epilepsy in dogs

[ytrewq]

Our 15 month old dog has just been diagnosed with epilepsy after having fits acouple of days ago. Does anyone else have a dog on phenobarbitil tablets? How do they get on with them? Are they still suffering many attacks? Do they still have a good quality of life? We contacted the breeder who advised us to have him put to sleep! We would never do this unless our dog was suffering and the vet never mentioned it.

[kita1]

This is a useful link:

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Resources.html

and also:

http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic= 299.0

The second link is about a young dog just been diagnosed with epilepsy.

What breed is your dog? The breeder may be trying to hide the fact that they have this in their lines. Dogs with epilepsy should not be bred from.

[kita1]

Forgot to say, dogs with epilepsy can still have a good quality of life providing the fits can be brought under control. Some working dogs like police GSD and search and rescue dogs can continue working as the fits only ever occur when the dog is resting (mostly at night).

[Annlinda]

A friends border collie has had fits since she was 2years old she is now 10 is on tablets and yes lives life in the fast lane.
If your dog is a pedigree it would be worth notifying the breed club that epilepsy has been diagnosed in your dog giving them the pedigree line.Many breed clubs keep a database of dogs with epilepsy and other illnesses. What breed is your dog?

[lankeela]

Another useful link:

http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/