? Micro-seizures?? What's going on w/ Luna?

[pevsfreedom]

I've counted three times in the last ~3 weeks where Luna has had what I can describe as micro seizures. Each time her front paws start twitching weird and she just looks odd, then her whole body shakes but not violently or anything, and she seems to lose control of her back legs. She's completely aware of me however. These "attacks" happen for about 5-10 seconds, and then she's 100% normal. Every time her #s were good, over 100 in some cases, so it's not blood sugar. We just got her blood tested about a month ago and her liver needed some support and she's getting Adenosyl which has helped her liver, and everything else is 100% ok... the attacks did start after she started taking the Adenosyl, though I can't point my finger at that having specifically caused it. She's also on Cosequin, because it was found she has bad arthritis. This time (5 mins ago) she meow'd really oddly (she meows oddly a lot) right when it started and was meowing throughout, she looked like she had no control of her body but was 100% aware of me and my movements.

(As to the Spreadsheet I have all the info saved in the glucometer, I only update it once a month or so, everythings normal with her blood sugar wise).

What's going on? Has anyone ever heard of this? Please don't say "go to the vet", because I'm going to, probably on Monday.

 

[Critter Mom]

SAM-e is used for anti-depressant benefits in humans so I think it must cross the blood-brain barrier. Try a web search to see if any humans report adverse effects when taking it.

It is contra-indicated for people with bipolar effective disorder. There is some overlap of symptoms between bipolar and PTSD. I have PTSD and if something in the environment is sufficient of a stimulant I feel like my entire system becomes neurologically over-excited; I get very, very overstimulated and agitated - as though there is a storm in my brain (but I've not had any seizures).

Have a look at all of Luna's treatments to see whether any of them might lower the seizure threshold. If any do, then (speculating here) ask your vet if it's possible that the BG hypo threshold in Luna might be affected (ETA - i.e. if something is lowering the seizure threshold it could mean that Luna might be more vulnerable to symptomatic hypos at higher BG numbers than might normally be the case).

Here's one link that might help you choose avenues to research:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1 2118&aid=224

The article does mention liver disease.

Fingers and paws crossed you'll be able to find and resolve the root of the problem for Luna. FWIW your own research may be more helpful than what the vet may be able to tell you. (I've had to rely on the web to find out sufficient info about side effects in meds; our vets weren't hectic in this regard - probably because they don't have time to research thoroughly and perhaps because not all their patients historically haven't been as med-senstive as Saoirse.)

Should it prove that SAM-e is the problem and the vet decides it's contra-indicated for Luna a milk thistle supplement may offer some support for her liver.


Mogs
.

 

[Callie & Patches]

You can find Milk Thistle in almost any drug store. I would open up a capsule and mix a little into her food. There are several of us here who like to use natural products when we can. They tend to have fewer side effects.

 

[Squalliesmom]

Natural supplements are great, just make sure that they don't interfere with any other current meds or the absorption of them. We have a tendency to think that, because something is natural, it will not have issues or side effects, and that's not always the case.