Meet #NEAM Epi-Star: Siberian Husky "Maya"

Epi-Star, "Maya"

by Dorothy Wills-Raftery

Every November, National Epilepsy Awareness Month (#NEAM) is observed, and each year I'm pleased to highlight amazing dogs who are living/have lived with epilepsy (Epi-dogs) as part of my Annual #LiveGibStrong #Epi-Star Features!

All of these stories are also listed on my Special Series page HERE so you can read about all of our featured fabulous canine Epi-stars.

A brief recap for those new to my blog: I was inspired by my beloved Gibson, who was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy in 2009 shortly after his third birthday. I began the #LiveGibStrong Canine Epilepsy Awareness and Education Initiative, and also authored the What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy children's book and the multi-award winning EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Life With Canine Epilepsy book that inspired this series. It is a 264-page beautiful coffee table book, where I share stories of amazing Epi-dogs from across the breeds and across the world. As a follow-up to all the amazing Epi-dogs and caregivers I've met along the way writing the book, this #NEAM series picks up where my book left, and I continue to feature annual stories each November about these amazing dogs who have Canine Epilepsy, but never let that stop them from living and loving life as only a dog can.

Today, I'm so pleased to shine a spotlight on Wendy Devlin's beautiful Siberian Husky, "Maya," an Epi-warrior who loved life.

Maya gives the look that says, "Mom, I'd love a treat." Who could say no to that beautiful face?!

Says Wendy, “We got Maya off of a website listed in my home state of Michigan. The site sounded wonderful, acres to run, etc. When we went to pick her up, it was not the same. Just a house with Huskies in kennels. Maya was waiting for us when we got there. We were told she was a 'feisty one as she just peed on their chair.' I mean, come on, it's a puppy! We drove home and she slept all the way. She was stinky and needed a bath. When we got home, we let her outside in the backyard for her first time on grass. That was all it took. She loved the outdoors after that".

Wendy recalls how Maya was a typical puppy. "She did not chew anything, other than destroying toys to get the squeakers out in the house. But I do remember her ripping up an area of new sod in the backyard. Little pieces of grass everywhere. Mom was not happy at the time, but it is funny to look back now."

Then, at the age of 21 months, Wendy recalls receiving the scary message that would change things. "My son texted me that Maya had a seizure. He described it for me. I came home from work and we took her to the vet. I was hoping it was a one-time thing. It was not. Not even two months later, it happened again.”

Maya, notes Wendy, was then diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. “That is when I found your FiveSibes page, because of Gibson. I did a lot of reading after that. I did contact the breeder and she said no one else had mentioned that their dogs had problems. The vet put Maya on Zonisamide. We did good for about a year with an occasional seizure here or there. No pattern or triggers. Then, she had a cluster." Back to the vets Maya went. "Keppra ER was added as we needed the 12-hour dosing due to work schedules. She would still have occasional seizures, but they tapered off, and the last four years of her life she had none.”

That is a such a huge accomplishment—to have lived the last four of years of her life seizure free. To get our Epi-dogs' seizures managed is key, and what we all strive for. So Bravo to Maya, her amazing hu-mom, and their vet team for managing to keep the seizure monster from coming back. It’s difficult to see this when we living it with the unknown from day-to-day, but in hindsight, it is phenomenal to not only get the seizures managed, but to the point where they do not happen again. While that is not always the case for all Epi-dogs, it is something we all strive for, and hope to achieve for our dogs. And that is what this is all about—HOPE. With my Gibson, same as Wendy's Maya, we eventually managed his seizures to the point where the last seven years of his life were seizure free. But finding the right balance can be a real juggling act, as we know, and sometimes even after removing all possible triggers, one could still occur for some unknown reason. But management is always key. And...dogs with epilepsy can—and do—enjoy life doing all the things dogs love to do.

"Maya was...diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. “That is when I found your FiveSibes page, because of Gibson." ~Wendy Devlin

Maya waiting for Hu-Mom to go on a walk, her favorite thing to do.

While they did succeed in managing Maya's seizures, Wendy says the medications took a toll on her girl. “She had high liver enzymes for years. She developed hypothyroidism, and gained weight. However, when she was put on thyroid meds, her weight then dropped back to normal.”

“Hypothyroidism is a common disorder in dogs and is characterized by abnormally low production of thyroid hormones. In most cases this happens because the dog's immune system destroys the thyroid glands. Signs of hypothyroidism are varied, but include weight gain, lethargy, and hair loss. Neurologic signs of hypothyroidism include generalized muscle weakness, problems maintaining balance, and difficulty swallowing...some veterinarians feel that hypothyroidism can cause, or at least exacerbate, seizures in susceptible dogs. Because of the influence of these factors, diagnosis of hypothyroidism often requires the measurement of several different thyroid hormones, for example free T4, T3, and thyroid-releasing hormone (TSH). This is especially true for dogs with other illnesses, such as epilepsy.” ~ Written for Canine Epilepsy Resources by Dr. W.B. Thomas DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (Neurology)

Again, Maya was similar to my Gibson in that he also had hypothyroidism and experienced weight gain as a result of the thyroid issue and the meds he was on for his seizures. He, too, was placed on thyroid medication (ThyroTabs). Over the course of two years, with the medicine and some nutritional changes, his weight went back down to normal. A healthy weight is so important because the more overweight the dog is, the more structural issues they may develop (i.e. back issues, hind end weakness, contribute to/exacerbate arthritis, torn cruciate ligaments (CCLs), etc., which Gibson did experience a minor tear of his one CCL when at his highest weight). In addition, if your Epi-dogs weight goes up or down, you need to check in with your vet to see if your dog's anti-seizure medication(s) dosages need to be changed due to the weight gain/weight loss.

To read my blog article on possible seizure triggers, visit HERE.

Many times an Epi-dog can develop thyroid issues, like Maya and Gibson, or they could already have it, and that could be a trigger for seizures. Epilepsy and thyroid issues (hyper and hypo) seem to have some type of link, due to varying factors. If the standard test results and urinalysis show changes indicating something is possibly up, your vet will most likely ask to run more tests. I always say have a conversation with your vet. Review any changes in your dog's bloodwork, and request the thyroid tests anyhow. Then, each time your dog goes in for their routine bloodwork, have the thyroid checked as well.

“Maya loved walks, that was the highlight of her day. She loved her snacks...loved the snowy winter. She would lay out in the snow for long periods of time. She loved digging in the water of her kiddie pool.... Squeaky toys were her favorite. She loved getting Christmas gifts, and she loved her birthday cakes.”

~Wendy Devlin

Any time our Epi-dogs go on anti-seizure medications, it's always a concern for caregivers about any possible effects it could have on the liver. That’s why caregivers have full bloodwork panels done to check their medication levels, as well as liver values. Typically, vets will recommend having an Epi-dog have bloodwork conducted every six months to keep an eye on the values. You can also speak with your vet about whether you should add a liver-cleansing supplement (such as Milk Thistle with 80% Silymarin) and/or a liver-cleansing diet (such as Dr. Jean Dodd's/Hemopet).

In true Husky form, Epi-Star "Maya" loved being out in the snow!

Not too long after that last vet visit, Wendy says Maya developed some partial herniated discs in her back. “But we managed it with medication.”

Around May of 2025, Wendy was alarmed when her Maya developed a nose bleed. “We took her to the emergency vet. They did testing and gave us meds to stop the bleeding. Five days later, she had another one. We went to our regular vets, and while we were sitting there I noticed a bump on her nose up near her eyes. It was not there five days earlier. Another set of Xrays showed probable nasal cancer. The bump grew fast, and two months later, our Maya was gone.” And Wendy was devastated.

Wendy recalls fondly how much her beautiful Maya enjoyed life, never letting her epilepsy keep her from doing the things dogs loves to do.

“Maya loved walks, that was the highlight of her day. She loved her snacks. She wasn't a cuddly dog unless she wanted something from you. She hated the hot summer, but loved the snowy winter. She would lay out in the snow for long periods of time. Luckily, we had a privacy fence put in so she would not escape. She did typical Husky things. She loved when we smoked meats, even though she hated being outside where the smoke was. She loved digging in the water of her kiddie pool, but never would lay down in it. Squeaky toys were her favorite. She loved getting Christmas gifts. Loved her birthday cakes. She knew the minute we walked in the house from Three Dog Bakery! I don't know if she could smell it, or she just knew the bag.”

Maya has now earned her wings, but not from epilepsy. She tackled that seizure monster and lived the last 4 years of her life seizure free.

As we all know, after the loss of a beloved pet, it’s heartbreaking. “The house is quiet now," says Wendy. "I have her box under the Christmas tree I put up. I am still kind of lost as 10 years of my life revolved around meds, and care of an Epi-dog.”

“Maya was an expensive dog, but I would do it all over again to have her back.”

~Wendy Devlin

As so many of us Epi-dog caregivers know, that while we'd doing anything to help our beloved dogs, the honest truth is that it can be expensive with the vet and ER visits, testing, medications, etc., but we'd do it all again for that loving bond never ends.

“Maya was an expensive dog, but I would do it all over again to have her back, with all her quirks.”

Maya, you were a true Epi-Warrior.

Wear your furangel wings with great pride.

Note: These are the personal stories of Epi-dogs as told to me by their families. As always, discuss any medications, alternative treatments, new foods, etc., with your veterinarian first.

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 presentation in partnership with The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at North Carolina State University~College of Veterinary Medicine

"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