Katharine Had an MRI and More Seizures

Katharine's MRI today was clear-no tumors, no bleeding, nothing that indicated any changes in the brain to cause seizures. They did a spinal tap to see if there is any inflammation. If that is clear, then blood work to rule out certain diseases and issues and an echo of her gastro system and anything else will be performed. The vet said to continue gabapentin and to keep an eye out for any seizures. If they occur, to give her more gabapentin. If there are too many close together, then they will put her on phenobarbitol. But she had been clear for a week and we did not expect her to have any more seizures.

I brought her home and 40 minutes later, she had two seizures a few minutes apart. Each lasted for a minute. I filmed both. By the end of the one in the video, I knew she had to be seen by a vet. Then she had one in the car. I took her to an ER, a new one recommended by the oncall staff of the neurologist's office only because it is close to the neurologist's office. In the end, they decided to keep her overnight, give phenobarbitol as a steady, slow dose, give fluids, run some blood work, etc.

While the new ER is 20 minutes away, I should have gone to our ER that we favor that is 40 min. away, especially because Katharine is now staying overnight in an unfamiliar ER. The new one is shabby but at least the people are nice. But the new one kept me waiting for an hour before someone came in to get her history. Then I was alone for another hour before someone came in to say the vet would be in soon to talk to me. Then I was alone for 30 min. before he did. Yes, he was busy. Yes, they had had many other more critical pets before mine. But at our usual ER, they whisk the pets to the back before spending 10 min. checking in the pet. Then 10-15 min. later, someone comes out and gives an update and asks for history. Then 10-15 min. later, the vet comes in to say what they've seen, what they'd like to do, etc. Then 30 min. to an hour later, they let you know what is going on, results of tests, what they recommend, etc. The focus is on the patient. Only at the end do they ask for money.

I will pick her up in the morning and she'll come home unless the neurologist wants to see her again.