05/02/2026
So we’ve had some things happening with Ariana over the last several months that we’ve kept pretty close to the vest. We shared everything with her seizures last year. She’s been doing good on her seizure meds until two weeks ago. We also discovered a mass in her bladder that was suspected to be cancer. Since we decided we would definitely not do chemo, we chose to not go through all of the testing to determine if it was definitely cancer. Then, on April 19th, she had what two of the amazing vets I work with determined to be a small stroke. Then two days later, she suffered a seizure that was caught on our backyard Ring camera.
We went back to her neurologist the amazing Dr Clemmons at IVS in Gainesville this past Thursday. I just had ChatGPT translate the exam findings into simple terms.
🧠 Brain (main concern)
The scan found a tiny spot in the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination).
This spot lit up only in the late stage of contrast, which makes it a bit uncertain.
Possible explanations:
A small stroke (called a CVA – cerebrovascular accident)
A small area of inflammation or infection (granuloma)
A tumor (less likely)
Or it might even be a false signal/artifact (something that just looks abnormal on the scan but isn’t real)
👉 Because Ariana has had seizure-like episodes, the vet thinks a small stroke is the most likely cause, but an MRI would be needed to be sure.
🦴 Spine
There’s a slight bulge in a disc between T12–T13 (mid-back area).
Good news: it is NOT pressing on the spinal cord, so it’s probably not causing major problems.
🦋 Thyroid
The left thyroid gland is bigger than the right.
This might be normal, but the vet suggests thyroid testing just in case.
❤️ Heart & Lungs
These look completely normal.
🍽️ Stomach & Digestive System
Food was in the stomach (normal).
Some calcified material (could be diet-related or incidental).
Colon and bladder contents looked normal.
🧪 Liver
There are two small nodules (lumps) in the liver:
The largest is about 1.5 cm
They briefly absorb contrast and then lose it
These are often benign, especially when small, but:
They should be monitored over time
If they grow, a needle sample (FNA) may be needed
💧 Bladder
Previously there was concern about a mass.
Now it’s gone, which strongly suggests it was just a blood clot, not cancer.
🧬 Other organs
Kidneys: normal size, slightly uneven shape (usually not serious)
Adrenal glands: normal
Ureters (tubes from kidneys): open and working
Overall: everything else looks normal
🧾 Big Picture Summary
Most important issue: possible small stroke in the brain
Other findings:
Small liver nodules → watch and monitor
Enlarged thyroid → maybe test
Minor disc bulge → not currently a problem
Bladder concern resolved (likely just a clot)
💊 Treatment Plan (in simple terms)
Increase seizure control meds
Adding levetiracetam alongside phenobarbital
May cause temporary sleepiness (2–3 weeks)
Start steroids
To reduce brain inflammation or swelling
Stop Previcox before starting steroids
Possible adjustments depending on response:
If symptoms come back → increase steroids or add other meds
If symptoms return after stopping antibiotics → may restart them
⚠️ What to watch for at home
More seizures
Worsening balance or coordination
Behavior changes
Appetite or energy changes
🧭 Bottom line
Nothing in the scan screams a large tumor or widespread disease. The main concern is a small brain event (likely a stroke) that explains the neurological signs. Most other findings are either minor or just things to monitor.
Needless to say, a HUGE weight has been lifted with this news.
