The Diet Connection
Nutritional deficiencies can cause seizures. Correcting them will reduce or control seizures and may even eliminate them completely. Some dogs have a food hypersensitivity that will cause seizures. Chemical flavorings or other additives contained in commercial dog foods can be responsible, as can artificially colored dental and chew toys. Dairy and eggs can also be a source of convulsive episodes if your dog has an allergy to these foods.
Preventing Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia occurs when there is a low level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. The brain relies on glucose in order to function, but this organ can't store it. A drop in blood glucose level causes seizures. Puppies and many toy breeds are predisposed to developing hypoglycemia because they're too small to metabolize as much glucose as bigger dogs.
Once the veterinarian determines that seizures are due to hypoglycemia, feeding frequent small meals of food that is high in protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates is recommended to manage the condition and control seizures.
Using Nutrition
Changing a dog's food from a low-quality recipe to either a superior grade commercial diet with premium ingredients or a natural home cooked diet with added vitamins, minerals, and supplements may help control seizures. Nonessential amino acids, such as carnitine, have been found to reduce the incidence of seizures and can be an appropriate supplement for the epileptic dog. Discuss your options with your veterinarian.
Taurine is an amino acid that appears to be released from the brain during seizure activity. Some studies have suggested that taurine might exert a protective effect on the brain. This is a matter of debate, but taurine supplementation can be tried for dogs with seizure disorders. It has been reported as effective in decreasing the frequency of seizures.
Metabolic and digestive enzymes are important catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions in the body. They are responsible for the smooth operation of organs and tissues and assist in supporting the body by utilizing proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
A quality commercial diet needs to be free of artificial colors and flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, and additives, including chemical preservatives BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propylene glycol.
For some dogs, feeding a BARF raw diet with added vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements is the best option, but it's best to limit the portions of liver and kidney meat to once a week. These organ meats can be contaminated by environmental toxins, such as pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics and may trigger a convulsion. For some dogs, a meat-free diet may also help reduce seizures.
