[Melicha H]

Hi!

My dog has seizures, rather frequently. Usually 2-3 a week. I have tried several different brands of dog foods, and I have noticed that with some foods he has fewer seizures and others he has more. I am trying to figure out what is best to feed him to minimize his seizure activity. We tried medication, and he had a negative reaction to it, therefore he is no longer medicated. He had his first seizure at 11 weeks old, and is just now a year old. He has had well over a hundred seizures, and they do not seem to affect him other than during the actual seizure. I am trying everything I can to help him.

We are working with a vet, and have done the works, but no medical cause. Best we can figure is that they are genetic. He is a white lab/retriever mix.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[anonymously]

It’s called Idiopathic Seizures, cause unknown , probably genetic. The old rule of thumb was, if the seizures are severe or occurring more than once a month, the veterinarian would recommend medication.

From one of my previous posts via the search engine at this site:
“This was years ago but my dog had (idiopathic) seizures that started at the age of 9 months, he did well on a low dose of phenobarb and lived to be 14”.

“He was never drowsy or had any side effects, the vets may have other medications they use now”.
“I would consider asking your vet about treatment options, or have him refer you to a neurologist”.

“Otherwise the dog suffers, it’s like a fire storm in the brain when they are experiencing a seizure. Uncontrolled seizures can cause more neurological damage”. In example: brain damage.
This is a neurological disorder….food won’t do much. That being said, it would be best to keep the diet simple to avoid possible triggers, look for a limited ingredient food. And of course avoid chemicals and vaccinations, he may qualify for a rabies vaccine waiver. Consider seeing a specialist ASAP.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 8 months ago by anonymously.

[anonymously]

From another one of my previous posts:

Seizures in canines are often idiopathic (unknown cause) and genetic. It’s neurological. Like a brainstorm that will occur at certain intervals, of course sensitivities could trigger, things like thunderstorms can lower the seizure threshold.
Probably best to avoid unnecessary additives and chemicals and make sure the dog is getting adequate exercise.
If he has more than 1 seizure a month the vet will advise medication, this is necessary and will help him.
Uncontrolled seizures can lead to brain damage, not to mention the suffering and confusion the dog experiences.
I had a dog with seizures that lived to old age on a daily low dose of phenobarbital. Listen to your vet regarding diet recommendations, I didn’t avoid any particular foods. However, a simple ingredient food might make sense. I like Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea
Also, ask your vet about a rabies vaccine waiver, he may qualify, if he is diagnosed with a neurological disorder. He is at the age (young adult) where seizures tend to appear.

[theBCnut]

My dog definitely did better when I removed cleaning chemicals from the house and stopped treating the yard. I also stopped using heartworm worm prevention with multiple things in it. He could handle Ivomectin, but not the other wormers and flea preventatives that they add to heartworm prevention.

[eddiedog]

Hi Melicha,

I had a similar story. My Yorkie had seizures and was on medication until I realized her seizures coincided with her eating food made with rosemary extract. Luckily, the neurologist had read about this and didn’t think I was crazy. I became a fiend about reading ingredients both for dog food, bird food, since out bird would throw his food and the dog would get it, and also people food. Once we eliminated rosemary extract from our life, Sadie stopped having seizures. I controlled her treats from the groomer or kennel where she’d board as much as I could. Her seizures went from 5-10 clusters that could last for up to half an hour a month to 1-3 per year that lasted under five minutes.

There has been research done on the neurological effects rosemary oil and extract has on small children, but as far as I know there hasn’t been anything definitive done on dogs.
You can do a Google search and find anecdotal articles.

Rosemary extract started being used as a natural preservative in dog food after dogs died in 2007 from dog food made in China.

I hope this helps.

[Christy S]

Eddiedog:

I know this post is super old, but I’m hoping you get this. Both of our dogs have been having seizures for about a year and a half. We think it might have been caused by the Lyme vaccine, but of course we can’t be sure. Anyway, we also read about the connection between rosemary and seizures and have since tried very hard to avoid it. However, we are finding that it’s in practically EVERYTHING! Our boys have gotten tired of the food they are eating, but we are struggling to find food that is natural, has limited ingredients, and also doesn’t have rosemary. I’m wondering what you feed (or did feed) your pup? Right now they are eating Halo grain free.

Thank you!

[Author]

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