Epileptic Fits

[Rookie]

There is now another treatment option available for epileptic dogs, Phenobarb isn't the only one now.

[Springfield Pointers]

A few years back I lost 3 dogs of about the same age due to epileptic seizures. I have also noticed that this is an issue that seems to be presenting more and more in dogs. Call me cynical, but I have become highly suspicious of commercial dog foods as a possible cause for this. These dogs present with no history of seizures in breed lines and in one case in particular tow pups from the same litter that were RAW fed are still putting in an account of themselves at 13 where the siblings died 3 years ago.

[Qest12]

"We over-vaccinate our children -- but at least we eventually stop after puberty. But with our pets, we continue vaccine boosters until they are well into their senior years.

As adults, we don’t assault ourselves with annual boosters, and we certainly wouldn’t do this to our elderly family members. So why do we inflict this upon our pets, regardless of their immune status or age, when common sense would tell us those vaccines should last longer than a year?

Additionally, there are no adjustments in dose for size or age of your animal. Your five-pound Miniature Pinscher receives the same size vaccine as your 150-pound Rottweiler. Your 10-pound housecat gets the same amount as a 400-pound lion.

All of these vaccines are overwhelming your pet’s immune system. Vaccine reactions are at an all-time high.

A study of more than 2,000 cats and dogs in the United Kingdom by Canine Health Concern showed a 1 in 10 risk of adverse reactions from vaccines. This contradicts what the vaccine manufacturers report for rates of adverse reactions, which is “less than 15 adverse reactions in 100,000 animals vaccinated” (0.015 percent).

Additionally, adverse reactions of small breeds are 10 times higher than large breeds, suggesting standard vaccine doses are too high for smaller animals.

A few bold veterinarians have paved the way for ending over-vaccination, but the research is sparse and the opposition is great, just as with the human vaccine industry -- and for similar reasons.

...................

1. There is no scientific evidence that annual vaccines are necessary, and in fact once animals achieve immunity from their initial vaccines, they appear to have immunity that lasts for many years, and often for life, without boosters.

2. There is growing alarm that over-vaccination appears to be causing a multitude of serious medical problems, particularly with the immune system, including allergies, seizures, anemia and cancer. (Delayed vaccine reactions were also the cause of thyroid disease, allergies, arthritis, tumors and seizures in both cats and dogs.) Adverse reactions to conventional vaccines can be the same as reactions to any chemicals, drugs, or infectious agents. Immediate (or anaphylactic) reactions can occur in the 24-48 hours following exposure to the vaccine. Delayed reactions can occur 10-45 days after receiving vaccines.

3. Vaccines are a very profitable part of veterinary care -- in fact, some vet practices are built around them. Long-term studies of animal immunity would require a substantial outlay of money -- the kind of money that only the drug companies have, and Big Pharma is much more interested in selling more vaccines than challenging the need for them."

[Callthatagundog]

Whilst it is a fact that reactions to vaccines do occur, as has been said many times on this and other fora, the annual booster is not a repeat of each vaccine - it varies within a 2-3 year cycle with the only constant being the leptospirosis vaccination where immunity declines after a year.

Any adverse reaction should always be reported and explored but, with the alarming increase in parvo, I would not stop vaccinating my dogs on the chance of a reaction.


Right, back to epileptic fits in dogs........,

Sarah xx

[Stacia]

With you all the way Sarah.

Incidentally, I get a vaccine every year!

[NikkiD]

ditto what Sarah said actually, although I have lost a dog as described, I still vaccinate the others yearly, including our geriatric Yorkie I keep thinking that at some point I should just stop, and cancel her insurance cover while Im at it LOL...... but I cant find the heart to admit it to myself.........

[Holmes]

I dont think there is any diffinitive answers out there re the cause of epilepsy.

It is very easy to look at what might be the cause of a problem and draw conclusions ( they may be right but equally they may not be ).

The problem where vaccines are concerned is that the diseases that they protect against can be very nasty . If the overall % of animals vaccinated reduces significantly then you get out breaks . Basically your damned if you do vaccinate and damned if you dont.

I have in the past titre tested some of my dogs and I did not have to repeat the parvo until 9 years old . It might have been a different situation if that dog was mixing with alot of other dogs and his immunity was challenged but it was not so I think that was part of the reason his titre test came back low at 9. If is not possible to titre test for Lepto immunity.

I know from our experiences that when we looked back through the generations ( 4/5/6 generations you hear that there was a problem ) but I am sure there are other reasons for it to emerge too.


The problem with saying it was the food , it was the vaccine , it was the breeding .... is that it leaves owners thinking OMG I did something wrong and caused this !

Having been the owner in this situation you have enough to deal with

By all means discuss the options but please dont say it is caused by ...... nobody truly knows.


Epilepsy is a horrible thing . When you experience it with one of your dogs you realise Some get away with it and live relatively normal lives but managing the issue is sometimes difficult and emotionally draining ( was in my case anyway) and some dogs dont survive this horrible disease which was our experience

[vicky payne]

Thanks for the rational post Holmes, which saves me doing it.
Many fits are 'one offs' but if there are more the dog should be worked up and appropriate treatment started. Underlying causes are many and include genetic and other diseases and triggers can include food, vaccines, stress, illness.....an endless list! BUT overall vaccinating following a three year DHP/ annual lepto regime remains a safe and effective option with titre testing a brilliant but expensive alternative.
The epilepsy support group will be a great help.

[Bruneval3]

Epilepsy is quite common in the English lines of GSD's and enthusiasts know which to stay clear of, not so common in the German side of the breed.

Breeders (not all) are reluctant to share this info with the unsuspecting new purchaser of a pup. I have known of none in the working side of Dogs!! Read into that what you may.

Back to the poor dog in question, FWIW and just my opinion, as harsh as it may seem, I wouldn't bother with treatments, worrying etc etc, PTS is my way of dealing with this horrible situation.

[arwesa]

Im with Bruneval

Assuming this is a situation where the cause is unknown and persists then PTS is the most humane option imo.

Even if you can reduce the fits etc. the fact remains the dog having the fit is not happy and does not enjoy the experience and if it can't be cured then I'd rather not let the dog suffer the ongoing stress.

When we hear a certain song there are tears in this house, it was playing on the radio the first time we had to administer the rectal drugs to try and provide some relief to our 12 month old ESS.