How to stop dog seizures

By Cheryl Lock

If your dog suffers from epilepsy and seizures, you’re probably ready to do just about anything to help him. “Epilepsy is defined as repeated episodes of abnormal bursts of electrical energy in your dog’s brain,” says Dr. Rachel Barrack, a certified veterinary acupuncturist of Animal Acupuncture in Manhattan. “This is a very commonly seen neurological disorder in dogs.”

However common the disorder may be, the effects can still be unsettling. “Seizures can be manifested in many different ways,” Barrack continues. “In many dogs, they can look dazed and disoriented just prior to an episode. The episode may last seconds to several minutes and can range in severity from a muscle twitching or jerking to losing consciousness, collapsing to one side and paddling their legs. Seizures may even manifest as a really weird behavior, such as attacking their own tail or attacking an imaginary object seemingly out of nowhere.”

If you believe your pet may be suffering from seizures, here are some natural remedies that may help you manage them.

Diagnosing Seizures in Dogs

If you believe your dog is having seizures, it’s important to bring him to the vet immediately for a full workup. “This will include taking a detailed history, a complete physical examination, and blood work to help determine the underlying cause of the episodes and the best course of action,” Barrack says. An MRI may also be required to evaluate your pet’s brain and to look for other causes of seizures, says Dr. Stephanie Liff, medical director of Pure Paws Veterinary Care in Manhattan.

Your pet could be having seizures for many different reasons, including:

• Idiopathic epilepsy: The most common cause of seizures in dogs, these seizures occur without an identifiable underlying cause, usually due to a heritable disorder
• Brain cancer
• Brain injuries
• Ingestion of poison
• Kidney failure
• Liver disease

A full workup from your vet will help determine what the cause is and how to best move forward.

Treatment Options for Seizures in Dogs

When it comes to treating seizures, there are medications that your vet will likely recommend, as well as certain holistic options you might be able to consider, depending on your pet’s particular circumstances. “Following a diagnosis of epilepsy and depending on the underlying cause, your veterinarian may recommend medications to control seizures and help prevent further episodes,” Barrack says. “Western medications used to treat seizure disorder include diazepam, phenobarbital, and/or potassium bromide,” among others. Phenobarbital administration in the long term can be detrimental to the liver, so dogs who receive it will need to have their liver values assessed with routine blood work.

Outside of Western medicine, however, certain holistic approaches can be helpful as well. Barrack, who is a certified veterinary Chinese herbalist, believes both types of care and medications have their benefits.

“Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, and food therapy, can be very effective in treating dogs with epilepsy, and there are many different herbal formulas that can be used to treat seizures,” she says. “These treatments can be used in conjunction with traditional Western medications, or in some cases in lieu of Western therapies.”

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin, sterile, stainless steel needles into specific points on the body. “Most acupuncture points are located along 14 channels, which form a network that carries blood and energy through the entire body,” Barrack explains. “It produces a physiological response. It can provide pain relief, stimulate the immune and nervous systems, increase microcirculation, decrease inflammation, and aid in treating seizures and epilepsy and other neurological diseases.”

Since each patient reacts individually and each case is unique, there isn’t a set number of sessions required to treat seizures, Barrack adds. “Some patients see vast improvement after just one session, but more frequently multiple sessions are required. More severe and frequent seizures typically require more treatments in order to lessen or eradicate [the problem].”

Chinese Herbal Formulas

Chinese herbal formulas can work alone or synergistically with acupuncture to enhance the efficacy of the needling sessions and prolong the duration of the results. “Chinese herbal formulas are incredibly safe with minimal side effects,” Barrack says. “The only side effects seen are minor and transient gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea. Additionally, sometimes a patient may seem worse temporarily before they get better.” Talk to your vet about what types of Chinese herbal formulas might be safe for your own pet for try.

CBD Oil

Some patients may take Cannabidiol (CBD) oil—which is made from high-CBD, low-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) hemp—to control seizures, Liff says. “The oil is given in food or straight into the mouth of the pet,” she says. (It should be noted, however, that CBD oil for pets is not currently available – or legal – in all states.)

Food Therapy

Both Liff and Barrack recommend a high-quality diet because food can be powerful medicine. “Ketogenic diets—high fat, low carb—have been thought to be helpful in patients with epilepsy, as high fat can help decrease neuron excitability,” Barrack says.

Sometimes supplements such as fish oils can maximize the health of your dog in other ways to help prevent seizures, Liff adds. “Fish oils contain DHA [an Omega-3 fatty acid], which helps with a lot of brain regulation and processes,” she says. “In children, it has been shown to increase the seizure threshold, and we extrapolate the efficacy to be the same in dogs and cats.” Depending on your dog’s case, your vet may recommend supplements that contain essential fatty acids. Talk it over with your vet before making any changes to your pet’s diet.

Managing Seizures in Dogs

There is no definitive answer as to which approach—Western or holistic—will help a dog suffering from seizures, since each animal’s case is unique with different underlying causes. “I typically look at an integrative approach and work to determine which route, or most often a combination of the two, is most beneficial for my patients,” Barrack says.

However, when it comes to cases of status epilepticus, a life-threatening emergency in which prolonged seizure activity occurs, Barrack says Western medication is necessary. For dogs with severe liver damage who cannot tolerate phenobarbital, you should consult with your veterinarian about alternatives.

Liff says that for her patients suffering from seizures, she starts with Western medicine, since seizures can be associated with other complications such as aspiration pneumonia. But, for those who do want to explore natural remedies, Barrack says that both Western and Eastern medicines can complement each other nicely.

With support from your vet, it is possible to identify the right treatment plan to help your dog get through the effects of epilepsy and seizures.

If your dog has frequent, recurring seizures there are a number of treatments your vet may prescribe to help reduce the frequency and severity of your pup's seizures. Today our vets share a number of available treatments for seizures in dogs, and explain more about the challenges of getting your pup's treatment 'just right'.

What is the best medicine for seizures in dogs?

Finding the right medication or medications to reduce the frequency of your dog's seizures can take time, and may require a number of modifications along the way. The goal of treatment is to prevent seizures in dogs from occurring, and to reduce the severity of seizures if and when they do occur.

When weighing up the best treatment for your pup, your vet will consider any underlying health conditions your dog may have, as well as each treatment's effectiveness, potential side effects, ease of administration, and affordability. 

Treatment for most dogs experiencing seizures begins with either phenobarbital or potassium bromide, with other medications and treatments being considered if these drugs are unsuccessful at adequately suppressing your pup's seizures.

Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital has been used for decades to suppress seizures in dogs and is typically the first medication prescribed by vets for dogs experiencing seizures. It is estimated that 80% of dogs on phenobarbital experience a decrease in seizure frequency of 50% or more. This medication can be used alone or with other anti-seizure medications to help achieve an acceptable level seizure control.

While your dog is on phenobarbital it will be necessary to visit the vet regularly for blood tests. There is a fine balancing act between maintaining optimal therapeutic levels of the drug in your pup's bloodstream, and preventing levels that are too high. High levels of  phenobarbital can lead to the development of liver disease in dogs, and optimal levels can fluctuate over your pets lifespan. While your dog is on phenobarbital you may find that their dosage changes from time to time.

Other common side effects of phenobarbital in dogs include a temporary sedative effect in first few days of use and a marked increase in your dog's appetite and thirst.

Potassium Bromide

Potassium Bromide is a very effective anti-convulsant medication for dogs. As many as 52% of dogs become seizure-free when given this medication, and about 70% of dogs will have a 50% reduction in seizure frequency or better.

It does take some time to reach stable therapeutic levels of potassium bromide in your dog's blood, meaning that, as with phenobarbital, there is a need for ongoing blood monitoring tests.

Potassium bromide has been linked with the development of pancreatitis in some dogs. Pancreatitis is a very serious condition, making regular blood level monitoring extra important if your dog is being given potassium bromide to reduce their frequency of seizures.

As with phenobarbital, you may notice that your dogs seems sedated when you first begin administering this medication. The sedative effect should diminish over time.

Levetiracetam (Keppra®)

If your vet has been unable to reduce the frequency and severity of your pup's seizures with the help of phenobarbital or potassium bromide they prescribe levetiracetam. This drug is a typically used in cases where seizures are particularly difficult to control through other drug therapies, and has minimal side effects. While this medication alone can be effective for reducing seizure frequency in some dogs, it is most often prescribed for use in combination with other drug therapies.

Zonisamide (Zonegran®)

Zonisamide is fast gaining popularity as a treatment for seizures in dogs. This drug can be used on its own or in conjunction with other anti-convulsion medications. That said, this drug does come with a number of side-effects including sedation, lack of coordination while walking, vomiting, and reduced appetite.

Premidone

Premidone is typically prescribed to dogs with seizures who are not responding to other anti-convulsion medications. When administered, this drug is converted to phenobarbital and phenylethylmalonamide (PEMA) by the dog's system and can be effective in suppressing seizures. Side effects of Primidone in dogs can include drowsiness, dizziness, hives, and swelling. 

Per Rectal Diazepam

For many pet parents this will certainly not be an ideal solution for their dog's seizures, however per rectal diazepam can be effective for treating dogs who frequently experience cluster seizures. Cluster seizures are 2 or more seizures within a 24 hours period. Administering per rectal diazepam following the first seizure can help to decrease the number and severity of subsequent seizures in the cluster, and can be administered up to 3 times within a 24 hour period.

What natural remedy can I give my dog for seizures?

Whenever you are considering trying natural remedies to treat your dog, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian. Natural treatments and remedies may interact with other medications your dog is taking.

Modified diet 

In some dogs, a veterinary therapeutic diet used along with standard medication can help to further reduce seizure frequency. Some studies show that medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) significantly reduce seizure frequency in more than 30% of the dogs, and reduced seizure frequency by at least 50% in almost half of the dogs studied. 

Supplements 

Holistic veterinarians may recommend trying supplements to reduce the frequency of your dog's seizures. Supplements which are often recommended for dogs with seizures include Chinese herbs to improve liver function, vitamin E, taurine, and melatonin.

Acupuncture

Many pet parents feel that this ancient Chinese treatment is very helpful in reducing the number of seizures their dog experiences. Dogs typically accept acupuncture well and if the treatment proves successful for your dog, small gold beads can be implanted at the various pressure points in order to provide long-term treatment.

Why is my dog still having seizures on medication?

Finding the right combination of drugs, and the optimal therapeutic dose to control your dog's seizures can prove challenging. It is essential for vets to move slowing when increasing the dosages of anti-convulsion medications since high levels in the bloodstream can lead to serious health risks for your dog such as liver disease and pancreatitis.

Patience is going to be a required aspect of your dog's seizure treatment. Given time, a reduction in seizure frequency and severity can be achieved and maintained for most dogs. 

Where can I find a veterinary specialist that treats seizures in dogs?

At Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Winston-Salem our Board-Certified Veterinary Neurologist specializes in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in pets, including seizures. Our specialist vets work closely with you and your primary care veterinarian to provide the very best care for your pet. 

If your dog is experiencing seizures that require advanced veterinary treatment, ask your vet for a referral to see our Veterinary Neurologist at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Winston-Salem. If your dog is experiencing a seizure lasting longer than 3 minutes, or experiences a number of seizures within a 24 hour period visit our emergency animal hospital for urgent care.