Arlo is a 1 year old Great Dane. Just 10 days before his first birthday he experienced his first seizure. This resulted in a trip to the Emergency Vet, where we were told to take him home for further monitoring. 13 hours later, he had another seizure and was taken back where he was held for 24 hours and started on anti-convulsant medication. We established a treatment plan with the Emergency Vet, our Primary Vet, and we have since consulted with a Neurologist. He's been diagnosed as having Idiopathic Epilepsy until other diagnoses can be ruled out completely.
Since those first two seizures, Arlo has continued to have them. Unfortunately today, June 19, 2023 he experienced severe cluster seizures resulting in more than a dozen seizures within a 45 minute window of time. This is life-threatening and extremely scary. Up until now, he's never had them at that intensity or frequency.
He began seizing at home, had multiple seizures in the car, and we made it inside the doors of the Emergency Vet when he collapsed again. Seven employees rushed out to him, lifted his 150lb body onto a stretcher and immediately began administering an emergency dose of anti-convulsant medicine while trying to stabilize him.
Arlo is our baby. This journey has been difficult in that it's traumatic witnessing him having the seizures while also trying to be there and provide comfort to him when he comes out of them. We are so scared we are going to lose him and we are trying to do everything in our power to get him the help he needs. If all the love in the world could prevent these seizures, he'd be more than okay. ❤️
[Pictured: Arlo on the couch with his favorite bone!]
Unfortunately, the emotional damage is coupled with financial troubles. While we have somehow managed to come up with the $3,500+ it's already taken to get Arlo the care he has needed up until this point (his emergency stay(s), multiple trips for bloodwork, Neurology consultation, etc.) there is still more to be done. On top of that, there is a pending bill for $3,500 for this current emergency stay, we are exhausting our efforts to make sure this is covered, but ultimately if funds are raised here, that will aid us. Unfortunately the grants/assistance we've applied for, Arlo's case hasn't been deemed severe enough and other dogs are (understandably) in greater need.
Next steps for Arlo include an MRI and Spinal Tap from our Neurologist. That was quoted at $4,000. He will also need ongoing bloodwork to be done every 6-8 weeks, ranging from $150-$300 each time. He is on two different types of medication currently, but the likelihood of him needing additional medicine is now even greater.. given that he is considered Refractory Idiotpathic Epiletic. His medicine total can range from $100-$150 each month.
When he's not experiencing seizures, he is truly the happiest dog. He wants to be everyone's friend, loves to play fetch, and is always willing to snuggle up with us or his Dane brother!
[Pictured: Arlo snuggled up in his favorite dog bed.]
We fully anticipated that with a Giant Breed dog, all costs related to him would be more expensive than a 'normal' dog. We could have never expected he'd have a life-altering condition, one that we fear is going to hurt his little (big) body as time goes on, but we will do everything in our power to give him the love and care he needs to live a long, healthy, and happy life. We only hope that if one is able to help, they will, even if it's $5.
Thank you for taking the time to read Arlo's Story. He means the world to us and we want him to live a long and fulfilling life where his seizures are under control as opposed to controlling him.
[Pictured: Arlo's 1st Birthday Toys]