What Do I Do About My Epi-Dog's Medications With the Time Change?
Spring Ahead in March! It's that time of the year again that can have us caregivers of dogs who are medications, such as Epi-dogs (dogs with epilepsy), feeling unnerved and very concerned if the time change will affect our dog's medication schedules. With Epi-dogs, the timing of medications is important.
So, today, we're talking about both "Spring Ahead" and further down in this post, "Fall Back" time changes, and hopefully share some helpful tips so you won't have to worry as much.
First Up...Spring Ahead...this is when the clocks go forward an hour in the Spring, typically at 2 AM on the second Sunday of March here and in many
areas of the world...which means...we will have "longer" lighter days to have more fun doing things outdoors with our pets!
A question I am asked a lot, and do see often asked in dog epilepsy groups, is, "What do I do about my dog's medication when the clocks go ahead?"
It's actually pretty simple, and vet approved! Daylight Saving Time (Spring Ahead) and End of Daylight Saving Time (Fall Back) are the two times
of the year I like to reshare with everyone some of our #FiveSibes very important seasonal
health and safety tips:
- PET MEDICATIONS TIME: If your
pet is on specifically timed medications (like our furangel Epi-Husky Gibson who was on meds for Canine Epilepsy (Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide) that he had to take 12 hours apart), you can help reset your pet's internal clock for these medications by staggering them by a half-hour starting on Sunday. Example: If your pet had been receiving their dosages at 7:30 AM before DST, then under the first day of the new time, give it to them at 8:00 AM* (a half hour later, but real time would be 7:00 AM and earlier than the regular dose); then do the same for the PM dosage. On the second day, you can return back to the normal time by backing up the dosage another half hour bringing it to the designated 7:30 dosage time. This way, there will be no long delay in their dosage schedule that could possibly affect the gentle balance of medication levels. *This is the method I used with Gibson. It may not be right for everyone's pet, so please check with your vet. You may need to begin your pet's adjustment a few days earlier.
Neurology Veterinarian Advice
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Time Change adjustments (Fall or Spring) for dogs with Epilepsy is a REAL thing. Epilepsy is NOT a one-size-fits all with every Epi-dog.
"You
are correct in saying that seizure management is
not a one-size-fits-all with every dog. Some dogs are exquisitely
sensitive to the timing of their medications - and can have a seizure if
the medication is delayed by an hour, while other dogs can
tolerate fluctuations in their medication administration without
negative consequences. The medications that are being
administered probably also factor in - for example a drug like Keppra
that is metabolized quickly in the body will be more likely to be
affected to a delay in administration compared to other drugs such as
phenobarbital or potassium bromide. I tell my clients that treatment of
epilepsy requires an individualized approach, and it is important to
find what works well for you and your dog - rather than what works for
others. So for dogs that are very sensitive to timing
of drug administration, I think a gradual adjustment to the time change is wise. For other dogs, this may not be necessary."
~✰~
~Karen R. Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Labe
North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine
North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine
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- BATTERY CHECK: Replace batteries and check connections for pet cams, room/baby monitors, and smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors.
- FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. Check to see when the last time your fire extinguishers were checked and verified. Be sure they are working properly and in a place where all family members will see/find them.
- PET ALERT WINDOW CLINGS: Be sure pet window clings are visible on the outside so fire fighters can easily see, and be sure they are not faded from time and sun. If you need a replacement, you can Google "Pet Window Clings," or visit ASPCA for a FREE safety pack, that includes a pet safety window cling, their Poison Control info on a magnet to keep handy.
- PET ID TAGS: Check all pet tags to be sure they are all up to date with current info. Have a purple ID tag made that says "Epileptic" with your dog's name, your contact number, and "Needs Medication."
- MICROCHIP: Check your pet’s microchip information and be sure it has been updated with any new info, such as a new address, new vet, new phone numbers, etc. Be sure to update info with not only the as microchip company, but also your vet’s office. If your pet is not yet mircrochipped—please have it done just in case your pet gets loose, lost, or is stolen.
- HEARTWORM/FLEA/TICK PREVENTATIVES: If
your pet is on Heartworm and flea/tick preventative, and you do not do it all year long, be
sure to visit your vet, have your pet tested for Heartworm and parasites,
and start them on the preventative for the season before the warmer weather begins. *Some preventatives may trigger seizures. Talk with your vet about alternative products, such as the one I used on my FiveSibes. *Note: I did not have an issue with Gibson with traditional heartworm and flea/tick meds, however, I did have to switch two of of my other Huskies; Harley after she began having age-onset seizures at 12 and Wolfie when he began developing some growths on his body. You can read all about a natural product I loved and wrote about it HERE.
- PET FIRST AID KIT: Review your pet's emergency/First Aid Kit to be sure things are up-to-date. Replace anything that has expired. With the arrival of bees, it's a good idea to check with your vet about including Benadryl® in the kit and what the proper dosage for your pet would be.
- BEDDING: Take the time to check out all the winter bedding and give them a good spring cleaning or replacement. Buying new beds? Why not wash up and mend the old ones and see if your local dog shelter could use them.
- EXPIRATION DATES: Check all pet meds, vitamins, supplements, food, and care products for expiration dates (and be sure they are kept out of reach of furkids).
- EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Update all vet and emergency contacts, including Poison Control, in your home and in your cell
phones. Do you have the Pet Poison Helpline Phone App? How about the Animal Poison info by ASPCA? Check them out!
Put Us On Your Fridge and By Your Phones:
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| Also 800-213-6680 |
A helpful infographic from the ASPCA:
Other precautions to take now that Spring is right around the corner...
- GEAR: Check out all leashes, harnesses, and collars to be sure they are not frayed, chewed, or otherwise compromised.
- OUTDOOR SAFETY #1: With the arrival of warmer weather, give your yard a good safety check and remove any dangerous or poisonous items and mend any broken fences, gates, etc. Get down to your pet's level and see it from their perspective. Is there anything dangerous lying around that was hidden under snow, water, or mud? Any "escape" holes? Any places where wildlife or insects can build a home? Any salt or poisonous winter items around where they can now get to them?
- OUTDOOR SAFETY #2: With the unveiling of pools and grills, be sure you have safety mechanisms in place so your beloved pet can not get burnt, drown, or get hurt. If you have an in-ground pool, even if you have it gated, be sure you have a pet ladder so if they accidentally fall in, they have a way out.
- KEEP 'EM COOL: Invest in a kiddie pool or two now before they are sold out for the summer. A fun, inexpensive way for your pet to cool off on the upcoming hot days.
- WATER: Always keep fresh, cool water available.
- CORD SAFETY: Test run fans and A/Cs and check the cords to be sure they are not frayed, cut, or chewed.
- BEAT THE HEAT: Remember when walking your dog in the warmer weather, to do so during the coolest points of the day - early AM and late PM - so as not to overheat them. Also be conscious of the hot pavement, roads, and sand on their paws; keep to the grassy sides if possible or shady areas. And always bring along a bottle of water and collapsible pet dish. This is one I liked to take along, dog water bottle and dish all in one!
Let's all be safe, and here's to a great Spring!
Fall Back in November...
November
marks Epilepsy Awareness Month and it also marks the end to Daylight Saving
Time, a time for clocks to "fall back" in many areas the first Sunday in November at 2
AM EST.
Again, I am asked this question a lot, and do see often asked in dog epilepsy groups, is, "What do I do
about my dog's medication when the clocks go back?"
If your Epi-dog (dog with Epilepsy) is on specifically timed medications, same as in the spring, you will want to adjust his schedule a few days ahead of time, or at least for the first day of the new time change, stagger the dosage times. My
FiveSibes Epi-tip is again actually a simple formula for helping adjust your
Epi-dog's medication doses to keep it as close to "normal" as
possible. For example, if your pet typically gets his medications at 7 AM and 7 PM, for the first day of end of DST, give the AM dosage at the new fall-back time of 6:30 (true time would be 7:30, a half hour later than usual), and give the 7 PM dosage at 6:30 (true time would be 7:30). That way, while their internal clock says it's a bit late, their system can adjust to the "new" time and won't be going too long without the meds, thus risk upsetting the internal balance and possibly triggering a seizure.
I
always preferred to ease Gibson into the time change and keep those
seizure meds as close to on-time as possible.
Some pets may need a
slower and longer adjustment period, so take a few days prior to the
time change to initiate it. Why do this? For an Epi-dog, specifically
timed medications is an absolute must. Sometimes even the slightest
change can set their system a-kilter and become a trigger. That's why a simple formula works the best.
Oh,
but how glorious is it to think of an extra hour of sleep! Hopefully,
the time change will not affect your Epi-dog, other than that “extra” hour of
sleep!
“An extra yawn
one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn
is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an hour one
night in (spring); we pay it back with golden interest...months later.”
~Winston Churchill
~Winston Churchill
Updated 3/07/2024
#ForeverFiveSibes
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Good points. If they'd quit messing with the time it wouldn't be a problem. Politicians think they know better that Mother Nature.
ReplyDeleteLayla woofs she hates daylight savings as Mom is grumpy and she needs to get up an hour earlier, leave us alone
ReplyDeleteDST continues to vex me. Twice a year I stress about this despite employing an 'adjustment period.' I just wish officials would abandon the whole notion; in a global economy it makes no sense with all the different time zones with start and stops at different times (and then there are a couple of states...i.e. Hawaii & Arizona and parts of Indiana who don't participate at all and good on them). I wish more states would take the leap to return to normalcy and stop trying to manipulate time.
ReplyDelete