Seizure in Dogs and Cats
by Gregory S. Martinez, DVM
gvh@garlic.com
a cluster of them without warning. Seizures or “epileptic fits” occur more often in some breeds than others. Seizures in cats aren’t nearly as common as dogs and can occur along with or as a result of viral or other infections. When cats have them they are often “doozies” and the cat may launch itself and flip to the other side of the room in no time. In dogs, Cockers, Pugs, Boxers, St. Bernards, Labs and herding dogs are com- monly affected. These same breeds of dogs are commonly more allergic than most other breeds of dogs. This is why I advise clients with seizing pets to change the way they feed. In Dog Dish Diet, I advise owners to avoid
A
allergens and to feed more healthy oils. I have found that some individuals stop having seizures when fed less processed commercial food. Treats and chews are also often the cause of seizures. A dog or cat may start seizing with the introduction of a new food, treat or chew. Hypoallergenic canned foods like Natural Balance’s limited ingredients or duck and pota- to formula can really help stop or control seizures in some pets. Changing the diet doesn’t help in all cases… but it is certainly easy, economical, and worth a try. Even though seizures look deadly, one or
two per month can be acceptable, if there is no danger of a fall from a high place or into a pool. When a dog has over one or two seizures a month, or the seizures become intense or longer, medication is considered. If a pet has several seizures in a short period
seizure is one of the scariest medical problems there is. Dogs or cats will often have one “out of the blue” or could have
of time medication may be needed sooner. Veterinarians use phenobarbital first, then add potassium bromide if needed. Blood tests make sure the drug isn’t too high or low in the blood. If the blood level is known, then adjustments and decisions can be made according to the blood measurement. If the seizures are not being controlled with the normal dosage then the individual may need more drugs than other pets to raise the level in their blood. If the blood level is at the maximum for phenobarbi- tal, then we know that the addition of potassi- um bromide may be needed to control seizures. If your pet is on seizure medicine, make sure you know how much extra medication you may use if your dog has a particularly severe episode or a cluster. Your vet may help you decide on extra pills or a different medication to have just in case. If you pet begins seizures, your vet will
want to perform blood tests to rule out any kid- ney, liver, infection or internal problems. If the seizures are mild or infrequent, consider elimi- nating processed treats, and feeding hypoaller- genic canned or homemade food! Several of my clients have switched to hypoallergenic foods or home cooking for many medical prob- lems. In Dog Dish Diet, there are great tips for treating seizures, as well as other medical prob- lems, by simply feeding a healthier diet. Last week two clients told me that their
GILROY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Gregory S. Martinez, D.V.M.
9565 Monterey Hwy., Gilroy
(408) 842-9348 • Email:
gvh@garlic.com Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-12 Noon
40 April 2012 • Out & About
dogs quit having seizures when they switched foods. One is home cooking the recipe in Dog Dish Diet and the other switched to Natural Balance limited ingredients canned food! Sue Selfridge said, “I am not easily impressed or convinced, but my eight year old Pekinese, Vanity, stopped having seizures after changing her diet. She was having two seizures a month for years! I am sold on the diet change for seizures!” To check out a video of
seizures, go to YouTube and search for “Violent Dog Seizure.”
The Scoop Tapeworm are found in the
gastrointestinal tract of many species and are generally transmitted by fleas. The adult worms can become very large and can cause an obstruction in the intestines. One particular species, Echinicoccus, is zoonotic (transmittable to humans) and the immature forms of the worm can create small cysts in the organs of humans including the lungs and the brain. The best way to manage
these risks to your pet and to your family is to follow your veterinarian’s advice. De- worming your pets when they are young is essential as well as choosing a recommended parasite prevention treatment. These treatments are usually a daily or monthly topical or oral tablet that can provide protection against many para- sites including fleas, ticks, lice and mites, as well as heart- worm. To ensure that your pet is being well protected, submit a fresh fecal sample every six months to your vet- erinarian. So next time you are stuck cleaning the litter box or picking up dog poop, consider bringing it to the vet! ~ Barbara McManus is a
Registered Veterinary Technician and has been a veterinary profes- sional since 1998. She lives in Campbell, with her family and seven pets! Recently, Barbara joined VCA San Martin Animal Hospital in San Martin, as their new Hospital Manager.
www.outandaboutmagazine.com
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