Hello! I hope you can help...
Emmy is a 12.5yo, 58 lb., spayed female Shar-Pei mix with the following history:
~adopted at approx 18 months of age in good health; brought current on shots/vaccs
~1999 - surgery to remove 2 large bladder stones; full recovery w/ no recurrence
~2004 & 2005 - begins to show signs of aging: gradual hearing loss (now complete); arthritic lower back and hind legs; overall excellent health
~12.23.2007 - has surgery on left rear ankle to remove small benign tumor (located under the skin, in the tissue roll); full recovery
~06.30.2008 - treatment of seborrheic dermatitis w/ steroid shot, oral antibiotics, Otomax and BenzoylPlus shampoo; same allergy treatment plan has been administered occasionally over the years (avg 1x every year or so) w/ success; itching stops, hair grows back, and ears heal
~08.15.2008 - first seizure; full-blown including excess salivation, vocalization, limb stiffening/paddling, urination, eyes unfocused; seizure lasts 2-3 mins w/ a 45 min postictal period of confusion, disorientation, lack of coordination, etc. Recovers over the course of the day (more sleep than usual) and gets back to normal
~08.18.2008 - second seizure; same as 08.15.2008
~08.18.2008 - blood work at vet shows slight elevation in liver enzymes and steroid level; otherwise, all seems well/normal; heart, lungs, oral health all excellent
~08.20.2008 - third seizure; same as 08.18.2008
~08.20.2008 - begin Phenobarb (32.4mg tablets): 1 tab in a.m.; 1.5 tab in p.m. with deli ham or scrambled egg
~08.22.2008 - begin Bufferin (500mg tablets) for arthritis pain relief: .5 tab in a.m.; 5 tab in p.m. with deli ham or scrambled egg
~09.01.2008 - fourth seizure; both seizure and postictal are shorter and milder
~09.02.2008 - fifth seizure; same as 09.01.2008
~09.08.2008 - sixth seizure; same as 08.15.2008
~09.10.2008 - what looks like "hot spot" appears on front of right rear knee; slight swelling and reddening/oozing of skin mid-leg; vet clips hair and applies compression wrap to be removed next a.m.; begin Simplicef (200mg tab in a.m. x 10 days) and Gentaved spray; Phenobarb check shows good (normal) level on low end of range; platelet count is low (94); steroid level normal; white count normal; liver enzymes OK; thyroid check OK; temp normal; stop Bufferin
~09.11.2008 - leg swelling decreased by 30%-40% overnight; begin increased Phenobarb dosage: 1.5 tab in a.m.; 1.5 tab in p.m. with deli ham or scrambled egg
~09.15.2008 - right rear leg progressively worsening; now grossly swollen from toes almost to hip; skin is red, hot to the touch, stretched and weeping; x-ray shows no bone/joint abnormalities; possibilities: Shar-Pei Fever/SHS (although other symptoms absent), canine gout; begin DMSO application to non-broken skin on leg at bedtime; platelet count up (132); temp normal; vet suggests dietary changes: stop deli meat and egg; look into limiting protein; cut all wheat, soy and corn
~09.16.2008 - begin transition from Beneful dry kibble to Wellness Just For Seniors dry kibble, replace all treats to meet restrictions; medicine dosed w/ peanut butter smeared on treat biscuit; vet suggests wrapping leg at bedtime following DMSO application and applying cold pack for 8-10 mins at a time
~09.17.2008 - leg swelling decreased by 50%-60% overnight and redness/weeping greatly reduced; in addition to DMSO, wrap and cold pack, I massaged and elevated the leg off and on throughout the night. Within a few hours of removing the wrap this a.m., leg is again swollen, hot to the touch, red and weeping/oozing. The "ooze" is mostly clear and serum-like (resembles watery, clear mucus), with tiny spots of blood that break through the surface of the skin.
Lots of info, but I'm at my wit's end trying to determine if any/all of Emmy's history is somehow painting a 'big picture' or if each issue/problem stands alone. With the exception of the above-listed issues, Emmy has enjoyed an unremarkable health history for the past 10+ years. Other notes: (1) Emmy's bowel habits are normal/unchanged. (2) Her water consumption and urine output have increased since the Phenobarb treatment began. (3) She is sleeping more since the onset of the leg problem; her energy level is decreasing almost daily. (4) She's very stiff - it's hard for her to get up from and down to a lying position. She does not sit at all.
Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide. I'm becoming extremely concerned about the tissue swelling in her leg. I feel I can deal with the seizures (if they do recur) much easier, for some reason. I'm anxious to be able to provide Emmy relief and get her back to her happy self!
