Advice Needed Re Epilepsy And Homeopathy Please...

[TC]

My boss has a Hamiltonstovare that is suffering quite badly with fits. She has moved on to 'grand mal' and is having between 3 and 5 fits at a time. These are generally two to three weeks apart.

She is a young dog, and apart form this she is a very happy, fit, healthy dog.

She has had MRI scans, ultrasounds and Xrays to ensure that there is no tumour, fluid etc present, and is being treated with phenobarbitone. However, the specialist that she saw regarding all of the tests above last week, has said that she was not on a high enough dosage. It seems as though her normal vet was playing it safe on the dosage as he may have been unsure. The specialist has said that the level he prescribed would have had no effect on the dog :angry:

Has anyone got any experience in this field?

Does anyone know of any homeopathic remedies that she can try alongside of the pheno to assist?

She's clutching at straws now, as she seriously want to reduce the number of fits her dog is suffering.

I can assure you that she has the dogs best interest at heart. If she felt it was detrimental to the dogs standard of living she would not continue treatment. I saw Remy last night and she really is completely fine, except (obviously) when she is having a fit/s.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any advice it will be very gratefully received :thumbsup:

TCx

 

[zilloot]

Contact anyone from the PCFCE ( www.PCFCE.org ).. it's the Phyllic Croft Foundation for Canine Epilepsy. They will be more than happy to help.

Ten years ago I lost my little whippet Chloe because of epilepsy (she was only 2.5years old). We tried everything under the sun to help her and I'm sure in recent years there have been advances in medications etc so my experiences are probably a little out of date but please check out the PCFCE website and contact the commitee - they will be a mine of information.

On the homeopathic front try Lavendar oil on her bedding - it's a calming formula and may soothe.

:luck: Good luck - it's not a nice condition at all.

 

[Mr Whippy]

Please do not get caught up in the homeopathic route. A recent Dept of Health/BMA meta survey (where they collate all the available relevant data) proved that homeopathic remedies are not as effective as placebos in humans. Dogs do not understand language like we do and so will not succumb to the placebo effect. I know you are trying to to best for your dog, but homeopathy simply will not work, you may as well buy snake oil! The only thing you could hope for is a placebo effect on yourself where you kid yourself your dog is healthier than it really is. A dangerous position to be in. Stick with standard vetinary practice on this one and spend your money on making your dogs life more comfortable, more treats, extra blanket, new coat, whatever.

Sorry to play the black arab but charlatans prey on the needy.

 

[Happy Humber]

I had a spaniel who had epilepsy and it is really horrible, but there are things you can do and things you can avoid that can really help.

The canine epilepsy support group where a wonderful help to me with advice on everything or just a sympathetic person on the end of the phone when you are desperate.

I dont have an up to date phone no but have yayood it and they now have a web site,

A simple change of diet to a low protien food can help and also not using any chemical flea sprays but CESG will be right up to date with everything.

Good luck to your friend

 

[rocky]

hi TC

my 10 year old whippet started these 'grand mal' fits early this year and I was devastasted. Again my vet started him on a low dose of phenobarbitone but fits kept occuring every 3 weeks. Until one dreadful week-end when he continuous fitted. My vet 'loaded' him on a much stronger dose and introduced KBR (pottasium bromide) tablets. This had a much better effect although the side effects of the KBR has made him very unsteady on his back legs.

H e now only fits when something big affects his life, a long tiring day, thunderstorms, visitors with dogs which get him excited etc., Although the fits are now only petit mal ones and I can hold him and support him and he hardly ever loses concsioudness, only stiffens and shakes.

I have also used valerium and skullcap tincture, this was recommended by the wonderful epilepsy support group (if you don't get their tel number, I will find it out for you) and also a low protein diet. In my case, just chappie and biscuit

meal.

Good luck for the future and if I can help any way I will

 

[~JO~]

I have also used valerium and skullcap tincture, this was recommended by the wonderful epilepsy support group (if you don't get their tel number, I will find it out for you) and also a low protein diet.  In my case, just chappie and biscuit meal.

Good luck for the future and if I can help any way I will

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

For epilepsy it is the Scullcap & Valerian tablets from Dorwest as these are the ONLY herbal medicine to be licensed for epilepsy and has been since 1972

 

[TC]

Please do not get caught up in the homeopathic route. A recent Dept of Health/BMA meta survey (where they collate all the available relevant data) proved that homeopathic remedies are not as effective as placebos in humans. Dogs do not understand language like we do and so will not succumb to the placebo effect. I know you are trying to to best for your dog, but homeopathy simply will not work, you may as well buy snake oil! The only thing you could hope for is a placebo effect on yourself where you kid yourself your dog is healthier than it really is. A dangerous position to be in. Stick with standard vetinary practice on this one and spend your money on making your dogs life more comfortable, more treats, extra blanket, new coat, whatever.
Sorry to play the black arab but charlatans prey on the needy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Hi Mr Whippy,

Thanks for your post.

Firstly, this is not my dog, as I stated.

Secondly, the dog is being treated by traditional veterinary medicine.

And finally, whilst I appreciate your opinion, I think you have made a very broad sweeping statement that is just that, your opinion.

I suggested to my boss that she might be interested in trying some alternative remedy in addition to the pheno with her vet's consent.

I have used herbal and homeopathic remedies and contrary to your statement, they have worked wonders :thumbsup: A running dog specialist actually said that they had never seen bone knit so quickly and so well after taking xrays of my dogs foot after he snapped off the end of his toe. He was treated with Symphytum from the day following the accident, and the vet now advises this for all bone injuries :thumbsup:

I also wonder where we would be without the wonders of arnica 8)

I just think people reading this may feel that your opinion is fact, and so felt that it should be made clear that it is just your thoughts on the matter :thumbsup:

Many thanks for your input.

TCx

 

[TC]

I had a spaniel who had epilepsy and it is really horrible, but there are things you can do and things you can avoid that can really help.
The canine epilepsy support group where a wonderful help to me with advice on everything or just a sympathetic person on the end of the phone when you are desperate.

I dont have an up to date phone no but have yayood it and they now have a web site,

A simple change of diet to a low protien food can help and also not using any chemical flea sprays but CESG will be right up to date with everything.

Good luck to your friend 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Thanks

I have sent her a link :thumbsup:

TCx

 

[TC]

hi TC
my 10 year old whippet started these 'grand mal' fits early this year and I was devastasted.    Again my vet started him on a low dose of phenobarbitone but fits kept occuring every 3 weeks.  Until one dreadful week-end when he continuous fitted.    My vet 'loaded' him on a much stronger dose and introduced KBR (pottasium bromide) tablets.    This had a much better effect although the side effects of the KBR has made him very unsteady on his back legs.

H e now only fits when something big affects his life, a long tiring day, thunderstorms, visitors with dogs which get him excited etc.,    Although the fits are now only petit mal ones and I can hold him and support him and he hardly ever loses concsioudness, only stiffens and shakes.

I have also used valerium and skullcap tincture, this was recommended by the wonderful epilepsy support group (if you don't get their tel number, I will find it out for you) and also a low protein diet.  In my case, just chappie and biscuit

meal.

Good luck for the future and if I can help any way I will

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Thanks for your well wishes.

Her specialist is suggesting potassium bromide if the increased pheno does not have a good enough effect, so it's good to know it helped in your case, thank you.

TCx

 

[TC]

I have also used valerium and skullcap tincture, this was recommended by the wonderful epilepsy support group (if you don't get their tel number, I will find it out for you) and also a low protein diet.   In my case, just chappie and biscuit

meal.

Good luck for the future and if I can help any way I will

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

For epilepsy it is the Scullcap & Valerian tablets from Dorwest as these are the ONLY herbal medicine to be licensed for epilepsy and has been since 1972

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

I got her some today Jo :thumbsup:

 

[J.T.]

I've never had a dog with epilepsy but do remember reading in Dogs Today a few years ago that Cranberry juice can help with the condition. Someone wrote in saying they had tried pretty much everything & was on the point of having their dog PTS & then discovered cranberry. I think it was a teaspoon of juice in some milk & apparently the fits almost stopped. It's something to do with the electrical impulses in the brain & the cranberry is supposed to help the impulses get through.

Sorry if this is very vague but it was quite a few years ago :b

It certainly shouldn't do any harm anyway.

I hope the dog is ok :luck:

 

[Mr Whippy]

Hi Mr Whippy,

Thanks for your post.

Firstly, this is not my dog, as I stated.

Secondly, the dog is being treated by traditional veterinary medicine.

And finally, whilst I appreciate your opinion, I think you have made a very broad sweeping statement that is just that, your opinion.

I suggested to my boss that she might be interested in trying some alternative remedy in addition to the pheno with her vet's consent.

I have used herbal and homeopathic remedies and contrary to your statement, they have worked wonders :thumbsup: A running dog specialist actually said that they had never seen bone knit so quickly and so well after taking xrays of my dogs foot after he snapped off the end of his toe. He was treated with Symphytum from the day following the accident, and the vet now advises this for all bone injuries :thumbsup:

I also wonder where we would be without the wonders of arnica 8)

I just think people reading this may feel that your opinion is fact, and so felt that it should be made clear that it is just your thoughts on the matter :thumbsup:

Many thanks for your input.

TCx

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Thanks for your reply, may I clarify some areas.

My response is more than an opinion as it is based on evidence, proved using double blind scientific methology. The only opinion in my post is my fear that the homeopathic remedy may have a placebo effect on the owner.

Secondly, there is a world of difference between herbal medicine and homeopathy. Many modern day medicines have herbal origins; asprin and morphine to name two. Homeopathy, using small amounts of what ails you to make you better eg bach flower remedies fail on two counts.

1. The dilution to a factor of 10^30 removes any trace of the so called active component. Please noone degrade this thread by mentionin water memory, it has been disproven many times.

2. As stated in my original post, homeopathy has been proven by meta survey to have less effect than a placebo. No matter how clever you think your dog is, he does not understand "this pill will make you better"

I must reiterate my plea to all that read this, beware homeopathy. It may have a placebo effect on you which could be to the detriment of yor dog.

My best wishes to you all, especially the op. I hope the dog in question is comfortable

Ian