Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by intermittent seizures,  which are caused by electrical disturbances in the nerve cells in a section of the brain. Whenneurons that fire electrical impulses in the brain go haywire, they short-circuit normal brain processes, resulting in a seizure.

Common Types of Seizures

There are two BASIC forms of epilepsy.  Infrequent "Petit Mal" or "partial motor seizures" -- a less severe form of epilepsy, which affects only a specific group or groups of muscles.  "Grand mal" or "major motor" seizures are more
severe.  These include a loss of consciousness and gross body movements.

During a seizure the most common symptoms are:

*The pet will stiffen
*Looses consciousness
*Urinate
*Salivate
*Jerks intermittently

The seizure may last one to five minutes and afterward, the pet may seem exhausted, confused and disoriented for minutes or hours.

Investigated case studies in MANY breeds have failed thus far to prove a genetic link to Epilepsy.  This contradicts the belief that it is a genetic problem.
However, it is unlikely that a five year old dog or cat has true epilepsy if the seizures began at the age of 5.  You can not completely rule it out, butgenerally in this case it was caused by environmental or nutritional factors.
Therefore, epilepsy is only the minor cause of the bigger problem.

Major Causes of Seizures:

*Liver disease
*Severe worm infestation, particularly roundworms, is sometimes a cause of seizure episodes.  These and other parasites release toxins that have an adverse affect on the central nervous system.
*Low blood glucose (See Hypoglycemia Schedule)
*Lead, Chemicals, Additives and Poisoning high amounts of lead in the environment and in pet foods are unhealthy.  This also pertains to flea sprays, collars, yard sprays, household, cleaners, etc.
*Vaccinations sometimes produce an allergic encephalitis inflammation of the brain a few weeks after receiving it.  It could be due to the proteins and/or organisms contained in the vaccine.
*Infections, cysts and cancer
*Head Trauma may develop into convulsive seizures.
Renal Kidney Failure and much more.

Therefore, diagnosing epilepsy is primarily a process of eliminating all known possible causes of the seizures.

Types of Treatments Being Used

Many different types of traditional treatments are being used today to control seizure activity.  Some are phenobarbital, primidone, diazepam (Valium), potassium bromide, or a combination of two.

Although drugs are very effective, in most cases, they do not cure.  They don't eliminate the cause of the symptom.  To get at the cause of the problem, youneed to look at the whole picture --what is causing the seizures?  Once the
cause is found, a PREVENTION PLAN can be initiated.

A prevention plan is a simple method of enhancing the level of nutrition and making lifestyle changes.   It is an attempt to address any special needs your pet may have.

PREVENTION PLAN

FIRST:  I do not recommend discontinuing traditional medicine cold turkey or discontinuing at all.  This is YOUR decision based on how the following program works.  I highly recommend you work closely with someone
knowledgeable in nutrition (such as a holistic vet, pet nutritionist, etc.) Many traditional vets may not agree with the program.

1.  VITAMIN C  --  The king of vitamins and absolutely essential to the living process. To clear the myth that dogs produce enough of Vitamin C, dogs doproduce their own vitamin C, but they are poor producers.  Stress can quickly
burn up the small amounts that they make.  Stress is separation from the mother, relocation to a new home, neutering, immunizations, sickness, skin problems, ear crops, deworming, heartworm pills, teething, weather changes,Epilepsy, and much more.

Medical science has described Vitamin C as one of the least toxic substances known.  It is the single most important thing you can do for the health of yourpet.  Sodium ascorbate vs. ascorbic acid is recommended because it is more
alkaline and easier on the stomach.  Powder is best because it is more economical..

After researching many vitamin companies, I feel the best is "C" Power. http://www.purelypets.com     Purely Pets Store

Quality of Life C Power is in a sodium ascorbate supplement with many other vitamins, minerals and herbs.  Bioflavanoids, which is contained in the product,are essential because they enhance the absorption of Vitamin C.

2.  Other VITAMINS AND MINERALS are recommended to treat the whole body with nutrients to strengthen your pet.  Vitamins and Minerals have the power to neutralize the possible harmful effects of impurities and toxins
present in a pet's food or environment.  They will also ensure against possible dietary deficiencies and provide extra nutrition in times of stress.

It may sound a little far fetched to buy vitamins and minerals for your pet to treat or prevent disease and common ailments, but supplements can make a tremendous difference in improving the quality of a pet's life.

Depending on the individual health problems and condition of your pet, I would recommend:

Protec Body Guard http://www.purelypets.com   Purely Pets Store  or Canine Complete Formula  http://www.purelypets.com

3.  A Homemade diet or high quality commercial food is essential.
A low quality diet is one that contains poultry by-products, meat meal, meat by-products, caramel coloring, BHA, BHT, molasses, flours (wheat flour, riceflour), excessive amounts of salts, fillers, sodium nitrite, propylene glycol, sugar, artificial color, and artificial flavorings.  Most of the supermarket foods have one or more of the above.  Semi moist foods, which are made up of 22 percentsugar are the worst because the sugars deplete the body of vitamins and minerals.

Sodium nitrate is found to produce epileptic-like changes in the brain activity of rats who ate it regularly.  There are many causes of epilepsy but a low qualitydiet, may be one contributing factor.

Contamination from lead is a serious environmental problem.  There is an added exposure for animals who eat canned food because the lead used to solder the side seam of cans leaks into the contents.  Lead affects the nervous
system, the kidneys, red blood cells, and the enzyme systems.

However, by regularly supplementing your pet's daily diet with vitamins and minerals, including high doses of vitamin C, you can neutralize the effects of lead intake and keep your pet's immune system strong.

I have researched most of the pet food companies on the market and the two I highly recommend is Sirius and PHD.  These products are made with high quality meats, whole grains, probiotics, and chelated minerals.

Sirius and PHD can be seen at http://www.purelypets.com

The absolute best you can do, of course, is homemade food.  There is nothing wrong with carrots, peas, salad, fruits and cooked cereals.  Pets like variety, justas we do.

4.  Eliminate toxins in the house, yard and on your pet.  NO cigarette smoke, flea collars, flea sprays, air fresheners, carpet powders,  yard control,etc.

5.  Put your pet on the Hypoglycemia schedule. Hypoglycemia is a medical term meaning low blood sugar, a condition that is becoming more common in pets and especially pets suffering from seizure activity. Manyepileptic pets, seizure during the night or when not fed more than once a day.
The Hypoglycemia feeding schedule is as follows:

7:00 a.m. *breakfast
11:00 a.m. **snack
3:00 p.m. **snack
7:00 p.m. *dinner
11:00 p.m.  large snack -- this should be high in protein.  For example, two
plain rice cakes with peanut butter in the middle, oatmeal and honey, chicken,
brown rice, etc.

*Breakfast and dinner should be a high quality dry food or homemade meal.

**Snacks can include something FRESH:
*Celery
*Carrots
*Apples
*Pears
*Bran crackers
*or another fruit or vegetable

Your goal IS NOT to put weight on your pet (unless he is underweight), but to balance out the body, stabilize the blood sugar level, which will ultimately control the seizures.

All pets having seizures should follow the above plan to rule out hypoglycemia. If this is the problem, the seizures can be controlled through:

*Feeding a high quality diet to maintain proper blood sugar levels.
*Keeping stress to a minimum.
*Exercising moderately.
*For susceptible dogs, especially toy breeds, add honey to the drinking
water in a ratio of 1/2 teaspoon honey to 2 cups of water.
*Supplementing with high quality vitamins
*MOST IMPORTANT:  Feed small frequent meals.

Symptoms of a hypoglycemic attack are as follows:

*staggering or collapse
*becoming very weak
*becoming aggressive
*moodiness
*may stare or eyes look glassy
*may go into a seizure

If this happens it is essential to administer a source of glucose.  The best source of glucose is honey.  If this is not available you can use jelly, karo syrup or maple syrup.  Put a small amount of one of these directly into the mouth.  It will be quickly absorbed.

6.  Exercise!!  This is self explanatory.  Without exercise the body does not function properly.  Daily walks are great in cool weather.

7.  To control  seizure activity, EpiPlus is recommended.  This product is an alternative to the traditional medicines being used to controlseizures.  It has long been known that a deficiency of the B complex vitamins,can cause seizures in any species.  EpiPlus contains high dosages of B Complexvitamins and herbs.  It is an all natural product, in powder form, given on a daily basis.  There are no known side effects unless your pet is allergic to one of the herbs in the product, then it can be taylor- made to fit your pet's needs at no extra charge.

EpiPlus has had success in eliminating seizures completely or cutting them down dramatically.  The time factor depends on the individual pet and it's individual biochemical status.

You can read more about EpiPlus at www.purelypets.com

 8.  Keep a positive attitude. DON'T say to your pet, "Oh, I don't know what to do, I think I am going to have you put to sleep, this is hopeless, etc."  DO say, "You will be fine, I am here and going to stay with you."  Hold your pet in a comforting reassuring way.
 
 

What to do when a seizure occurs:

1.  Remain calm.  This is so important as YOU will prolong the seizure if you scream or get upset.

2.  Turn off all lights, TV and music.  Get to a quiet, dark room.

3.  Get the honey and give one tablespoon.  For smaller pets under 15 lbs., use 1 teaspoon.

In many cases the honey will immediately stop the seizure or cut the duration time in half.

Honey, is made up of 35% protein & contains half of all the necessary amino acids. It is a highly concentrated source of many essential nutrients, includinglarge quantities of carbohydrates (sugars), some minerals, B complex, and C, D,and E.  Therefore, the honey will immediately raise the blood sugar putting the body in balance and stabilizing the blood sugar level.
 

Below is a list of things that most commonly cause seizures.  Keep in mind, this does NOT necessarily mean your pet will have a seizure each time it comesin contact with one of the below.  EACH pet is different and sensitive to certain things.

THINGS TO AVOID

Hair spray -- do not spray when pet is in the same room.
Wool -- wool blankets, wool sofas, etc.
Heartworm pills -- usually a seizure will occur 1 week to 1 1/2 wks. after administering the pill.
Cigarette smoke
Pollution from chemical plants
BHA -- a preservative commonly used in dog foods.
BHT -- a preservative commonly used in dog foods
Sodium nitrate -- proven in research studies to cause severe seizures.  Sodium
nitrate is found in MANY things we eat.  Read the ingredient labels carefully.
Carpet powders
Air fresheners -- any type
Fabric softeners -- if exposed to clothes that have fabric softener on them.
Dryer sheets -- if exposed to clothes that have been in the dryer with the
dryer sheets.
Salt, Ferrous sulfate, Copper sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Monosodium glutamate in excess Sugar -- sucrose, corn syrup, molasses, cane sugar.
Low quality commercial dog biscuits and treats
Low quality dry food
Low quality canned food
Plastic bowls -- These bowls have been implicated as a health concern because the plastic may leach into the food.  All plastics release some undetectable fumes, especially when heated.  This out gassing means the fumes
can pass into the foods that are served or stored in the bowl or container. Stainless steel or glass bowls are recommended. Cheap ceramic dishes -- same concern as above.
Fumes from all bathroom cleaners
Fumes from bleach
Fumes from dusting products.
Floor cleaners -- make sure the floors are dry before your pet walks on them.
All toxic flea products  -- If the product states on the label, "Hazardous To
Humans And Domestic Animals", it is hazardous to your pet.
Toxic shampoos
Toxic flea collars
Dust  -- change air filters in your home once a month, and wash curtains more
than once a year.
Crabgrass
Mold
Eating cat or dog feces
Stress -- having company over, being home alone, visiting the doctor.
Vaccinations
Lyme vaccine
Lyme encephalitis
Rabies vaccine
Head trauma
Worm infestation
Lead -- in old houses which have been built using lead in various components.  Apparently dogs like to lick  lead because it tastes sweet..... and lead poisoning can result from licking or eating wood chips on which there is
lead paint.

This can be checked when doing regular blood work on the pet, but it must be specified that you would like a A LEAD POISONING TEST which is not part of a normal blood work.
Paint fumes
Paint chips from lead based paint
Excessive exercise
Overheating
Abuse, neglect
Rawhides -- very important to avoid because most are dipped in a solution of
salt and bleach
Cheap painted pet toys
Loud noises -- yelling, fighting, doorbell ringing
Scented candles
Vitamins with high sodium level
Not having a consistent routine
The season FALL -- Research studies have shown that more seizures occur in
the fall.  This is due to mold and bacteria in the air.
Blicking lights -- Christmas lights, bright lights, etc.
Pine cleaners
Red food dye
Ethoxyquin
Fungi, Bacteria and Germs

Last and most important, this above program does not apply to every pet.  My procedure is to FIRST do a through evaluation on each pet and THEN make recommendations.  The evaluations are free of charge and are well worth your time if you have a pet that seizures.

An epileptic seizure is something no one likes to watch and even more distributing for the pet because he doesn't know what is happening to his body.
Therefore, it is up to you to find all the answers and learn what is causing these seizures and how to prevent them.