Dog Seizure Information and The Types Of Dog Seizures 

The Causes Of Dog Seizures 

In diagnosed Canine Epilepsy, the root cause of seizures is a defect in nerve transmissions within the brain.

During an epileptic seizure random impulses are sent from the nerve cells of the brain to muscle tissue throughout the body. In "true" or idiopathic epilepsy the source of these abnormal brain impulses are small areas of abnormal or damaged brain tissue.

During a dog's seizure, these tiny areas of abnormal brain tissues begin sending out electrical impulses that are received by the nerve cells that surround them. This results in a chain reaction, where the surrounding nerve cells are stimulated to fire off a shower of signals of their own to various muscles of the body. These abnormal electrical signals constitute a seizure.

Secondary Canine Epilepsy frequently occurs due to non-brain events.
Examples are Overheating (hyperthermia), increased intracranial pressure, low blood glucose, fevers, intestinal inflammation, a major body organ failure, an injury to the head, ingested poisons, ingested chemicals (including BHA and BHT in dog foods), and nutrient deficiencies.

How Can I Help My Dog During A Seizure? 

Darken the room, and keep other family members away.

Remove any objects that are near your dog, so he won't injure himself.

Place your dog's head on a soft folded towel or pillow.

You can gently stroke and speak calmly and softly to your dog, but they will not know you are present until the seizures begin to subside.

You could carry the dog in a blanket to a tiled area if you're worried about their loss of bladder and bowel control.

Do not put your hands or fingers into your dog's mouth or you could be bitten.

Rarely will a dog "swallow" its tongue, but if the dog should turn bluish you can use an inverted spoon to manipulate the tongue.

If this is not sufficient and the dog is still having difficulty breathing, open the mouth by passing two towels through the mouth and pulling on them - one up, one down - to force the mouth open.

Dog Seizures are generally followed by a period of drowsiness, difficulty walking, difficulty seeing, and changes in behavior, which can last around 24 hours. Your dog may also have difficulty controlling their head motions. Eating and drinking may be very hard for them, so try hand feeding them.

One to three minute dog seizures are the most common.

Seizures in dogs that last five to ten minutes are less common.

Dog seizures that last longer than fifteen minutes can become medical emergencies since these dogs may have trouble breathing.

A Listing Of Harmful Drugs Used For Dog Seizures, and Their Side Effects 

Anti-epileptic drugs such as Phenobarbital are commonly used to reduce or prevent dog seizures. I have listed the most common dog seizure drugs here for you, to inform you about how seriously harmful they are.

Phenobarbitol:
The side effects of Phenobarbitol are sedation, loss of coordination, lethargic, appearance of depression, weight gain, increased thirst, increased eating, excessive urination, difficulty balancing, weakness in the rear legs, and elevations in serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) levels which is found by blood tests. Another side effect is the dog's system becomes used to the drug, and will usually need a greater dosage to maintain control. Dogs taking Phenobarbital need to have their liver enzymes tested every few months to check for possible liver damage. Phenobarbital can cause severe liver disease.

Potassium Bromide:
It is prescribed and used to lower the dose of Phenobarbital. Side effects of Potasium Bromide are vomiting, depresssion, lethargy, and extreme drowsiness.

Clorazepate:
This drug has been used in conjunction with Phenobarbital. Clorazepate is a benzodiazepine drug of the same group as Valium. Side effects of Clorazepate are sleepiness and a wobbly gait.

Felbamate:
It is often given in conjunction with Phenobarbital to lower the Phenobarbital dose. Blood samples need to be taken to check for the possible side effects of liver toxicity and bone marrow suppression.

Gabapentin (Neurontin)
It is often administered as a supplement to other anti-seizure medication such as Phenobarbitol and Potassium Bromide. My personal experience with this medication was my Mother and Sister, who have had multiple back surgeries each. Neurontin caused mental confusion in both of them, and forgetfulness. My sister nearly burned down her kitchen on Neurontin. I couldn't find any information on the side effects on dogs, but I would not recommend putting your dog on it.

Levetiracetam: (Keppra)
Used in people to control both focal and generalized seizures. Keppra has been used in dogs in combination with Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide to lower the daily dose of Phenobarbital received, and in cases where Phenobarbital was not able to control the seizures. Keppra side effects in dogs include a stiff wobbly gait, vomiting, and salivation.

Zonisamide:
Dogs taking this drug need to be their salt levels monitored.

A Much Healthier Medicine Alternative, And Better Way To Treat And Prevent Dog Seizures 

PetAlive EaseSure is a 100% natural blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients specially selected to treat and prevent seizures in dogs. It may be used to relieve acute seizures immediately, and may also be used preventatively for the treatment of chronic dog seizure disorders.

EaseSure Drops may be used instead of or along with your dog's conventional medication for seizures. However, it is not recommended that you discontinue your dog's prescription seizure medication without consulting your veterinarian. Also consult your veterinarian first when deciding to use EaseSure simultaneously with their prescription medication, so that your dog's progress may be adequately monitored.

When used acutely, EaseSure should take effect within minutes and you will find your dog's seizure resolves more quickly than usual.

When EaseSure is used regularly on a chronic basis you will notice a decreased overall frequency of seizures within 3-6 weeks.





PetAlive EaseSure's All Natural Ingredients Are:

Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower) is an herb used widely for anxiety and stress and is also useful for calming an overstimulated nervous system. In this way Passiflora is effective in both prevention and treatment of seizures, especially when stress is a precipitating factor, as is often the case with seizures.

Scuttelaria laterifolia (Skullcap) is a well-known calmative and antispasmodic herb and will help to reduce over-stimulation that can lead to seizure occurrence. It is also helpful in lowering fever and regulating blood pressure, two further contributing precipitants of seizures in dogs.

Hyoscyamus (30C)is a homeopathic remedy valuable in the acute and long-term treatment of all seizures and tic disorders.

Belladonna (30C)is also a homeopathic remedy well-known for its usefulness in seizure control, especially those seizures associated with high fever.

Cuprum mettalicum (30C)another homeopathically prepared ingredient, controls seizures and any associated mental dullness or vomiting.

EaseSure Customer Testimonials 

"[EaseSure] is an excellent product. It really works. My dog started having seizures at 5 yrs.old. They were very serious cluster seizures. He was put on phenobarb and potossium bromide. This made him both sick and extremely drugged. I came across Easesure and decided to give it a try. I bought one bottle to start, only wishing I bought the buy two get one free pkg because that is a better deal. The first two weeks I gave this product three times a day,10 drops [large dog] mixed in a teaspoon of honey. During this time I started cutting back on the vet meds. So far NO SEIZURES! My dog is on only one phenobarb a day now and two doses of EaseSure, 8 drops each. I am planning to cut that last phenobarb in half next week until he is off of it. I will keep you informed as to his progress. I highly recommend this product. I worked for 11 years in a vets office." -Sandy, VA

"BIG THANKS! We have a 9 week old Dockie who has been having seizures for about 3 weeks on an almost constant bases. With all due respect to our vet and the meds prescribed, she she still had seizures. I sent for your EaseSure and in 30 minutes she was up and around. She still gets some but not as often nor severe. We have since purchased other products and passed the word out to our petloving friends. Again I must say KUDOS!" -Orlando, Florida

A One Year Unconditional Guarantee 

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Pampaws Wow, I am so glad you checked out my site, i have been dealing with grand mal in my siberian and have been looking for alternative therapy for you . Thank you so much for this site. You are a blessing! Posted June 22, 2008

amandaquerque Another excellent resource on a common and scary occurrence for pet owners! Thank you for sharing it in the BIG LENSES Group! Posted May 29, 2008

MiaBellezza Great Lens. 5 Stars and lensrolled you into my Himalayan Cat lens - he has seizures too, unfortunately. Posted May 27, 2008

WhippetTalk My poor boxer had terrible seizures when she got Valley Fever. She was on Pheno and Potassium Bromide daily. I didn't know which was worse. The disease or the cure. The battle was lost and I had to send her to the bridge 4 years ago. Thank you for putting this information together. Posted April 18, 2008

mayalon This information is so valuable. 5 stars. Thank you for sharing! Dog Websites Posted March 24, 2008

mulberry Good info and very complete; Nice lens! Posted March 06, 2008

thomasz Nice lens. Great info. Posted February 06, 2008

Aika great lens as always. Keep it up girl! ^__^ Posted January 14, 2008

shagpuppy Have to agree, this is definitely a 5 star lens! I've just completed my first lens, can see I have a way to go. Posted December 17, 2007

ShurePetsRock I have a Laso Alphso who has seizers,,He never has them that I have seen while he is awake, He is always in a very deep sleep, So Now I know when he does go into a deep sleep to watch for it and pet and confort him till he comes out of it, Posted September 08, 2007

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