Sir Fidget Smelly-Bottom

However, it didn’t take Ludo long to take to Fidget; and occasionally peace and serenity was observed. Not too often though, but in general Ludo was being the perfect, and very tolerant, older stepbrother.

There were a few quieter times when Ludo was very patient with the new puppy.

And some very silly times as well.

Unfortunately, Ludo was suffering from cancer at this time, and soon after we had to let him go. But Fidget was there to fill a big gap, and he helped me through a very difficult time.

And he has been by my side ever since, and not a day goes by when he doesn’t make laugh out loud. Even on those days when he has managed to drive me to distraction at some point.

But Life Hasn’t Been Easy

When he was nearly two, Fidget was diagnosed with idiopathic canine epilepsy. This caused him to have frequent seizures, and often to have clusters of seizures one after the other.

We worked with the vets to try treat the problem and control them as best as we could. Unfortunately, over time, although the frequency of the seizures was under control the severity was getting worse each time he had them.

In early December 2019, he had a particularly bad attack. Culminating in him having about twenty-eight fits in about three days. He ended up at the vets for observation, and they contacted a neurosurgeon in Bristol to discuss his case. He gave them some recommendations, and the result was a complete change to his diet and a new regime of drugs. So he now had to have “NeuroCare” food, and was moved on to a new mixture of drugs: Zonisamide, Epiphen and Libromide. The doses and frequency of the drugs was also altered.

You can see more of Sir Fidget Smelly-Bottom on his facebook page.

He will never be completely “cured” of his epilepsy, but to be able to cut down the frequency and severity so much is amazing. By this time last year, he would have had at least six bouts of seizures.

So, fingers crossed, things are all looking good on the epilepsy front. We are just so thankful that the vets started talking to an expert in the field rather than just trying the next thing it said in the books!

Sir Fidget Smelly-Bottom

So there you have it. Little Fidget. He makes me cry, drives me round the bend sometimes but mostly he enriches every day of my life. He has been with me just over seven years now. He’s my best mate and my inspiration, and I can’t imagine my life without him in it.

… and he’s sitting on my lap as I write this, and my legs have gone numb!