Question:
We have a 4-year-old Lab/Sheltie mix. He recently started having seizures. The first one lasted about 30 minutes before his eyes cleared and he could walk. The other two lasted about 10 minutes.
The vet did bloodwork and said all his organs were fine. He advised putting him on phenobarbital, which would have some side effects, especially to his liver.
We would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations on this. It's a very scary thing for us to see our dog go through.
N.W., Decatur, TX Aug 07, 2011
Answer:
Seizures are not uncommon in certain breeds, which would indicate a genetic susceptibility. This can be associated with excitable temperaments and may be triggered by stress, such as a trip to the groomer or the veterinarian.
Some dogs have fewer and shorter seizures when given a diet free of wheat and other cereals, or a home-prepared diet devoid of chemical dyes and preservatives.
There can be an association in some breeds with adverse reactions to vaccinations that can include neurological problems, notably epilepsy. Older dogs with liver disease can also start to have seizures.
So, in addition to the preventive barbiturate medication, I would supplement a natural food diet with tryptophan, vitamin B-complex and a multimineral supplement, plus milk thistle (silymarin) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) to help protect the liver. Your veterinarian can advise you on the amounts to give, but as a rule of thumb you should give these human supplements twice daily in a dosage proportional to your dog's weight. Higher amounts are given for therapeutic rather than preventive purposes.
Think twice about "booster" vaccinations, and talk with your veterinarian about weaning him off the phenobarbital and trying such calming herbs as skullcap, valerian and a twice-daily drop or two of lavender oil on a bandanna around his neck.
Applying an icepack along his back during a seizure can help reduce its intensity and duration.
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