Please check with your vet before changing your dogs diet

 

This information is correct as of January 2004

 

Joyce's Alex the Wonder Dog

 

Breed Mystery mix, lab-terrier
Age when seizures started ? 13 months old, 3-97
Age now? 7 3/4 (est whelp date 2/96 by vet)
When did you change from kibble to present diet? 12/2000
What do you feed? Chicken parts, fish, organically raised beef heart and liver, lightly scrambled eggs, raw veggie mix, any greens, squashes, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsley, seasonal veggies. almost no grains, he does get rye flour or rice flour dog biscuits as well as baked liver garlic treats. bananas, apples, pears. he is an accomplished counter cruiser and will help himself if he can.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened?

For 7 wonderful months he did not have a seizure (12-00 to 7-01) the seizures have slowly returned to every 4-6 week
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Comments The prep time has lessened, as I have streamlined the process. I have 2 food processors (bought at garage sales) to mash the veggies. I make large batches of the veggie mix and freeze it in tubs. I prep the veggies in 2 week batches. I do the meat shopping and prep once a month. I freeze the meats in daily serving packets. when I travel, I take his frozen foods and meds in a cooler. I bring along one of the food processors if needs be. I would not go back to feeding kibble to Alex. I feel that the raw diet has helped him a lot.

 

 

Heidi's Aspen

Breed Rotti/boxer mix
Age when seizures started ? (on her birthday actually)
Age now? Will be 5 in May
When did you change from kibble to present diet? 1/19/2003
What do you feed? Raw chicken backs, egg w/shell, yogurt, veggie slop (spinach, green beans, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, bananas, apples, kiwi, red & orange peppers, squash, pumpkin, etc)
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Have lessened. Had 23 in 2002 and only 13 in 2003. The last 5 were due to decrease in medicine when she got an obstruction and could not keep food down for a week while vet tried to determine what was wrong.
Is there a history of allergies? Yes
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? Yes. We can feed her only stuff she is not allergic to. That helps with her inhalant allergies
Comments  

 

 

Ellen & Bob's Bandit

Breed Border collie/Shepherd Mix
Age when seizures started ? 18 months
Age now? 2 years, 8 months
When did you change from kibble to present diet? January 8, 2003 (1 year, 8 months old)
What do you feed? BARF, raw chicken with bones, raw beef, ground up greens, cooked and smushed squashes. fruit
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Yes, they have almost stopped. Used to have several Grand Mals per week. Has had only 4 this entire last year since diet started, and these seizures have not been nearly as severe. (And meds were reduced).
Is there a history of allergies? Bandit used to have systemic allergic problems resulting in red eyes and obsessive licking of sore spots. All gone since the diet changed.
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? Yes, see above
Medications Before Diet:
After Diet was Started:
Comments The raw diet dramatically and rapidly reduced our dog's terrible epilepsy problems. His overall health is also much better, he smells better, has no allergy problems anymore and his hair is soft and shiny. And Bob wishes to add that Bandit's poops don't stink and all neighboring and other visiting dogs are jealous.

 

 

 

 

John's Becky

Breed Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Age when seizures started ? 13 months
Age now? 5 years 3 month
When did you change from kibble to present diet? October 2002
What do you feed?
Raw meaty bones, muscle meat, organ meat, veggies, eggs and fish. Everything is raw except the fish and sweet potatoes.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? There has been some improvement in control. However, just when things get going good, she developes a bladder infection which really lowers her seizure threshold.
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Medications Before Diet: 180mgs PB bid, 6 cc KBr sid
After: 180 mgs PB bid 3.5 cc KBr sid
Comments Since starting on the raw diet her whole quality of life and her health have greatly improved. Wouldn't think of going back to kibble. I also have my other three Swissys on the diet and I see nothing but good things happening in regards to their health and well being.
Becky now has her 3rd leg of her CD. She is proof that
life can be good, even if she does have epilepsy

 

 

Linda's Bennie

Breed Cocker Spaniel
Age when seizures started ? 5yrs old
Age now? 6yrs old
When did you change from kibble to present diet? After 2 seizures
What do you feed? all fresh veggies,chicken, lamb,turkey,brown rice,white potatoes, chicken soup,plain oatmeal,and plain yogurt
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? subside: quite a bit
Is there a history of allergies? many airborne allergies
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? subsided some
Comments No vaccinations as recommended by my "holistic vet," due to the fact Bennie was diagnosed as a very sensitive dog

 

 

Heidi's Casey

Breed Golden Retriever
Age when seizures started ? 3 years
Age now? 5 years
When did you change from kibble to present diet? 7 August of 03
What do you feed? Oma's Pride, I have tried Bravo but Casey had a couple seizures
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? The seizures seemed to stop when we adopted him
Is there a history of allergies? No but he has problems (itchy skin) with
seaweed and grains
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? YES, he doesn't chew on himself or get hot spots at all anymore
Comments I have taken him from 2 grains Phenobarbital a day and 1 1/2 teaspoons of Kbr a day to 4 Cc of Kbr a day and a raw diet. His only seizures with us were very mild( from what he had with his first owner). We'd like to think true love of owner and pet have helped Casey to be healthier

 

 

Mickey's Cody

Breed Border Collie
Age when seizures started ? 2yrs
Age now? 4yrs
When did you change from kibble to present diet? 11-01-03
What do you feed? AM-praires commercial raw/plain yogurt, fruit(apples,bananas) pumpkin/egg . Sometimes I sub ground meat for commercial raw. Bertes daily blend(vitamins), digestive enzymes,milk thistle,flax or salmon oil.
PM- RMBs chicken wings, legs or thighs. Turkey back or neck. Veggie mush consists of but not limited to: kale, parsley, squash, yams, collard or mustered greens, green beans,broccoli,spinach, carrots.
I also give chicken heart or liver, beef liver now & then(when I find it)
Use same supplements in pm as am
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? one isolated seize and one cluster of 3.really to soon to tell.
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Medications

Before Diet: PB 72.9mgs bid: KBr 1,100mgs bid
After Diet started: PB 72.9mgs KBr 750mgs bid.
Comments With no allergies, in time this will get varied and tweaked. Being new to it I have more to learn. Kept commercial in there so not only I can feed him. Kbr was dropped from 1100mg to 750 within the 1st 2 weeks of this diet. Overall I think Cody is much better, given his history of monthly clusters,so far so good.

 

 

Linda's Cricket

Breed Lab mix
Age when seizures started ? 3 years
Age now? 10 years
When did you change from kibble to present diet? At age 5 years
What do you feed? Flint River Ranch w/Raw meat & supplements (magnesium, B-complex, vitamin E, lecithin, vitamin C, Kyro wheat grass powder, nutritional yeast, Omega fish oil)
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Stopped
Is there a history of allergies? N/A
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Comments

Cricket's seizures stopped after the change of diet. At first she was put on Flint River Ranch kibble first (no artificial
colors/flavors/preservatives...human grade ingredients-Chicken & Wheat or Lamb & Millet) with no change in seizures.

The seizures stopped when the addition of the raw meat and supplements were added. Also, removal of known triggers (pine oil..xmas trees). No AEDs....control with diet alone. Her seizures for 2 years were characterized by single Grand Mals. They started far apart (months) and decreased down to 5 weeks apart at the time her new diet was administered. Her last seizure was 12/8/98. It was a single Grand Mal.

 

 

Pat's Dancer

Breed Keeshond
Age when seizures started ? 2-1/2 years
Age now? 10 years
When did you change from kibble to present diet? June 2001
What do you feed? All raw meat and meaty bones, eggs and canned fish. No grains or dairy or veggies. Supplements include 2000mg Norwegian fish oil, 1500mg Vit. C with bioflavanoids, 100 I.U. Vit. E, B-25 complex, kelp, digestive enzymes, probiotics, joint supplements.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Stopped. Dancer has been seizure free since March 21, 2001.
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Comments Dancer's seizures had been increasing and his vet was suggesting adding Pb when I decided to make the switch to raw. Now his seizures are controlled by the Kbr and we haven't had to keep increasing the dosage or add PB.

 

 

Terry's Devon

Breed Irish Setter
Age when seizures started ? 23 1/2 months
Age now? 4 years old
When did you change from kibble to present diet? April 2002 (kibble to BARF)
What do you feed? Chicken quarters AM & PM, 1 cup pureed veggies PM (mix of green beans, carrots, squash, broccoli, spinach)
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Yes. Last seizure Jan 03.
Is there a history of allergies? Not in him but severe kibble allergy in his mother's brother.
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Comments I cannot see why anyone would even consider feeding kibble after the results I have seen with Devon.

 

 

Betsy's Dillon

Breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Age when seizures started ? 5 years old
Age now? 5 years old
When did you change from kibble to present diet? April 2003
What do you feed? Raw meat, RMB, vegetable/raw egg mixture, supplements
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? We aren't sure - possibly
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Comments Our dog, Dillon had his first seizure in March 2003. He is on PB (30 mg twice a day). He had gold bead implants in September 2003, but it did not seem to help. He usually clusters about once a month. Right now he has gone 41 days since his last seizure, and we are HOPING that the diet is beginning to help. We have added milk thistle, dandelion, taurine, essential fatty acids, and lecithin to his other regular supplements of calcium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B Complex, fish oil, CoQ10, and Acetyl L Carnitine

 

 

 

Dawn's Drew

Breed Golden Retriever/Chow mixed breed
Age when seizures started ? 2 years old
Age now? $ years old in Feb 2004
When did you change from kibble to present diet? November 2002
What do you feed? Cooked chicken and raw veggies.She now gets supplements from Animal Essentials - including a plant enzyme and probiotic as an essential fatty acid supplement that's got vitamin E. Also, I cook the chicken in my pressure cooker, with the bones, for close to 3 hours, and the bone break apart at that point into basically mush, so she still gets the chicken bones and the marrow from that, without having problems with splintering of the bones because they were cooked. I leave the gizzards in the bird as well when it's cooked, so she gets heart and liver, too. Treats are cheese or homemade beef jerky.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Lessened significantly
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Medications

Before starting diet:

3.8cc of 250mg/ml KBr once a day
80 mg PB 3 times a day (240 mg daily total)
8mg Clonazepam 3 times a day (24mg daily total)

Seizures at this point were happening once a month with 10 or more seizures in a 24-36 hour cluster

After:

2.6cc 250 mg.ml Kbr, once a day
64mg PB 2 times day (128mg daily total)
Clonazepam has been completely removed from her therapy

 
Comments Although our proof is anecdotal and not clinical, I am convinced looking at her response to the diet change that Drew would have either died from a cluster (or been so brain damaged from one she'd have to have been put to sleep) at a very young age, or we'd have lost her to complications from the heavy levels of medication that she was on. Even on the heavy levels of medication she was on, each month the clusters were getting worse. An MRI was performed just before we changed her diet and there was no pathology. At the levels of meds that Drew was on, she was either sleeping, stealing food or stumbling around. With the major reduction of medication, Drew almost returned to having a normal personality.

 

 

 

Susan's Angel Dutch

Breed Dalmatian
Age when seizures started ? 5 years
Age now? 10 years ( Sadly Dutch went to the bridge Dec 2003 due to cancer)
When did you change from kibble to present diet? I joined the canine-epilepsy list January 2001. It was shortly thereafter when I switched to BARF diet, at first Dutch's seizures seemed to increase and I played with different types of high quality kibbles. I returned to the only the BARF diet after a disastrous attempt at a kibble for highly allergic dogs.
What do you feed? I fed raw chicken wings (her favorite), broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, brussel sprouts, and banana for dinner ( I did alter the veggies). I used to add potato or sweet potato and brown rice but found that the seizures decreased when I omitted these. For breakfast she got raw egg with the shell, banana or peeled apple, along with low fat ricotta cheese or plain yogurt. Snacks included raw unsalted almonds/sunflower seeds, green beans, raw baby carrots, and dried unsweetened banana chips
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Initially they increased, but after many frustrated attempts at other foods, I returned to the BARF. On the BARF diet and a long bout with prednisone to decrease any irritability/inflammation left over from her severe cluster....the seizures became practically nonexistent
Is there a history of allergies? Yes, as a puppy Dutch was allergic to the red dye in any food/treats. She reacted with hives to a bee sting (1993). She had an allergic reaction to her vaccines in 1997. Yeasty ears also ? etiology, and raw areas between toes which she used to lick/bite
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? Dutch had a major improvement in her ears. Did not have to be treated by vet again. The areas on her paws never were raw again. We split vaccines after her reaction and eventually stopped completely.
Comments Along with this we did not have to have Dutch's teeth cleaned again and her breath went from very offensive to "almost" pleasant.

 

 

Wendy's Ellie

Breed Border Collie
Age when seizures started ? 6.5 years
Age now? 8.5 years
When did you change from kibble to present diet? 1.5 years ago
What do you feed? Mostly raw chicken leg quarters, also chopped up whole turkey, chicken, sheep, deer. (I would feed a larger assortment of animal species but find pork, beef, and rabbit, etc. cost prohibited.). Hardly any vegetables, only garden surplus; no grains. My dogs do not maintain a good weight when I feed vegetables. I like to feed MEATY raw bone meals. I consider backs and necks too paltry a meal for my working dogs. I feed once a day and feel that large meaty chunks of carcass are the most natural and healthy way to feed dogs. Lots of jaw, teeth, and gum exercise, along with the sheer pleasure they get by crunching up their meals.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Have the seizures stopped or lessened? No immediate effect but after 8 months on the raw diet, Ellie went from 4 seizures a month to 8.5 months seizure free. She had 5 seizures over the holidays (very stressful), but now into her 3rd week seizure free.
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Comments I like to emphasize that raw feeding can be done simply and inexpensively; no complicated diets or processing necessary. The dogs love their meals and the improvements to coat, teeth, and gums was almost immediate. I am committed to raw feeding on its own merits regardless of its effects on Ellie's epilepsy, which I believe to be quite positive. I believe that raw feeding is the best diet I can provide for my dogs and I
find it less expensive than kibble.

 

 

Marion's Emma

Breed Dalmatian ( liver spotted)
Age when seizures started ? 15 months after her first booster shots
Age now? 10 3/4 years
When did you change from kibble to present diet? July 1st 2000
What do you feed?

AM: Chicken wings, backs or necks, pulped fruit, apples bananas, pears etc)

PM pulped veggies, ( collard greens , turnip greens or mustard greens, carrots, winter and summer squash and sweet potato, eggs, (raw) mackerel. I supplement with alfalfa, kelp,barley grass powder,& flax seed oil. All 3 of my dals get salmon oil capsules, Vitamin B 50 Complex & Vitamin E 400U. because of a "family" heart murmur Emma also gets hawthorn, CQ10, and taurine. The lining of her heart now shows as normal in the ultrasound.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened?

Emma went from seizing every week to 5 seizures in the first 1 1/2 years and and then one seizure for each of the next 2 years . The seizure in 2003 was after after Bordatella Intranasal vaccination and 2 Iams cookies from the vet :-( Right now she is 10 months+ seizure free
Is there a history of allergies? Her belly was often red and covered with a "scurf" ( yellowish crud often seen on babies heads)
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? Once on the raw diet it disappeared
Comments

Many people have disputed what has happened for Emma. All I know is that the diet has saved her life. Her bile acid tests ( a test to see if the liver has become impaired by Phenobarbital ) are now normal because we have been able to decrease her Pheno from 180 mgs twice a day to 30mgs AM and 60mgs PM. Potassium Bromide has been decreased from 2.5ccs twice a day to 1cc twice a day.

She can still hike many miles in the mountains and canyons, loves to go camping and swimming in all of the mountain streams and canyon pools. She looks like a young dog, no gas ,clean teeth and spot on blood test results.( no pun intended)

Because Emma first seized after her booster shot at 15mths and several other times after shots we believe one of her triggers are shots the other is grain

read her story at http://www.cybermesa.com/~dalcrazy/Emma.html

 

 

Gena's epi Happi ( left) & Rae

Breed Pug
Age when seizures started ? ?- unknown adopted from Pug Rescue at approx 10 yrs of age- started seizures 1 1/2 wks after adoption. Was turned into Animal shelter by owner to be put down,
Age now? 12-13 yrs old
When did you change from kibble to present diet? December 2002
What do you feed? 1 part brown rice, 3 parts vegetables, ground turkey & chicken liver cooked, Healthy Essentials for Seniors. Treats- Buddy Biscuits.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? Happi is seizure free almost 2 years
Is there a history of allergies? None not even to Rosemary.
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms?
Comments

 

Trica's Hunter

Breed Brittany
Age when seizures started ? 19 months old
Age now? 20 months old
When did you change from kibble to present diet? December 22,2003
What do you feed? I call it Hunter's stew: chicken, brown rice, green
beans, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots and peas, garlic. (all are organic,veggies are from frozen, all are stewed together and steamed over very lowheat) This is very economical (about $5 a week and very easy to make
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? I'm not sure if it's been long enough to see as his last seizures were December 20,2003
Is there a history of allergies? his new vet believes he does suffer from allergies. He had been scratching his neck and biting a little on his legs...that has stopped and the red patches on his neck are now healed. So, maybe he was allergic to the dry kibble and I just didn't notice before until the development of the severe ear infections in both ears, scratching/biting, and seizures (all corresponding time-wise).
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? Allergy symptoms have definitely deceased. I guess he's had symptoms all along, but thanks to the new vet noticing them, I know what to look for now.
Comments We're still not sure if Hunter has epi or not. His vet says he does not have "text book presentation", but she said we'll find out if he continues to seizure after making a lot of changes (less chemical exposure, diet change, addition of multi-vitamins, antibiotics for the severe ear infections, etc.) We're keeping our fingers crossed, but realize the reality also. I am TOTALLY amazed at the difference the home cooked meals have made in him...nose is now wet whereas it used to be very dry, no more shedding unnecessarily, he's filled out beautifully where we used to struggle to keep weight on him (very active), increased appetite from a very finicky one, less pooping, eyes don't run anymore, and I'm sure there will be more positive things we notice as we keep feeding this diet. He's very happy about his meals now! I know raw is probably better, but this is a start for us.

 

 

Jo's Jake

 

Breed

Dobie/Lab

Age when seizures started ? 3 years old
Age now? 9 1/2
When did you change from kibble to present diet? Late May 2003
What do you feed? He gets ground beef, ground turkey, ground pork, chicken wings and necks, beef heart, beef liver, canned salmon, canned mackerel,
yogurt, raw eggs, lots of above ground veggies, salmon oil, Berte's Immune Blend, Berte's Green Blend, pork neck bones, knuckle bones and occasional buffalo, kangaroo and turkey hearts and beef liver
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? They have lessened
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? N/A
Comments I have lessened the amount of Kbr that he he was taking because he was severely ataxic. He was taking 3.2 cc three times a day and have lowered it to 2.4 cc three times a
day. He seems more like himself on that dose. He is a clusterer but have seen a definite improvement in his cluster pattern. The last couple of times he seizured he had only the one. It seems to me that he improves a little bit each month.

 

 

Deb's Keeper

Breed Golden Retriever
Age when seizures started ? 18 months
Age now? 7 1/2 years
When did you change from kibble to present diet? When he was 20 months old
What do you feed? Raw Meaty Bones, ground meat & organ meats; chicken leg quarters, breast of lamb & veal, turkey necks; ground beef, beef heart, lamb & pork, beef & chicken liver;
Fish: Salmon, sardines in water, jack mackerel;
Veggies & Fruit: assorted dark green veggies, squash, celery, cabbage, parsley, garlic; cranberries, blueberries, strawberries & cantaloupe
Supplements: Vitamins,B complex, C with bioflavinoids, E, Salmon Oil, ACV, organic yogurt, Cosemin, .5 Soloxine bid.
Have the seizures stopped or lessened? I don't believe so. (See Comments)
Is there a history of allergies? No
If so has there been a decrease in symptoms? No
Medications Before Diet:
After:
Comments Keeper's seizures are the result of REM behavior disorder and have proved resistant to dietary control. I have discovered that the raw diet combined with appropriate amounts of exercise works best. It's a very difficult condition to live with - anywhere from one to ten violent seizures per day/night during the winter - but just knowing what's wrong and the ability to "awaken" him do give us peace of min

 

 

 

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