Amanda F.
Well-Known Member
Jax has been acting a little off since we returned from vacation a few weeks ago. The ataxia in his back end is bad, like it is after a cluster of seizures. To my knowledge he has not had a seizure since December 27, 2012. He has been laying around more than normal, not really playing much. Medicine time has always been a favorite for him but for the last week he will barely take it and sometimes spits it out. He wasn't taking treats yesterday, he never refuses food of any kind. I called the vet earlier to see if I could get him in today or tomorrow but they are booked so I scheduled an appointment for next week. I was planning to have his phenobarb and potassium bromide levels checked and see if we could slowly lower the dose since he has been doing so well. I was thinking that maybe his levels are too high and maybe that was why he has been acting a little off. Well when I got home today I noticed that one of his pupils were dilated. So he had one really big and one small. I went straight to the computer to see what could be causing it. Medication was listed as a cause in some instances so I decided I would add it to the list of things to speak with the vet about. Again I'm thinking his meds are causing the issues. Well I had just bought the boys a new bag of food and Jax LOVES to eat. I filled his bowl, he walked over sniffed it and walked away and laid down. That NEVER happens. I added some coconut oil and he just looked at me. I placed the food on the floor and he smelled it and began licking it. I noticed he wasn't eating normally so I thought maybe he had a tooth or gum issue. I tried to open his mouth and couldn't. He was not fighting me...his jaw will not open more that an inch or two. I got back on the computer and called a long time vet tech friend of mine. She believes it has to be something neurological. From everything I read and all that she had to say it doesn't sound good. I was going to rush him to the ER vet but I am really not happy with any nearby. And since he has had so many trips the funds are not exactly there for another one at the moment. So unless something changes tonight, I will be calling his regular vet first thing in the morning. I'm sure they will see him once I tell them what's going on. He does not seem to be in pain or distress in any way. Just a few minutes ago he was playing and chasing an ice cube across the floor. Has anyone dealt with anything like this before?