As a veterinarian, epilepsy is the neurological disorder we see most often in everyday practice. Epilepsy causes seizures that result from abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain. And now, there’s evidence that dog food can possibly cause seizures and epilepsy .
Can diet affect seizures in dogs?
The use of hypoallergenic diets as a treatment for epilepsy in dogs was described in a retrospective study that has only been published in abstract form. Seven of 8 dogs were reported to experience a reduction in the frequency and severity of seizures with the introduction of an exclusion diet .
What can trigger a seizure in a dog?
- Epilepsy.
- Heat Exhaustion.
- Nutritional imbalances such as thiamine deficiency.
- Low blood sugar levels.
- Liver disease.
- Tumors.
What not to feed a dog that has seizures?
Things to Avoid
Chemical preservatives, such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin may increase seizure activity, as well. At least initially, organ meats such as livers and kidneys should be avoided. An article in Whole Dog Journal suggests that the diet of a dog with seizures should be free of gluten.
Why does my dog have seizures after eating?
“ Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in the dog .” Seizures often occur at times of changing brain activity, such as during excitement or feeding, or as the dog is falling asleep or waking up. Affected dogs can appear completely normal between seizures.
Can certain foods cause seizures?
Can any foods trigger seizures? There is currently no evidence that any type of food consistently triggers (sets off) seizures in people with epilepsy (except for rare types of ‘reflex epilepsy’ where seizures are triggered by eating very specific foods).
Can dehydration cause seizures in dogs?
The brain swells, causing seizures , lack of blood supply to the GI tract causes ulcers. Dehydration leads to irreversible kidney damage. All these catastrophic events take place within a matter of minutes. Especially susceptible are brachycephalic breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs or Pekingese.
Are seizures in dogs common?
Seizures are not uncommon in dogs . Some breeds are much more prone to having them than others, but all breeds can suffer from seizures at some point in their lives. Seizures in dogs may be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, age, hereditary problems, underlying disease, and more.
Can anxiety cause seizures in dogs?
Stress is a trigger commonly reported by owners , and may be caused by a variety of situations including changes in the environment, changes in routine, car rides, thunderstorms, and visits to the vet to name a few. Other owners report certain foods or medications seem to trigger seizures in their dog.
What foods help dogs with seizures?
- Purina Veterinary Diets Dog Food – Best Overall. Check Price on Chewy. ...
- Blue Buffalo Wet Dog Food – Best Value. ...
- Ketona Chicken Dry Dog Food – Premium Choice. ...
- Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Dog Food – Best for Puppies. ...
- NUTRO Diet Adult Dry Dog Food. ...
- Wellness Natural Wet Canned Dog Food.
What to feed a dog that has seizures?
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NC NeuroCare is the first and only diet to help nutritionally manage dogs with epilepsy as an adjunct to veterinary therapy,” says Jason Gagné, DVM, Dipl.
What toxins can cause seizures in dogs?
According to the ASPCA, caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol can cause your dog’s seizures.
Why do dogs have seizures at night?
We know that some dogs inherit idiopathic epilepsy from their parents, but the exact reasons they occur are unknown. Other causes of dog seizures while sleeping are kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, liver disease, toxins, neoplastic growths, metabolic disorders, and more .
What natural remedy can I give my dog for seizures?
In both capsule and tincture form, many natural over-the-counter Western herbs — including milk thistle, valerian, and oat straw — are used to treat seizures. Milk thistle is often recommended by holistic veterinarians to be used in conjunction with phenobarbital.
How can I prevent my dog from having seizures?
Reducing stress and limiting changes to your dog’s environment can help to prevent seizures, as stress is known to ‘trigger’ seizures. Feeding your dog a healthy diet, keeping an eye on their blood sugar and getting them checked regularly by your daytime vet will also come in handy.
Can digestive problems cause seizures in dogs?
No statistically significant difference in large scale microbial patterns were identified between the epileptic and control dog populations, providing no evidence that gut dysbiosis is associated with the development of epilepsy .
Will seizures shorten my dog’s life?
It is accepted that dogs with epilepsy may have a shorter survival time, estimated between 2.07 and 2.3 years , where poor seizure control and high initial seizure frequency are associated with shorter survival times (Packer et al., 2018).
Should I put my dog down if he has seizures?
If your dog only experiences one seizure and is otherwise healthy, then you don’t need to consider putting it down . However, if your dog is having multiple seizures and does not respond well to treatment, then euthanasia may be the best decision for both you and your pet.
Can food allergies in dogs cause seizures?
Pets can develop food allergies to ingredients that they have been ingesting without symptoms for months to years before showing signs of food allergies. The neurologic manifestation of allergies may be depression, irritability, and extremely rare, seizures .
Can Peanut Butter give dogs seizures?
Vomiting occurs almost immediately after xylitol indigestion. Within 30 to 60 minutes, your dog can experience hypoglycemia, low blood sugar. He can also experience lethargy, collapse, liver failure, and seizures . This can all be caused by just a few grams of xylitol.
What is the most common cause of seizures?
The most common cause of seizures is epilepsy . But not every person who has a seizure has epilepsy. Sometimes seizures may be caused or triggered by: High fever, which can be associated with an infection such as meningitis.
Do dogs Drink a lot of water after a seizure?
Some dogs will be temporarily blind and may run into objects. The typical post ictal dog will wander around aimlessly, be unsteady on their feet, may stumble over to their water dish and overdrink and/or overeat, drool, and seem generally confused . This phase may last a few minutes to hours.
What dog breeds are more prone to seizures?
Your dog is most likely to suffer from seizures if he or she is a Belgian Tervuren, Shetland sheepdog, beagle, Labrador retriever, golden retriever, keeshond, or vizsla . Other breeds more prone to seizures include the Finnish spitz, Bernese mountain dog, Irish wolfhound, and English springer spaniel.
How does a dog behave after a seizure?
Postictal phase: After the seizure, many dogs exhibit a postictal phase characterized by disorientation. This may last minutes to hours. The most commonly reported signs are behavior changes, prolonged sleepiness, confusion, transient blindness, and eating voraciously .
How do I know if my dog is having mini seizures?
What Are the Symptoms of Seizures? Symptoms can include collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth . Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure.
Does honey help dogs with seizures?
In animals that experience night seizures, administering melatonin (the naturally-occurring chemical released by the brain to induce sleep) can help. If a dog has diabetes or is hypoglycemic, a teaspoon of honey once or twice a day, depending on frequency or severity of seizures, is suggested.
How long are dogs confused after a seizure?
Once the seizure has ended, dogs will have a prolonged post-ictal recovery period. This period may last up to 24 hours , depending on the individual dog. During the post-ictal period, dogs are typically confused and disoriented.
