Dog Community

My Ongoing Siezure Saga

Posted : 3/22/2006 2:35:41 PM

Hello All,
It's been a while since I have posted here as most of my time has been dedicated to finding a solution for my Sheppard. Thanks to Callie and all who have helped so far.
The Readers Digest version of up til today is this. I have a 3 year old male German Sheppard, Rex, who started having siezures last July. All his bloodwork is normal, no thyroid, no this, no that, just siezures. He's been to Neurolgists, gets accupuncture, takes meds, blah,blah. Nothing has really helped until lately. He started on Phenobarb, but just couldn't handle it. He now takes Potassium Bromide. His accupuncturist put him on Dai Tan Tang, and herbal tea, which didn't do much. Out of desperation, I ordered a herbal siezure formula on the net, and he went 3 weeks without a siezure. That is his record!. They were coming every 10 days, then 5 and now this. Well, my vet went into absolute hystarics. I thought she would be happy that after spending countless hours and thousands of dollars, something was helping, but NOOOOO!!!!!!! SOoooooo anyway, my question to you fine folks is, has anyone ever used herbal remedies purchased online? The claim is since they are all natural, they can do no harm. Sounds good, but Pit Viper venom is all natural as is belladonna. Anycow, all comments, ideas appreciated. ANDDDDDD the other problem is, he has blown up to 153 lbs. It seemed to start when he was taking the Dai Tan Tang. Our vet accused us of over feeding him, but that's not the case. In fact, he eats (not by choice) an amount suitable for a MinPin. He just doesn't seem to metabalize food, but again, no medical problems can be found. What do you do about this? I have to walk him several miles a day. This is getting very time consuming and expensive. I'm sure someday though, it will work out. Maybe one of you has the answers! Thanks!

Jaime C.

Posted : 3/22/2006 5:55:54 PM

Wow! Glad to hear something is helping to control your boys seizures!

My suggestion to you would be to find another vet. I know my vet would have been more than intrested to finding other options than the Phenobarb or P.Brom.

The weight is an issue, and sounds like something is messing with his metabolism or something. I would be angry that the vet accused me of overfeeding...sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with your dog!

Get a second opinion. And congrats on going 3 weeks seizure free!!!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/22/2006 7:28:27 PM

That weight gain would have me very worried. What does his bloodwork look like? Have you had a 6 panel thyroid check run???

If you already said that and I missed it, I'm sorry

dyan

Posted : 3/22/2006 8:10:52 PM

,,,,,,,,,,,,,yeah,,,,, I second that motion of getting another opinion! I just hate the fact that your vet was not happy that somehow, someone found something to help your dog,,, even if it wan't him!!!
There used to be a person or two on the board that used to do herbs and natural things,,,,but I haven't seen them around for a while. I do agree, just because they are natural does NOT mean that they will always be safe.
I hope someone on this board has information for you, I wish I did.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/22/2006 8:15:12 PM

What is the natural remedy called? I use Rescue Remedy for Emma, and it seems to help, significantly. I've given it during her pre ictal behavior, and actually stopped a seizure from happening. I also use it before I know there's going to be a stress, and between seizures to prevent clusters.

Jaime C.

Posted : 3/22/2006 10:08:21 PM

ORIGINAL: Shaggy_Dog

Wow! Glad to hear something is helping to control your boys seizures!

My suggestion to you would be to find another vet. I know my vet would have been more than intrested to finding other options than the Phenobarb or P.Brom.

The weight is an issue, and sounds like something is messing with his metabolism or something. I would be angry that the vet accused me of overfeeding...sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with your dog!

Get a second opinion. And congrats on going 3 weeks seizure free!!!

I agree about the weight gain, and the concern...I just realized how ditzy I sounded about the vet saying you are overfeeding and doing a great job. I did not mean that having the weight gain was not a big deal.

It does sound like you are doing a wonderful job with your boy...dont get me wrong.

Good luck finding the cause for the weight gain....I do hope you look around for a second opinion.

Lauri S.

Posted : 3/23/2006 8:10:41 AM

It's actually called DI Tan Tang. I did a quick Google search and found this link. I don't have Powerpoint installed on this machine so I can't view the whole presentation BUT - I did notice, in the Google preview, that is said this: "Di Tan Tang (TCM phenobarbital)". If it's the TCM version of Pheno it probably DOES have serious side effects. Don't know that for sure - just an educated guess.

Here's a link - if you have Powerpoint you can then use the link on the page to view the show:

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:uCCCwWvrdlEJ:neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/chi-files/AP-neurology/Acupuncture-for-Neurological-Disorders-extra-long.ppt+Di+Tan+Tang&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=6

Gail

Posted : 3/23/2006 9:19:39 AM

It sounds like you've discontinued the Di Tan Tang and purchased a different herbal supplement? What is it that you're giving now?

I agree - just because it's all natural doesn't mean it is side-effect or hazard free.

I, too, think it would be wise to get a second opionion - perhaps from a holistic vet or at least an allopathic vet that is open to more than just conventional prescriptions.

bongobob

Posted : 3/23/2006 10:46:25 AM

For those that asked what the product is, it's called "Vet Select Seizure Formula" and is available at [linkhttp://www.allergicpet.com]www.allergicpet.com[/link]. The ingredients are buplerum,peony,cinamom twig, tang-kuei, fu-shen, scute,pinella,chih-shih, ginseng, atractylodes,licorice (yum), scorpion (yuk),silkworm,lapis, and arisaema. This is basically the Dai Tan Tang with a few additives. Seems to work so far. I can't seem to find much info on the web about side effects of herbal stuff though.

This has been an interesting journey though. As I said before, there's "Nothing wrong" with REX as far as anything vets can find. Blood work is perfect, but there's something wrong! Here's a real kicker. He was VERY weak in his hind quarters. He had almost no pulse in his back legs. Accupuncture fixed that.

The search for a new vet is on. However, there are very few where I live and non are taking new patients. ARGH!

I'll keep all posted and thanks

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/23/2006 12:02:25 PM

I can't seem to find much info on the web about side effects of herbal stuff though.

That has to do with the fact that there are very few studies on herbal supplements and remedies.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/23/2006 12:02:56 PM

Blood work is perfect, but there's something wrong! Here's a real kicker. He was VERY weak in his hind quarters. He had almost no pulse in his back legs.

Isn't that a side effect of KBr???