How to calm my dog down?

Fire_Fox

Studies have linked behaviour and diet in dogs - IIRC lower protein - and there have been reports of an additive-free diet being of benefit. There are nutrients which are proven to help trigger the release of 'calming' hormones in the human brain, plus research suggesting diet can play a significant role in reducing the frequency of fitting in human epilepsy. I agree with ThereGoesTrouble, caution should be exercised so perhaps your vet might be willing to refer you to a vet nutritionist?

KVet

Charlie1986 wrote: »

Morning everyone, had a much better night last night (Thank goodness). He didn't wake me up until 6am . He was put on the KBR because his Phenobarbital weren't in the theraputic range. Though he had only had 1 seizure in 5 months. He's had Epilepsy for approx 3 years now but I still feel fairly new too all this. I just trust my vet and do what he says but I have that 'feeling' about these new tablets. I'm not sure about the BARF diet as I read he has to have fairly low protein? I will ask the vet tommorow when I ring them. He's sleeping at the moment, seems all his activity yesterday has worn him out :rolleyes:

See I would probably have left him then. If hes only had 1 seizure in 5 months then hes pretty well controlled. Its up to your own vet really but some dogs are controlled well even though the phenobarb seems below the theraputic range. Its working out whats best for him by clinical signs along with blood tests, I wouldnt just rely on the blood tests alone. Hope things work out!

There_Goes_Trouble

Personally I wouldn't have changed things either if he had one seizure in five months as that seems fairly minimal to me, but then I am not a vet, just someone who has had a lot of contact with a lot of dogs through my job over the years, has learned a lot in that time and who asks a lot of questions....

Charlie1986

My vet is good but doesn't explain things to me, just gives me the tablets and tells me to give them to my dog morning and evening. Little did I know the Epiphen would actually knock him out for a few days so he couldn't even walk down the street, his hunger would increase and he would drink more. I've found all this out through researching it on the web. I also now know that Epiphen needs giving exactly every 12 hours and KBR should be given with food so as not to make him sick.
He has been quite calm today, seems that my dressing gown is like a comfort blanket to him and he has been cuddled up on this :rolleyes:. He did have quite a tantrum at about 4.30pm where my coffee table contents got a hammering! :rotfl:.
I'm definately ringing the vet in the morning to discuss the tablets and to get some advice on a food to give him that he can settle down with. I may also try and venture out with him and just hope he doesn't have me over in the snow

There_Goes_Trouble

Charlie1986 wrote: »

My vet is good but doesn't explain things to me, just gives me the tablets and tells me to give them to my dog morning and evening. Little did I know the Epiphen would actually knock him out for a few days so he couldn't even walk down the street, his hunger would increase and he would drink more. I've found all this out through researching it on the web. I also now know that Epiphen needs giving exactly every 12 hours and KBR should be given with food so as not to make him sick.

That's dreadful, and to be honest that would be enough to make me look for another vet. Although I do accept some reponsibilty for asking questions eg 'what are the side effects of this medication', the basics of how to administer meds such as epiphen and KBR should be explained to you clearly before you leave the surgery with them. It's really important to get the epiphen doses at 12 hour intervals, one dog I rehomed (I used to be a rehoming officer for a charity) the owner simply couldn't get the hang of this no matter how often I told her and the dog's seizures just got worse and worse. Eventually she couldn't cope and the dog came back, was rehomed and is now very well controlled on a minimal dose of epiphen and leads an almost normal life.

You may find that now you are getting the epiphen dose correct that the seizures stabalise (although as said before, one seizure in 5 months does not sound unstable to me anyway!) and you can drop the KBR, but again I say, I am not a vet so do not take my advice as gospel and do not alter your dogs meds based on anything I say, use my comments as a starting point for discussion with your vet.

(My vets must dread me coming in, I'm one of those owners who knows a bit, so won't accept anything they say without questioning all the alternatives first!! Unless of course I think I know what is wrong and the vet is saying what I though..... nightmare owner for the vets!! Hehe I do try not to be... my vets are fab!!)

Fire_Fox

IMHO explanations of the implications of a condition and prescribed medications are an integral part of being a good vet or indeed GP - it's not just about being able to choose the right battery of tests or make an accurate diagnosis! Get a new vet.

Charlie1986

I've been thinking about changing vet for a while now but scared to in a way as he has been with this vet since his epilepsy started so they have all his records. I think actually being told that a new vet would be an idea has sort of made my decision though Any tips on how to find a good vet? Also will it affect his insurance if I change vet, the last thing I want to do is not be covered for the epilepsy.

KVet

If you move vets your new vets will request a copy of his notes + records so that isn't a problem. Also changing vets will NOT affect your insurance policy as it has nothing to do with them - your contract is with the insurance policy not the vets.

There_Goes_Trouble

Ask around for a recommendation for a vets, if you're out dog walking and meet other owners, ask them who they use and how they find them. Also, spend an afternoon visiting your local vets surgeries and get an impression of them, just pop in and explain that you're looking for a practice in the area and could they give you an idea of prices e.g for vaccinations/worming and other routine treatments like that. Cost may not be something you'll base your decision on but it will give you the opportunity to see if they are helpful, friendly and chatty or not, or if you feel like you're being a nuicence to them... although you will prob only speak to one receptionist/nurse so not always an indication of the attitude of the whole surgery. Also ask them what their out of hours arrangements are, if they don't do their own out of hours cover then how who does and far could you end up travelling to find a vet? I think that's important as you don't want to be struggling to find an emergency vet when you're in the middle of an emergency.... do it in advance so you're prepared. And do they do home visits to your area in case you even can't get your dog to them (important for you in case your dog ever had a bad seizure and you can't move him).

There's always google as well... you might find a review although I'm never sure how much to trust on-line reviews!!

Good luck!

paddypaws101

I agree totally that a vet who just prescribes drugs without explaining and discussing options is only doing half a job. I would not go back to a vet if I was treated in that way.I do think that as owners we need to educate ourselves at least a little about the medical conditions our pets have, and the medications on offer. This means we can have a 2 way discussion with a vet...ok they are always going to know far more than us but at least we can have meaningful input into how our animal is treated.
I would go as far as asking for a quick word with the vet in person when researching a new practice. Ask how many other epileptic dogs they treat for example.