Meet Theo
Three years ago, my family adopted a precious 3-month-old Border Collie/German Shepherd mix Theo. We all quickly bonded to this adorable playful puppy who never left our side.
At one year old, Theo experienced his first seizure, a terrifying experience for my mother who was alone with him at the time. She rushed him to the veterinary hospital in the middle of the night, overwhelmed at the possibility of losing him. In the following months, we learned that Theo had idiopathic epilepsy, a neurological condition, that would cause him grand mal seizures.
Theo, an epilepsy dog as a puppy
Epilepsy affects approximately 75% of the dog population and typically begins in pets between 6 months to 5 years old. Although this can be a scary experience for any dog-owner, epilepsy is manageable with help with support groups, medications, and just a little extra attention and care! My main advice to pet owners is to be patient, as it may take time to create the perfect treatment solution for your pup. A dog with epilepsy can live a happy long life, with proper control of the seizures.
When a Seizure Happens
When your dog experiences a seizure, the best thing you can do is stay calm. I always found that projecting calming energy helps to relieve your dog’s anxiety.
Here are some tips on how to handle the seizures (from our experience with Theo)
1. Reduce noise and light
2. Protect the animal’s head
3. Keep your hands away from their mouth
4. Apply ice packs to the lower back
5. Give a spoon of Haagen Dazs Vanilla ice cream following the episode
It is important to remember that your dog will be confused afterward so it is completely normal if they are acting strangely. Record the length of seizures in a journal in order to track the progress of your treatment regimen. In this journal, you can also keep track of patterns of behaviors that seem to precede your dog’s seizures. Over time, you may also be able to identify signs of an impending seizure in your dog. For Theo, it was incessant pacing and restlessness. My mom also uses a therapy called ocular compression which has shown to be successful in controlling seizures.
Doctor’s Visits
The first step in this process is to take your animal to see veterinarian who may refer you to a veterinary neurologist. At this time, the vet will evaluate your dog’s history with seizures and determine whether medication is necessary. For Theo, it was phenobarbital and zonisamide. This article lists a few other medications and their uses.
It’s important to remember that anti-epileptic medications typically have bad side effects such as anxiety, aggression, and other behavioral changes. It is important to monitor any out of the ordinary symptoms, as a change in medication might be necessary. Doctor’s visits may become a regular part of your dog’s lives, as they typically need two visits a year for blood work and labs.
Diet & Other Therapies
Dietary changes may be beneficial in reducing the incidents of seizures in your dog. For our family, we became extra vigilant in reading labels of dog food and treats. It is better to avoid any chemical preservatives in your dog’s diet.
Theo is currently on a fully raw food diet, with occasional slip ups (he loves to eat everything!). Along with this, we give him MCT oil, omega fish oil, and probiotics to supplement traditional medication. Our family opted for a both holistic and traditional approach for Theo’s seizures, however, it is up to you and your veterinarian to decide what will work best for your dog! Check out these ideas for a holistic treatment plan.
Another thing to pay attention to is the products used around your house. Typically, household cleaning products such as Swiffer with harsh chemicals may act as triggers for seizures. Our family uses Method products.
New Beginnings
At the beginning of our journey, Theo was having seizure once every 2 weeks. Now, Theo has not had a seizure in 6 months! We still have to be very watchful and give him a little extra care and loving. For more resources and support, be sure to join support groups such as the Canine Epilepsy Support Group. This groups reminds you that you are not alone, and while this may be a more difficult time, there is hope for a healthy happy life for you and your dog!
Theo all grown up!
-Nitya Raghavan