Gibson Says "Check Please!" In Support of Canine Epilepsy Awareness

K9 Epilepsy SpokesHusky Gibson

Woooo! That’s Gibson and the FiveSibes and I making a very exciting announcement! Thanks to so many wonderful and caring folks who have purchased my first FiveSibes™ Tale, What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy, we have been able to make our very first donation to Canine Epilepsy Resources Emma’s Fund! We hope to continue selling copies of my children’s book, which contains fun and lively illustrations by the very talented Michelle Littler of Etsy's littletoad so through Gibson’s story and ArcticHouse, I can continue making donations to this very important organization.

This is such a big day because as many of you know, I have been an author, writer, photojournalist, photographer, and editor for many years. I established ArcticHousePublishing so I can produce the FiveSibes™ Tales and after the costs of production, I can then make a donation to a worthy cause. For What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy, I selected the Canine EpilepsyResources, a non-profit organization that offers support, information, and valuable resources to Epi-dog parents worldwide. It’s a wonderful organization that is also home of the Epil-K9 list, which as the website states, was: “…founded in 1996 by Alicia Wiersma-Aylward. It is now co-owned and managed by: Marion Mitchell, Chris Desmedt, Sandie Snider, Alisa Arnoff, Jeanette Tunstal, Kathy Linder, Ally McAvoy, and Helen Underwood. The purpose of Epil-K9 to is to discuss Canine Epilepsy and seizures. List members are encouraged to ask questions and/or give information on these disorders according to their experiences. However, suggestions and advice found here are not to be misconstrued as an alternative to personal, professional veterinary care."

"This forum has been designed to provide a warm, welcoming environment to anyone with a seizing dog or is interested in this health problem. It is also designed to educate and inform us, so we may better deal with seizures in our animals. Therefore, we strive for a friendly atmosphere of mutual cooperation and understanding. We are a large and very active list, with members from over 20 countries. In addition, Epil-K9, is very fortunate to have veterinarians, including leading veterinary specialists in Canine Epilepsy on the list sharing their knowledge with us. We hope that you will find the information contained in these pages helpful and informative.”

I am, of course, a member of this amazing list. The folks are so supportive and the information shared amongst Epi-parents is so helpful. Sometimes we learn something new. Sometimes we share our own experiences with our beloved Epi-dogs. Sometimes we are a good ear for someone who has just lost their pet. Sometimes we are the encouragement to hang strong and have faith through another seizure or reaction to a medication. It is an amazing list of amazing people. I highly recommend any hu-parent of an Epi-dog to join.

The website is also chock-full of information. There is a glossary of terms, frequently asked questions, a list of anti-Epilepsy medications, diet and nutrition, vaccination information, holistic approaches, living with Epi-dogs, and even a section on Feline Epilepsy. There are also very informative articles by Dr. W. Jean Dodds, an internationally recognized authority on thyroid issues in dogs and blood diseases in animals. According to Canine Epilepsy Resources, "In the mid-1980's she founded Hemopet, the first nonprofit blood bank for animals. Dr. Dodds is a grantee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and author of over 150 research publications.  Through Hemopet, she provides canine blood components and blood-bank supplies throughout North America, consults in clinical pathology, and lectures worldwide. “

Epil-K9 2013 Calendar Cover

Each year, the folks at Canine Epilepsy Resources also designs and sells a beautiful Epil-K9 Calendar that contains dozens of photos of beautiful Epi-dogs and their friends from all over. And this year, I am so pleased that Gibson and my FiveSibes are among the photos! This calendar is their major fundraiser of the year and this is their tenth year of production! The beautiful calendars are $22 (for US & Canadian residents), and, “a percentage of which is a tax deductible donation to Emma’s Fund,” the same fund I will continue to donate a percentage of proceeds to from our What’sWrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy book.  

"Emma, the face of Canine Epilepsy"

So who is Emma? Emma was a beautiful Dalmatian who was the furchild of Marion Mitchell, Canine Epilepsy Resources site co-owner and manager, who explains on the homepage that, "This site is dedicated to the memory of Emma, who disappeared from her yard with the gate closed on the evening of March 20, 2007 never to be seen again. She was almost 14. She had a wonderful life camping, climbing mountains, and swimming in rivers and lakes there wasn't a person or dog she didn't love, she was my heart's dog. There will never be another quite like Em." To read more about Emma, Marion has made Emma's diary available to read, which I did, and as I read it, I shared the emotions as it brought me right back to when Gibson started having seizures. With tears in my eyes, I knew this was a place for us. This was a place where fellow Epi-dog parents felt the same I was. Experienced similar situations that we did. It was a shelter...a place of support and comfort. When I first started my journey with Gibson and his seizures, I was alone. I did not know of anyone who had a dog with Canine Epilepsy. I did not know of any resources. I was so fortunate that through social networking, I met a gal who was a nurse and her dog, Max, is an Epi-dog. She reached out across the miles to a total stranger and helped me through those initial scary times. I posted my journal of Gibson's seizures on line, and from there, met so many wonderful folks and helpful resources, such as Canine Epilepsy Resources. 

Continues Marion, "(Emma's) diary...has inspired many people that Epilepsy isn't a death sentence and that an epileptic dog can have a fulfilling life. For many years, Emma was known throughout the world as the 'Face of Canine Epilepsy.' Even though she is now part of the universe, her light still shines into the dark corners of Canine Epilepsy. Dearest Emma you will never be forgotten. you will live on through this site forever." 

Emma’s Memorial Fund was set up by The Neurology Departmentof the Veterinary School at North Carolina State University and is used to “help the neurology and genetics department with small projects or pieces of equipment.”

Marion, who is the main driving force behind the annual calendar, talks about the history of the Epil-K9 Friends & Family Calendar:

“I had been making the Epil-K9 calendars since 2004. At that time, the money raised went to the Canine Health Foundation  to be used for Canine Epilepsy research. When Emma disappeared on March 20, 2007, we were of course broken hearted.  Epil-K9 had been working with North Carolina State University Veterinary College Department of Neurology  providing blood from their dogs to help with the research on (prescription seizure medication) Keppra. When they found out that Emma had died/disappeared they asked what they could do to help me. I asked for a fund to be set up in Emma's memory and the money to be used for research so, from 2007 onwards all profits from the calendar go to Emma's Fund.”

The calendars, which are worked on by Marion and two volunteers (who help to create the pages, collect the money, and mail out the calendars), truly are a piece of canine artwork with so many beautiful dogs being featured in photographs. They make wonderful gifts too (don’t forget your vet!) Shares Marion, “The calendar features Epil-K9  epileptic dogs, sometimes with their owners and family members and other  family pets. We usually feature over 200 photos, major holidays of many countries and Canine Epilepsy advice.” 

As the hu-mom to my Epi-Husky, Gibson, I am in total agreement with Marion’s philosophy that dogs can live fulfilling lives with Canine Epilepsy. It is by no means a death sentence for dogs. As many of you know, over the past several years, Gibson and I have embarked upon our own Canine Epilepsy Awareness Campaign with Gibson being my Epi SpokesHusky. Our “Live Gib Strong” campaign is to help inform hu-parents that there are options, treatments (medical, holistic, dietary, etc) and valuable resources (such as Canine Epilepsy Resources) available for guidance and to highlight Epi-dogs worldwide living their lives with Canine Epilepsy. 

Marion with furbabies Lyra & Will and the Gib Check!

I am so proud that through my story of Gibson’s experiences with Canine Epilepsy in What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy that I am able to help children (and adults alike) better understand seizures and hopefully remove the stigma and some of the fear and at the same time be able to donate some funds in support of such an important and valuable organization as Canine Epilepsy Resources and the Emma's Fund. Pictured above is Emma's hu-mom, Marion along with her current beautiful furbabies Lyra and Will, accepting our very first donation a/ka/ "Gib Check" to the Canine Epilepsy Resources Emma's Memorial Fund! I'd like to think that Emma is smiling that beautiful Dalmatian smile at all of us for carrying on the message and supporting Canine Epilepsy Awareness.

If you'd like to order a copy of my book, What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy, of which a percentage will benefit Canine Epilepsy Resoures, click HERE. And if you'd like to have it personalized, just ask!

To order a copy of the Canine Epilepsy Resources 2013 Epil-K9 Friends & Family Calendar, click HERE. 

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." ~Unknown

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#LiveGibStrong #Paws4Purple Feature: Help! My Dog Had a Seizure! Is it Canine Epilepsy?

 

  #Paws4Purple is a Canine Epilepsy informational program created by Purple Day® Ambassador and award-winning author Dorothy Wills-Raftery of FiveSibes™ #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness & Education site and hosted by The Anita Kaufmann Foundation, the nonprofit sponsor of Purple Day and Purple Day Every Day for Epilepsy

 

 

📌Open Enrollment Call  for Dogs with Epilepsy for Studies & Clinical Trials further down in this post.

The words “seizures” and “Canine Epilepsy” can certainly drum up a lot of fear for caregivers of dogs who suddenly find themselves faced with a situation where their beloved dog appears to suddenly have a seizure, or has odd movements and behavior that maybe they suspect is a seizure. 

 

After the seizure passes, it leads one to ask many questions, including, “What just happened to my dog?”, “What caused the seizure?” and the top question, "Will my dog be okay?" 

 

The important thing to remember is to remain calm, and to not be afraid of a dog (or a human) having a seizure. In this extensive blog post, I am getting down to the raw bones of just what is Canine Epilepsy, and what can we do to help our dog if s/he has a seizure.

What Defines A Seizure?

Dr. Karen Muñana and Friends

Before we get too far into the topic, let’s start with “What is a seizure?” According to Karen Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM and a Neurology Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, “A seizure is a transient disturbance in brain function due to abnormal electrical discharge from brain cells. Other names for seizure include convulsion, fit, or ictus. Seizures most frequently manifest as involuntary jerking movements of the head, face and/or limbs.”

Symptoms of a Seizure

“Many animals lose consciousness, and are not aware of their surroundings,” continues Dr. Muñana. “Excessive drooling, along with voiding of urine or stools can be seen. Seizures start and stop abruptly, and typically last a few minutes or less. A postictal period follows the seizure, during which animals can be uncoordinated or temporarily blind, and display abnormal behavior such as confusion, disorientation, restlessness, or aggression. The postictal period can last minutes to hours.”

 

Over a decade ago, when my beloved Gibson, a wooly Siberian Husky, had his first grand mal seizure at age three, it really scared me. At the time, I had no idea what had happened to him.  Quite honestly, after hearing a banging (his feet paddling in his crate) and finding him stiff and foaming from the mouth, I feared I had lost my sweet fluffy boy. Crazed and confused, I had no idea what had happened. Calling the ER vet (as things always seem to happen after hours), I was in a total state of panic. 

 

Thankfully, he came out of what I was to learn was a seizure. I had my boy back and that was a major relief. I seriously thought I had just witnessed a miracle. Then, a month later, he went into cluster seizures and was rushed to the vet hospital, where, thankfully, they were able to bring him out of it. 

 

Diagnosed with idiopathic (no known cause) Canine Epilepsy, our journey began. And, as many of you who have followed my blog and our journey, know of his story and the trials and many tribulations that accompanied us along his seven-year journey with “the seizure monster” – a/k/a Canine Epilepsy. 

 

In 2009, there was not a whole lot of information available on Canine Epilepsy as there is today. It was also commonplace recommendation at that time to euthanize a dog with epilepsy. Thank goodness that is not the case today. 

 

Back then, I went from knowing absolutely nothing about seizures to connecting with experts in the field and ultimately becoming an advocate and author on the subject on behalf of Epi-dogs (epileptic dogs) everywhere because I wanted to share what we learned along the way and to let other dog parents know they are not alone if they suddenly discover their dog has seizures or is diagnosed with Canine Epilepsy.

Types of Seizures

There are man different types of seizures, some obvious and some that may leave one wondering what was happening. According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, the following is a list of seizure types:

 

• Automatisms: repetitive motor activity that resembles movement under voluntary control, such as lip smacking, licking, or chewing.

 

• Atonic Seizure: a sudden loss of muscle tone lasting several seconds or more, not following a tonic or myoclonic event.

 

• Cluster Seizures: a group of seizures within a shorter than normal interval; clinically defined as two or more seizures within a 24-hour period.

 

• Focal Seizure: seizures originating from only part of the brain and therefore also only affecting part of the body.

 

• Generalized Seizure: seizures originating from both hemispheres of the brain.

 

• Myoclonic Seizure: sudden, brief contractions of a muscle or group of muscles.

 

• Status Epilepticus: a serious condition where seizures follow closely on one another without a break, or where a single seizure lasts more than five minutes.

 

• Tonic Seizure: a sustained increase in muscle tone (i.e. stiffening) lasting up to several minutes.

 

• Tonic-Clonic Seizure: a seizure where the tonic phase is followed by shorter, clonic (jerking) movement. 

Source: American Kennel Club Foundation

Stages of a Seizure

Let’s briefly discuss the stages of a seizure. According to the Canine Epilepsy Resource site, home of the Epil-K9 List, there are four main stages. They are:

1. The Prodome: may precede the seizure by hours or days. It is characterized by changes in mood or behavior.  

2. The Aura: signals the start of a seizure. Nervousness, whining, trembling, salivation, affection, wandering, restlessness, hiding and apprehension. 

 

3. The Ictus, (or Actual Seizure): A period of intense physical activity usually lasting 45 seconds to 3 minutes. The dog may lose consciousness and fall to the ground. There may be teeth gnashing, frantic thrashing of limbs, excessive drooling, vocalizing, paddling of feet, uncontrollable urination and defecation.

 

4. The Post Ictus/Ictal: After the seizure, the dog may pace endlessly, appear blind and deaf, and eat or drink excessively.

Source: Canine Epilepsy Resources

What to Do if Your Dog Has a Seizure:

First and utmost – stay calm! Then call your vet to be sure the seizures are not due to injury or illness. Here is our informational bookmark with some other To-Dos if your dog has a seizure:

 

FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong #Paws4Purple Bookmark

 

 

Available for FREE is our educational and handy First Aid bookmarks for download or you can request a supply to be mailed to you!

These are great handouts for your vet, favorite rescue, breeder, groomer, trainer, daycare, animal control officer, police, and fire departments. (Bookmarks are FREE, but a donation to The Anita Kaufmann Foundation to help cover the cost of printing and mailing is always welcome).

📌To order the FREE hard copies of any of the #Paws4Purple materials, simply Email debra@akfus.org and put #Paws4Purple Bookmarks in the Email subject line!

 

 Cooling Down A Seizing Dog

It is imperative to cool down a dog who is having a seizure as their body temperature can rise dangerously high. According to Dr. Arnold Rugg, founder of Kingston Animal Hospital and Gibson's long-time lead vet, "Normal body temperature is 102℉ and often during a seizure it will go over 105℉ or 106℉. It is recommended to do ice packs until it drops to 103℉, then remove ice packs and keep dog in a dry blanket. If it drops too quickly the dog can go into shock. Take temperature every few minutes and if seizure persists, go to vet immediately." 

 

 

Gibson with Dr. Arnold Rugg

 Here is my FiveSibes vet-approved poster of my Gibson (artistic drawing by Cameo Anderson) with important tips on cooling down an Epi-dog, including where to place cool packs (don't have any cool packs on hand? A bag of frozen peas or veggies will do). 

📌Click HERE for a high resolution version of poster.

To read full story behind debut of the poster, visit my FiveSibes blog post HERE.
 

Possible Seizure Triggers

The list of possible triggers or causes is staggering. And not all seizures are Canine Epilepsy. The most important thing to do if your dog has a seizure, is call the vet immediately! While Canine Epilepsy can be deemed “idiopathic” or no known cause, a good tip is to try and rule out any possible causes/triggers. Below are some of the top triggers for seizures:

• Illness
• Injury
• Brain Tumor
• Food (some dogs have allergies to chicken and beef)
• Food Additives (gluten, rosemary, preservatives, colors)
• Medicinal Side Effect
• Vaccine Side Effect
• Thyroid Imbalance
• Hypoglycemia
• Ingested, Inhaled, or Applied Toxins (including flea and tick repellents, scented candles, room fresheners, perfumes, certain essential oils such as Rosemary, Fennel, Sage, Eucalyptus, Spike Lavender*, Tea Tree Oil, Hyssop, Wormwood, and Camphor)
• Environmental Toxins (pesticides, herbicides, automotive fluids, polluted water sources, etc.)
• Stress
• Overheating
• Weather and Atmospheric Changes
• Lunar Phases, Solar Flares, and Eclipses
• Flashing and Strobe Lights
• Fireworks

Note: *Spike Lavender is not to be confused with traditional Lavender. Traditional Lavender (NOT Spike) can have a calming, relaxing effect. As always, check with your vet before using Lavender or any essential oils. A good information site regarding essential oils and seizures can be found at Canine Epilepsy Guardian Angels site.

The Sun, The Moon, The Weather, and The Epi-Dog

Some may ask, "Does weather and lunar phases really affect my dog with Canine Epilepsy?" The short answer is, it sure can. Please visit our FiveSibes blog post HERE, where I talk more in depth on this topic. 

What about eclipses? Yes, they also can trigger seizure behavior in an Epi-dog.You can read more HERE.

📌While one seizure over the course of a year or two may not be a reason to quick sound the alarm bell, it is imperative that you have your dog go in immediately following any type of seizure for a complete vet check.

Caring for a Dog with Epilepsy

I am a huge believer in natural and holistic care and had no qualms about researching everything I could to find the “right mix” for my Gibson. My vet team was amazing every step of our journey. Always very informative and straightforward with me, and always opened to my many questions about new therapies I had learned about and about trying them with Gib. 

 

After trial-and-error, the perfect combination for my boy was a mix of traditional, holistic, and nutritional in the form of diet (including adding fresh meat, fish, chicken, green beans, and pumpkin—and eliminating wheat gluten, rosemary, salt). Also the addition of supplements (milk thistle, Omega-3, coconut oil, magnesium, and natural pain relief), along with traditional anti-seizure medications (Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide), and therapies such as a cooler bed, cold laser, massage, acupuncture, and even a Reiki session.

 

Stress and heat were triggers for Gib, so I also purchased a therapeutic cooler bed for him to rest and sleep on in an effort to keep him cool, and hopefully deter any seizure activity. And still, after a few years, even that needed to be tweaked after a near-fatal bout of bromide poisoning due to the manufacturer changing the formulation of the capsule without thought or notification to vets and public.

 

Caring for a dog with epilepsy is no easy task, for dog or human. I won’t sugarcoat the fact that there is an insurmountable amount of worry; days are timed according to specifically timed medication doses, and having a video monitor the dog in one’s absence is a common practice. And there is the monetary cost, often times steep—vet checkups and periodic bloodwork, ER visits, tests, medications, supplements, therapies, and special foods. Even with the best of care and medications/therapies, there is no guarantee that your dog will not have another seizure. Unfortunately, many do, but many do not. 

Senior Dogs and Seizures

The typical age for onset of Canine Epilepsy is around three to five years of age. Sometimes an older dog will start  to have seizures, and usually it is not Canine Epilepsy that is the cause. I talk more in depth about  dogs in their golden years starting with seizures and possible causes in my article for Caring for a Senior Dog.

 

"Love is the most powerful and still the most unknown energy in the world." 

 ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin 

 

Even with all the trials and tribulations, fears and cheers, and sleepless nights, the bond I shared with my Gibson was unlike any other I ever had with a dog. He was my heart dog. The love between us was so strong. He taught me so much about a dog’s capacity for love, trust, and total zest for life. And even if I had been shown a crystal ball and had known what was ahead, I would still do it all over again for him.

 

Dr. Beth Alden & Gibson

I think for me in the beginning, the hardest part was not being a helicopter hu-mom. But, one of the amazing vets on my team, Dr. Beth Alden of Kingston Animal Hospital,, gave me the best piece of advice that I lived by. She told me, "Let him live his life." That became my mantra, and my Gibson sure proved that dogs with Canine Epilepsy can live full, happy lives for as long as we are blessed to have them.

 

"Let him live his life." 

 ~Dr. Beth Alden, Kingston Animal Hospital

 

Helpful Tips:

Keep a Journal

Gibson with the RVC Pet Epilepsy Tracker - a mobile journal.

The key with Canine Epilepsy is to always be aware and vigilant. As pet parents, we know our dog best, so if s/he is acting “off,” make note in a journal, on your phone, or on the Royal Veterinary College’s (RVC) free mobile Pet Epilepsy Tracker of the time, place, what your dog was eating and doing prior to the seizure, how long the seizure lasted, and any post-seizure afflictions, such as temporary blindness, stumbling, etc. (Read more about this app in my FiveSibes blog post HERE.) 

RVC’s Professor Holger Volk says of the app, "Being able to objectively monitor your pets’ seizures and having medication reminders will give some control back to owners and improve their quality of life and most importantly the one of their pet.”

 

While there are specific stages of a seizure, the “monster” can shape shift just when we think we have it figured out. If you have your smart phone handy, videotape your dog’s seizure. When it’s over, immediately contact your vet and share this important info with him/her. For me, having an amazing, experienced team of veterinarians who monitored Gibson’s care and was always open to my “could we try” scenarios—is critical. And if you feel your vet is not on top of your dog’s care, find one who is.

 

“My advice for someone with a pet recently diagnosed with epilepsy is to work closely with your family veterinarian to develop the optimal seizure management plan for your pet.”

  ~Dr. Karen Muñana, Professor of Neurology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

According to Dr. Muñana, “Epilepsy differs from individual to individual, so there is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment, and each animal may respond differently to a given treatment.  My advice for someone with a pet recently diagnosed with epilepsy is to work closely with your family veterinarian to develop the optimal seizure management plan for your pet. In some instances, your family veterinarian may recommend referral to a veterinary neurologist to obtain the expertise of a specialist in the management of your pet’s seizures.”

Create an Epi First Aid Kit

Just as it is important to have a First Aid Kit ready for your family members and dog, it is equally important to have one at the ready for your Epi-dog. Have the container be bright and obviously marked and kept it in an area where family members can easily get at it. Visit the FiveSibes #Paws4Purple page HERE for a complete list of items to include in the kit and to have on hand.

Have Reliable Go-To Epilepsy Resources

It’s also very important that, as your Epi-dog’s advocate, to research all the information you can on seizures and Canine Epilepsy, including the various types of anti-seizure medications, supplements, therapies, possible seizure triggers, and proper nutrition from reliable and vetted sources. Back when Gibson had his first seizure, there was not much info available. Today, however, with just a click, one can bring up a myriad of information online. The key is to be sure you have selected reliable information.

 

Says Dr. Muñana, “There are also great sources of information and support for caregivers of pets with epilepsy, as listed on the FiveSibes #Paws4Purple webpage.” Notes Dr. Muñana, “It is important to consult your veterinarian before making any adjustments to your pet’s diet, dietary supplements, or medications. Work together with your veterinary team, with the shared goal of providing you and your pet a quality life together.” 

 

Join a Support Group

The Canine Epilepsy Resources Epil-K9 List is an Email list of fellow Epi-dog parents, vets, vet techs, and other canine healthcare experts who are supportive and happy to share their experiences and knowledge. To join, simply visit HERE for more info on how to join and subscribe to the list.

 

What if I Cannot Afford Tests or Medication?

 As I've stated, there are costs to be expected if your dog starts having seizures. Costs of vet visits, testing, follow-up bloodwork, medications, and supplements. These costs can be a strain to Epi-dog families who love their dog, but just cannot get the much-needed medication. Where can they turn to? The Wally Foundation for Canine Epilepsy (TWF). TWF's mission is,

"To provide financial assistance to the owners of canine epileptics and dog rescue groups to obtain medications and veterinary services. TWF is dedicated to assisting owners of canine epileptics obtain medications and medical services for their beloved pet. Our belief is that no human should have to choose between food on the table, and affording medication or treatments for their epileptic dog. We also believe that no family should have to euthanize their beloved dog due to a lack of understanding of the disease, or a lack of resources. We will also provide support and information on canine epilepsy, a database of specialists and treatment centers, and how and where to obtain the lowest priced medications." 

 

"No family should have to euthanize their beloved dog due to a lack of understanding of the disease, or a lack of resources." 

~Rick Selwood, Founder, The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy

To contact TWF, simply send them a Direct Message on their Facebook page HERE and request an application. ***Please Note: You will need to supply certain information, as well as veterinarian records on your dog.***

 

  

Can Dogs Have a Quality Life With Epilepsy?

Absolutely. While not every single dog diagnosed with Canine Epilepsy will have a positive reaction to medications and therapies, many do. Some need constant adjustments, while others may still have seizures, and sadly, some will not beat the "monster." What is important to keep in mind is that the key is to mange the seizures the best that one can. My Gibson, for example, thanks to a combination of traditional medications, supplements, nutrition, and holistic therapies lived the last seven years of his life seizure free. Seizure free. Was it costly? Yes. Did it take some adjustments and trials, definitely yes. Did I worry about him and if he’d have another seizures, definitely. 

 

But, and only as hindsight would have it, he did amazingly well and he had such a zest for life! As we continued our journey and he remained seizure free year after year, Gibson became the face of hope for dogs living happy and full lives with Canine Epilepsy, and I became an official Canine Epilepsy ambassador in the hopes of sharing our experiences and information learned along the way with others to hopefully a) let them know they are not alone, and 2) there are some wonderful resources available that I have always been happy to share.

 

"Our message is that if someone has a dog with seizures, they will know help is just a keyboard click away!" 

 

~Dorothy "FiveSibesMom" Wills-Raftery, Author, Creator of #LiveGibStrong & #Paws4Purple, and Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador

 

Gibson was my inspiration, my K9 hero, my heart dog. Even through seizures, torn CCLs, a lumpectomy, and bouts of ataxia from medications, he still managed to rehab and come back even stronger. When he did journey north of the Rainbow Bridge, he had been 7 years seizure free, and he passed from hemangiosarcoma, not epilepsy. Right up to the very end, his zest for life was amazing. I hope he will continue to inspire other Epi-dog families for many years to come. Our message is that if someone has a dog with seizures, they will know help is just a keyboard click away!

 

  Living Gib Strong!

 

Gibson (third from left) playing with the rest of our FiveSibes!

 

In the 11 years since my Gibson was diagnosed, so much has been learned about Canine Epilepsy and many clinical trials have been, and are being, conducted. Notes Dr. Muñana, “As a veterinary neurologist who has studied epilepsy in dogs for over 20 years, it is exciting to witness the recent strides that have been made to better understand the disorder and its management. Ongoing research around the world focuses on topics such as the causes of epilepsy, including genetics; ways to predict seizures; disorders that can be seen in association with epilepsy; dietary; and medical and non-medical methods to treat seizures in our pets.”

 

Of special importance is that “There is also growing appreciation of the similarities between epilepsy in humans and dogs – the so-called, “One Health” focus – uniting human and veterinary research on epilepsy,” offers Dr. Muñana. “The overall goal of this work is to achieve optimum health outcomes for both pets and people.”

 

📌For more information on the research performed at NC State University, please visit: go.ncsu.edu/epilepsyresearch.  

“As a veterinary neurologist who has studied epilepsy in dogs for over 20 years, it is exciting to witness the recent strides that have been made to better understand the disorder and its management. There is also growing appreciation of the similarities between epilepsy in humans and dogs – the so called, “One Health” focus – uniting human and veterinary research on epilepsy.”  

 

~Dr. Karen Muñana, Professor of Neurology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

Call for Recruitment of Dogs 

for 

An Epilepsy Study & 

A Clinical CBD Trial 

 

NCSU-College of Veterinary Medicine Seeking

Households of an Epi-Dog & Non Epi-Dog

For Important Epilepsy Study!

 

Dr. Muñana is “very actively recruiting” for this study, which is a new clinical trial, sponsored by the AKC-Canine Health Foundation, to “determine whether dogs with idiopathic epilepsy have alterations in their gut microbial population.” The study team at NCSU-CVM is “looking for households with an epileptic dog and an unaffected dog to compare the bacterial populations within their gastrointestinal tract. Feces will be collected from both dogs to compare their gut microbiome. Samples will need to be sent to NCSU-CVM (pre-paid shipping).

 

FOR MORE INFO or TO ENROLL YOUR DOG, contact Julie Nettifee, RVT, BS, VTS (Neurology) at janettif@ncsu.edugo.ncsu.edu. 

 

You can also download their flyer HERE:  (if link does not work, cut and paste into your URL search bar to view brochure).

 

 

 

Colorado State University Clinical Trials

Efficacy of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Epilepsy in Dogs 

 

"Dogs with epilepsy that are receiving conventional anticonvulsants and having at least two seizures per month.  Upon enrollment, every dog will be evaluated by a neurologist and any medication adjustments will be made prior to starting the trial. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a component of the Cannabis sativa plant, cannabidiol (CBD), in treating canine epilepsy. The CBD product is very low in the psychoactive component of cannabis, THC, making it safe for use in dogs. Each dog will be randomly assigned to receive either CBD or a placebo for 12 weeks and then switch to the opposite medication for an additional 12 weeks. All costs related to the study will be covered in full, including the examinations, MRI, spinal tap, bloodwork and the CBD oil."

 

FOR MORE INFO, visit the website HERE. TO ENROLL YOUR DOG, contact one of our research technicians by Emailing CSUNeuroTrials@colostate.edu or by calling (970) 305-0455. ***You can also click here to take a quick survey and find out if your pet qualifies. ***

 

To download their current brochures, visit HERE.

 

Nationwide Database of Pets with Epilepsy

According to the NCSU-CVM Department of Clinical Sciences Companion Animal Epilepsy site, “Epilepsy is a multifaceted disorder. Through partnerships with foundations, industry and other universities, our laboratory studies novel treatment modalities, basis of disease, and improved methods to support pets with epilepsy as well as their caregivers. Much of our work has focused on refractory epilepsy in dogs, evaluating the reasons why dogs might have seizures that are resistant to treatment, as well as exploring methods to achieve better seizure control with medications and alternative forms of therapy.”

 

With each of the studies NCSU-CVM does, which “typically requires many hours of recruitment to locate the specific breeds or characteristics needed for a particular study, they maintain a Nationwide Database of Pets with Epilepsy “to help minimize the time and costs associated with this process.” To add your Epi-dog to this database, please visit HERE.

 

Visit the NCSU-CVM informational website! For up-to-date news on Canine Epilepsy, research, and ongoing clinical trials, visit HERE! 

 

 

#FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Online Library

 

 Award-Winning Reference Book

EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy ~ ArcticHousePublishing.com

 

"This book contains a wealth of information on Canine Epilepsy--from facts about the disease to practical tips on managing the disorder." ~Dr. Karen Munaña, Professor of Neurology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

 Award-Winning Children's Book

 

What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy ~ ArcticHousePublishing.com

 

#Paws4Purple

A Canine Epilepsy Educational Program Collaboration Between FiveSibes™ #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness & Purple Day Every Day/The Anita Kaufmann Foundation (global sponsor of Purple Day® for Epilepsy).

  

North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine

Companion Animal Epilepsy 

 

 

Canine Epilepsy Resources & Epil-K9 List

 

AKC Canine Health Foundation Epilepsy Initiative
 

 Guide contains some affiliate links meaning if you click on an item to purchase, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 FiveSibes Gift Guide for Epi-Dogs  

 Our list of go-to products, as well as some helpful free resources.

 

FREE "Quick Sniff" Canine Epilepsy Ebooks 

from Oh, the Life of Olivia!

 

 

 

I hope this blog article serves as a helpful resource for folks who find themselves and their dogs navigating life with Canine Epilepsy and serves as a starting point from "What do I do?" 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to drop an Email to: FiveSibesLiveGibStrong(at)gmail(dot)com! And stay tuned as we have some exciting new changes coming in the months ahead about #LiveGibStrong & #Paws4Purple partnership!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dorothy Wills-Raftery is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in AmericanPet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is a contributing writer to 4Knines, and is the writer and host of her award-winning "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show.

 

Dorothy is a multi-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2019, 2017, and 2016 for her writing, photography, and design. Her book EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy received the 2018 Independent Press Award for “Excellence” in the Reference Book category and 2017 NYC Big Book Award for “Excellence” in the Animal/Pet book category. Dorothy was also named “Best Author” in 2015 & 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine and all four books named “Best in Print” by American Pet Magazine, An official International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador since 2012 and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy, Dorothy is the creator of the #FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign and partnered with Purple Day Every Day/The Anita Kaufmann Foundation (global sponsor for Purple Day® for Epilepsy) for #Paws4Purple Project, both inspired by her own epileptic Siberian Husky, Gibson.

 

 

 

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