The main sign of pet epilepsy is seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical activity that begins in the brain.  Most pet seizures last from one to three minutes, with the average time being 90 seconds in dogs.

Minor or partial motor seizures can cause dogs to salivate, stare into space, and/or have localized muscle twitches.

Severe seizures, also called Grand Mal Seizures, may cause dogs to totally lose control!

Dogs typically fall down onto one side or another, experience severe full body muscle twitches and often urinate and/or defecate during the episode.

This type of severe seizure is quite dramatic and is often seen for example, on television After the episode, some dogs act normally, others remain dazed.  Seizures in pets use up a lot of energy so most dogs are hungry and enjoy small portions of food and water after the epileptic episode has ended.

Dr. Carol’s Tip: Epileptic dogs enjoy small amounts of fresh organic food and water when a pets seizure episode ends.

Some cases of epilepsy in dogs occur as a result of an underlying disease. Diabetes and low blood sugar, kidney failure and brain tumors are a few diseases that can cause pets to seizure.  Once the underlying cause of your pets seizures is determined and successfully treated and/or controlled such as with Diabetes or kidney failure, the seizures usually subside.

In addition, tainted pet food can cause seizures. For example, the Nutro Pet Food that was recently recalled by the FDA contained an excess of the mineral “Zinc” which when eaten, caused pets to seizure and suffer with “Pancreatitis-like” episodes of vomiting and diarrhea.

The majority of dogs diagnosed with Epilepsy are middle aged; usually dogs are over six years old before their seizures begin. Most cases of epilepsy in dogs are termed “Idiopathic Epilepsy” meaning that the cause of the seizures is unknown.

Classically the onset of Idiopathic Epilepsy in dogs is between one and five years of age, with a higher incidence in certain canine breeds, such as golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, huskies, malamutes, and miniature poodles.

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Dear Dr. Carol,

We ordered your VitaLife Supplements in December of 2008 after despairing because Chelsea, our little 5 year old

Chihuahua was suffering with one or two horrible seizures every week. Out vet put her on a few different medications, none helped and she mostly slept all day until she would have another seizure.

You were nice enough to call us back and help us with the dose of the VitaLife for her and go over her diet.

Now it has been over a year later, we stopped her phenobarbital and now she only has 3 or 4 seizures a year, which is very manageable.  We are delighted. She loves your supplement, the AM and PM and my husband and I can finally sleep at night and not worry about her.

We of course also studied all the toxic substances you mentioned in commercial pet food and around our house in order to remove them all. Chelsea scarfs down the home-made diet you told us about and we will never put her back on that other nutro food.

Thank you for your wonderful product and all your help.

Roberta  M., Bob and Chelsey

East Hartford, Connecticut

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health tips, news and anti-aging updates for your dogs and cats.

Holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health consultations and pet healyh questions for dogs and cats. To make an appointment for your dog call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

Convulsions or seizures are defined as sudden, uncontrolled bursts of abnormal activity that last from one to three minutes. Signs may include anything from a slight twitch to salivating and foaming at the mouth. Shaking, jerking, stiffening of the legs or entire body as well as loss of urine and/or bowels may also occur. Epilepsy is the medical term used for dogs that suffer from seizures.

Certain dog breeds seem to be predisposed such as Golden Retrievers and Poodles, as well as male Siamese cats. Others pet breeds develop Epilepsy as a result of various diseases like Diabetes. In most cases, the cause is not known. Vets call this Idiopathic Epilepsy.

CAUSES
* Unknown (Idiopathic Epilepsy):the most common cause of seizures and epilepsy is unknown
* Low blood sugar (for example Diabetes)
* Poison (for example, antifreeze).* Kidney failure
* Liver failure
* Hereditary predisposition – Golden Retrievers, Poodles and male Siamese Cats.
*Tainted Pet Food and Treats: such as chicken jerkey strips and certain recalled pet foods

WHAT YOU CAN DO
* Dogs that have had a seizure may appear dazed or might look fine once the episode is over. Don’t move a dog during the episode, leave him alone until it is over. Then put him in a calm quiet, dark room and call your vet.

* Rub one to two teaspoons of karo syrup or honey onto his gums. This raises his blood sugar instantly and may provide relief if low blood sugar or Diabetes is the cause.

WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO
* Your vet will examine your dog and take blood and urine tests to try to determine the underlying cause. Specific recommendations will be made accordingly.

COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS
Natural Pet Vitamin Supplements such as Paaws and VitaLife often decrease and occasionally eliminate seizures in dogs and cats.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
* Silicea 30c (Silicon dioxide) three pellets crushed to powder or two whole pellets under the tongue.

* Bach’s 5 Flower Rescue Remedyand is soothing for dogs cats that are scared or disoriented. Two drops in the mouth or on the tongue every 15 minutes for three doses while on the way to the vet.

* Acupuncture is useful to control seizures in certain cases.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, tips and information.

Holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and cats. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765.