Sorry we haven't posted in a while about Sampson and Athena. Things have been rough with Sam. The poor baby has been to see so many specialists, two different vets and 4 specialists at A&M, and no one can tell us for sure that he has wobblers, or what to do to help him. They said we can do a $5000 sugurey and it MIGHT help him. Last week he had a seizure as well. This is the first time we have seen him have a seizure, but that doesn't mean he hasn't had one while we were at work. Yet again he went in for testing, and still no answers. I feel like a terrible mom, because Sam is in so much pain, and no one can tell us what to do for him. I just needed a place to vent. We feel like we are getting nowhere with all the vets. He is the sweetest dog, and Athena has been a great sister to him. She was there when he seized, and she was really freaked out when it happened. She has refused to leave his side since it happened. She escorts him everywhere, always checking on him. So, we feed him and give him lots of love, but I just wish there was something more we could do. Thanks for being here for me to vent to.
Maureen, Sampson and Athena
We are so sorry about your beautiful boy!
Samson had stolen the hearts of us all from day one and it's so said to hear that he's going through this and that it's all, of course, so very difficult on you! It has to be, you're too caring for it not to, but please know that it's not your fault! They always know how much you are doing to care for them and all the love you are giving!
Hope he is better really soon. Our hearts and prayers are with you all!
Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!
Thanks!
Thanks for all the support everyone. Right now we are in standby mode. The vets have us just watching him to see if he has any more seizures. He has good days and bad days, so we just take it one day at a time. The silver lining is that we have a new house with a HUGE yard, and Sampson and Athena LOVE it. Sometimes Sam refuses to come in the house. I will keep everyone posted on his progress, and I will try to post some recent pictures so you can all see how huge Sam has become. We just had him weighed at his last vet visit, and he weighs in at 144lbs. He is a big guy!
Maureen Frerichs
Sampson
Ohh maureen, I am so terribly sorry. I feel so responsible for all of this. Like I did not do you or Sam justice. I LOVE that guy. Please keep us posted.
So sorry to hear about
So sorry to hear about Sampson's seizures. We had a dog, Toes, St.Bernard/Rottweiler mix, that had seizures. He was finally diagnosed with Hepatic Encephalopathy (say that 3 times)... It was from some liver problem. He was put on meds for his liver, but we chose to not put him on anti-seizure meds. Instead, we always kept on hand a couple of syringes loaded with Valium and something else (or something like that). I could usually tell when he was going to seize... he'd start pacing... want to hide under my desk... etc.. We'll keep y'all in our prayers that the right diagnosis be made to control and/or correct these.
kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!
sorry
to hear about sampson's new health issues. he is such a beautiful boy. he grabbed our hearts the day heather picked him up from the shelter. she had to pick him up on a sunday afternoon because he was just hours away from being put down. he was so tiny and beautiful we didn't want to let him leave our house.
as to the seizures, a co-worker has a spaniel who's had seizures for a number of years. he takes meds that control them pretty well so he only has 1 or 2 a year. the vets assure her that the seizures are much harder on the humans watching then on the dog.
all our best wishes and thoughts are with you and sampson. he's in the best hands and i'm sure he knows how much he's loved.
prayers for you
.... my heart goes out to you guys b/c it is quite obvious that you are the most loving, forever home who took Sampson into your family with open arms. I remember going to a M&G specifically to meet Sampson in person before you adopted him that same weekend. He is such a sweet and special boy....my prayers are with you. Please keep us posted on how he is doing and if the docs can figure something out to help ease his pain.
Stacey
~in memory of Moose~
so sorry,
Thank you for posting, I've been thinking a lot about Samson lately. I am so sorry you haven't gotten any answers and he hasn't gotten any better. Samson and your family will be in our thoughts.
Phyllis, Paul & La. Herd
I am so sorry for you guys.
I can just imagine your heartache and frustration. Hang in there, we are pulling for you.
My poor baby
My heart goes out to yall. I still remember bringing him to meet you and when you adopted him. I always will remember his wiggle butt! Susan sent me a picture she took of him when she went to Houston for the fundraiser yall did. I was shocked at how much he has grown. That poor baby has been through so much. I know that yall are doing the absolute best for him. I only wish it was easier on you and him. Keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you.
Something I came across...
...that maybe you have already seen. The Great Dane Lady, Linda Arndt, has a website and posts articles about health and nutrition. She has an article about wobblers http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/wobblers_syndrome_by_dr_wittles.ht... and also one about seizures http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/feed_program_for_dogs_that_seizure... . I read the article about wobblers and she does not recommend the surgery. She does recommend a specific diet and supplements. Take a look and see what you think. Of course, I'd run it by Sampson vet.
I'm so sorry.
You must be so frustrated not getting answers to Sampson's issues. But please don't feel like a bad mom...you are trying so hard for him and this is not your fault. I used to work with adults with disabilities (several with seizure disorders) and have witnessed hundreds of seizures and they were always freightening to me. I know (with people atleast) you don't remember the seizure and it doesn't 'hurt' (unless you bang your head falling ect). They would always be exhausted and lethargic afterwards wanting to sleep. It sounds like there is other things going on as well and I'm just so sorry. Hang in there and please keep us posted.