Holistic treatment for canine epilepsy? (boxer, bite, vet, diet)

[Squirl]

I have a foster boxer with epilepsy. Someone in my rescue network mentioned there are herbs that have been successfully used to manage epilepsy rather than pheonbarb. -- which can cause liver damage. Anyone know of such alternate treatments for canine epilepsy. Sure would love to get his condition managed so maybe he could find a forever home. He is a total lovebug.

[Marleys Mum]

Hey Squirl,
I am trying to find a really interesting article that I read quite recently about how diet can play a part in controlling epilepsy in dogs, It was a very interesting article, i may have to PM to with it when I find it.

The other option to explore would be maybe essential oils? I guess keeping any dog calm will help as Epilepsy can be exacerabated by stress. maybe a DAP Diffuser / collar, or maybe an oil burner with lavender?

In the meantime i hope the attached articles that may be of help

Naturally Treating Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy Remedies

[Col.W.Deering]

My MinPin suffers with Fly Bite seizures, which is another form of epilepsy. She can't take Phenobarbital anymore, since last year we almost lost her to liver failure. I asked my vet if there is anything out there that is vitamin or herbal that would at least cut down the length and number of seizures, and she stated there was a professor at the University of Florida who has made a cocktail of vitamins and herbs that can be given as a supplement. I'll try to get more information about it, but I think the vitamin cocktail has B6, manganese and magnesium in it.

[Racelady88]

Acupuncture works wonders for reducing seizures. I have a friend that had an epileptic dog that went many years without a seizure after beginning acupuncture.

[Alley01]

I would check with your local veterinary school. Their hospitals often have studies going on or they have great recommendations for veterinarians who specialize in such things. Some of the best advice we have gotten for our fosters and our own dogs have been from the schools. Our regular vet isn't constantly keeping up on new studies, etc.

Sometimes, you may end up having to correspond with one further away from you for more information. I also look at the journal articles on google scholar for more current information and e-mail the authors directly.

Underlying Causes for Seizures

It may be worth contacting this veterinarian from the University of Tennessee since it appears he has a vested interest in this very topic. I have had to correspond with them on another case before and they are very helpful. I wouldn't go the herbal route until I knew 100% what was going on. Our regular vet has misdiagnosed several things that weren't nearly as common just because he didn't have experience with them.

Good Luck!