Epilepsy Remedies for Dogs

Hi, I've been reading all of the comments on people who have dogs with epilepsy.

We have a beautiful Yorky cross Jack Russell who started having fits. We are fairly sure that it can coincide with when he goes through certain fields where crops are grown and the farmers have put fertilisers on the soil. The vet said it may be an allergy type reaction. But on asking other pet owners in the area they have also said their dogs have had fits using the same fields. I am going to try a natural remedy as the vets don't seem to have any answers.

I just wondered whether anyone else had experienced this with their dog and if there were any proven links with fertilisers and epilepsy? We are going to keep our little dog out of the fields for the summer now. Thanks, Sam

My dog Penny has been seizing for years, started out once or twice a year until it progresses and became monthly and then weekly. We tried phenobarbital, keppra, and bromide.. Some helped for a little bit but she still had a seizure about once a month. In November of 2011, she had a cluster of 9 seizures in a 48 hour period and was hospitalized. A friend of mine suggested I look at raw feeding and I started reading success stories with regards to raw food and epilepsy.

December 2011 I switched my dogs cold turkey to the prey model raw diet. Penny is now 5 months seizure free and counting! Additionally, both my dogs have more energy, no doggie gas, and their teeth are unbelievable! Moving them to this diet was the best thing I could have done.

Honey! Honey! Honey! Stops my Honey's seizures when given before they get a good hold, while glazed eyed, or any other sign begins. Tonight even my Honey was going into a seizure, and I ran Wildflower honey over to her, and in less the 5 minutes she was just about normal, and asking for some food.

My 4 y/o Keeshond began having seizures (clusters). Started the phenobarb routine, it changed her personality and she also developed increased thirst and appetite from the meds. She began peeing in the house, couldn't hold it. I found a vet who specializes in Chinese medicine. Daisy started on Chinese herbs and a weaning schedule to get off phenobarb. My vet was not sure this would work. I also stopped feeding her commercial dog food and started giving her raw meat and bones- appropriate for her size and teeth. That was Dec 1st 2010. It is now March 2012- she has not had one seizure since the end of Nov 2010. She is still on the herbs-(successfully weaned off phenobarb over 6 week period) vet says the herbs won't hurt her- is somewhat of a liver cleanse. The vet doesn't particularly like that I feed raw food- but both my dogs (also a 10 lb Shitz-poo) are thriving, wiht beautiful coats and teeth and great digestion. It is amazing how small their poops are. After 6 mos of exclusively raw, I changed to one cooked meal in the morning and raw chicken necks at night. The cooked meals are rotated: beef- chicken-fish each weak with some veggies, eggs and rice. The cooked food gets ground egg shells and kelp mixed in for extra minerals. For those of you who have seizure dogs- there is hope. Look into a raw diet. Stop poisoning your dogs with commercial foods that have been totally stripped of nutrition then fortified with added in vitamins and minerals which are never quite like getting it from actual foods.

My Maltese has been suffering from violent Grand Mal seizures for years and years. I tried everything I could find; including Earthclinic: phenobarb (which is outlawed now, trashed my dog's liver, thanks, and of course the vets have "no idea"), coconut oil, fish oil, hemp oil, eye pressure, organic food, doctors' food, multiple treats/food thinking it was low blood sugar, baking soda, eggs, ACV, excersize, magnesium (which made my dog really sad, btw), vitamins, home cooked foods, natural dog seizure remedies.... Nothing worked.

The seizured continued, usually once or twice a week, on bad days 3-4 times in a couple of hours. I would bathe him all the time because after each episode he would look absolutley pathetic. It was horrible. With each seizure, he would go partially blind for hours. Felt really, really helpless.

Then I came across a cute little blog (http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/taurine.htm) which reasoned that it was the lack of muscle meat in dog (and cat) food as pet food industry kept evolving to maximize profit; resulting in today's mostly corn/junk/chemical filled pet food.

As for my dog, his seizure would come when we started to get ready to leave the house. My dog would sense that we are about to leave, get nervous and would start to pant rapidly, then seizure usually followed.

According to the blog, the lack of muscle meat in today's pet food meant TAURINE deficiency, a vital amino acid which controls seizures. Well, I ran out (by now I was desperately trying anything) and bought a bottle of Taurine and immeditately started giving him one (1) 500mg capsule a day, divided to 2 doses.

It's been 2 solid weeks without even a hint of an onset of seizure!!!!!!! I couldn't be happier. My dog is much calmer now, rarely gets nervous and much less anxious. It's like magic.

Taurine is all natural with no known side effects. And since it has many benefits, I give them daily to my dog, cat and my family.

Hope my experience with Taurine helps someone and somepet out there!

My Shih Tzu used to get frequent seizures for many years. I did research on natural remedies for dog seizures. I found Info. that Taurine helps prevent seizures. I gave my dog 500mg. Taurine a day, and she has not had any seizures since. My dog Bijou is now 13 yrs. old.

Hi Shelly from Houston.... I have a 6.5 yr old Jack Russell and she started having seizures when she was 5... She isn't on meds as the vet said to monitor them as she had them few of them, but recently she has been having them quite often... I have been thinking it is because of her food... so I am curious to know exactly what you do feed your dog? Not sure if I would give her uncooked chicken as I would worry she would get salmonella...

Hi, I recently "adopted" a 10 y/o Purebred Chocolate Lab. She is the best dog in the world, and it breaks my heart to see her have Seizures. My stepfather had her from a pup, and I used to be the one who would take her to the vet when she started having the seizures. She was probably a year old when she had her first seizure. I have taken her to a total of 4 different vets over the years, and all 4 have said the same thing - Video record the seizure, if possible. They all said that they can get a better idea of :

1) The type of seizure, and

2) What type of medicine to be used, (either holistic or Vet-prescribed. )

They all also suggested that I "talk her through" the seizure. They said that she will be very frightened, even though she is accustomed to what is happening to her body because she's been through it before, they are like children who are nervous. The littlest bit of reassurance that everything will be OK makes a world of difference. I read in previous posts that some people were frightened to go near their dog during the seizure because their mouths were open and their teeth may have been exposed - but that is a naturally occuring phase of some types of seizures. Basically, I suggest that even if you are intimidated by the look of your dog during the seizure, and you don't feel comfortable approaching her, just make sure that they can hear your voice. With my Fudgie, I just simply tell her (during the seizure) "It'll be ok, Fudge! , " and that seems to make a world of difference. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at AveryMeyer89(at)gmail.com

Hope this helps!! :)

My 12 yr. old Shih Tsu has been having seizures for a long time. For the past few years they increased to one a month. I researched online and found Taurine helps to prevent seizures. I noticed Taurine is not in dog food. 7 months ago I started giving my dog 500mg. of Now Foods Taurine capsules a day. My dog hasn't had a seizure since. I also feed my dog Organix canned dog food. I've tried different natural food brands and this one agrees with her.

Make sure to give your dog milk thistle to protect the liver whenever phenobarital is used!!!

My 15 year old cat started having seizures about two months ago. As soon as she starts, I grab her and continuously tap FasterEft style on the point above her eyebrow all the time saying "Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go" until the seizure stops. It usually stops within 10 to 15 seconds. (Go to Robert Smith's website fastereft.com for info on tapping. ) I then hold her and cuddle and reassure her and give her Rescue Remedy. I fill a 30 mil dropper bottle with spring water and add four drops of Rescue Remedy and I keep this bottle handy.

I give her a dropper full from this dosage bottle. Sometimes I can only get half a dropper in her mouth but it seems to be O. K. The length of time from the start of the seizure until she's back to normal is no more than a minute

Fastereft is a technique to help you release your stress and all emotional issues, e.g. Anxiety, trauma, depression, abuse, fear, anger etc. Etc.. I've been using it on myself for a couple of months and I can't recommend it enough. I thought I'd try it on my cat and the result was extraordinary. She is still having seizures but this shortens them dramatically. I think I'll try coconut oil as well.

Robert Smith founder of FasterEft is a most generous man and he has posted nearly 500 free FasterEft videos on Youtube so people can learn how to heal their emotional issues and stresses.

Do yourself a favour and check out his site, it is life changing stuff.

Ted, I really need your help.. I have a six yr. old white maltese that started shaking vigorously two days ago. I thought he was afraid of new dogs and puppies that we have in the house but it has continued and he seems to have weak limbs to jump on the sofa. He only wants to seat and is not eating very much unless I bring the food up to him. He's always been a very active dog, very happy, he is not like that anymore. I looked it up in the internet and came across a syndrome on maltese and white dogs called White Shaker Syndrome, which describe exactly what is happening to my dog Coco. I was planning on taking him to the vet this Monday but I have read also that the meds given to dogs for that are not good for them "PREDNISONE". They sometimes called this syndrome seizures... Will coconut oil be good for treating him? Please tell me what you recommend for treating him naturally.. I am a Reiki healer and have also been doing reiki on him... He has improved from two days ago, but I want him to be back to normal and want to treat him naturally.... PLEASE HELP.. Thank you... Rocio

You should discontinue the oil is correct. The oil buffers the electrical shortage, but it doesn't exactly solve the cause of the electrical shortage in its brains. It may be metal toxicity or excitotoxins as the other cause of seizures. But the fact he cannot stand may be viral, all oils tend to lower the immune system with exception of coconut oil. I would try a lysine and threonine, 1/4 teaspoon hourly 4 hours and in evening 1/4 teaspoon hourly 3 hours for 3 days.

Ted

Hi I think acupressure is great. I do quantam touch which is great too.

Our St. Bernard has had seizures since he was about 9 months old. We have been dealing with this problem for over two years now. He currently is on Phenobarb, Pot. Bromide, and Zonisamide. We have had to tinker with all these meds, side effects, and yet he was still having cluster grand mal seizures approximately every 10 days. We were maxed out on med doses as they were causing too many side effects which was costing quality of life. We were out of options. Or so I thought!

We started doing Acupressure once every two weeks and now once a month. The seizures are occurring only once a month, with it being just one at a time AND we have lowered his meds three times. Acupressure works! This is pure fact as dogs can't have any kind of placebo effect. We are hoping one day to get him off most of the meds and get his quality of life back!

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

We have a 2 yr old siberian Husky who has been cluster seizing since 7mos old. Recently I have been using Ocular Compression on her during the seizure, and in some cases, the efforts have stopped the seizure in mid stream ..

Typically it will phases of the seize that include paddling, jaw extension, full ridigidy, bowel movements etc .. When I reached her early enough, ocular compression stopped many of the phases. Ive done it 6 times now with successful outcome..

The upside is an immediate recovery from the seize - almost no post ictal phase.. the downside is now, she has developed facial ticks when she is drifiting off to sleep ..

I've stopped using the technique now due to the fact that it looks to be very uncomfortable when she is trying to sleep and her face ticks her awake.

Hope this information helps others with seizing dogs - and virtually no medical remedy.

try slice of onion on forhead if it is frontal lobe related could be caused by frontal lobe feeding mycoplasma, read my response to dog itching.

I have read about your success with this holistic medicine for your dog. My dog had started his seizures in 2007 when he was 4 and one half years old. We put him on kbr and he was seizure free for almost 3 years. He is a wolf hybrid and weighs about 80 lbs. Then last Aug, the seizures came back with a vengeance. I have been dealing with Dr. Dodds in CA and sending his bloodwork to her. He is hypothyroid and is on soloxine, was on zonisamide, but Dr. Dodds does not like this drug, so he is on keppra now. He went 6 weeks without a seizure, then we doubled his dose and he went 9 weeks. Then had one 5 weeks ago, now yesterday at 10AM, 6 hours after his medicine was given and again at 4AM today, right after his meds were given.

He will be 9 on Thanksgiving. He is our special boy and we dont want to lose him. I belong to the guardian angel website and they have helped a lot with support. Can you help me?

I had a dog (70 lbs) that had grandmal seizures for years. For control I gave him Potassion Bromate caps (made in manipulate pharmacy) quantity depending on his weight. And what really made the difference was acupuncture. I was succesfull controling the attacks and lived to be 14 years.

I have a 5lbs 4oz chiuaua who from the first year I had her suffered from seizures. Went to the vet who prescribed phenobarbytol which made her lethargic and begin getting fat and did nothing for the seizures. Even after at the end tripling the dose. I went online and spent about a week on research and finaly ordered norwegian fish oil. I only have to give her two a week and she has not had a seizure since. She is 5 years old now. The best thing is I do not have to force feed it to her I squeeze the gel caps out on a plate and she will happily lick the plate clean. The vet said that it would not work. He got quite when I told him she has not had a seizure in a year and does not had in meds in the last year except the oil.

Lorie, from NC; here is a link you might like to read, maybe go back to person(s) that picked your dog up & forced the dog to have these shots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_testing

Maybe next time try telling them the dog is up to date on shots, if they need proof, I tell them I give the dogs shots my self, I buy the needles and serum at Agway feed an grain store it's subcutaneous, which is just under the first layer of skin on the back of neck, any one can give them. but I don't really give any of my dogs any more shots, all my other pets died at the hands of vets.. Good luck

Chris, from California; Here is a website of many sites that may interest you.....

http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-ifyou.html

Here is yet another one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_testing

Sonia; here is a website;on some good info. Not on seizures but your dogs shots. I don't give my animals any more shots at all. But you can choose to buy the dogs shots or opt out of not giving them as I did. I'm quite sure dogs that small could cause any one any real damage such as tear a leg or arm off haha. Good luck with your dog.

http://hubpages.com/hub/WhatADogReallyNeeds

Cristina;Here is a great web site where it says a dog after a certain age no longer needs any vaccines, also when dogs are still pups you or other person can give the pup a shot your self it's much cheaper. Please read info. Below. Good luck.

http://hubpages.com/hub/WhatADogReallyNeeds

I own a 6 year old male Shi Tzu (MaMa). He suffers from regular seizures. These have been happening for the past 5 years. Just recently he has been having the seizures on a more frequent basis. I was reading on the Earthclinic site that Extra Virgin Coconut Oil helps in aleviating the seizures. I went out and bought a bottle of NAF Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Cold Pressed. I followed the instructions on the Earthclinic website and gave MaMa a 5ml dose orally once per day. After 2 days I had to stop giving him the oil. MaMa became very unsteady on his feet and sways when he stands, as if drunk. He has been like this for 4 days now and I am worried about him. I have been giving him Organic Honey on the tip of my finger. That seems to help, but only for a few minutes.
Can anyone make any suggestions how I stop MaMa from tremors/shaking/swaying.

All assistance would be greatly appreciated

I am using something I got online called pet alive eazesure, and am having very few seizures. I was using natural Doc Ackerman's epilepsy and seizure formula and also drops from petessences.com. And had no seizures, I was just trying the different brands but I am going back on the doc ackerman's because I don't think we had any other than the first week we started it. I have a pom-poo with other health issues so the vet didnt' want to give her meds unless really necessary. I would try either or both, they are herbal.

When she has a seizure we use rescue remedy spray and put a cold wet towel on her back and neck area, both things really help, you can rub the rescue remedy in their ears if you can't get it in their mouths.

A quick comment to the heartworms. It is a vicious circle. A mosquito gets the "heartworm" from a dog with heartworms and transfers it to another. That means, if you live in an area where there are many heartworm carrying dogs, chances are high the next dog will get them. But it means also, that if only your dogs live around and most times in your house and none has heartworms, they should be safe because mosquitos don't travel far. Reduce mosquito sources by eliminating their breeding grounds and don't let your dogs roam freely if you choose not to give heartworm prevention meds. Also, unless you are not living in a highly infested area, it is safe to use them every other month.

My German Shepherd mix had three grand mal seizures in one month, and I am still on the look out for a good cure. If he follows his pattern the next will be due this week. I used Bachs RR right after the seizure and fed him some kibbles to shorten the post-ictal phase with great success. I have changed his diet to Nature's Choice and am looking into alternatives.

Yesterday, I was under the impression he was getting a seizure, and in lieu of something better, I gave him a treat with four drops of Bachs RR. He slept through the night without troubles. We shall see, I guess.