Pet question?

atangiblewish

I'm starting to get concerned about my beagle. He's epileptic and an attention hound. If anyone has any special needs animals are you doing anything above and beyond the normal pet preparedness for LO's arrival? I realize this is a strange question, but I am mildly curious. I've only known of his epilepsy for about 1.5 yrs (he just turned 3).

His triggers seem to be extreme excitement - though that isn't always the case. It can happen for any reason.

iggles09

Is he on anti-seizure meds and if so is he currently well regulated? My suggestions would be to have as much set up in the nursery as soon as possible. Get him used to the room and all the changes there first

Then, I recommend this for all new babies around animals, have your DH or a family member bring home a blanket before you leave the hospital that smells like baby. If it gets bad enough, right before you go into labor it may not be a bad idea to board him somewhere if that doesn't make matters worse.

GL! 

GingerBabyTX

If he's easily excited/needs attention, make sure he starts getting enough exercise NOW.  And once he's exercised, you can start doing the mental training -- like inviting him into baby's room, etc.  Cesar Millan has a great article on preparing for stuff like that (link at bottom of this post).  As for the seizures, though, I"m not sure. Poor pup.

https://www.cesarsway.com/tips/yournewdog/introduce-your-dog-to-your-baby?utm_source=CMISocial&utm_medium=Link&utm_campaign=IntroduceDogBaby

missejayne

My hubby has been looking this up too... he said the first night bring home something that smells like the baby (ie blanket etc) and just put it on a chair. Let the dog explore the new scent, dont force it on him. When you come home have your hubby bring in the baby, and you go in first and greet him like you would every other day. Thats our plan, I hope it works for us!

atangiblewish

iggles09:

Is he on anti-seizure meds and if so is he currently well regulated? My suggestions would be to have as much set up in the nursery as soon as possible. Get him used to the room and all the changes there first

Then, I recommend this for all new babies around animals, have your DH or a family member bring home a blanket before you leave the hospital that smells like baby. If it gets bad enough, right before you go into labor it may not be a bad idea to board him somewhere if that doesn't make matters worse.

GL! 

 

Yea he is on potassium bromide and phenobarbital. He still gets like 1 seizure a month, sometimes, if we're lucky, every other month. The vet said with just having the 1 a month we don't need to up his meds. I'm glad cause once he's on them he is like a zombie...at least not as playful. He does have an appt in March for his annuals so I was going to talk to the vet then, but I figured, I'd talk to you ladies in the meantime.

 I appreciate the ideas for sure. He's not a mean dog at all, but he is always up on us. It's like he always has to be touching a human. In fact, if a seizure is coming he seeks us so he can be near us once it starts.

 Thank you everyone.