From obese to anorexic

November 2011

December 31, 2012

Whereas I used to have a weight problem, now I am headed in the opposite direction.

After my recent gastric bout, Dr. Galea took me off of the Phenobarbitol / Potassium Bromide combination I had been taking, as that is not recommended for dogs with pancreatic issues.  Instead, to control my seizures, he switched me to Zonisamide.

2009, pre-Phenobarbitol

    All these years I have had to deal with skepticism regarding my claims that my 2009 weight gain was due to the Phenobarbitol. Well, guess what, you non-believers:  I was right!   My weight dropped as soon as I got off of the Phenobarbitol. 

Furthermore, at this point I'm not even interested in eating:  It turns out that Zonisamide is linked to anorexia.   I now pick at my food, and weigh less than 15 pounds, as against 18 pounds a month ago before I changed medications.   The doctor has given me a a clean bill of health and proclaimed me free to eat whatever I want as long, so long as it is not high-fat.  My owner has tried to tempt me, first with homemade food, and now with enticing commercial concoctions bearing names like "Savory Steak in Meaty Gravy".  But I have little enthusiasm.

I ignore my food.

    Although I am now one of the skinny guys, I continue to empathize with the heavy, who are unfairly accused of personal sloth when so often their weight and metabolism are due to factors beyond their control.