Convulsions in Dogs and Cats

Herbal remedies to help address convulsion, shaking and to help address conditional needs related to epileptic seizures and seizure disorder in cats and dogs.

The adrenal glands help the body adapt to stress through the release of natural steroids and hormones. With chronic stress or neurological dysfunction, the adrenals can become fatigued, affecting many body systems including the pituitary, parotid and thyroid glands, the endocrine system, the autonomic nervous system, the liver, the duodenum and the kidneys.

Plant botanicals 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 for its calming, mildly sedative and nervine effects to soothe the brain, functioning as a neurological tonic for conditions related to epilepsy and seizures.

Convulsions and seizures are a neurological disorder caused by abnormal electrical disturbances in the brain. They affect both dogs and cats and can be extremely frightening for pet owners. When a seizure occurs, neurons (nerve cells) in the brain send and receive electrical impulses in the body which interferes with the normal brain processes.

Epilepsy is a disorder that has increasingly become a common problem for pet owners as it frequently affects the health of dogs and cats. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical disturbances in the brain. Neurons, also called nerve cells in the brain send and receive electrical impulses in the body which interferes with the normal brain processes. This disorder is characterized by seizures which occur intermittently and range in intensity from mild to severe. 

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As a result, your pet will lose control of his muscles and experience jerking, confusion, disorientation, twitching, thrashing and paddling with their feet, salivating, urinating or defecating themselves. Seizures can affect animals once in their lifetime or occur regularly, lasting for a few minutes to having a few episodes that occurs in 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 and these include:

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

Metals such as lead, mercury, copper and aluminium

Helpful suggestions:

Feed your pet premium, quality commercial food or a well balanced all natural diet free of preservatives and colorants. 

Ensure that your pet has regular exercise

Try to remain as calm as possible when your pet is experiencing an epilepsy attack

Monitor the length of time that the seizure is occurring – if it lasts for more than five minutes or three seizures occur in one day, get your pet to the vet immediately as severe hyperthermia can result from prolonged seizures

Ensure that your pet feels safe and comfortable and will not be able to harm himself in any way

Keep sharp objects out of your pet’s way and take care that he will not fall off stairs, furniture or into the pool – move him to a safer area

Educate yourself on epilepsy and seizures and their treatment

Herbal Remedies:

Herbal remedies have been used as a gentler alternative to conventional prescription drugs when treating epilepsy, to soothe the brain and improve neurological health and reduce the symptoms of epilepsy and seizure disorders, to support the natural equilibrium and balance of the nervous system for cats and dogs.

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.

Petabis Organics CBD Hemp Oil - (learn more) CBD Hemp oil is used by holistic veterinarians to help soothe and calm the Central Nervous System, may help address anxiety and pain, may help reduce discomfort associated with joint pain, may help address conditional needs related to seizures, epilepsy and convulsions, may help support immune health, may help support skin and coat health and many benefit digestive health. 

Serenity Zen Meal Topper – (learn more) – is used holistically for its nutritional content to help carry out a read/repair and restore function for imbalance in the body systems; may help relax and calm an anxious, stressed dog or cat due to its calming, mildly sedative and nervine effects which may help relax the Central Nervous, autonomic, sympathetic ("fight or flight"), somatic and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous systems; may help relieve stress triggers in the animal body and its natural plant based tonic actions may help bring all body systems into balance by helping promote feelings of comfort, security and relaxation by soothing the brain, relaxing muscles, and normalizing heart rate and blood pressure; may help reduce general stress and anxiety as well as behavioral responses related to introduction to a new home or family; adaptogen and nutritional content may help reduce restlessness, separation anxiety, stress, panting, whimpering, pacing, panic attacks and depression by cooling stress related protein and excess cortisol production in the body and may help reduce anxiety and fear related to vet, grooming and boarding visits, thunder and lightning storms and fireworks and loud noises; nutritional content may help reduce motion and car sickness commonly experienced by dogs and cats; may help diminish destructive behaviors such as aggression or urine marking; adaptogen content may help relax and soothe the adrenal, cardiovascular, digestive, excretory & respiratory systems, helping to nutritionally and adaptogen content helps support balance in all bodily systems when your pet is anxious or stressed; suitable for all life stages of dogs and cats.

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.

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