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Are you worried about your dog having seizures or epilepsy? If yes, then you should read this article. The term ‘seizure’ refers to abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. These discharges cause involuntary movements and convulsions and affect the senses, such as vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and balance. Not every dog owner knows what to do when their dog shows symptoms of epilepsy. So, we have discussed 6 remedies for epilepsy and seizure in dogs in this article.

Try Food Therapy

Food therapy is a holistic approach to healing. It involves feeding your dog with natural food that contains all the nutrients it needs. This includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, and enzymes.

The best foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve brain function. You can get these oils from fish oil supplements or flaxseed oil. Also, you can feed your dog fresh fruits and vegetables, as they’re rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Though you might not see changes immediately, you’ll notice improvements in your dog’s health over time.

You can further consult an expert nutritionist if you want to give your dog more special diets. They will be able to recommend the correct type of food for your dog based on his age, weight, breed, and lifestyle.

Try Acupuncture

You must have heard of acupuncture before, but you probably didn’t know you could try it on your dog. This ancient Chinese practice uses needles to stimulate points along the body’s meridians. When stimulated, they release endorphins and serotonin into the bloodstream.

Acupuncturists believe that stimulating these points helps release energy blockages in the body. In turn, it reduces stress and improves overall health.

Besides relieving stress, acupuncture treats epilepsy in both animals and humans. A study published showed that acupuncture reduced seizures in rats.

However, there are some risks associated with acupuncture. Some practitioners perform acupuncture without sterilizing the needles first. This negligence could introduce bacteria into the bloodstream and cause more harm.

So, if your dog suffers from epilepsy, ask your vet whether acupuncture is safe for him and if a professional would be carrying it out.

Use CBD

CBD is a compound found naturally in cannabis plants that may help reduce epileptic activity in clinical trials. It may work by binding to receptors on neurons and blocking them from firing. In doga, it may also treat insomnia, pain, inflammation, and other conditions.

CBD has several products, including tinctures, capsules, gummies, and powder. However, the easiest way to allow your dog to enjoy CBD benefits is by giving it the tincture product. If you don’t know how to use it for your dog, you’ll find a guide on taking CBD tinctures online, to check out more, click effects of CBD gummies on kids.

It’s important to note that CBD is not psychoactive like THC. So it won’t make your dog feel high. Instead, it will calm down its nervous system.

It may take several weeks before CBD starts working, but you can try it if your dog has had two or more seizures within 24 hours.

Medications

Many anti-seizure drugs are available today. They include valproic acid, phenobarbital, clonazepam, and levetiracetam.

These medications reduce the number of electrical signals going through the brain. If used correctly, your dog will experience fewer seizures until it eventually fades. You can give your dog these drugs by dissolving them in water or mixing them with food.

If you choose this option, make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Don’t give too much medication at once; monitor your dog closely after it takes it.

Try Chinese Herbal Formulas

Chinese herbal formulas are another way to treat epilepsy in dogs. These remedies use herbs to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain. They may also help prevent seizures.

However, it would help if you only used them under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. These herbs include ginkgo Biloba, St John’s wort, ginseng, and licorice.

They may work better than conventional medicine because they target many symptoms instead of one. However, you should only use them for your dog under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Talk to the Vet About Other Treatments

Some epileptic conditions are severe that normal home remedies can’t treat. In this case, you need to speak with the vet about other treatments.  For example, if your dog has frequent seizures, it might need surgery. This procedure aims to remove part of the brain where the seizure originates.

Other options include using a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Both procedures involve implanting electrodes directly into the brain. The VNS sends mild electric impulses to the vagus nerve; the nerve controls the heart rate and regulates blood pressure. By sending these impulses, the VNS slows the heartbeat and lowers blood pressure.

However, the DBS stimulates specific areas of the brain. It works like an implantable pacemaker and uses electricity to stimulate specific brain parts.

These treatments are most effective for dogs with intractable epilepsy. They help control their seizures even when they’re not taking any medication.

Conclusion

Epilepsy and seizure in dogs can cause so much worry for the owners. However, the good news is that you can treat these conditions without spending a fortune. Try these remedies and witness your dog living its best life after.

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