20/03/2021
This is a good link from my friend and colleague Judith - If you haven't done so already, please like Rawpetmedics Page and if you can support their activities via ww.patreon.com/rawpetmedics Their regular live sessions are excellent and full of information about how to keep our dogs healthy and how to tackle health issues we encounter during their lifetimes.
This is a spin off video from a recent session and as I have a few customers with epileptic dogs I thought you may find it interesting
Key learning points I have noted are:
• If possible, record the episode for two reasons, firstly it is useful for timing the event and secondly it is a great resource for your vet to understand what exactly is going on with your dog (or cat), if it is epilepsy or some other condition and to enable them to advise on and formulate a treatment plan
• Keep Calm and Carry On. While your pet is fitting keep everything low key, if you’re indoors darken the room, turn the TV or music off. Don’t restrain your pet unless it is to make them safe. If you’re outdoors considering covering them with a coat or blanket to block light out and get a lead on them in case they try to run away as they start to come round
• Post fit allow them some space to recover and reset themselves, be guided by your pet. If they want to lie quietly let them, if they want reassurance, give it
• If the fit last longer than two minutes, contact your vet
• Medication – if your vet thinks medication is necessary then ask them if the medication is licenced or unlicenced for the treatment of seizures in animals. Be aware of possible side effects, you should get that information from your vet. Report all side effects regardless of whether the medication is licenced or unlicenced, you can do this yourself
• If the animal isn’t coping with the prescribed treatment regime, consider a holistic referral because there are other options for treatment of epilepsy apart from pharmaceuticals.
• Consider a ketogenic diet
Finally have a look at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) Pet Epilepsy Tracker App for your phone. This seems to be a very useful resource which will allow you to record episodes and medication and send this information to the RVC and your vet.
It’s a distressing illness to witness but as Brendan said in the video it is more upsetting for the people seeing it than the person/animal experiencing it