[nagdu] Destiny's status

[GARY STEEVES]

Hi Janice:

Bogart had some sort of seizure about 2 weeks after he came back from the school with me. He lost control of first his hind quarters and then his front. Luckily my trainer was with us for a visit and we got him to the vet. All tests were negative and they couldn't figure out what had happened to him. My school left it up to me to decide what to do. For me, I wasn't going to retire him based on one episode since who knows what would happen next. if it had happened another time or two then I would have had to consider this. Over the past two years he hasn't had an episode like that. I think a couple of times he has had some weakness in his back end but it has been only momentary. I wish I could recall if he had a little shuffle when we were at school. I think he shuffle's his left back foot. I'm pretty sure he has always done this since my girlfriend asked if I could recognize his walk when I was at school and said yes so that is probably why I did.
  

So I wish you luck with your pal and hope everything works out.

Warm Regards
Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Jenine Stanley <jeninems at wowway.com>
Date: Friday, July 13, 2012 3:41 pm
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Destiny's status
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> Hi Janice and all, 
> 
> Just a quick note to let you know that usually when seizures 
> occur we do
> recommend retirement but it's a recommendation, not at all 
> forced, as of
> course, Janice, you do own Destiny so it's your choice. 
> 
> We give you the pros and cons of working a dog with a seizure 
> disorder, such
> as side effects of medication, the possibility that seizures may 
> grow worse
> under stress, etc., and allow you to make that choice for 
> yourself. 
> 
> We always lean toward retirement on the basis of safety. If you 
> feel though
> that you can make it work, that's your call. Our concern though 
> is and will
> always be your and your dog's safety. 
> 
> I'm so glad though that Destiny's diagnosis is not more serious. 
> 
> Jenine Stanley
> jeninems at wowway.com
> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
> 
> 
> -----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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