Help Kenai Battle Epilepsy: Support His Care

First of all thank you for taking the time to read about our situation. My name is Brittany, I am the proud pet parent to a 3.5 year old Alaskan Malamute named Kenai. In June 2024 Kenai unexpectedly had a seizure while he was laying on the floor sleeping next to me. He had never had a seizure or any major health issues before this so it was quite shocking. I called my boyfriend to us and we waited for around a minute for his seizure to end. His seizure was quite intense, whole body shaking, jaws clamping, foaming at the mouth and he peed everywhere. We had never had an experience like this and weren't sure what to do so we did a quick google search and it said some dogs just have a one off seizure in their lives and unless he had another it wasn't something to rush to the ER about. We called our primary vet and they gave us the same advice, if he had a second seizure he should go to the ER. About an hour went by with us following him around and he had a second seizure. We got him loaded up and on the way to the ER he had several more seizures and they started to come on with less time in-between each time. By the time we got to the ER we think he had around 10 seizures. The ER started treatment immediately and he ended up staying with them overnight. His seizures finally did subside that night. We left that day with the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy which essentially means they do not know the root cause. They mentioned we could potentially see a Neurologist and get an MRI done but for a dog of Kenai's size it would likely cost around $5,000 but probably more. They said an MRI would essentially be looking for the presence of a brain tumor. It was their opinion that a brain tumor was unlikely due to his age and that an MRI may just confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy. The prognosis to treat his epilepsy would remain the same. They said he would have more seizures, he will likely have them for the rest of his life, it was just a matter of when. He was started on an anti-convulsant medication, phenobarbital. That initial vet visit was roughly $1,800 and we had a follow-up a few weeks later to check the levels of phenobarbital in his system as too much of that drug can cause issues but not enough of the drug wouldn't be effective in preventing his seizures.

We made it just over a month without another seizure episode. Then one day it happened, a cluster of seizures similar to the previous event but this time the seizures seemed like they were coming on more rapidly. I rushed him to the ER and they started his treatment. The vet suggested we start another anti-seizure medication in his regimen, and of course we went with it. I asked if there was anything we could give him at home to give him if he had a seizure that would potentially stop the seizures from turning into a cluster event. This particular vet didn't seem keen on giving us those resources. She did discuss the option of a rectal suppository of Diazepam but she was adamant that it was unlikely we would be able to get that medication and if we were able to that it would be extremely expensive. I did call our primary vet and arranged to get the rectal suppository so we would have it at home in the event we needed it. Our ER vet visit this time was around $3,000 due to the added medication they administered him.

About 2 weeks later we had another seizure event. We were able to give him the rectal suppository and another emergency seizure medication and we were able to stop the seizures without a trip to the ER. It was a sigh of relief that we finally had a way to take care of Kenai at home.

But this event was a reality check for us that these seizure events could happen at any time. I had already been having extreme anxiety at the idea of Kenai being alone while my boyfriend and I were at work during the week. I feel like we were very lucky that Kenai didn't have a seizure event in the previous months while we weren't home.

We made the decision that it would be best if I stopped working to be home to give Kenai his medication in case of emergency.. We knew it would be a huge financial blow, but there really didn't seem like there was another option.

This time we made it almost 4 weeks without another seizure event. But last night after giving Kenai the rectal suppository and other rescue medications his seizures didn't stop. We had to take him to the emergency vet again. They got his seizures under control and the decision was made to up his current doses of his medications. We got a new option of a nasal medication to give Kenai for an emergency and hopefully that will be more effective.

At this point we are faced with not being able to afford to go to the emergency vet visits every month. I am actively trying to work out some way to earn some kind of income at home but as of this time that isn't our reality. I love Kenai and I want to do whatever I possibly can to take care of him. That is why I've created this go-fund-me. Recently we've had to have some very heartbreaking discussions and think about the future. If we can't afford to continue on how we are what are our options? Re-homing? Re-homing animals is difficult enough without a severe and expensive medical condition, it would be extremely unlikely that would even be possible. Most foster shelters don't even take in animals with chronic health issues like Kenai. I would never surrender him to a shelter. I would never let him go to strangers and not be certain he would be taken care of. The absolute last thing I would let happen is for him to end up dying scared around people he doesn't know and don't love him. That leaves making a "humane" decision. Putting him down if we aren't able to get him the treatment he needs... It honestly breaks my heart to even think about. I hope we never get to that point... As of now when Kenai isn't having a seizure episode he's his normal goofy happy sassy self. I hope we can get his maintenance meds to keep his seizures at bay. There are cases where dogs get to be nearly seizure free with the correct medication management. I hope we get there one day. <3

Any funds generated from this go-fund-me will go towards Kenai's vet care. Whether that is ER visits, visits to his regular vet to get the blood levels of his medication checked, his medications, anything related to his vet care.

Literally any help is greatly appreciated and please know I have been and will continue looking for resources such as organizations that offer aid to pets with medical emergencies etc. None of those avenues have been fruitful yet, but I wont stop trying.