What Do I Do About My Epi-Dog's Medications With the Fall Time Change?

October 29, 2024

November marks Epilepsy Awareness Month (#NEAM) 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 for a day, and keep those seizure meds as close to on-time as possible. *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.

You know your Epi-dog best. Some pets may not need to adjust. Others need a slower and longer adjustment period, so I always suggest 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.

Neurology Veterinarian Advice

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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. Some dogs (not all) with seizures CAN BE affected by delays in medication.

"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."

~✰~

~Dr. Karen R. Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)

Professor, Neurology, Department of Clinical Sciences

Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Labe
North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine

While we may lose an hour of sleep, hopefully, the time change will not affect your Epi-dog, other than him/her feeling a bit more sleepy with one less 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

(Do again in Spring)

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 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. I kept my FiveSibes on preventatives all year long, not just Spring/Summer as we had some very warm days in the Autumn/Winter, plus, ticks are a plenty in leaf piles! *NOTE: Some preventatives may trigger seizures. Talk with your vet about alternative products. *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. To see what we had in our First Aid Kit, visit my post HERE.

BEDDING: Take the time to check out all the spring/summer bedding and give them a good 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!