know where to go.

 

I miss him yet I'm so glad to have him - it's so odd writing this...it sounds so sad I know and i don't mean to sadden - I just feel it needs to be said that that status kills - it kills what you had, it kills your security, it kills a sense of self - it kills your sleep!  and of course it kills brain cells - if a dog seizes more than 10 min you better get 'em to a ER fast! we didn't know - nobody told us - nobody prepared us even though he had small seizures before - nobody told us about clusters, about status - what if we had known what we know now - would it be different? would I have my old Mason with the independent stubborn attitude back?

 

okay so I asked for an easier walk at night - I didn't want it this way :(

 

He is so cute - he is sitting there with that stuffed duck - which he is totally become addicted to - he even snapped at me tonight near my face for it.... he wouldn't mind you but he was letting me know it was his and a challenge. Needless to say it's like it was before - establishing alpha again - so I had to take it away until i was tired of it after I had to lay on him and show him I was the boss.  I already lived through this one time - maybe after he re-learns what he lost he'll be the same. I dont know - everything is so questionable.

 

I feel like I'm losing ground - I can' t find time to get things done at work - I can't find time to get this done here - I'm drowning and i'm getting way so little sleep  - i'm starting to be very very very  burnt out! I can say I think Dave already is - you can tell he is tired of playing babysitter 24/7 now - he has only left him for 30 minutes and that was Sunday - and his seizures were what - May 20th? a freaking long time.

 

Blue has been so good - although we do worry he isn't eating enough - he likes to eat late - so tonight Mason was his usual beggy self - I put down a 1/2 cup of solid gold and some carrots for him and gave Blue the rest of his food - he finished it finally - he likes to eat late. Mason goes out and comes back and begs some more - I hate this phenobarb - i hate what it does to my boy - I hate what it does ....no I love it - it keeps the MONSTER away - I hate the monster not the meds  - gotta get that straight - it's the seizures that i hate!

 

I know so few people can understand what I'm going through and yet I hate to compare Mason to human children but I have no other reference for it. Mason is my child yet I know he is a dog - but he isn't in a way - He has his place in the home - he is having to relearn it - and it's so hard to tell him no when he does something because i'm so glad he is doing some things again. before it didn't mean anything when I said no - he pretty much is the same in that respect.

 

Oh and he jumped up on the patio door again tonight - it's taken him a while to feel secure enough to depend on his hind legs again - I would say he has about 90% of his leg strength back - not sure if the rest will come or not. I know he is still scared to jump up or jump on th sofas and before thats' where you would find him - i hate that he is confined to the floor - I"m so happy my mother made him that pillow bed for christmas - at least he has something very comfortable to sleep on.

 

The boys are almost asleep - I'd say his meds are kicking in now and blue - he has a full belly finally and is probalby bored out of his mind. It's august weather here in June and it's hot as all get out - too hot to walk especially Mason - and what is worse - 80 in the morning when we get up - you'd think we lived in Flordia or something but we don't  it's so humid.

 

oh also today we found out we should have liquid valium not the componded kind - so i need to take that protocol into Dr. Dail tomorrow - and see what he thinks. I still dont know what to do if he goes into status again in the middle of the night - do I call him or the emergency vet?  I think if it was Kelsie he'd go to the home but Mason - probably not.  

I dont know what I can do for him like Barbara  - I could only do website and computer stuff - but he doesn't seem to be the type for that.

 

well the man is a genius - and I've taken what he has said to heart  - we've changed his diet, we've tired to make his environment calmer - it's not easy and I've bought the stuff to clean green.  The calmer environment is harder - we're all tired and stressed, and it's hard to change who we are but we're doing it - its just harder and longer than I thought it would be.

 

I'm doing all I can here - and I'm running out of steam. Thank goodness for good friends and family - I dont think I could make it without them.

 

okay I guess this is what they call blogging - I'm just rattling on and on  now.

 

Night for now - they're settled in and I'm ready to take a break for now.

well we all know I hate going to Walmart - but when you have to buy tons of can veggies, vinegar, baking soda etc... it's best just to go and get it - and thats what I did.  So we now have to green clean - and I got a lot of good info from my k9 epi yahoo group - so I bought vinegar baking soda and ivory soap.  sounds like we'll be cleaning like my grandmother used to - she'd get a kick out of that wouldn't she?

 

the plan so far is to take Blue to the vet tomorrow - ask Dr. dail some more info about Mason - and then create Mason's emergency seizure box for the kitchen - it'll have his notebook that I have to put together, phone numbers, pillows - and directions of what to do and his seizure history & diary in it.

 

not much to tell today and I'm happy to say that to be honest. Were just suffering in the heat - and they're inside but even that isn't good for them due to all the chemicals in our homes - but we have to keep him so cool.

 

i'm still so very tired = i'm sure Dave is tired of staying with him 24/7 - he has only left the house once since Mason's status/cluster.

 

we're taking it one day at a time - more than you know. 

Mason has this one spot that he usually goes to have a seizure - so it appears that he is aware that he is going to have one.

 

Well in the middle of the night I looked out the bedroom door and he wasn't there - so I go in search for him - and there he was in that spot - i'm scared at this point but he was trying to get up to go outside - and since he was so drugged out on the phenobarb his behavior getting up reminded me of his petite mal seizures.  Once I saw him go down the steps I knew he was okay.

 

He has regressed a bit but that's to be expected - he tires easily too.  I've noticed a few things he has forgotten.... it's hard to put in words what I see but it's okay considering what he has gone through.

 

I'm still living on so little sleep which I know isn't healthy but what am I supposed to do? I feel like i can fall asleep sitting here typing so if the letters just seem to run together.....i'm out :)

 

not much to report - which is a good thing right?  is it 2 weeks now without a seizure? hard to believe it's been 2 weeks - feels like a couple of days ago.

 

It's very hot here this week and sense heat seems to be a major trigger for the boy - who knows how the week will be for us with so much worry.

 

thanks for keeping up with the boy! He really is doing well - better than his wiped out parents. :)

 

 

Okay I may have to fight Mason for those sweet potato treats!  I like them a lot! My dad even tried one and liked it - looks like Blue and Dave don't have a taste for them....no surprise eh?

 

So we're still waiting for some of them to finsh - it takes a long time with the dehydrater that we have.

 

Nothing really new to report - Mason is Mason but he seems to feel better - he tires very very very quickly - that's the huge difference - he still stumbles and still appears a bit uneasy about jumping up on the couch - and not sure if anyone says this - but sometimes he peas somewhat like a girl...he pees like blue who has trouble with his hips.

 

I can hear it in their heads "MOM, don't tell them that".

 

so far the funkyphase of the moon  is being a pain in my butt..... I have a nasty bruise on my arm from TRYING to give blood today - oh well at least I'm registered for the car - wish I'd win it too.  A few more inconveniences but i'll survive.  feel like i'll pass out I'm so tired and my arm is so sore.  Mason is laying at my feet being so good! he is such a sweetie - he gets a bit carried away when playing and can snap at us - but he realizes it immediately and stop and sits. I did lay on him to prove I was alpha again - i'm sure it's cause we sucked up to him when he was sick - kind of have to re-establish our alpha status a bit - but the best part tonight..... My entire face was kissed by my boy!!!

 

I sat down and the boy just started kissing on me and wouldn't stop - and to think I never liked it? what was I thinking - those kisses are the best - unconditional love!!! he is already out like a light! poor thing tires so easy.

 

okay well if he is napping so am I!

Okay just a quick note before I head into work.

 

Just when I thought the constant hunger might have calmed down, he begged for food until I finally got him to lay down sometime after midnight. Needless to say, I'm late for work today cause I had to have some sleep - I should be there by 9 though.   I have to go do my good deed and give blood at 10 though... I'll get my work done at some point. Never enough hours in the day for both sometimes.

 

At the moment, Mason is enjoying the outside. If he thinks I'm up I'm sure he'll come in and start the begging process. I hate telling him no - it breaks my heart thinking he is so hungry. I know it's the drugs and i can't wait til he is off the phenobarb.  I'm sure he really wanted a rawhide to chew on  - so I'm hoping the sweet potatos in the dehydrater are done and will do the trick.  I don't mind the natural diet and all the precautions - it gives me a purpose - and he is my baby.

 

well I better get going - gotta check the dehydrator - then get ready and head into work. Funky phase of the moon today 3:22 - NEW MOON - maybe that is why he was so weird?  all this new info is hard to keep up with... I need multiple calendars or something.

 

 

OMG the boy is a crazy wolf! he feels much better I guess - and who is he? I dont think he has ever felt this good except when he was younger! he is like a puppy.

 

the most shocking thing is he lets me wash his feet!!!!! never ever thought he would do that - Blue is more of a pain when it comes to that than Mason and he is listeing.  So is that a sign of something else going on in his brain or the fact he feels better than ever? I dont know.  He grumped at me major today and I had to show him I was alpha again - like we used to through his adolecence phase.

 

But he was up on the couch today napping - yea!  We walked the boys together tonight - a bit of a pain but i'll walk them separtely on two lines once the new lines come in for the belt.

 

Most of all he is doing amazing - he didn't fall at all yesterday and slipped in the kitchen at moms tonight. Blue jumped on his back end when we headed out the gate but he recovered okay.

 

I'm not sure all the change is the phenobarb, the weaning off, the new food, the filtered water, the milk thistle... who knows - but I do know he is feeling better and that is all that is important.

 

we all enjoyed some fence time at the g-p's and now we're settled down... not much a walk tonight cause i'm trying my luck at dehydrating sweet potatos tonight. Long day.

 

Overall, my Mason is doing very well compared to how he was just a week ago.

Sunday morning - well it just is Sunday morning- almost noon now and we're already into some good old southern heat.  As much as Dr. Mclawhorn said it was fine for the boys to be out - I have them in with two fans on them and they're crashed out - I really just dont want Mason to get over heated at all.

 

We found his groovy mood music - funny that I didn't think of it - Dave did... hello we have XM radio - not that I listen to this channel but 77 will work just fine for his mood music - we have to wireless speakers and we'll just cut it on when we need to keep him relaxed.

 

I did go get the rescue remedy the natural goodness store - it works for people too she said. We had a really hot day yesterday and today and both calls for possible severe storms - so  a couple of drops in the water and they're relaxed - it was kind of nice to see especially with blue.

 

Since it was still 80 at midnight we didn't walk last night of course - so now we're getting into those none walk days which makes for very bored babies. I'm not a morning person but looks like on a couple of days a week I may have to get up early early early and walk them.

 

So today I taught Dave how to feed Mason. Since Mason will be getting his biggest meal in the morning - Dave is going to have to give it to him. We're finishing the Beneful on blue mixed with solid gold - he likes that stuff - I'm sure with the price of it - but 0h well.... we're going to see if Blue can't have the cheaper of the bags - the one with lamb - Mason's is more expensive and made of fish - which is a husky's natural diet so that's a good thing. But since I've been supplimenting his food with green veggies and a bit of raw meat - he doesn't seem to be as starving - I'm hoping as we wean him off the Bp he'll do better.

 

Not sure if I wrote yesterday that we cleaned out their "closet" We took all the treats they couldn't have anymore and took to my parents - I'm sure they know someone who can use them that doesn' t have a special needs dog. I was able to keep some bark bars though - funny how i read the labels now even for their food. I'll even be reading mine more closely - but I've gone to basically the same as the boys before they did and I know it works.

 

So the plan this week is dropping by the farmers market for some fresh veggies for Mason. i'm telling you the boy eats better than any of us now. Its so worth it to be off the phenobarb - if you have a do on that medicine you know what i'm talking about. Although Mason was on the lowest dose for his size - and he was finally adjusting slowly every day - he still seemed to be stoned all the time.  I think we're very lucky though - he seems that his triggers are mostly environmental. If he had a more genetic no cause for triggers i dont think we could be off the phoneobarb - granted we're only reducing his meds by a 1/2 a pill weekly until he is completly off. So for now he gets one pill in the morning and a pill and half at night, next saturday it'll be one pill 2x a day. thank goodness I bought that pill organizer - without it I dont think Dave could keep up cause it gets to me too. I have to keep such good notes. I need to start working on his notebook that will go everywhere he goes - directions, what to do, medications, history - just like what I tell my parents at work that have special need kids. - i'm so living a similar life.

 

oh.... and my body is still trying to wake up after only 4 hours of sleep. I crashed last night for a nap but once I woke up I was awake til 4 - but I was getting ready  for having to split the boys up when we leave them - so I was cleaning, de-cluttering, etc... trying to get things put away that I think they would either get in to or destroy if too bored.  A few more things to get done but I'll get to it.

 

well i'm going to relax a bit more and read the paper - too bad that piece has't shown up for the canopy people - we could definitely use it with all this heat we're going to have this week - maybe tomorrow or the next day.

 

the new holistic books on pet care should be here by the end of the week - so I have a lot of reading ahead of me - I'll be sure to take good notes. I like this- holistic focus - this stuff has been around thousands of years - got to be something to it right? :)

 

okay boys are taking their afternoon nap, i'm reading the paper, and Dave I think is still looking after our small garden - oh which we had our first carrot yesterday - so far tomatos, peas, carrots... can't wait for the eggplant!  yea yea we know suberbia and a garden????? yep - Dave has a green thumb and it's nice to have fresh veggies - wish the garden could be bigger but it's okay for us.  we added eggplant, okra and carrots for the first time this year so who knows how'll they will turn out.

 

have a good sunday afternoon!

Mason and Blue enjoyed a little fence time at the grandparents house today while we cleaned up after the fence guys... they seemed excited about it - we'll have to keep Blue from standing up - so far I only had to tell him once - and he did great.

Okay so Mason is taking a nap and I’m taking a break – so I figured I’d write up the information I got from taking Mason to the holistic vet on Friday.

 

There is so much information – I hope I can figure out how to put it all down on paper.

 

First of all – let me say we will and have now switched both of our dogs to the holistic vet. After talking with him for 45 minutes and allowing him to check Mason I am convinced this is the way to go.

 

The plan at this point is to get Mason off the Phenobarbital within 3 months. I can never be without the Phenobarbital and will have to take it occasionally. Mason will always be epileptic and will have some seizures – you have to expect that. His threshold for seizures is smaller than other dogs/humans. 

 

At this point – we are eliminating all toxins from his system. He is now eating Solid Gold food – and it should help him lose weight – he can’t eat after 4 or 5pm – if he does something tiny is okay. Dogs’ metabolism stops at 4 to 5 pm so Mason needs his biggest meal in the morning. We can supplement it with the green veggies and the raw meat – but not too much. Whoever told me about the veggies – thank you – it has made the biggest difference with the Phenobarbital – Mason stopped crying for food in the middle of the night – plus the vet likes to have the veggies added.

 

He is now drinking either bottled water or filtered water. Currently we’re using a filtration system on a pitcher but we are considering the faucet filter that hooks up under the sink. We haven’t figured out which one yet.

 

Mason can no longer have any store bought treats, pig ears, or rawhides. I was told the last shipment of rawhides to the US came from cows that were killed with anthrax.  He is going to miss the rawhides so now we plan to make our own beef jerky for him – my father already has a dehydrator.  I’ll look into making him some treats too. My parents always love to give him treats and I’ll have to make them some or show them what he can have – at this point I rather them just give him hugs and kisses – he has so much weight to lose.

 

I can give table scraps – that is fine. We have to avoid corn based ingredients and nothing like bacon, hotdogs, etc… nitrates/chemicals/preservatives.

 

He started Mason on milk thistle and I’m to pick up the rescue remedy today. The plan is to have him on skullcap when he is off the Phenobarbital. Well he said most likely on skullcap.

 

The vet said epilepsy has 3 main triggers – bright light, loud noises, and funky phases of the moon.  I have a neighbor who can read the moon/signs and she plans on getting me a calendar and highlighting what phases I need to be aware of.  So if I know in advance about a block party, homecoming anything that will have loud noises – I would need to give Mason a low dosage of Phenobarbital a couple of days in advance – once per day and then get him back off and it seems like a week – I’ll go back Friday with more questions (non-epi appt is Friday). Also storms/ pressure can affect them as well.  We’ve already turned off a large amount of lights in our house and we plan to install a couple of dimmer switches. 

In an emergency he said low light, calming music, and wrap him. He was fine with me using the valium since Mason had the clusters for so long.

 

Oh yes, calming music – very much needed. You have to create a calming environment – low lights, “mood” music basically.

 

He also said 80% of the pollution is in our homes – carpet, sheet rock, cleaning supplies etc… So it’s best if dogs are outside. I asked about our southern humid heat – and he said as long as they had a cool place to lay (mason and blue both have shaded areas where they are allowed to dig down into the ground) – if they can pant and sweat from their paws they should be fine with a large supply of water and a breeze.   So it’s healthier for them to be outside and not in the house.  Granted it’s 90 outside and both boys are inside taking their nap for the afternoon – oh well….  A fan is blowing on ‘em with the AC running. Oh and we did a bit extra the vet didn’t say – we have a hepa filter downstairs with the boys now.

 

Oh and a major thing that we have to start doing immediately is washing feet! When dogs walk across a just cleaned floor or walk in a treated yard – the chemicals are on their feet and normally they lick them – so they end up digesting the chemicals.

 

Oh the corn based foods I mentioned earlier – we have to get off that completely. He said commercial dog foods and even most of the foods in the U.S. are corn based – which is toxic – it has carcinogens – so even people with joint problems are affected – corn is an inflammatory – you want to stay away from it.  People or dogs with joint issues should have more oats. Solid Gold food is made of oats and a lot of other natural things.  

 

So at this point – I have the food, milk thistle, filtered water, and I’m washing feet.

 

Mason is also not going to have any more vaccinations – the chemicals and toxins when put in his system screws it up basically.  He said if we don’t’ have a problem with fleas then don’t give him flea treatment. And he mentioned the heart guard – they don’t tell you but Its good for 45 to 60 days – so start moving his heart guard back by 5 days at a time each month to get a larger gap.

 

The vet mentioned putting him on skullcap – which I haven’t looked up yet.

 

OH and he wanted me to buy a book – it’s already ordered and I’ll receive it from Amazon. It’s called Four Paws in Five Directions by Cheryl Swartz – she is also the one who taught him the acupuncture – he said the information in the book also can apply to us as people.

 

As for Masons being overweight – I said early he won’t be eating after 4 or 5 – that’s going to be a change for my boy but not as bad for Blue. Since Blue is active he said we can supplement Blue’s with more table scraps and it would be okay for him to eat at night due to him being so thin.  Oh and blue has hip dysphasia – his plan is to show me exercises to do with him and he won’t have his dysphasia anymore.

 

No blood work required right now – no point – we’re de-toxifying Mason – we’re going to eliminate anything environmental first.  We know we have it luckier than most of the epi-parents we talk to – and Mason’s only had 4 seizures in a year and a half and the triggers if we review his history tend to be environmental. The vet discussed how some are definitely genetic and nothing they can do will change it but considering Mason’s history this should work.

 

As for Mason’s on going ear troubles and infections – all of which are a food allergy – all that will disappear while taking Solid Gold.

 

I don’t want to leave anything out…. But for some reason I feel like I am. I know holistic isn’t for everyone but I truly want Mason off the Phenobarbital. I know I work in the health field and I understand its benefits but I also understand that it can destroy a dog’s system – it is after all a toxin – poison in his system.

 

The vet assures me that off the medicine and the weighing less he will be a different dog. We’re lucky Mason isn’t high strung like most huskies too – we have a lot of positives here – and nothing seems to bother him- he never gets upset – storms, separation, nothing – its like he doesn’t care – which is the best thing for us. If this had been my nonepi dog – it would be a mess because it would probably be emotional and environmentally based – but not worrying about something that isn’t a problem right now – stick to what’s going on or we will all get overloaded.

 

 

The vet did give him a regular examination and then felt his energy I’m assuming – there was one spot of concern above his left eye – and he asked about any injury as a puppy - or a bike hitting or something – and nothing like that has ever happened. The only thing could be in utero or within the first few weeks we didn’t own him or how rough he and his brother play that could cause injury.

 

The other concern which may or may not be related is his eyes. They did not respond to light quickly enough. He asked if he sees okay in the dark – which I guess – we live in suburbia and there is always light. He said some of it could be the Phenobarbital but even with just that it should have been quicker to refract I guess.  So that could be something we’ll be facing in our future – who knows.

 

Mason has 98% control of his ataxia today – he falls only about once a day for the last couple of days so that isn’t bad at all and with decreasing his Phenobarbital we hope all of that goes away. 

 

So now we’re cutting down a ½ pill each week to get him off the Phenobarbital. We’ll still have it to put him on when we need to give him a low dose of it if we know he’ll need some and we’ll keep the valium too. He will have seizures we will have to learn to deal with them. He is an epileptic and always will be – his threshold is lower than most and we have to accommodate that. 

 

So hear is to no fights, no yelling, no parties, no loud tv, no bright lights, ….. and to having a calm “groovy” lounge like feeling I guess. We’ll see… it’s going to be an adjustment for all of us but it is already.  I’m looking forward to becoming even more “green” I guess.

 

Our first plan is the food, supplements, water, and washing feet.  Once we have all that in place we’ll look into the natural stuff for house cleaning – you don’t realize how much toxic chemicals we live with every day – we have to but we also need to crate the best environment for our epi’s.   We wonder why we as people are always sick – we live in toxins 24/7.

 

So I still have a lot to learn and we’re still in the adjustment phase ….. one day maybe it’ll feel like it used to.  I did however fall asleep, dream and not worry and wake up to check on Mason.  However since sleeping a total of 4 hours per night for so long my body has adjusted to this 4 hour schedule – I’m not too happy about that but I hope that will change.

 

I’m picturing a brighter future again with plans for longer walks and faster walks – I’ll just have to be more prepared for the seizures – have medicine when we go off, have his music – protect his environment and to protect him. Dave is to talk to the neighbors soon so they can let us know in advance if they plan to have parties or such so we can know when to give him a low dose of Phenobarbital.

 

Of course with hurricane season starting here – we’ll be prepared for those as well he’ll need it then and if we know we’re into hot days and stormy nights he’ll need it then too. Yep a lot of planning, a few calendars, and food prep, etc… but it’s worth it.

 

If I have forgotten anything I’ll be sure to add it – and I’ll keep you informed of his progress! 

We are so changing vets now! The holistic vet is a genius! We plan to be off meds in 3 months - but Mason is high maitenance and expensive now. He is going to be on solid gold food, filtered water, no treats, natural greens and raw meats, washed feet (all the time). His biggest meal in the morning - nothing after 4 or 5. We'll also be making our own jerky and I'll be making natural treats for him.



OMG the things i learned... my boys will never have another raw hide, corn based foods, mass marketed treats, hot dogs or anything with chemicals or nitrates.

did you know the last known shipment of rawhides to the US came from cows killed with anthrax? yep that's right - and our dogs are chewing on thist stuff!

Mason has been a different dog since seeing Dr. Mclawhorn today - it's just amazing...he is back pretty much. However - he is worried about his eyes and their slow reaction to light - it could have come from the massive seizures the other night or the phenobarb but even then it wouldn't have been that slow with just the meds...so maybe some other damage.



Be aware that 80% of pollution is in our homes - carpet, sheetrock, cleaning chemicals - etc...etc.. etc... dogs are better outside - yes i even asked about our hot weather - as long as dogs have shade, somewhere cool to lay and are able to pant, sweet through their feet and have access to plenty of filtered or distilled water they're good - oh and a breeze. so when they want to stay out - we'll be letting 'em - it's healthy.



if you wash your floor with any cleaning chemicals - and your dog walks across it - wash their feet - and the same goes through walking through chemically treated lawns - they get this on their feet and then they lick them - so they digest all these chemicals.



For Mason - he is epileptic so he won't be taking any more vaccinations, and since we don't have a flea problem - we won't be using that either. Oh and heart guard - the things is good for 45 to 60 days - so not once a month forMason on that one either.



Oh and the trouble with his ears - all a food allergy.

That should go away with the change in food!

I'm so excited - but we'll be reducing bright lights in our home, create a more calming environment - with calming music, low lights - geez you think we'll be creating a lounge type house - haha funny... but you get the picture.



so much to share and yet.... I'll try to get it all up on his blog tomorrow... www. masonmoonshiner. com I could type for days with all the info I have in my head now. so much to buy and get started on here..... I'm excited to get him off that toxic med of phenobarb - he'll still have to take it sometimes.



Thanks for checking on him and all the support!

HEY!!!

 

Sorry it's so late udating!  It's been a whirlwind day to be honest and I'm just sitting down for a minute here then I'm off to start the weekend clean.

 

we just got back from a walk - it's still a very slow walk and he is tired - but you know he is still sitting here at my feet begging - he has his paw going on - so he is back.

 

It's hard to explain our day - but I'm going to give you the short version and then my plan is to fill you in on all the details from our holistic visit - so it can help you too.

 

There was so much information - of course the vet said I took good notes! I can't wait to share what I've learned!  But the plan is to have Mason off phenobarb within 3 months - but to have it on hand and give him some when I know what's coming.  He basically said loud noises, bright lights, and phases of the moon effect Mason - our first thing is to remove all environmental factors - if he still has 'em with all that removed then we have to look at other areas of health...

 

talk about high maintenance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but it's going to be worth it.

 

i'm happy right now... first time in a while.  Thank you aunt Barbara and uncle Nick for making us go.  Blue has a visit next Friday - and we'll learn exercises to get rid of his hip displaysia!

 

 

well the walk was okay - he did very well - he only about fell down Barbara's steps - he kind of wanted to hop up a bit to beg and when he did - he sort of fell down 2 steps - he landed on his feet - that was a definite positive. He did fall down completely but he was on grass - and close to home.

 

but overall okay - he came in still wanting to play so that's good.  

 

I had to fuss out my neighbor when I went on the walk though - Dave will have to talk to him - I personally don't care if he does or not - I'd do it again. He had those stupid puppies running loose in my yard again and they started coming toward my two and of course I can't pull Mason at all.  I'm pretty sure I told him we had a leash law about 4 times and to keep his dogs out of my yard that he needed to come get them cause my dog has seizures.  I'm so upset with them about their dogs - the german sheppard is back - the one that barks 24/7 - ask mom - she was here and heard it too.  oh the fun....

 

i'm kinda upset i guess - other things...vet stuff - neighbors dogs, lack of sleep - oh wait - lack of sleep makes you irritable right?

 

well I better turn in  - need to be at work by 6 and I have a meeting at 830 - pick up food at 2, vet at 3, dinner with lisa at 5.... but the good thing is we may be over in the new fence at my parents hanging out in the shade - we'll have to see... :)

 

Oh and I'm so jealous - that's another thing..... oops.... heading into that self crap again - sorry- just wish i was heading to the hard rock park tomorrow too.... it'll have to wait.... one day maybe.... maybe one day I can actually get out of the town...

 

okay night guys.... it's FRIDAY in less than hour! thank goodness!!! Mason has crashed out and Blue just settled down too.