Canine epilepsy

[Arbiesmom]

Here are a few links to sites specific to canine epilespy - they have loads of info.

I'll just mention a couple of points which aren't always made clear in the epilepsy sites:

Holistic treatments (for example melotinin) do help with some types of epilepsy but can make cluster seizures or status epilepsy worse.

Diazepam can also make some type of seizures worse.

Status epilepticus isn't explained in enough detail. I read on forums last year of three dogs dying of status because their owners didn't realise they were in status (I didn't tell the owners that because it would be distressing for them but I want anyone here to know before that happens to them). After a big seizure a dog will pace and walk blindly round the room bumping into things - that is fine - it is part of the recovery process (not too fine on you tho as you try to keep up and stop them banging into everything)
When your dog is in this state he should still respond to you when you talk or click your fingers - at this stage they should be starving and will stop pacing long enough to take in a couple of tablespoonfulls of honey and at least a tineof food - fed in small quantities at intervals. If your dog doesn't respond while pacing he is still in the seizure state - that is status! and needs EMERGENCY VETS. A lot of owners don't underrstand status - they think their dog is in recovery while pacing - that is not always the the case - A dog is in recovery when he responds to you saying a name. offering food.
To make it really clear - for an example - your dog has a seizure - it only lasts 30 seconds but he starts pacing and five mins later he is still pacing and not responding to you - he has not recovered - he is still unconscious = take to emergency vets.

Thyroid or head tremors etc? My rule is the same as vets - if your dog has one seizure and it's small inform your vet, keep a journall of when they happen - what they had to eat, if any household cleaners were used, was it after certain meds or vaccines etc. In the meantime get thyroid and blood sugar levels checked. If your dog is like Arbie and has several seizures then there is no time for all that testing - they have to be put on meds straight away. The testing then becomes irrellavent - once medication gets in the system (especially phenobarb) the thyroid is affected so save yourself the money of thyroid testing.

phenobarbitol - (I think they do mention this in the sites) great drug - has kept my Arbie alive - he has had to be put on intravenous drips of it when he went into status - but it comes with a price - liver failure. I now have Arbie on a very small dose of this drug - he is on a hepatic diet and liver supplement. The drugs he is on now are working well.

DON'T be DISCOURAGED if drugs don't work at first - some take time to kick in and some may not suit your dog.

I seem to have found a good mix for Arbie now - it has taken 2 years. I put him on a drug (keppra) which does a similar job to diasepam - I can give him a couple when he has seizures and it stops him clustering, he has potassium bromide and a low dose of phenobarb.
We still have to tweek his meds occasssionally - but things are loads better - he srtarted off in seizures and went into status at eleven months - we got his seizures down to weekly, then two weekly , then back to wekly etc, he has gone ten weeks for the third time this year - great for him and us.
Any way enough of me and Arbie here's those sites I promised:

Canine Epilepsy Website

This site has loads of info including breeding and epilepsy:-

Canine Epilepsy Resources


Canine Epilepsy and Dog Seizures Table of Contents - Canine Epilepsy Guardian Angels

[grammie]

thank you tracy. what a wealth of good first hand info. I was out this evening helping a friend and Thor was tremoring when i got home for the first time in weeks. He's not used to me going out at night.

the first thing i asked paul was if he gave him his Cholodin vitamin. I usually feed them at night. He gave it in the AM meal.

I gave him his thyroid meds with peanut butter as soon as it came on.

there is so much to learn about head tremors and conditions that many times progress to seizures. Your post is really helpful and I so appreciate all your research. What you've done with Arbie is amazing.

[myheart4k9s]

Tracy fantastic information, this will help alot of people! I have a new client who's boxer had a seizure but their vet told them not to worry about it. I told her to come here and look through the posts for more information and to find a vet who had experience with boxers. I will pass this info on to her.
Thanks again for the post!

[DingBat]

As bad as it is for Arbie, and as sad as it is for you when the seizures happen, our little community is a better place because you're a part of it. You're a weath of information is this department.

I hope I never have to come to you for advice (with all due respect meant), but feel better knowing that if I ever have quesitons, you're here with your personal experience.

Thank you for sharing the links!

[Super Heros]

this needs to be a sticky, Lisa will you make this one, please!

[Arbiesmom]

Formsome reason couldn't figure out how to edit my post - here's another site I think has good info. You can looat all these sites I've provided then discuss with your vet and see if anything fits your dog.
Canine Epilepsy Network

[Mo's Mom]

Originally Posted by Super Heros

this needs to be a sticky, Lisa will you make this one, please!

I agree!!!

DONE! haha. Thank you gals!

[Frye&Dex]

Thank you so much for all of this information! I have been reading all of this over the course of a few days! You are truly amazing for doing everything you do for Arbie and I thank God everyday that I have Frye and that someone else did not get him because who knows how they would deal with it. I know that I will do EVERYTHING I can to help him have a LONG and HEALTHY life.