Stroke?

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi - my name is sherrie and i'm the proud owner of 2 chihuahuas. my one little girl - little bit - is just about 2 years old. about 3 months ago, out of the blue, she began having seizures. after a long night with her, we went to the vet on monday. she had dislocated her left back knee, and was ataxic. he started her on phenobarbitol, and antibiotic to treat infection, and prednisone. after about 3 weeks, she was weaned off the prednisone, but continued on the phenobarb. we hated seeing her drugged up, and i stupidly forgot to give her a dose - but she seemed fine. we thought maybe it was a fluke, and she would be ok without it - for a month she was great - back to her old self - happy and playing. about 4 days ago, she started shaking badly - i thought she was cold - we had the air on. well, the shaking hasn't stopped, she is walking predominately to the left - sort of lost - she is still eating, drinking, trying to play - but also has this lost look in her eyes, and a help me sort of look. I really don't know what to do - started her back on the phenobarbitol - but there is no way i can afford the vet anymore. her last bought cost nearly 200$, which was part of my mortgage payment - he wanted to send her for an MRI - i'm sure that's what he will want this time - and i can't afford to do it. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanx.

[kendalyn]

That's a really tough situation you've got there. Has she been off the phenobarbitol since the day you forgot to give it to her? That may be the problem...

Otherwise, does your vet allow you to do a payment plan at all? I would go there and talk to them in person about your troubles. They might allow you to make payments if they understand your situation.

Definately take her to the vet though. If the vet suggests an MRI, or another expensive test you can't afford, tell him/her. They might be able to suggest another treatment plan that isn't so costly. Just be honest and tell your vet what's going on and what you can and can't afford to do.

Good luck!

[Guest Anonymous]

I haven't called the vet yet - but after lunch i plan to. I was reading through your site, and the postings, and to my surprise - i think i found the answer. it was teh hartz over the counter flea control - i had one month that i didn't have the money for 2 advantages - so i thought i would try the hartz - that was in january or february. that was when her seizures started - and she has been neurologically wrong ever since - off balance, etc. at least i have an answer for the vet now - but i have a feeling the answer i'm looking for isn't going to be good. i will be starting my own little campaigne against the flea control in the nearby stores tho.... :cry: