Seizure Information and Resources
01/01/2008

written by Anne Janis and Dawn Fincher

This article was written in 2008. Please note that the web links may be out-of-date.

Where to go for information

This section includes only a sampling of the available books, articles, web sites and telephone numbers relating to seizure and epilepsy, but it's a good place to start your research. If you encounter problems or have any suggestions about additions to this list, please write to: iwstudy@earthlink.net.

Note: external links will open in a new window or tab.

Article contents (click links to jump to a section):

Conventional Medicine

Books and Articles on Conventional Medicine

  • "Anticonvulsant Therapy: A practical guide to medical management of epilepsy in pets" In: Symposium on Seizure Disorders. Veterinary Medicine, July 1993, pp. 647-653 by Karen Dyer, DVM Ph.D. and Linda Schell DVM Diplomate, ACVIM.
  • "Bromide therapy in refractory canine idiopathic epilepsy" M Podell, WR Fenner, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 1993 Sept;7(5):318-327
  • "Bromide Toxicosis (bromism) in a dog treated with potassium bromide for refractory seizures" JAVMA, 201:3,468-470,1992 by S Yohn, DVM MS, WB Morrison DVM MS and PE Sharp, DVM
  • "Cerebrospinal fluid gamma-aminiobutryic acid and glutamate values in dogs with epilepsy" M Podell & M Hadjiconstantinou, American Journal of Veterinary Res, 1997 May;58((5):451-456,
  • "Potassium Bromide as an Adjunct to Phenobarbital for the Management of Uncontrolled Seizures in the Dog" Progress in Veterinary Neurology, 1:1, pp95-101, 1990 by Laurie Pearce, DVM
  • "Seizure classification in dogs from a nonreferral-based population" M Podell, WR Fenner, JD Powers, Journal of Americal Veterinary Medical Association, 1995 Jun 1;206(11):1721-1728,
  • "Seizure Disorders in Companion Animals" The Compendium on Continuing Education II:77-85, 1980 by JE Oliver
  • "Seizure management in dogs" (1997) M Podell, In: JD Bonagura (Ed), Current Veterinary Therapy XIII, WB Saunders, Philadelphia.
  • "Seizures in Dogs" M Podell, Veterinary Clinical North American Small Animal Practice, 1996 Jul;26(4):779-809
  • "Seizures" (1997) M Podell, In: Manual of Small Animal Practice, 2nd edition, S Birchard and R Sherding, eds. WB Saunders, Philadelphia
  • "The use of diazepam per rectum at home for the acute management of cluster seizures in dogs" M Podell Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 1995 Mar;9(2):68-74
  • Clinical Neurology by Aminoff, Greenberg, Simon
  • Just What The Doctor Ordered by Foster & Smith
  • Management of Epilepsy in Dogs by Croft
  • Physicians Desk Reference
  • Problems in Small Animal Neurology by Cheryl L. Chrisman, DVM
  • Problems in Veterinary Medicine 1:4, 1989 - "Clinical Management of Epilepsy in Dogs and Cats." RA LeCouteur, BVSc, Ph.D., et al ,578-595 / "'Mechanisms of Seizure Disorders." WR Fenner et al, 501-515
  • The 5 minute Veterinary Consult by Larry R. Tiley & Francis W.K. Smith
  • The Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook by Carlson & Giffin
  • The Merck Veterinary Manual
  • UCDavis Book of the Dog

Web Sites on Conventional Medicine

Section contents (click links to jump to a section):

General Conventional Information Websites

Drugs / Drug Interaction Websites

Hepatic / Liver Websites

Poison Information Websites

For the experienced surfer (complex search tools)

Miscellaneous Information on Conventional Care

  • Direct Book Service
    Washington state. 1-800-776-2665 for a 64 page catalog. They carry Management of Epilepsy by Croft (British edition).
  • Canine Epilepsy Video
    By Kathi and Roy Dvorak ( Himeldad@aol.com). A 16-minute educational film showing what it is like to live with an epileptic dog and the steps taken to diagnose the disorder in their Standard Schnauzer, Korie. This video has been recommended by Dr. Alexander deLahunta of Cornell and Barbara Licht Ph.D. of Florida State University.

Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Books on Alternative Care

  • Alternative Health Medicine Encyclopedia by James E Marti
  • Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide Compiled by the Burton Goldberg Group
  • Canine Acupressure: A treatment Workbook by Nancy Zidonis and Marie Soderberg
  • Complimentary & Alternative Veterinary Medicine by Allen Schoen
  • Dr Pitcairns Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Richard Pitcairn & Susan Hubble
  • Four Paws Five Directions by Cheryl Schwartz
  • How To Have A Healthier Dog by Wendell Belfield & Martin Zucker
  • Keep Your Pet Healthy The Natural Way by Pat Lazarus
  • Manual of Natural Therapy - A Practical Guide to Alternative Medicine by Olshevsky,Noy,Zwang, & Burger
  • Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats by Diane Stein
  • Nutrition Almanac
  • Nutritional Almanac by Kirschmann & Kirschmann
  • Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch & Balch
  • Reigning Cats & Dogs by Pat McKay
  • The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard & Kerry Brown
  • The Natural Dog by Mary Brennan
  • The Natural Remedy Book For Dogs & Cats by Diane Stein
  • The Natural Way: Epilepsy by Fiona Marshall
  • Veterinary Acupuncture by Allen Schoen
  • Veterinary Acupuncture by Klide & Kung
  • Your Natural Dog by Angela Patmore

Web Sites on Alternative Care

Section contents (click links to jump to a section):

General Information Websites

  • http://www.altvetmed.com/
    Site of the Alternative, Complementary and Holistic Veterinary Medicine Home page. Extensive site, a most to look at. They offer information on a lot of subjects: Holistic veterinary medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutritional therapy and other complementary or alternative modalities. They also provide a list of alternative medicine associations and practitioners, books, articles, homeopathic products, and much more.
  • http://naturalrearing.com
    Interesting general site. Provide information on Natural Rearing and alternative, holistic, complementary health care for pets. It includes a free copy of Natural Rearing newsletter and a directory of dog and cat breeders using natural modalities in their program. There is also a comprehensive natural product listing of herbal, homeopathic, glandular, Bach flower remedies, books, and supplements.
  • http://www.purelypets.com
    Good site. Offers articles, products. You can email a nutritionist.
  • http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/3229/37486
    Article on folic acids and seizures.
  • http://www.askdrschoen.com/
    Site of Dr Schoen. Offers general articles, his books, links to natural products, etc.
  • http://www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/
    CyberPet home page. They offer a article by Dr. Richard Pitcairn, where he discusses chronic disease caused by vaccines. Short article first published in Wolf Clan Magazine.
  • http://www.homevet.com
    HomeVet Natural Pet Care home page by Dr. Jeff Feinman. Offers information on pet care, natural food and supplements, books and links to other sites.
  • http://www.naturalholistic.com/nhpc/index.htm
    Site of Dr Larry Bernstein, a holistic veterinarian. Provides details on holistic care for animals including homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition and phone consultations. There is a good article on vaccination.
  • http://www.petsynergy.com/consult.html
    Site of Anna Maria Scholey, a holistic vet of the Dallas area. General site on alternative medicine.
  • http://www.petsage.com
    Offers pet health care and information, homeopathic products, flower essences and herbal formulas.

For the experienced surfer (complex search tools)

  • http://www.nccam.nih.gov
    Site of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Offers a searchable database on more than 220,000 references and abstracts and some full-text articles on complementary and alternative medicine. Just log to the site and click on "CAM on PubMed". You can try "Dog epilepsy" to start with. You'll get to choose from more than 20 different articles. Very scientific, though.
  • http://www.herbmed.org
    An interactive herbal database that provides hyper linked access to the scientific data underlying the use of herbs for health. Hard to read but very complete.
  • http://cnn.com
    Site of CNN. Can be search for articles on a wide varieties of subjects.
  • http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/index.html
    Dr. Duke's online database. Very complex searchable site.

Homeopathy

Online health stores

Miscellaneous Information on Alternative Care

  • Direct Book Service (Washington State)
    1-800-776-2665 for a 64 page catalog. They carry Schoen's book on canine acupuncture ($87.00) plus many books on natural health and homeopathy.
  • Burt's Bees
    1-800-849-7112. This company offers many natural products.
  • The Whiskers Catalog
    1-800-944-7537. Homeopathic remedies, flea-relief and skin-care products, vitamins and supplements, Ttouch items, treats etc.
  • The PetSage Catalog
    1-800-738-4584. Homeopathic and herbal medicines, comprehensive first-aid kits, natural products for skin care, flea control and nutritional supplementation. The specialize in "satisfying the nutritional and therapeutic needs of the older pet."

Information in this section provided courtesy of Dawn Fincher.

Other Epilepsy Studies

  • Morris Animal Foundation: Martin J Fettman, DVM, Colorado State University is initiating a two year study "Dietary Effects on Phenobarbital Pharmacokinetics in Canine Epilepsy." Current treatments for epilepsy are generally directed at controlling recurrent seizures. Phenobarbital is the drug of choice for managing this condition. Differences in a dog's diet, body composition, and metabolic rate may alter the metabolism of phenobarbital. Dr Fettman is studying these differences as they relate to optimum dosages of phenobarbital to treat epilepsy. The sponsors are the Morris Animal Foundation and Ivy and Ken Kali in memory of Moose.
  • "Evaluation of Vagal Nerve Stimulation as Treatment for Refractory Canine Seizures", Karen Munana,DVM, North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. AT two year study. "Stimulation of the vagal nerve is proven treatment for epilepsy in humans, and the investigators are evaluating the effectiveness of this treatment in dogs with poorly controlled seizures." ( http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org )
  • Florida State University, Tallahassee: The Genetic Aspects of Idiopathic Epilepsy in Poodles is sponsored by the Poodle Club of America and the AKC Health Foundation. (http://www.netpets.com/dogs/healthspa/epilepsy.html)
  • University of California, Davis : Development of a Genetic Marker for Idiopathic epilepsy in the Belgian Tervuren. Thomas R Famula, professor of Animal Science. Information collected by the American Belgian Tervuren Club began in 1986. Full application for this 2 year project is being considered by with the AKC Health Foundation. (http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu)
  • Ohio State University, Columbus: Clinical and Diagnostic Aspects of Canine Epilepsy, with Particular Reference To Differentiating Genetic and Non-Genetic Epilepsy. Dr M Podell, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Texas A&M : The research here explores the chemicals Phenobarbitol and Potassium Bromide as it applies to the treatment of Canine Epilepsy.
  • VetGen: George Brewer, MD, Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School and one of the founders of VetGen, the for-profit company offering VWD DNA testing. It is Dr Brewer's theory that epilepsy has the same type of inheritance as he found in his study of VWD in Dobermans Pinchers, which is an autosomal recessive of genetic heterogeneity. ( http://www.vetgen.com )
  • Dalmatian Club of America: ( http://www.thedca.org/seizures.html)
  • Italian Greyhound Club of America : ( http://www.italiangreyhound.org/)
  • Listing of Breed-Specific DNA Epilepsy Research Projects (http://www.canine-epilepsy.com)

Food Information (where to find information on super premium diets)

  • http://www.iei.net/~ebreeden/kibble.html
    Kibble ingredients of premium and super-premium brands with links to the manufacturers' web sites, email addresses, addresses and phone numbers
  • http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/default.htm
    Animal and veterinary information (including information on pet foods and treats, recalls and adverse event reporting) from the US Food and Drug Administration.
  • http://www.canineworld.com/Directory/ShoppersGuide/petcenter/dogfood.html
    Canine World's list of dog food companies around the world.
  • http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/3229/37486
    Article on folic acids and seizures.
  • http://www.waggintails.com
    Site of The Waggin Tails Company, located in Massachusetts. They carry high quality diets that are sometimes hard to find. Abady, Animal Food Services, Bil Jac, Breeder's Choice, California Natural, Canidae, Eagle, Evolve, Fromm Nutritionals, Halo Spot's Stew, Hi Tor, Holistic Select, Innova, Innovative Veterinary Diets, Lifetime Pets, Natural Blend, Natural Life, Nature's Recipe, NDF, Neura, Pet Guard Premium, PHD, Pinnacle, Precise, Premium Edge, Royal Canin, Sojourner Farm, Steve's Real Food, Triumph, Wellness by Old Mother Hubbard and Wysong.

Raw Food Diet Suppliers

All these companies usually offer supplements, books, natural treats and other products. Most of these web sites give information on raw food diets and very good quality links to related subjects. Please take the time to look around. Also note that the diets offered by a company may vary with time and new retailers can be added regularly. If you are interested in the raw food diet, visit these sites often.

  • Aunt Jeni Home Made (MD) 877-254-6123
    http://www.auntjeni.com
    A very complete diet of chicken, lamb, beef or rabbit in a 50:50 ratio of meat to vegetables. The chicken diet is made of organic chicken muscle meat, minced organ meat and finely ground raw bones. The lamb diet contains organic lamb muscle meat, minced organ meat and finely ground raw bones. The beef diet contains beef muscle meat, beef heart and liver. The rabbit formula contains rabbit meat and bones, rabbit heart and liver. All diet contains pureed vegetables, apples, whole eggs, ground flax seeds, honey, apple cider vinegar, alfalfa, kelp, garlic, parsley, and grapefruit seed extract. Canadian retailers in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. US Retailers in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington DC. Ships everywhere in Canada and the USA.
  • Animal Food Services (WI) 800-743-0322
    http://www.animalfood.com
    Offer meat patties of organ, muscle and bone. Available frozen or freeze-dried. No artificial flavors or colors, no preservatives, no grains. Balanced and complete in vitamin, mineral, fat, carbohydrate and protein content--balancing the all-important calcium/phospherous ratio. AFS also manufactures the same meat diets under the "Carnique" brand label. Dealers in 22 states.
  • Canique Pet Food (see above)
    Manufactured by Animal Food Service. Please see this company's web site for description.
  • Feed This (CA)
    http://www.feedthis.com
    Offers complete meals of chicken necks, lamb necks, pork necks, turkey necks or chicken backs. Also caries duck and rabbit meaty bones. Their bogie balls are made of beef, turkey, eggs, veggies, herbal supplements and organs. No grains. Delivers in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Mendocino, Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco Counties
  • Golden Choice (GA) 770-425-5412
    http://www.goldenchoice.20m.com/
    Offers a beef, turkey, rabbit, offal, goat or fish diet. Diet contains eggs, yogurt, whole rolled oats, fresh fruit & vegetables, oils, honey, garlic, kelp, alfalfa, vitamins and minerals. Also carries meaty bones, chicken backs, turkey necks, turkey wings and goat bones. Delivery is free in the North metro Atlanta area. Call for other areas.
  • Grandad's Pet Foods (CA) 408-727-6160
    http://www.grandadspetfoods.com
    Offers a chicken, a beef and a chicken & beef diet. The chicken diet contains chicken meat and bones, neck, back, and frame and 3% beef organ meat for flavor. Also available in a double-ground form for puppies and toy breeds. The all beef diet contains 100% beef organ meat and denaturing charcoal. The beef & chicken diet contains 60% beef heart and 40% chicken. No grains, vegetables or supplements. Ships throughout California and the Western States. Distributors in California, Oregon and Washington.
  • Halshan Premium Raw Food (CA) 888-766-9725
    http://www.halshan.com
    A line of various diets, all without grains, including meat and veggies (70% meat, 30% veggies, no bones), organ meat and veggies, meat only, and ground whole turkey or chicken necks. Meat types include chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, venison, ostrich, buffalo, duck and fish. Organ meats are chicken, beef, turkey and lamb. Green tripe is also available. Shipping to California, Utah and Nevada is very affordable, but will ship to all other states for a higher price.
  • Healthy Hound (British Colombia, Canada) 604-925-3647
    http://www.thehealthyhound.com
    Offer a various diet of chicken, turkey, lamb or beef. Also offers an ostrich, venison, lamb tripe, wild muskox or wild fish diet. An anti-inflammatory diet for dogs with arthritis, skin irritations, allergies and even chronic ear problems is also available, as well as a gastro diet. 75% ground muscle meat, organ and bone with 25% organic seasonal veggies. Free shipping in Vancouver. Call for quotes if from elsewhere.
  • Home Made 4 Life (Canada) 905-729-2727
    http://www.homemade4life.com/
    Canadian distributor of Aunt Jeni's Home Made diets. Please see this company's entry for description.
  • mOrigins (OH)
    http://d21c.com/buddyx2/MORIGINS/mORIGINS.html
    Ground beef muscle meat, organ meat and bones, plus vitamins and minerals. No grains or vegetables. Apparently there is a freeze-dried version also. Available at: A Place for Paws (800) 354-4216 Columbiana, OH Western Reserve Healthcare Services (216) 228-3656 Cleveland, OH
  • Mountain Dog Food (Alberta, Canada) 780-662-2242
    http://mountaindogfood.com/
    Offers ground chicken and ground turkey, with or without veggies & fruits. Also carry turkey necks and chicken backs. Delivery to your home has to be arranged by phone but they have several retailers in British Colombia and Alberta.
  • Nature's Menu (WI) 414-248-9256
    Email: catsdogs@genevaonline.com
  • Oma's Pride from Miller Foods, Inc. (CT) 860-673-3256
    http://www.omaspride.com/index.htm
    Offers a complete list of diets with or without vegetables. Meat, bones and organs only. No grains, no added vitamins or minerals. Diets with vegetables & bones offer a ratio of 70% meat/bones, 10% organs and 20% vegetables. They include chicken, turkey, beef and lamb. A beef & vegetables mix is available without bones. Diets without vegetables include chicken necks/frames, turkey necks/frames, ultra fine ground chicken necks and lamb. Meat is also available without bones in ground turkey, turkey breast, turkey thigh, chicken breast, ground beef, ground ostrich, ground venison, beef top rounds. Organ meat is available in ground beef heart/liver/kidney, beef heart, beef liver, beef kidney, chicken liver, green tripe. They also offer a wide variety of whole raw meaty bones. Please check web site for details. Delivery anywhere in CT. Retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.
  • NDN - Nu Dimensions Nutrition (NC) 919-848-4071
    http://www.nudimensionsnutrition.com/index.htm
    Offers a diet of meaty bones and vegetables in a ratio of 50%-50%. No grains. Available diets are chicken, chicken liver & heart, turkey, duck, salmon and beef (without bones). Retailers in North Carolina, Florida and Virginia. The company will ship to all locations that don't have a local retail outlet via UPS.
  • Pat McKay Inc. (CA) 800-975-7555
    http://www.patmckay.com/
    No information found about the menus on her web site, but they are composed of 75% raw meat and 25% raw vegetables. Call for a list of retailers. No information on shipping.
  • Purely Primitives from Teddy's Freezer (WA) 206-542-9300
  • Raw Connections (Canada, ON) 613-623-3830
    http://www.raw-connections.com
    Offers a diet of ground chicken, ground meaty chicken bones, ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil, carrots, lettuce, ground kelp, ground alfalfa leaves, vitamins C, A & D. Available from several locations around the Ottawa Valley. Call or send email for a distributor near you.
  • Three Cheers Raw! Raw! Raw!
    http://www.aplaceforpaws.com
    Complete diet consisting of whole chicken pieces (including bone), seasonal vegetables, chicken giblets, flaxseed, kelp and garlic, all finely ground. No grains. They also carry Chicken Backs & Necks, Turkey Necks and Beef Bones. Available at A Place for Paws (800) 354-4216 Columbiana, OH
  • Ultimate Diet (canada, ON) 416-469-0324
    http://www.theultimatediet.com
    Offers three diets in beef, venison and chicken. All diets contain organic whole oats (less than 10%), un-pasteurized honey, organic garlic, organic alfalfa sprouts, organic fresh carrots, sea kelp, nutritional yeast, wheat germ, carob powder, cold pressed virgin olive oil, organic apple cider vinegar, calcium carbonate, vitamin C, filtered water and ground bone. Chicken diet also contains mint powder. Retailers in Ontario, New Hampshire and Michigan.
  • Waggin' Tails (MA) 800-946-8245
    http://www.waggintails.com
    Carries these specific frozen raw diets: Abady, Animal Food Services, Bill Jac Frozen, Steve's Real Food and Oma's Pride. Please visit web site for details. Will ship from Massachusetts to everywhere they can reach in 2 days via UPS.