May 2010 - Rosie Decruz
Rosie, a very sweet, slightly timid Jack Russell Terrier who was diagnosed with epilepsy back in 2007. She was placed onto medication to help control the fits which initially worked well and controlled the seizures.
Unfortunately through 2008 her fits got worse and more regular. The dose of the medications was increased and she was monitored closely, with regular blood samples being taken and assessed at an external laboratory. The seizures improved on the higher medication and Rosie was able to go about doing what little terriers do best!
In January of this year Rosie was presented with a throaty retching cough and swollen lymph nodes. The vet suspected pharyngitis and prescribed a course of antibiotics, with instructions to return if there was no improvement
By March the cough had not resolved completely so further investigation under a general anaesthetic and endoscopy was performed. This allowed the veterinary surgeon to assess the inflammation and check for any signs of foreign bodies and abnormalities. Only mild inflammation was seen with the endoscope so a tracheal wash was performed to try to get a sample of the cells on the surface of the trachea. This showed a few inflammatory cells but no infection. Rosie was placed onto anti-inflammatories to help reduce the inflammation of her trachea.
Unfortunately 3 weeks later Rosie started having multiple fits a day for a period of several days. Rosie’s owner bought her to the practice for examination. She was depressed and lethargic and not the little happy Rosie we all knew. Rosie was started on a human anti-epileptic drug which has controlled the fits and has given her, her old bounce back.
Rosie’s seizures are now well controlled and she is a much happier little terrier again. Unfortunately her cough has returned and we are unable to treat this with the anti inflammatories as these induce the seizures, so a long term plan is still being worked on. But for now, Rosie is off doing her little terrier things and enjoying her little terrier life, making her a happy dog.
