[nagdu] Destiny's status

[Marsha Drenth]

Janice,

I hope by now Destiny is feeling better. It would be hard for me to decide
on whether or not to retire. If she is going to have more seizures, your
safety might be at risk. But if it was one seizure, then I would not retire.
I am sort of in the same boat, I thought that Emma was going to be with me
until I graduated from Temple. But it looks like she won't. and just like
you with school, I don't have a lot of time to go to do training. But I have
faith that all will work out with you and Destiny, just like with me. 

Hang in there, and keep us updated!
Marsha 


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Janice Toothman
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 1:53 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
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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