July 8, 2012

White Dog looked a bit shocked when Steve finished brushing Quinn and let him wander away without putting his lifting harness back on! She jumped down and sniffed the red jacket then pawed Steve's leg. "I know, Little One," he said, "but Quinn is doing very well walking the past few days and I thought he might appreciate going naked for a while." WD continued to look concerned but returned to her resting place on the couch.

There were a few rocky days early last week when The Other White Dog seemed to be getting worse, and of course, it was a holiday. We started reading that other Epi-dogs in our Blog Community were having extra difficulties because of the heat as well and contemplated increasing Quinn's dosage of Gabapenten.

(The great thing about this particular seizure drug is that the dosage can be moved up or down without issue and that the side effects are minimal. )

In reading The Five Sibes description of Gibson's condition, we learned that increased leg weakness and the inability to change from a lying to a standing position are possible symptoms of too MUCH medication (he takes phenobarbital but the physical similarities between Gibson and Quinn were striking). After a little further research we decided to reduce TOWD's medication instead.

The effect has been amazing. On half the dose, Quinn's leg strength has improved to the point that he needs no assistance in getting up or managing the steps. He is livelier, almost frisky. And the best part was that he wanted to go for a car ride!

For a couple of months now, when faced with a WDA outing, Quinn will walk to the landing tsee the Army off and then turn around to go back inside. He has chosen to stay home and guard the Ranch while the rest of us go on adventures.

But this afternoon, when every pup jostled for position at the door for their moment to head out and hop into Pumpkin, Quinn was right there with them...even jumping into the van by himself! My eyes teared as I got in and looked back at SIX happy smiling faces. The White Dog Army, in its entirety, rides again!

It was too hot for Park time but we ran some errands, and went to the pet store for treats, and finally stopped for take home frozen yogurt. The WDA luxuriated in the air conditioning and guarded the frozen goods until we pulled back into the drive...then there was a mad dash to get inside and wait for their bowls of creamy thick vanilla and greek cherry frozen yogurt.

Tonight we are noticing a little edginess and pacing creeping into Quinn; the manic behavior usually indicates that an episode might be coming. I suspect that we will, at least at this stage of TOWD's disease, play a constant balancing act of treating the seizures but not compromising his leg function. Monday morning we will call Dr. Julia to update her and hear her thoughts but for now, Quinn clearly feels spritely and is VERY glad to have the cool air blow through his furs without interference from his jacket harness.