Memphis the lab rat

Good news! The NCSU Vet School is doing another wave of their study of Keppra to treat canine epilepsy. Read a write-up of the previous study here (scroll down).

Memphis has been accepted! (It's like getting into grad school. Professors scrutinize your qualifications, conduct tests designed to measure brain activity, and provide training or medication that may or may not be of any use.)

Her first appointment is next Monday. The study lasts (I think) 44 weeks. The study is double blind and is divided into 2 periods. In one, Memphis will get a placebo, in the other she will actually get the drug. We won't know which is which until the study is over.

Updates to follow...

Happy Birthday Memphis!

Memphis' birthday is today. She is 6. To celebrate, we registered her in the NCSU veterinary school's canine epilepsy database. She is now eligible to participate in clinical studies of experimental medication for canine epilepsy. (Mostly they just test epilepsy drugs already approved for human use.) It would be nice to get her in because some of the new drugs are promising, but expensive ($150-$200 for a month supply).

Memphis' seizures are becoming a little more frequent. She has one about every 2 weeks now, usually at the most inconvenient time possible. (Just ask Alison and Tobin.)

On the bright side, we are much better at dealing with them when they happen and she is very gentle with the children. She puts up with a lot from Ian. Overall, a good companion dog.