| I recently had an email from a former client who has a | | | | to the dog. The other extreme includes severe |
| dog that suffers from seizures. Percy is a 4 year old | | | | diseases such as brain tumors. Fortunately, most |
| yellow Lab with epilepsy. He has been on traditional | | | | seizures are due to epilepsy. |
| ant-seizure medication, and is not responding very well | | | | Possible Solutions |
| now. He is suffering from seizures once a month, even | | | | When a seizure occurs, we begin by taking a thorough |
| on the highest doses of these medications. | | | | history concentrating on possible exposure to |
| My former client asked me if there was anything she | | | | poisonous or hallucinogenic substances or history of |
| could do at home, holistically. She wants to avoid | | | | head trauma. We also perform a physical examination, |
| conventional medications as much as she can. | | | | a basic battery of blood tests, and an |
| So I sent her the information in this article. You may not | | | | electrocardiogram (EKG). These tests rule out |
| have a seizuring pet, but you should be aware of the | | | | disorders of the liver, kidneys, heart, electrolytes, and |
| signs and possible solutions. | | | | blood sugar level. A heartworm test is performed if |
| Seizures in Dogs | | | | your dog is not taking heartworm preventative very |
| The signs of seizures vary, but they generally include | | | | regularly. |
| some of the following symptoms. | | | | If these tests are normal and there is no exposure to |
| Loss or derangement of consciousness, contractions | | | | poison or recent trauma, further diagnostics may be |
| of all the muscles in the body, changes in mental | | | | performed depending on the severity and frequency |
| awareness (from non-responsiveness to hallucinations), | | | | of the seizures. Occasional seizures are of less |
| involuntary urination, defecation, or salivation, or | | | | concern than when the seizures are becoming more |
| behavioral changes, including non-recognition of owner, | | | | severe and frequent. In this instance, a spinal fluid tap |
| viciousness, pacing, and running in circles. | | | | and fluid analysis may be performed. Depending on |
| Seizures consist of three parts: | | | | availability, specialized imaging of the head with a CAT |
| 1) The pre-ictal phase (aura) is a period of altered | | | | scan or MRI might be performed. Fortunately, these |
| behavior in which the dog may hide, appear nervous, | | | | additional tests are usually not needed. |
| or seek out his owner. He may be restless, nervous, | | | | To The Veterinarian: We generally prescribe 1-2 |
| whining, shaking, or salivating. This may last a few | | | | weeks of anticonvulsant therapy. If there are no more |
| seconds to a few hours. | | | | seizures during that time, the anticonvulsants are |
| 2) The ictal phase is the actual seizure itself. This lasts | | | | gradually discontinued. The next treatment is |
| from a few seconds to about five minutes. During this | | | | determined by how long it takes for another seizure to |
| period, all of the muscles of the body contract strongly. | | | | occur. That may be days, months, or years. At some |
| The dog usually falls on his side and seems paralyzed | | | | point, many dogs have seizures frequently enough to |
| while shaking. His head will be drawn backward. | | | | justify continuous anticonvulsant therapy. Since that |
| Urination, defecation, and salivation often occur. If it is | | | | means that medication must be given every 12 to 24 |
| not over within five minutes, the dog is said to be in | | | | hours for the rest of the dog's life, we do not |
| 'status epilepticus' or prolonged seizure. | | | | recommend that until seizures occur about every 30 |
| 3) During the post-ictal phase, there is confusion, | | | | days or unless they last more than five minutes. |
| disorientation, salivation, pacing, restlessness, and/or | | | | It is important to avoid sudden discontinuation of any |
| temporary blindness. There is no direct correlation | | | | anticonvulsant medication. Even normal dogs may be |
| between the severity of the seizure and the duration | | | | induced to seizure if placed on anticonvulsant |
| of the post-ictal phase. | | | | medication and then abruptly withdrawn from it. Your |
| Despite the dramatic signs of a seizure, the dog feels | | | | veterinarian can outline a schedule for discontinuing the |
| no pain, only bewilderment. Unlike with us humans, dogs | | | | medication. |
| do not swallow their tongues. If you put your fingers | | | | Hypoallergenic Diet: There are reports that show a link |
| into his mouth, you're not going to help! You will run a | | | | between diet and seizures in dogs. Every seizuring pet |
| VERY high risk of being bitten - and bitten very badly. | | | | should at least try a commercial hypoallergenic diet for |
| Do NOT place your hands in his mouth. The important | | | | 12 weeks. You can also make your own elimination |
| thing is to keep your dog from falling and hurting | | | | diet. |
| himself. As long as he is on the floor (or outside on the | | | | Melatonin: This has been used an anticonvulsant for |
| ground), there is little chance that he will harm himself. | | | | some dogs. Many dogs only have seizures at night. |
| If the seizure continues for longer than a few minutes, | | | | Homeopathic: Cicuta virosa. This can be given to |
| his body temperature will begin to rise. If hyperthermia | | | | control seizures. |
| (over heating) develops along with a seizure, you will | | | | Serenity: Many pets with epilepsy will seizure in |
| have another set of problems. | | | | response to certain stimuli, such as loud noises or bright |
| Prolonged Seizure (Status Epilepticus) | | | | lights. Get to know what triggers your pet's seizures, |
| Status epilepticus is very serious. It is characterized by | | | | and avoid these situations. |
| a seizure that lasts more than five minutes. When this | | | | Try the above solutions to see what works for your |
| occurs, your dog's life is in danger. Unless intravenous | | | | dog. Note how I mention diet as a possibility: if you are |
| medication is given quickly, death can occur. If your dog | | | | not feeding your pet a quality premium NATURAL |
| is in this state, you should IMMEDIATELY take him in | | | | food, make the switch NOW. This will help with more |
| for emergency veterinary care. | | | | than just seizures - this will help in almost all areas of |
| Causes of Seizures | | | | disease. Do what you can! |
| There are many, many causes of seizures. Epilepsy is | | | | This article is courtesy of a Leading Internet Retailer of |
| the most common reason and of least consequence | | | | Bark Collars and Dog Training Shock Collars. |