October 2009
October 30, 2009
Seizures and Nutritional Facts
Posted by dgarrod under Uncategorized | Tags: dietary supplements for dogs, hypoallergenic gel caps, Monica Segal |
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Monica Segal warns that dietary supplements can have hidden ingredients.
Just because a supplement is labeled hypoallergenic doesn’t mean it IS….and did you know those gel caps could contain soy?
The word “hypoallergenic†is used to describe supplements or foods that are less likely to cause allergic reactions. But in the real world, this word doesn’t have much meaning. Protein contained in supplements can lie behind and cause allergic reactions. Kelp, which contains protein, and L-Glutamine which, in many cases is derived from wheat or an animal source are two supplements to study before buying. In the case of L-Glutamine, “hypoallergenic†is an important word to look for, but ask what the mechanism is that would make it a non-issue for your dog? Monica Segal of http://www.monicasegal.com says, if a supplier doesn’t know or provides an answer that makes you skeptical, don’t ignore your inner radar.
Watch for the hidden proteins in the making of gelatin capsules. Most fish oil capsules are not made with fish gelatin and certainly not from the same type of fish the oil is from. I use Monica Segal’s Wild Salmon capsules which are made out of the wild salmon oil.
Vitamin E can be an issue for some dogs. Did you know that much of the vitamin E on the market is derived from soy? Dogs that have consumed soy in the past may have developed an allergy to it, but that’s not the most common problem. Instead, the source of gelatin the vitamin E capsule contains can be an issue. Most retailers don’t know the source of gelatin and few labels provide this information. So, if your dog is ingesting anything in capsule form, s/he may react to the capsule rather than the ingredients in the product itself.
Don’t feel overly confident if you use loose powders rather than tablets or capsules. There’s another trap waiting for your dog, and that is that dry products can harbor a great deal of mold or yeast. Some products contain large amounts of both. So, despite that you may have purchased something that sounds top-notch (organically grown, etc), you are not assured that this powder (it’s even riskier if this is a blend of powers) isn’t adding mold or yeast into the body.
It is our job to question how supplements are made, what they contain and especially important when you have a dog with seizures or allergies.
October 30, 2009
Seizure Diet
Posted by dgarrod under Uncategorized | Tags: canine nutrition, K9 Nutrition, Monica Segal, seizure diet for dogs |
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This diet is from Monica Segal, who I admire. She is a canine nutritionist who has many books written on the topic of nutrition and a list group K9 Nutrition I recommend to everyone. Dog’s nutritional requirements need to be customized to their challenges and needs, even normal dogs. Diets for epi-dogs should be created by knowledgeable canine nutritionists – Monica Segal is one recommendation – http://www.monicasegal.com/. I also highly recommend Cat Lane http://www.thepossiblecanine.com who I have used with client dogs as well.
For epi-dogs Cod is the main meat of choice.
October 30, 2009
Six-minute seizure – October 29
Posted by dgarrod under Uncategorized | Tags: seizures in dogs |
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Fourteen days to the day and hour of the last. In June seizures lengthened 24 days between and now the 14 day pattern has returned. Chancellor knows when he is about to have a seizure and comes to get me. This time he gently licked me so I would get up 659 a.m. and I was able to get Kody Bear out of the room and Chancellor situated in a comfortable bed with head rests He fought it, as he does, but his body didn’t win and the seizure took over lasting six minutes this time. Only one other time has a seizure lasted this long. It wasn’t particularly violent, little saliva was lost, and a small amount of urine deposited. Eye dilation caused sight disorientation and always he has increased hunger about 1/2 hour later. I uploaded vitamins and minerals into his system Chancellor never complains, he worries more about me. We live with these seizures, not FOR them and after a year they are what they are and I continue studying, researching, hoping I can lengthen time between, lessen the violence or completely stop the seizures altogether. Please put Chancellor in your thoughts today and give your dogs a hug!
October 26, 2009
Understanding Canine Epilepsy – One Study
Posted by dgarrod under Uncategorized | Tags: coping with canine epilepsy, treatment of epilepsy, understanding canine epilepsy |
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Wing ‘N Wave Laboratories has a readable, easy to understand article focusing on canine epilepsy and understanding it. The URL is http://www.labbies.com/epilepsy.htm.
From signs to treatment to coping with epilepsy the site is concise and clear. A good “basic†read if your canine has just started having seizures.
October 26, 2009
Research and Study in hopes it helps others
Posted by dgarrod under Uncategorized | Tags: benedryl, causes of seizures in dogs, seizures in dogs, triglycerides |
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What might cause seizure activity? This is one quest of study. Blog posts will reap the rewards of my research.
One cause might be the giving of Benadryl – to humans and canines. Yet, I constantly hear about dog owners giving this over-the-counter medication to their canines and often in recommendation by their veterinarians. It is taken for bee stings commonly and reduces swelling and reaction. It isn’t to say Benadryl causes seizures in all canines, but there is study indicating it could. Dogs who have seizures should not be given Benadryl.
Triglycerides
Human fact: When it comes to triglycerides, there’s good news and there’s bad news. In the proper amounts, these common types of fat are necessary for optimum health. In fact, they make up about 95% of the body’s fatty tissue. However, it’s a case of too much of a good thing. High triglycerides levels lead to debilitating conditions such as diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, hypothyroidism, heart disease and more. A normal range for triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dL in humans.
According to AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) 24 to 105 mg/dl is normal triglyceride range for canines, so as in humans less than 150 mg/dl is a normal range. In some breeds, hypothyroidism can be a cause of seizures. So the value of triglycerides in a blood panel can be telling. Evaluating the canine diet regularly may be important in avoiding seizures or working with and decreasing the violence of a seizure or increasing time between activity. Anything pet owners can do is one step toward comfort for their pet.
According to a Veterinary Medicine study epileptic dogs treated with Phenobarbitol alone or in conjunction with Potassium Bromide were more likely to be hypertriglyceridemic. Hypertriglyceridemia has previously been hypothesized to be a risk factor for developing pancreatitis. Read the study here: http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/Medicine/The-effect-of-phenobarbital-on-serum-triglyceride-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596596.
Pinpointing causes is very hard for the dog owner and veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your medical professional. And please realize each dog’s case and experience with seizures is different and unique. What might be true for one dog, may not be for another.
October 18, 2009
Sadness and Heartbreak of Seizures
Posted by dgarrod under Canine Health, Dog Training, Parent, Pets, Uncategorized | Tags: canine seizures, epilepsy, John Travolta, seizure research, stress |
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Just when you think all is well, a seizure occurs. Extra stress seems to increase seizure activity, no matter what this stress is from visitors to inner noise as perceived by the dog.
The sadness and heartbreak set in at every witnessing of activity. You feel so helpless, unable to stop it, make it go away. To see a loved one in this distress brings insurmountable feelings. These feelings are intense for your beloved canine and you imagine what people who have children with epilepsy must go through.
To me the press coverage on John Travolta’s son was horrible. These parents had suffered enough grief throughout the years and to just spill this grief out to the public, try to profit from it or in any way make it less than what it was is a travesty.
My Chancellor is just one of many canines experiencing seizure activity and I just pray he doesn’t suffer or hurt each time and I just want it to end or to find a way whether holistic or medicinal to extend the time between seizures. Believe me, he knows he has these episodes and days before he alerts me.
I have to ask myself what he ever did to deserve this but I know the answer is genetics. Still I hope for some relief and at the same time he lives a great and fulfilling life for a canine. He does what he is able and we take care of each other in the process just as one would do with their child. Time will tell and it is not easy at all to write about. My hope is someone will read the posts and offer suggestions, or someone will donate to research in canine and human seizure activity/epilepsy/hypothyroidism so a cure can be found.
October 18, 2009
Hypothyroid Meds increased
Posted by dgarrod under Uncategorized | Tags: canine seizures, hypothyroid, keppra, phenobarbitol, thyroid panel |
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Four more seizures have occurred since August 31, 2009. Thyroid panel showed a low reading and meds were raised from two .2 L-Thyroxin pills two times a day to three .2 L-Thyroxin pills two times a day (1.2 mg per day). So far I’ve seen no noticeable difference in the increase except seizures have backslid to every 15/16.5 days.
Causes of Hypothyroidism in Dogs
http://www.helium.com/items/1582017-causes-of-hypothyroidism-in-dogs
One difference in the seizures was a head orientation to the extreme left. Usually in past seizures this orientation has been to the right. The last seizure on 10/15/2009 he didn’t come to get me, but got up and walked into a wall as the aura took over, a first. During the seizure he also did not salivate for the first time. These are differences to note.
Chancellor has been having seizures now for one year. He has had 27 seizures since 9/25/2008. At this time the veterinarian does not want to add a second medication such as Phenobarbitol or Keppra, but end of October another thyroid panel will be done and then end of November he will have his annual bloodwork, exam, fecal. Then I’m certain we’ll be making additional decisions. I’ll keep a post here of results.
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