Meet "Lex Luther" ~ A Heroic #NEAM Epi-Star!

November 24, 2025

Epi-Star, "Lex Luther"

by Dorothy Wills-Raftery

As you know by now, November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month (#NEAM), and each year I'm pleased to highlight amazing dogs living 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!

For those who may be new to my FiveSibes blog, a brief recap: I was inspired by my beloved Gibson, who was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy in 2009 shortly after his third birthday. I began my #LiveGibStrong Canine Epilepsy awareness and eventually created the FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong Online K-9 Epilepsy Resource Library, 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. EPIc Dog Tales is a 264-page beautiful large 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 off, 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 Brenda Thibodeau's handsome Labrador Retriever, "Lex Luther!"

Brenda says of her beautiful boy, “My four-year-old pure breed chocolate Lab started having seizures at age two. He is 135 pounds with the biggest box head I have ever seen in a Lab. He is a very goofy/playful pup!”

Lex Luther brings lots of smiles to his hu-mom by being a playful and goofy boy!

Pamela notes that Lex Luther started out “Having one seizure a month, but they increased in frequency and severity and he has them about every seven to eight days. Some are full body convulsions, some are staring and crying. I am struggling with him now vomiting after eating and drinking water. Then up come the pills with it. I bought a slow-feed water bowl to try and stop gulping water.”

“I would tell other dog owners to not panic. I used to panic and cry every time. Then, get a good neurologist that is willing to fully explain things to you. I am big on making sure the quality of life is there....He needs to still be a dog.” ~Brenda Thibodeau

Lex Luther’s veterinarian put him on medications. “Currently he is being treated with Keppra, Zonisamide, Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide. But, still the seizures happen. He sees the best canine neurologist. They say he has idiopathic epilepsy and in Labs, it is hard to treat.”

Even on medications, Brenda says “Nothing really helps the seizure. I just stay with him and softly talk to him. I think the only trigger I have noticed is when he has diarrhea.”

"Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in veterinary medicine....The term epilepsy is used to describe recurrent seizures that arise due to an abnormality in the brain. The most common cause for recurrent seizures in dogs is idiopathic epilepsy, and many breeds of dogs are genetically predisposed to this disorder. Epilepsy is typically managed with medication directed at controlling the seizures, although the majority of pets do not become seizure free. In these cases, efforts are directed at maximizing seizure control while minimizing treatment related side effects, so as to provide the best quality of life for the pet and the caregiver."

~ Dr. Karen Muñana, The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab, North Carolina State University~College of Veterinary Medicine

In April, Brenda says, “He had a long full-body seizure and hit the wall with his back leg and suffered an injury that has now developed arthritis (meaning now more meds. Ugh.).”

Brenda says she found FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong information helpful. “I found your post in a group on Pinterest. I did not know such groups exist.” When one has an Epi-dog, support and connecting to helpful, vetted resources is very important. One of my main messages to Epi-dog caregivers is that support and availability of trusted resources are available. And to know that you are not alone in your journey with a dog who has epilepsy.”

Even with how frightening it is to watch a beloved dog go through seizures, and how worrisome it is, Brenda offers this advice, “I would tell other dog owners to not panic. I used to panic and cry every time. Then, get a good neurologist that is willing to fully explain things to you. I am big on making sure the quality of life is there. I don’t want him sedated. He needs to still be a dog.”

“I would move heaven and earth to help my puppy. He is my very best friend.”~Brenda Thibodeau

Even with having seizures and being on medications, none of that stops this amazing Epi-warrior. “As a Lab, he loves to swim every day in our pool, but now he must wear a life vest and swim with a buddy in case a seizure happens in the pool.”

Epilepsy doesn't stop handsome Lab, Lex Luther, from

enjoying the beach and swimming in the family pool.

Having an Epi-dog, the worry is always there, but we love our amazing resilient dogs. Says Brenda, “I, at times, get nervous taking him out driving in my car because one time he had a seizure while I was driving and he tried jumping into the front of the car!” However, she says, “I would move heaven and earth to help my puppy. He is my very best friend.”

Tune in to my interview on Grey Paws and All podcast to learn more about Canine Epilepsy:

(click on image below to go to podcast)

In spite of his seizures and arthritis from an injury due to a seizure, Lex Luther enjoys life, the family pool, and bringing love and smiles to his forever caring Hu-Mom, Brenda!

Epi-Dogs and Their Caregivers Rock!

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.

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The Inspirational Book Behind

This Epi-Star Feature Series