MEDICINES FOR EPILEPSY FOR CATS AND DOGS~~~~(CONTINUES)

Can I Ever Stop Giving My Pet Medications?

Pets that were put on long term phenobarbital because their pet had one seizure probably shouldn't be on it at all. But if your pet had multiple seizures that were determined to be idiopathic epilepsy, I suggest not attempting to lower or discontinue medications until your pet has been free of seizures for a year.

Do not change or discontinue medications without the knowledge of your veterinarian.

If a seizure reoccurs, your pet will need its medications for life.

What Should I Do During The Seizure?

When a seizure occurs, owners tend to over-react. Their first inclination is to rush the pet to an emergency veterinary center. Luckily, most epileptic seizures last only a few minutes. One to three minute seizures are most common. Those that last five to ten minutes are less common.

Those that last longer than 5 minutes can become medical emergencies if these pets may have trouble breathing.

Your first concern is NOT TO BE BITTEN. If your pet or a neighbor’s pet develops a seizure begin by placing the pet’s head on a soft folded towel or pillow. You may carry the pet in a blanket to a tiled area so as not to soil the carpet or rug.

Then remove all objects that surround the pet so it will not injure itself. Do not put your hands into the pet’s mouth or you are very likely to be bitten.

It is quite rare for a dog to “swallow” its tongue but if the pet should turn bluish you can use an inverted spoon to manipulate the tongue. If this is not sufficient and the dog is still having difficulty breathing open the mouth by passing two towels through the mouth and pulling on them – one up, one down - to force the mouth open. Your pet doesn't recognize you during seizures -

DON'T GET BITTEN !

You can gently stroke and speak calmly and softly to your pet. But the pet will not know you are present until the seizure begins to subside.

Keep the room darkened and keep other family members away. You can already position some paper towels and warm soapy water on a wash stand beyond the pet’s reach to help clean up any mess.

Owners that have experienced "break-through" seizures in their pets often have injectable diazepam issued to them to break seizures. In emergencies, some have been instructed in how to insert a diazepam tablet rectally to break a seizure. Do not give tablets by mouth while a pet is having a seizure.

How Soon Should I Start To Think About Medicating My Pet?

This is a difficult question to answer. I generally suggest that dogs and cats receive anti-seizure medications if they have two or more seizures within an 8-week period or two or more cluster seizures within a 12-week period. Dogs and cats that show unusually severe ictal or post ictal periods should also begin medication. It is a decision best left up to your veterinarian.