Can the Total Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse Trigger a Seizure in Dogs With Epilepsy?

Wolf and Harley love laying out under the full moon!

Update: November 6, 2022.

Once again, we will be having a "Blood Moon" full lunar eclipse that will take place on Tuesday, November 8th, and this type of lunar activity (and with the recent Standard Time Change), could pose as triggers to dogs with Epilepsy. Not to say all Epi-dogs will be affected by both of these changes, but there are some who are very sensitive to changes of any type. So here at FiveSibes, we say best to be informed and be prepared "just in case."

How to Prepare?

Basically, it's to be prepared *for possible seizure activity* by having your safety precautions and First Aid in place.

Prior to the eclipse, have a chat with your veterinarian, and do a little pre-planning, as you would for any out-of-the-ordinary situation or event that could have an adverse effect on your Epi-dog. While the eclipse (hopefully) may not trigger seizure activity in your dog, some helpful hints in preparing, include:

1 . Keeping your Epi-dogs safely inside during the eclipse so you can keep an eye on them. 

2. Having your Epi First Aid Kit ready and waiting. 

3. If your Epi-dog is on anti-seizure medications, be sure s/he has been properly dosed on time and have any emergency doses at the ready. 

4. If you use natural anti-anxiety supplements or treats, be sure to administer them early enough, as according to the directions and vet instruction.

5. If you use an anti-anxiety vest or shirt on your Epi-dog, this is a good time to put one on, just as a precaution.

6. Play soothing music or white noise in the background.

7. Plug-in a calming pheromone diffuser or use a spray.

8. Diffuse a calming essential oil*, such as lavender (but NOT spike lavender oil). Also, when diffusing, choose either #7 or #8, not both at same time.

9. Put a cooler or herbal calming collar on your Epi-dog.

10. If you use a cooler mat or bed for your Epi-dog, have it refreshed and encourage your dog to lie on it.

11. Stay close to your dog, petting and talking to him/her in a reassuring manner until after the eclipse is over.

12. Have an emergency plan. Be sure your vet/ER hospital numbers are handy, as well as having a means of transportation, should your dog should go into seizures.

Please note, that even with the best of preparations and care, a dog with Canine Epilepsy, even if on anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), still may experience anxiety, pacing, and/or seizure activity. Not sure if your dog is having a seizure? Contact your vet immediately.

*A word about essential oils – again, it is important to check with your veterinarian before using, especially if trying for the first time. Some essential oils, such as spike lavender, eucalyptus, hyssop, rosemary, sage, camphor, tea tree, et al., can trigger seizures.

 

When is the Eclipse? 

According to Space.com, "Tuesday's "blood moon" eclipse will begin at 3:02 a.m. EST (0803 GMT) when the moon begins to enter the outermost region of Earth's shadow. You'll have to adjust the time for your time zone (it begins at 12:02 a.m. PST for observers on the U.S. West Coast, for example). While this marks the official beginning of the lunar eclipse, it can be hard to see as the Earth's penumbral shadow is very slight."

 

SOME Epi-dogs may be sensitive to any or all phases of the eclipse. Best advice: Be Calm, and Be Prepared.

 

Space.com article also states, "The real show begins at totality, when the entire moon enters Earths' umbra. On Nov. 8, this will occur at 5:17 a.m. EST (1017 GMT) and will last about 85 minutes, ending at 6:42 a.m. EST (1142 GMT),  according to NASA."

And..."Once the total phase of the lunar eclipse ends, it will return a partial phase in a reverse of the what we saw at the beginning of the eclipse. The partial phase will end at 7:49 a.m. EST (4:49 a.m. PST, 1249 GMT), but by this time the moon will have set for Eastern time zone observers. For those in locations where the moon is still visible, the final penumbral phase will last until 8:50 a.m. EST (5:50 a.m. PST, 1350 GMT)."

For Full Info, Go to Space.com's article HERE. 

For a Space.com video on this Beaver Blood Moon eclipse, go HERE. And you can watch the eclipse on this site for free.

“Dogs are so much more sensitive to things like changes in air pressure, rising humidity, storm dynamics, and temperature changes than humans are. It is the same with high tides, earthquakes, and other environmentally driven events. Often our pets can sense changes approaching even before the news hits the weather channel.” 

~Susan Sehi-Smith, President/Founder,

 Paws to People: Bridges to Cures

 

Now, while all this is very exciting and I can hear all the cameras and long-range lenses being prepped around the world, did you know that eclipses and lunar phases could be possible triggers for seizures? Short answer is yes, they can be for some Epi-dogs. Please read my earlier post "Comparative Studies in K9 & Human Epilepsy: Triggers, (Clinical) Trials & Tribulations" where I delve into the connection between canines and humans when it comes to Epilepsy and triggers, as well as some important clinical trials going on to further advance the treatments of seizures in dogs.

 

This article has been updated November 6, 2022. Previously, I wrote this blog article in July 27, 2018, and it still contains important reading info:

This is not to ring the alarm bell and say that all lunar phases and eclipses will trigger a seizure. There are many conflicting studies saying yay and nay to this, however, there are also documented cases of both dogs and humans being affected by atmospheric and weather changes, as well as general full moons, and this will be a combo of the Blood Moon and the Red Planet. In speaking with Susan Sehi-Smith, Founder/President of Paws to People: Bridges to Cures,“Dogs are so much more sensitive to things like changes in air pressure, rising humidity, storm dynamics, and temperature changes than humans are. It is the same with high tides, earthquakes, and other environmentally driven events. Often our pets can sense changes approaching even before the news hits the weather channel.”

The longest "Blood Moon" total lunar eclipse in a century will start at 3:30 PM EDT and last until 5:13 PM EDT, with the "time of greatest eclipse" at 4:21 p.m. EDT, according to EarthSky.org. Plus, Mars will be moving to the closest spot to Earth in almost 15 years, so you may catch a glimpse of it, too! While it will not be visible here in North America, it will be from many other areas, and it can also be watched online. How? Check out details HERE.

 So will the lunar eclipse and Mars' approach trigger a seizure or odd behavior in your Epi-dog? Maybe or maybe not. As with anything dealing with Epilepsy, while we do know there is a large list of possible triggers, but, frustratingly so, there are also many unknowns when it comes to trigger causes. We do know that many dogs (and humans) are indeed affected by atmospheric and lunar phases, so I always say hope for the best case scenario, while being prepared for the worst case. 

Just how does one prepare? Let me send you over to my post from August of last year titled, "Preparing Your Dog for the Solar Eclipse," and even though this is a lunar and not solar eclipse, it contains lots of info on how to be prepared to help your Epi-dog...just in case!

So, take a few precautions for your Epi-dog, and charge up your camera (if you live in the areas where the eclipse will be visible) and enjoy the site! Oh, and don't forget to post your pics so those of us here in the Northeast can enjoy your view!

To Visit our #FiiveSibes #LiveGibStrong Online K9 Epilepsy Awareness Resource Library,

click on the image below.

 

 

 

Join us on Fridays for our #FiveSibes #FlashbackFriday Blog Hops!

Back to our Home Page and Our Other Pages, including Our About the Breed Page and Our #LiveGibStrong On-Line K-9 Epilepsy Resource Page, ArcticHouse Books & Gifts Shoppe & so much more!  Just click on "More" Pages at top of blog.