[nagdu] Destiny's status

[Elizabeth Campbell]

Hi janice,

I am very sorry to hear about Destiny.
I attended a portion of  the  NAGDU meeting Saturday, as I had some other 
things going on that night.
Again, I am very sorry to hear about Destiny. How old is she?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Janice Toothman" <janice.toothman at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 12:52 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Destiny's status


> Hello all,
>
> Some of you might know about Destiny having a major seizure during the NFB 
> convention at Dallas, if you attended the NAGDU meeting on Monday. Marion 
> was able to get me in touch with the GDF trainer at the convention, who 
> was able to go with me to an emergency clinic on Sunday, July1. The ER vet 
> didn't have know of an immediate cause of Destiny's seizure. He spoke with 
> the director of veterinarian services at GDF and they agreed that Destiny 
> was in no immediate danger. They reasoned it was safe  to postpone the 
> usual blood work associated with seizures until I returned home and the 
> cost to perform the blood work would be cheaper than in an ER clinic.
>
> Earlier in the week, Destiny saw the vet at our regular clinic and the 
> blood work was performed. Those tests revealed a somewhat low T-4 value 
> which might be associated with low thyroid. The vet called to ask me if I 
> wanted to have an additional test done that was more reliable indicator of 
> hypothyroidism. I agreed, If the thyroid condition was what precipitated 
> the seizure,this is a treatable condition that shouldn't not significantly 
> affect her guide work and if properly managed shouldn't prompt a seizure. 
> The $70.00 thyroid test was negative.
>
> At this point, I received a call from GDF from one of the veterinarian's 
> to call her about Destiny's diagnosis of epilepsy. Unfortunately, when I 
> tried to call GDF back, the veterinarian had left for the week Later that 
> evening my regular veterinarian had told me of the negative blood test. 
> She also discussed her talk with the vet from GDF. The GDF vet had 
> mentioned that they usually retire dogs with epilepsy even if they are on 
> medication due to the issue of safety and the risk that the dog might have 
> a seizure while crossing the street.
>
> I have left messages on the veterinarian's and a vet tech voice mail to 
> call me. The former I know will not be in until Monday. It has been such a 
> shock to hear the discussion of retirement for Destiny. I had planned for 
> 6 more years. I am in my last year of classes then internship. Her guide 
> work is wonderful. The GDF trainer commented to me about her work and how 
> well she was doing before the seizures. I don't know what to do. I feel in 
> limbo until I talk to the vet at GDF on Monday. But living with my aging 
> parents I am not sure if they will want two dogs in the house. This has 
> made it difficult for me to do all the other things I have to do.
>
> I just wanted to let people know how Destiny was if people were 
> interested. She is somewhat more low energy than before but otherwise 
> every thing else is normal.
> Janice and Destiny
>
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