Hi Diana, You did not say how old Fidelio is, and age plays into the diet as well as epilepsy. My BooBoo is almost 10 years old therefore, he is a little less active requiring a maintenance diet. The only supplement I give is Chrondroctin/Glycosamine and I give this to all my dogs. Studies have shown that some types of epilepsy respond to vitamin B6. Also, a deficiency of B6 or an interference with its function can cause seizure activity. I feed Solid Golds Holistic Blendz dry kibble to BooBoo. I feed twice a day; a light meal of kibble in the morning; and a dinner consisting of cooked meat (chicken, fish or beef) mixed with carrots, beans, potatoes and/or squash and yogurt. I only feed fresh, washed vegetables and fruits, not canned or frozen which may have added salt, sugars or preservatives. Once a week I treat meals with a hard boiled egg and a sardine. Dogs treats are homemade liver cookies.
The following may help you make a determination on whether or not to proceed with an MRI: There are two types of epilepsy: Primary epilepsy: also known as idiopathic, genetic, inherited, or true epilepsy. There are no positive diagnostic findings that will substantiate the diagnosis of Primary epilepsy. It is a case of ruling out other possibilities. And Secondary epilepsy referring to seizures for which a cause can be determined, i.e..: Toxic (lead, arsenic), infectious (distemper, encephalitis), traumatic (acute injury), metabolic (hypoglycemia, cardiovascular arrhythmia). Studies in Switzerland at the University of Berne show that Idiopathic Epilepsy has a polygenic, recessive mode of inheritance in the BMD. The diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is based upon the clinical signs and ruling out other known causes of seizures through neurological testing, laboratory tests, computed tomography (CT) scans and MRI scans to examine the skull and brain. When the results of the examinations and tests have been analyzed, one of three conclusions are drawn: a definitive diagnosis, a potential cause of seizures requiring further tests to confirm, or no suggestion of a cause. - U of OH. The most dramatic improvement in BooBoo was seen when the use of pesticides (i.e. heart worm, flea & tick, fertilizer) was eliminated and his vaccination schedule was changed to a minimal program. It was almost a given for BooBoo to seize shortly after his annual booster vaccine. His last seizure was two weeks after a rabies vaccination. Annual checking of titer levels has replaced BooBoos annual vaccination schedule. Changing a vaccination program is not usually a topic of discussion between dog owner and vet. Annual vaccinations are considered to be part of a standard, baseline, health care program for all dogs. But not all dogs are the same. Since birth BooBoo has battled allergies as well as epilepsy. Back then a holistic diet was never suggested by my vet nor was a minimal vaccination program and discontinuing the use of heart worm and flea/tick preventatives was absolutely frowned upon. My current veterinarian has been supportive of my suggestions from the beginning of our relationship, yet, another vet, in the same office, looks down her nose at me for not "protecting" my dog. For an article on considerations in designing a safe vaccination program go to: http://www.ivis.org/advances/Infect_Dis_Carmichael/schultz/chapter_frm.asp?LA= . Avis is also a great website regarding canine health in general. This is just my opinion and what has worked for me over the years. Good luck to you and Fidelio and keep the 'L' posted on his diagnosis. -Denise Subject: Curious....I too have a Berner who has had siezures.... From: Diana Gerba <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 08:07:07 -0800 To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello Denise, I'm glad to hear that BooBoo is doing well. This epilepsy thing is a hard one. My boy, Fidelio has had three siezures all about a minute to a minute in ahalf in length. . . My vet (neurologist) does not want to start him on drugs yet... we are talking about doing an MRI...but I'm not sure if we'd really learn anything. . . . . On my side I've been investigating doing a home diet for him.
