Dog Seizures/Epilepsy

My German Sheperd has epilepsy?

My 5 year old German Shepherd has been diagnosed with epilepsy. She started having fits about 1 year ago and they seem to be increasing in frequency. The vet has prescribed Phenobarbitol but I am concerned about side issues such as liver damage. Is there any thing natural I can do to help?

Change your dogs diet and avoid problem foods.

Although Epilepsy is a very complicated subject, research and experience is emerging that suggest this problem can be helped considerably with diet and herbs.

Firstly, there is a body of opinion in the USA which suggest that the root of the problem stems from the destruction of the ‘villi’ ( tiny finger like tentacles which move food through the digestive tract) in the duodenum part of the STOMACH. Four food products are considered to be the root problem : –
Gluten from wheat, barley and rye,
Dairy products - Cow’s milk and associated products like cheese, butter etc,
Soy because it contains Glutamate acid although wheat gluten and cows milk are both high in it also.
Corn is considered in itself to damage the villi simply by gluing them. Apparently very powerful adhesives are made from gluten, casein (cows milk) Soy and Corn.

Essentially damage to the villi limits the absorption of key nutrients - calcium, iron, iodine, B complex, C, and trace minerals such as zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, and others.

For people who feed a home cooked or raw diet beware of other forms of glutamate. Peanuts which is the close cousin of Soy and many of the bean family (Not green beans) which include garbanzo, lima, black and kidney beans. Lentils also fall into this category.

The long and short of it is that the digestive process is interrupted by damage to the villi and the ability to absorb proper nutrients becomes severely restricted. It should be appreciated that this applies to humans as well as dogs and cats and there are other epileptic triggers suggested for humans and pets such as Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) and Aspartame – a common artificial sweetener. (NB read labels)

Traditional Chinese Medicine with its use of herbal formulas designed to aid the digestive process, have had considerable success in reducing frequency. The above points in relation to diet would seem to confirm this last point.

In summary, food to avoid are dairy products, wheat, barley, rye, corn and soy and any foods which contains Mono Sodium Glutamate and Aspartame which may be included under different brand names.

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Health Conditions

Dog Seizures/Epilepsy

My German Sheperd has epilepsy?

Change your dogs diet and avoid problem foods.