Seizures and allergies

[Amanda and Quinn]

I’m wondering how many of our seizure-cursed doodles are also allergy sufferers.  As I’ve started to make more connections with other owners who are dealing with this issue, it’s coming up more and more that their dogs have allergies in addition to epilepsy.  My primary vet and neurologist haven’t really noticed a connection, and there isn’t a whole lot about it online.

It could just be coincidence—or a sign that he’s just not a very healthy dog in general—but the fact that these are Quinn’s two main health issues has given me pause.  We don’t know what he’s allergic to yet—the allergy specialist is next up on the list—but his allergies are severe year-round.  He gets relief from Atopica, but I’ve been hesitant to keep him on it because a) it’s outrageously expensive and b) it often makes him vomit, which makes me very nervous about keeping down his twice-daily seizure medication.  I also don’t like the idea of keeping him on a heavy-duty medication for the rest of his life without knowing what the real problem is.  The one and only time we used steroids, they were effective, but he had two seizures in 24 hours. 

We’ve been focusing on the seizures for the past few months, and often keeping a cone on him to keep him from biting and scratching, but obviously that’s not a long-term solution. Now that he has gone two months without a seizure, I’m feeling more comfortable with shifting the focus to his allergies.  Before we see the specialist, though, I wanted to see if anyone else has seen a connection between these two health problems.  And who knows, maybe it doesn’t even matter…  I’m kind of rambling here!

[Debbie and Toby]

The ear ointment that was prescribed for Toby's ear inflammation was a steroid cream, and it was brought to our attention that a side effect of steroids could be seizures, although the vet seemed very confident that this was not the cause in our case. Toby still has seizures, have been about 12 - 14 days apart now, which is way too often considering he is on phenobarb and potassium bromide, but since changing his diet to chicken free and grain free he has remained free of any ear inflammation or paw chewing.

[Kirsy & Jasper]

How close were Toby's seizures apart BEFORE you started him on PHENOBARB and Bromide?
I just posted a new Discussion in regards to "WHEN TO START ON SEIZURE MEDICATION?", as I am trying to avoid going this way with Jasper.
A Big Doodlekiss from Jasper to TobyXX

[Amanda and Quinn]

Oh jeez, Debbie, still every two weeks? I am so sorry. You must be tearing your hair out.

[Debbie and Toby]

Toby's seizures started in clusters of three, with a seizure about every 5 -9 hours. He was going 3 - 6 weeks in between clusters, now he has been going 12 - 14 days in between clusters. Not really sure why they are getting closer together.......We are hoping the potassium bromide will be at an effective level soon, our next blood work is scheduled for April 23.

[Kirsy & Jasper]

So they actually are more frequent now that he is on Medication? If the PHENOBARB by itself didn't work, WHY not JUST try Bromide now? How do they work together? I am so sceptic about Vets and Medications.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Please go to the Seizure Group.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/seizures