#NEAM: #EpiStar Raider Is Living Life Beating the Seizure Monster!

Epi-Star, "Raider"

 

by Dorothy Wills-Raftery 

 

W elcome back to the next installment of my 3rd Annual National Epilepsy Awareness Month (#NEAM) Epi-Star Feature! As I've mentioned before, November is a special month here at FiveSibes, as it is where I highlight not only information on Canine Epilepsy, but also share amazing stories about Epi-dogs (dogs who have epilepsy). Inspired by my own Epi-dog Gibson’s story, I wrote the book multi-award winning EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Life With Canine Epilepsy, where I share stories of amazing Epi-dogs across the world. This all launched my Epi-Star series here on my blog, where I continue to feature stories about these amazing dogs who have Canine Epilepsy, but never let that stop them from loving life. Through this, we have formed a unique and caring community where through #LiveGibStrong, we connect with other Epi-dog caregivers, rescuers, and veterinarians who care for them. I'm very proud that this is a place that has become my dream fulfilled—to pay tribute to my amazing boy, Gibson, by creating a wonderful library of vetted information and a network of support and camaraderie. 

 

Today, I'm so pleased to introduce you to our second FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong #NEAM Epi-Star of 2024, Becca Crigger's beautiful 7-year-old Wolfdog, "Raider" pictured above. A journey that shows just how amazing that human-canine bond is and how healing it can be.

 

 

Raider is a member of beautiful pack family that consists of a twin sister named "Oaklynne" and two other wolfdogs name "Hazel" and "Asher," as well as two non-wolfdogs "Arnie," a Chihuahua and "Winston,"a hound.

 

Raider and members of his pack family. Photos courtesy of Becca Crigger.

According to Raider's hu-mom, Becca Crigger, Raider "Began having seizures before he turned two. He was officially diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy in July of 2021, after we almost lost him to idiopathic vestibular syndrome/disease and spent a week in the ICU."

 

"Idiopathic" basically means that there is not a clear cut cause for the seizures.  

 

According to Dr. Karen Muñana, Professor of Neurology at The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine, and member of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force, "What we tend to see most commonly in dogs is a disease called “idiopathic epilepsy,” and that is where the brain appears structurally normal — from what we can tell with testing such as MRI — but at a microscopic level or cellular level, there are some abnormalities. Idiopathic epilepsy can occur in any breed, but we see it more in certain breeds where it has been shown to be inherited." 

 

While all forms of Canine Epilepsy are scary and uncertain, there is a positive side to a dog receiving a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. It typically means there is no underlying health issue (i.e. brain tumor, etc.) or disease causing the seizures. States Dr. Muñana, "In general, idiopathic epilepsy usually does not affect the lifespan of affected dogs." 

 

And just what is vestibular syndrome/disease? According to the American Kennel Club, "Just as in humans, the vestibular system in dogs is the part of the body responsible for balance. Located within the middle and inner ear, it sends messages to the brain about posture, head movement, and the body’s position in space. When the vestibular system isn’t working as it should, a dog cannot balance or coordinate their movements. Vestibular disease is the general term given to issues with the vestibular system. But when the condition has a sudden onset, doesn’t get progressively worse, and resolves within a matter of weeks, it’s likely canine idiopathic vestibular syndrome (CIVS). One of the most common neurological disorders in veterinary medicine." 

 

Becca reports that after Raider's bout with the vestibular sydrome/disease, "Raider was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. He had only been on CBD oil prior to his hospital stay. His neurologist said he really needed to be on prescription anti-seizure meds, so we gave in and did it."

 

Raider and his twin sister as pups. Photo courtesy of Becca Crigger.

Becca says, "I really wanted to go a natural route, but his seizures had no rhyme or reason and I decided if they would help him get more controlled, it would be worth it."

 

Raider was prescribed Keppra XR and Becca says that "It worked pretty well, but he was still having a couple a month. Then he clustered and his neurologist added Zonisamide. The combination has worked extremely well. They didn’t stop the seizures at first. His last bout was a round of clusters, so his neurologist had us do a loading dose for three days. That was in February of 2023." Becca also notes that "He has nasal Midazolam as a rescue medication, and that was a life saver for him."

Managing a dog's seizures is always the hope. The prescribed medications—on top of a healthy diet and lifestyle—seemed to be the golden nugget that worked for Raider because Becca happily reports that he has since been seizure free (as of this article), and on the 18th of this month (November), Raider will be 21 months seizure free! And that is HUGE news worth celebrating! Each day that turns into a week that turns into a month of an Epi-dog not having a seizure is great news.

Becca shares that before Raider began his prescription medication, "There were things we did and continue to do in order to try to prevent triggering him, even though I’ve never honestly found a true trigger."

 

And while most times with idiopathic epilepsy, the cause or triggers are unknown, it is the goal of every Epi-dog caregiver to try and eliminate things that could be possible triggers in the hopes that the mystery one is found. Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't. That is the nature of the beast dubbed "the seizure monster."

 

To read my FiveSibes list of possible triggers for Epi-dogs, 

please read my previous post HERE.

 

Becca notes that they adhere to a strict schedule and try to avoid stressful situations, which are both very important when you are caring for an Epi-dog. Therefore, with Raider, "He eats at the same time every day. We try to keep him stress free. I refuse to burn candles or use wax melts. I clean with natural products. He eats high value dog food. I make sure we have no toxic plants that he, or his five other siblings, can get into. He and his three sisters (they are all siblings-same parents-different litters) all have the MDR1 gene and the side effects of Ivermectin in heartworm prevention has been known to cause seizures and even death, so no standard flea/tick and heartworm prevention can be given."

 

Many times, being on the much-needed anti-seizure medications can sometimes alter an Epi-dogs mood or nature. Says Becca, "Before he was put on prescription meds, Raider was super playful. I feel like the vestibular event unfortunately really messed with his brain. He is a very chill dog now. He does still love to play with tennis balls and occasionally plays with his siblings, but most of the time he’s getting on to them to chill out though!"  

 

"I wouldn’t change anything. So many people asked why we don’t put him down with all of the stress (financial, not sleeping, etc.), well, he is my heart and soul. I wouldn’t put my child down just because they have Epilepsy. As long as he has quality of life, and he does, I will not put him down." ~Becca Crigger

 

As many of us who care for an Epi-dog know, it does require a change in daily routines—from being ever-vigilant of our dogs food and surroundings, to a strictly enforced timed medication schedule, to watching out for and reducing possible triggers ranging from foods, to environmental, dog-care products, and being prepared for certain weather and atmospheric changes, and Becca is no stranger to this. 

 

"Of course our lives changed after his diagnosis. Everything we plan has to revolve around his medication schedule. I was fortunate to begin working from home in 2020 and can keep a close eye on him. Even though he is doing so well, I am terrified to leave him and start working outside the home again. I still get triggered if he dreams and starts moving or whines in his sleep. The fear never goes away that he will have another seizure."

And how does the rest of the pack react when Raider has a seizure? "They are interested in what’s happening, but thankfully don’t attack him or anything as I’ve seen happen to others with multiple dogs. We do separate them just in case," notes Becca. "But, here’s an interesting thing, one of his sisters, Hazel, alerts me to him having one. It is truly incredible."

 

With all the worry, would Becca change anything?

 

"I wouldn’t change anything. So many people asked why we don’t put him down with all of the stress (financial, not sleeping, etc.), well, he is my heart and soul. I wouldn’t put my child down just because they have Epilepsy. As long as he has quality of life, and he does, I will not put him down. I will never understand those people who do."

 

 

Beautiful "Raider" has some excellent news! Watch the video below!

Becca also praises her veterinary neurologist. "Raider's neurologist is absolutely phenomenal. Although she is three-and-a-half hours away, she fortunately consults with me over the phone. She will also call and consult with my veterinarian." 

 

That type of positive attention and communication with an Epi-dog's veterinarian and veterinarian neurologist is so important as it is not only helpful to the Epi-dog, but also to the caregiver to know they have a team of vets who share information and seek out the best possible care routine with the Epi-dog caregiver to determine what's the best course of treatment for a dog with epilepsy.

 

While this video Becca posted on Instagram (@Becswolfdogs) was from October 18, 2024, when Raider was 20-months seizure free, in speaking with Becca, Raider is holding strong and will be 21-months seizure free on November 18th!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Becswolfdogs (@becswolfdogs)

  Rock on, Raider! 

Caregivers of dogs with epilepsy are amazing folks. It's so important to remember to care for yourselves, as well as your Epi-dog! Please be sure to watch my special slideshow "Caring for the Epi-Dog and Caregiver: The Importance of Self-Care" 

 

If you are looking for information on Canine Epilepsy, check out our FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Online Resource Library where you will find accurate and vetted information you can trust including links, articles, podcasts with vets and veterinary experts, helpful tips, bookmarks, where to go if you need financial help with epilepsy medications,. Epi-Star success stories, and much more. It's a great place to seek out information so that you can have an in-depth conversation with your vet about your Epi-dog's care.

💜

The Inspirational Book Behind 

This Epi-Star Feature Series  

 

To purchase my book, go to our FiveSibes

ArcticHouse Books & Gifts Shoppe HERE or on Ebay HERE. 

A percentage of sales will be donated to Canine Epilepsy Research.

If you prefer, you can Email me at ArcticHousePublishing(at)gmail.com 

and put EPIc Dog Tales in subject line and I will send you an invoice where you will have a variety of ways to pay. Please note, there is a limited quantity of print books.

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Other Stories in the Epi-Star Series:

 

✭Epi-Star Gibson of FiveSibes, go HERE

 

✭All Previous Epi-Stars, go HERE 

 

 

Click on graphic above to visit our online resource library.

 

 

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