Medication confusion

[John Scipione]

Dooley has now had two seizures in a month, four in less than a year.  We are now considering medications.  The internet of course is both a blessing and a curse.  Too much info is sometimes confusing.  Phenobarb seems the most common drug to treat seizures, but also seems to have the most undesirable side effects.  Bromide seems slightly safer.  My vet is almost leaving medication treatment up to us.  Another vet I recently spoke to said in his practice, they routinely start with phenobarb and then add bromide if phenobarb effectiveness begins to wane.  Some of the newer meds are unfortunately out of our price range.  What have been your experiences?  Any input is helpful.  Thanks. 

Here is our boy at the beach.

[Kirsy & Jasper]

4 seizures over 8 months is not bad John! That's averaging one in 2 months, which is considered "good seizure control" We have had 2 seizures within 5 days on 2 occassions due to hot weather, which seems to be a trigger. But we are now going 10 weeks plus most times, since we started the NATURALS recommended by Dr. Jean Dodds from HEMOPET due to the side effects of most medications. Phenobarb will effect the liver. Bromide will effect the pancreas. If your dog gets Grand Mals lasting longer then 90 seconds at a time, clusters or gets constantly seizures every 2 weeks, I would definetly consider medication.

[John Scipione]

Kirsy, thanks for the reply.  The interval between seizures has decreased to 2 within the last month.  A vet I recently took care of. (I am a registered nurse), told me that when the seizures come within 2 months of each other, he recommends treatment with meds.

The seizures I have witnessed Dooley having are what I consider grand mal.  They definitely last at least 90 seconds (though when you watch your puppy have them they always seem longer).  Comparing them to the ones I have witnessed adults have in the last 20 years of nursing ,I would say they are about the same (relatively speaking). 

I will check out the Naturals as recommended by Dr. Dodds.   Like the meds it seems that they prolong the intervals between seizures, though perhaps without the side effects. 

[Kirsy & Jasper]

John,

Here is a really good video by a Vet on seizure info.

http://www.corysstory.com/2010/07/video-dog-seizures-information/

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

Our vets tell us the latest thinking on seizure control is less than one every six months.  I know that some people have had luck with natural remedies.  Any medication, even natural ones, must be monitored. 

 

Long term continueing seizures will definitely cause cummulative damage.  This must be weighed against the side effects of medication.

[Ellen]

Hi John, my GD Riley is on zonisamide.  It was prescribed by the emergency vet that saw him after his 2nd grand mal seizure in 4 months.  I checked with our regular vet, and he was ok with the zonisamide prescription -- Both vets told me that this is a newer drug treatment for dogs with epilepsy that has shown effectiveness with mild side effects.  However, this is based on a limited number of small studies.   Riley has been on zonisamide for about 2-1/2 months.  I think the test will be at the 4 month mark to see if he has another seizure by then.  I don't know if it helps, but I've also been supplementing Riley's diet with multi-vitamins because there are some reports that vitamin deficiency may be an issue in epileptic dogs.  Good luck.

 

[Mary]

I have a 3 y/o mini labradoodle who had her first seizure at 7 months old. They were not bad in the begining, then increased as she got older. She was started on Phenobarb about 2 years ago and now this past summer we had to start her on a second drug due to the pheonbarb not working alone. We tried several drugs that did not help at all. She is on one of the newer drugs, zonisimide which seems to be helping.  Don't be afraid to start him on phenobarb, hopefully that is all you will need.  Keep us all updated.

               Mary