The adrenal glands help your pet's body adapt to stress through the release of natural steroids and hormones which affect every cell, tissue and organ in your pet's body. With chronic stress or neurological dysfunction, the adrenals can become stress and/or fatigued, resulting in strain on many body systems including the pituitary, parotid and thyroid glands, the endocrine system, the autonomic nervous system, the liver, the duodenum and the kidneys. 

With the presentation of seizures, plant botanicals may help soothe, relieve irregularity and provide multi-level support for many bodily systems, including Adrenal, Cardiovascular, Digestive, Excretory, Respiratory and the Autonomic and Central Nervous Systems due to its calming, mildly sedative and nervine effects to help soothe the brain, also functioning as a neurological tonic for conditions related to epilepsy and seizures.

Seizures are a neurological disorder caused by abnormal interruptions and electrical disturbances in the brain. When a mild or severe seizure occurs, neurons (nerve cells) in the brain send and receive electrical impulses in the body which interferes with the normal brain processes. Seizures can affect both dogs and cats and can be extremely upsetting for pets and pet parents.

Epilepsy is characterized as a disorder where two or more seizures occur. When your pet is affected by seizures, your pet will lose control of muscles and may experience jerking, confusion, disorientation, twitching, thrashing and paddling with their feet. They will also salivate, urinate or defecate. Seizures can affect animals once in their lifetime or occur  with regularity, lasting for minutes or even up to 24 hours.

When more than one seizure occurs in 24 hours, it is known as cluster seizures. Three or more seizures after each other or a seizure that continues for more than 30 minutes is known as status epilepticus. It is imperative that you consult your vet immediately if your pet exhibits any signs of epilepsy so that he can receive medical attention.

As soon as you notice any symptoms associated with seizures or odd behavioral changes, consult your vet immediately. If seizure attacks are treated early, they can be managed and your pet can continue to enjoy good health and quality of life.

Types of epilepsy:

There are various types of seizures that differ in intensity. Epileptic seizures may be classified into either generalized or partial episodes:

Generalized seizures occur frequently in dogs and cats and there are a number of variations of these seizures which include grand mal (tonic clonic), tonic, clonic, mycoclonic and petit mal (absence seizures).

Grand mal seizures are the most common form of seizures in cats and dogs. The seizure begins with loss of consciousness and contraction of the skeletal muscles.

This causes the animal to fall on his side with its limbs extended and head back, known as the tonic phase. During the tonic phase, the animal may often drool excessively, experience loss of bowel and bladder control, and vomit. The tonic phase is followed by the clonic phase which is characterized by jerking of the muscles, paddling or running movements of the legs or clamping of the jaws.

Partial Seizures are also referred to as focal seizures and remain localized or spread to other parts of the body. It causes repeated twitching movements and is often so subtle that you may hardly notice it all.

There are many conditions and factors that may contribute to epilepsy, including:

Hereditary

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)

Infections

Fungal disease

Viral or inflammatory disorders

Cysts

Severe worm infestation

Anemia

Encephalitis

Head trauma

Brain abscess or tumor

Rabies

Vitamin deficiencies

Liver disease

Renal failure

Toxoplasmosis

Metabolic disorders

Poisoning

Toxins such as fertilizers, pesticides, arsenic, chocolate and strychnine

Metal poisoning related to exposure to lead, mercury, copper and aluminum

Herbal Nutrition - (listed in order of relevance and recommendation by holistic vets - human grade meets/exceeds highest safety criteria for pets)

Herbal remedies have been used as a gentler alternative to conventional prescription drugs when being added as an adjunctive to help treat epilepsy, to help relieve neurological dysfunction related to nutritional deficiencies; to help soothe the brain and help improve neurological health; to help pallatively reduce the symptoms of epilepsy and seizure disorders; to help support the natural equilibrium and balance of the nervous system for cats and dogs and to help promote balanced immune health. 

Soothed & Serene  – (learn more) is used to relax and calm all bodily systems of an anxious animal, particularly the Central, Autonomic, Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems, as well as for its positive effects to relax the endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive, excretory & respiratory systems; used holistically to help soothe animals exhibiting all types of  destructive behavior due to anxiety, fear, grief, separation, pain, illness, allergies, aggression, socialization issues, electrical and thunder storms due to its calming, mildly sedative, nervine effects and alternative to benzodiazepine drugs; as a nutritive to help bridge nutritional deficiencies and relieve irregularity in bodily systems;  helps restore emotional balance, promotes comfort, relaxation, balanced mood and feelings of security; helps protect the blood brain barrier, important in preventing plaque buildup in the brain related to cognitive decline and as a stroke preventative. 

Serenity Zen Dog & Cat - (learn more) is used for its multi-level nutritional and plant botanical support that works on all animal body systems to help soothe, relax, calm, balance and provide pain relief to nerves and muscles (Adrenal, Cardiovascular, Digestive, Excretory, Respiratory, Autonomic and Central Nervous Systems); may be useful for stress, anxiety and behavioral disorders; may be helpful in reducing the effects of allergies, digestive colic, storms, fireworks, travel, boarding, vet visits, separation, restlessness, irritability, depression, hyper-excitability, aggression, sadness and fear; to help address and reduce pain; to help maintain normal electrical balance in the brain, to reduce neuro inflammation,  and to modulate inflammatory response throughout the animal body.

MULUNGU POWDER - (learn more) may help play a positive role in addressing conditional needs of epilepsy and seizure disorder as one of its primary plant chemicals is anti-convulsant. According to PubMed studies, neural mechanisms related to the frequency of epileptic seizures involve alterations in inhibitory and/or excitatory neurotransmitter pathways. As a primary GABA neurotransmitter inhibitor, MUulungu may help relax and help inhibit the neural pathways which are over threshold, which may lead to seizure and epilepsy disorders. 

I AM A ROCK STAR - (learn more) helps to support and nourish the endocrine system; helps support adrenal and thyroid gland health and response to stress and metabolic demand, helps support proper HPA (Hypothalmic Pituitary and Adrenal) gland function, helps support glandular ability to rebuild and regenerate, helps promote hormonal balance, helps regulate stress on liver, kidney and digestive functions by reducing thirst and excessive elimination, may help promote cognitive function and memory performance, may help balance blood sugar levels, may lend support to the pancreas in cases of dysfunction; for natural energy in all life stages of pets, but especially adult, senior and convalescing dogs and cats, may help increase muscle use, ability and stamina, helps provide anti-inflammatory and immune support, and may help maintain overall healthy adrenal, central nervous, digestive, immune and reproductive systems.

Conventional Remedies:

The diagnoses of seizures are based on the pet’s symptoms, thorough physical and neurological examination as a detailed review of the medical history. A number of tests which include x-rays, blood tests, CAT scan, MRI, EEG or a spinal tap are performed. Certain tests may also be performed to rule out other illnesses that may be the cause of seizures, such as hypoglycaemia and insulinoma.

The aim of treatment is to reduce the frequency, duration and severity of seizures. Your vet will most likely prescribe oral anti-convulsive medications such as Phenobarbital, Diazepam and Potassium Bromide that must be administered daily. In cases where seizures are prolonged, injectable drugs may be administered intravenously.

Once the diagnosis of epilepsy has been confirmed, your veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate anti-convulsant therapy for your pet.

If your pet experiences mild seizures, anticonvulsive therapy may be recommended while anti-convulsive medications such as Diazepam, Phenobarbitone and Potassium Bromide may be prescribed to reduce the severe, frequent epileptic seizures. It would also be useful to monitor your pet’s behavior closely and keep a journal of his seizure activity. 

Keep in mind that these drugs cannot be discontinued or skipped without the supervision of your vet. It is also recommended that you keep a journal of your pet’s seizure activity and monitor his behavior closely. Many of these drugs may eventually cause damage to the liver and regular liver tests may be useful.