Most affected dogs are alike in the onset of generalized tonic clonic seizures in early adulthood up to 5 years of age and require lifelong treatment with antiepileptic drugs aeds.
Idiopathic epilepsy in dogs treatment.
Almost half of the owners reported giving dietary supplements to manage their dog s idiopathic epilepsy.
Epilepsy also known as idiopathic epilepsy is a common cause of seizures in dogs between six months and six years old.
Recurrent seizures caused by idiopathic epilepsy ie affect many different dog breeds worldwide and epilepsy in dogs shares many characteristics with human epilepsies.
Epilepsy is often inherited passed down from a parent.
The most common supplements given were coconut oil fish oil and milk thistle.
Canine idiopathic epilepsy treatment if your dog has only one isolated seizure a thorough medical and neurological exam will be done but no medical treatment will be given.
Epilepsy can t be cured but can usually be managed with medication.
The health of your dog must be monitored and adjusted as need be.
Phenobarbital helps reduce the frequency of your dog s seizures and is the most prescribed medication for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.
19 a study evaluating omega 3 fatty acid supplementation as a treatment for dogs with drug resistant idiopathic epilepsy failed to identify a difference in seizure frequency or severity compared with placebo.
Imepitoin acts in a similar manner to previous anti epileptic medicines potassium bromide and phenobarbital in that it works to suppress electrical activity in the brain.
Recovery of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs recovery and management means ongoing treatment for your dog will be a continuous routine.
It is generally a well tolerated drug.
The first medications your vet can legally prescribe to treat your dog s epilepsy in the eu are either imepitoin or phenobarbital.
Medical treatment is generally recommended for dogs who have more than one seizure per month.
Potassium bromide is another seizure medication that may be added to your dog s treatment if she does not respond well to phenobarbital alone.
Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation has also been proposed as a treatment for epilepsy as both eicosapentanoic acid epa and docosahexaenoic acid dha can reduce neuronal excitability by modulating ionic channels and have been shown to have an anticonvulsant effect in rodent models.
Unlike other treatments for canine epilepsy pexion contains the active ingredient imepitoin.
For most dogs epilepsy is a lifelong disease requiring a regimented routine of care and treatment as prescribed by your veterinarian.
You will be advised to watch your dog closely for signs of any future seizures.