Seizures and Your Doberman's Natural Treatments

​Natural Treatment Options For Your Dog’s Seizures Homeopathic treatment can be can be very effective for reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in dogs.

Our Dobermans are not pampered indoor couch potatoes or protected and caged kennel dogs. Our Dobermans are our personal family dogs and as such live on a ranch where they encounter horses on a daily basis and cattle, sheep and other livestock regularly. Fortunately only one of our Dobermans in the 80's developed a head tremor in his old age which i'm sure was probably due to a head trauma suffered on the ranch at one time or another.
We are vocal proponents of using natural and homeopathic remedies when at all possible, here are some of our findings regarding seizures and your dog:

A study done in 2007  tested a single remedy, Belladonna 200C, in ten dogs with idiopathic (no known cause) epilepsy. During the seizure phase, 3 to 4 drops of Belladonna were given at 15 minute intervals, until the researchers saw a considerable reduction in seizure activity; then it was given four times daily.

Dogs with head shaking syndrome as well as seizures were also given 3 to 4 drops of Cocculus 6C weekly for an additional three months.

In this study, the numbers of fits reduced to just two or three during the first two weeks of the study, and then became occasional in next two weeks.

With the continuation of Belladonna, no fits were observed during the two to seven months of follow-up. In two cases, epileptic fits reappeared within 15 to 25 days after stopping the homeopathic treatment. When the Belladonna was resumed, the seizures were again controlled.

This success was seen with just one or two remedies. There are also other homeopathic remedies that can help reduce seizure activity in your dog. These include:

Aconite
Useful for both attendant and patient! The sudden onset fits the picture, and fear is sometimes seen just prior to the fit.

Belladonna
Another remedy where suddenness is a feature, together with the violence of the convulsions. There is great sensitivity during the fit, and the slightest external stimulus will keep it going. The attack usually involves a single fit rather than a cluster. As it is the acute of Calc carb, it is often of use where that is the indicated constitutional remedy.

Bufo
This has the reputation of the keynote of fits occurring during sleep. In actual fact, the link is to night and sleep combined. The other feature is worse in a warm room. There is often a howl at the start of the fit.

Cicuta virosa
A distinctive feature here is that during the spasms, the head is thrown back and to the side, so that the muzzle rests on the shoulder blade facing towards the tail.

Cocculus
A very useful remedy, its connection with vertigo gives it its place in this context.

Hyoscyamus
Related to Belladonna and Stramonium, this is also an excellent “local” remedy. Its picture is characterized by excessive movements of the face, both prior to a fit and at other times.

Kali brom
As Potassium bromide this is used as a conventional anti-convulsant and it is also employed as a homeopathic remedy. The timing of the fits is often linked to estrus, and there is marked excitement before they start.

Silica, having both convulsions and “ailments from vaccination” in its picture, is extremely useful when seizures are vaccine induced.

NOTE: Don’t try giving these remedies to your dog – discuss these remedy choices with your homeopathic vet before treating your dog. If you don’t have a homeopathic vet, you can find a great homeopathic vet here who is close to you or is willing to guide you with phone consults.

Seizures and epilepsy are typically the result of chronic, long standing disease and this makes the choice of remedy difficult. Consult with your homeopathic vet to find the proper constitutional remedy for your dog, one that matches your dog’s unique personality, emotions and physical symptoms.

Unlike conventional medicines, homeopathy won’t contribute to your dog’s toxin buildup, and this gives him the very best chance of saying goodbye to seizures forever.