Hi, my name is Jade. I am a healthy and happy mix black retriever/doodle.

I had my first seizure 2/24/2023, not knowing what was going on it scared my loving parents. My dad stayed home with me all day. On 2/25 both my parents stayed home from work to bring me to a scheduled vet appointment when I had my second seizure. My parents were much more prepared and were able to calmly be by my side which helped. They immediately brought me to my vet, Highlands Ranch, they let me come to my appointment early. They went to draw my blood, and I had another seizure. They sent me to the specialist, UC Davis in San Diego, by calling ahead and submitting all my paperwork while my parents drove me over I was able to be seen fast, thanks to the amazing team at Highlands, and special thanks to my aunty Jaclyn. I got put in the back away from my parents for the whole day, where I got a catheter & when they went to draw my blood I once again seized. Really exhausted at this point they gave me lots of medicine to sedate me. Late that night after my parents spent all day in the lobby they took their shot on bringing me home to my comfortable bed verses letting them keep me over night. They sent me home with emergency medicine and medication. Being very wobbly on my feet my dad has to carry me up and down the stairs every morning and night due to the medication.

I then got brought back to UC Davis, for a neurology consultation and check up. The neurologist told my mom blood work was inconclusive so next step is to do a CT scan or MRI, then from there they will either be able to do a series of radiology treatments or surgery. Which they have same day outpatient, have had wonderful results specifically for removing brain tumors causing seizures and recoveries.

After my mom got pet insurance for me on the 24th when I had my first seizure, she found out that this is considered pre-existing iIllness and after having spammed inbox of quote inquiries and responses with every pet insurance company, found absolutely no company that will help cover any portion, not even check up exams if it’s for pre-existing.

So my parents have kept me on the pheotobarbital with hopes it would keep the seizures from returning. I had another seizure 3/29 at 8pm, then another at 11:20 pm. Although both short, my parents called the emergency vet and they approved to give me additional medication (phenobarbital), to see if that holds them off for the night. Thankfully it did, although my parents didn’t get any sleep, constantly checking on me, they booked an appointment the next day with highlands ranch veterinary to have my blood work done again to check my levels and potentially adjust my dosage. Due to high levels to my liver I got switched over to keppra and a program of slowly tapering off phenobarbital along with some liver supplements and multi vitamins. The keppra made an huge different in my grogginess and able to stay balanced, I have energy to play again and get the zoomies and tackle the cat. After 4 weeks the last Saturday of being on a half dose of phenobarbital I had another seizure in the morning and then again Sunday night 4/30. The last seizure was the first time I couldn’t control my bowels. After a consultation I have been adjusted to keep to low dose phetobarbital and full dose keppra and doing an extended tapper to see if that helps or if just that combination keeps the seizures away.

I know my parents would really love to at least do a CT scan and get some kind of answers, already over 4,000 dollars in, they reached the hard question that is it worth it to do the CT scan knowing they definitely can’t afford the treatment if they did, they have held off. So after a recommendation from my two favorite aunties & moms best friends they recommended trying a go fund me. They reminded her just how loved I am, and worth it to try and ask for help then feel they have to figure this out on their own. So I’m going to help give my very best puppy dog begging eyes and ask you all to please help me out, I want to continue to go on annual road trips with my parents, go explore with them & play. I got a lot more energy and love to give.

We would all really appreciate any donations to finding the cause and curing what is causing my sudden seizures.

Thank you!

Update** 5/28

since the seizures had on 4/29 & 4/30 changed dose to 1/2 pheto & 1 full zeppra. 2x day for 4 weeks. Has also been on multi vitamins with lions mane, omegas, and a liver support medicine denamarin. Had a seizure May 11 at 6:30pm, received extra pheto after seizure. Again May 18 at 9pm had a seizure & lost bowels, received an extra pheto. Then on 5/23 at 12pm had a mild seizure didn’t loss bowels, received 1 full pheto. 5/24 at 3am had a mild seizure gave regular food at 4am just with a 1 full pheto & 1 keppra. regular until 6:15pm had a seizure again did not loss bowels, 6:30 gave 1 pheto, 1 keppra, 1 scoop food. She is normally very worked up after seizures, panting and pacing. We normally with a harness assist her walking around our coldasak as she tries to figure out her balance and legs again. Still very anxious at 7:10 gave 1 gabapentin, per vet approval. At

7:30 had another seizure gave nose injection of midazolam. Contacted vet, recommended calling emergency if she has more then 2 & give her the second dose we have of the midazolam. At 9:00 had her 3rd seizure in a row, lost mild stool, mild and quick, but we called La mesa emergency, gave the sequence of events, they said to bring to UC Davis as we had already admitted everything they could do, and she may need specialist. Called UC, they got her on the board, told us to bring all meds just as we were about to load up at 10:00 had another seizure, mild and quick. During consultation, doctors wanted to just give her injection to bring her phetobarbital levels up, but as we were in consultation going over the dosage and timeline at around 11:30 she had another one in front of vets, as she was coming out she went right back into another one, although not a full kicking one, they scooped and rushed her back. They deemed it cluster seizure and highly potentially fatal without intervention and monitoring over night.

So Jade was kept over night, got Cath & checked levels of pheto & liver enzymes. Getting pheno injections & levetiracetam injections. She made it through the night without any more seizures. After getting home at 2, I came back at 7:30 am, and waiting until 11 for results. Already approved the night before to do the ultrasound, they allowed me a visitation before bringing her back. Due to already being 3,500 in, with the gathador & sedations I got a quote to add CT scan. Ended up being 1,000 more but was still let then bringing her back and the original quote of 2,500-3000 for CT alone. MRI would have been an additional 3,000 & 5-6,000 alone. So final bill was 4,583.

***RESULTS: no tumors or inflation on your abdominal ultra sound. Some regenerative spots on her liver, but not masses. Something solid in her stomach but not causing blockage/obstruction. No inflation or issues.

blood also came back fine, liver enzymes where they expect due to so many seizures and medication.

CT RESULTS: she has a large tumor on her thyroid, and a growing tumor on brain. (Forgot the name, but it’s a fungus line film that grows on the outside of the brain line a film over the entire brain).

Treatment: a few radiology treatments can remove the tumor from the brain, and pretty much guarantee recovery. Tumor on thyroid would need surgery. Pending quote.

current solution: we have her on 1/2 97.2 mg phenobarbital a day. 1000mg keppra ( levetricatam) twice a day. 6.6ml potassium bromide twice a day for 4 days then 4.6ml twice a day. (These help prevent the seizures) 1.5 prednisone twice a day for 3 days then only once a day. This is a steroid that prevent the tumor growth.

We have 3 new doses of midazolam for emergency injections incase of seizure. And batch brand CBD treats to help mostly with her anxiousness.

we are beyond happy to report we have had her home, although the ride home & first night/day was tough as we didn’t get home until 7pm. She was very disoriented & dysphoric. Using a vest and towel we helped her walk and covered all the flooring with blankets and towels to try to help give her some footing and traction. Amanda “slept” down stairs with her.

5/26- first full day home, assisted vest arrives, and able to pick jade up & help her walk. She sleeps most of the day, still anxious and disoriented. Doesn’t really eat, so force medicine but very thirsty.

amanda “slept” downstairs.

5/27- no seizures!! Purchase a 50$ large rug and some runners & cover 90% of floors. Her eyes now focused, and aware of where she is & seems calmer and happy. Appetite mostly returns, still leaves some food behind, but loves her treats. Still force medicine. Getting more stable with assisted vest that just need to hover walking with her to catch her if she wobbles. All regular bowels.

Ryan takes night shift & “sleeps” downstairs.

5/28- jade has her appetite back, still forcing meds with food. Regular bowels, drinking lots of water still, but has full stable mobility back. She is aware and tracking her surroundings & the engaging with the cat. Return 90% to her original self. And still NO SEIZURES!

Thank you everyone who has read all this, and has followed along with Jades journey. We share all this medical info for anyone else who may have a dog suffering from similar seizure symptoms to compare what we are using and trying. We are so grateful for the community of support & suggestions we have received. Our hearts are bursting with the amount of love and support we have received from you all, it has truly been the flicker of light in what’s otherwise seemed like complete darkness. Your donations continue to motivate us to not give up & give us the ability not to, so thank you sincerely!!! ❤️