Floyd – Epilepsy
Floyd presented with sudden onset idiopathic epilepsy – full Grand Mal seizures at the age of 22 months. His owners wanted to try natural remedies before considering conventional drugs.
His diet was primarily raw meat and K9 Natural (Lamb Organs and Ground bone). While the K9 Naturals was balanced and carbohydrate free, the raw meat only component without organs and bone was not balanced. It is also important to note that dietary allergies can in some cases trigger seizures.
He did suffer from ‘Pica’ with the desire to eat things he shouldn’t such as wood, plastics, shoes, outdoor furniture etc! This can be induced from gastrointestinal disharmony.
He was naturally a good natured, affectionate social dog, but prior to some seizures he displayed aggressive behaviour.
His skin and ears flared up particularly over spring and summer.
Full diagnostics were undertaken by the conventional vet leading up to the diagnosis of Idiopathic Epilepsy.
Treatment Goals: To reduce seizure frequency and intensity, plus support his skin/ear inflammation and gastrointestinal health.
Integrative Treatment Plan: Floyd was prescribed a herbal tincture formulation, which included herbs that were indicated to help with seizures, cerebrovascular disease, anxiety, nerve inflammation and gastrointestinal health. A homemade formulated diet, of fresh meats, eggs, fresh green vegetables, fruit, with additional calcium, magnesium and vitamins was introduced. Other supplements include probiotics, fish oils, MCT oil, lecithin, gelatin and antioxidants. A novel protein elimination diet was recommended had we not noticed an improvement. Vaccination titre testing was also advised rather than vaccinating if not needed.
Avoiding the isoxazoline flea products was also recommended as they are a neurotoxin.
Outcome: Floyd responded well to the treatment plan, and although we weren’t able to eliminate his seizures entirely, we did achieve a meaningful reduction in their frequency and intensity for several years. The intensity of skin and ear inflammation also improved.
Owners Feedback:
In July 2019 Floyd suffered his first violent seizure, and then 10 days later suffered another one, not a very nice thing to watch. After taking Floyd to the vet and being diagnosed with Epilepsy, and told that he would have to take a tablet every day, and it would probably shorten his life and effect his liver, got me wondering if there was a natural form of treatment, and a goggle search came up with Jacqui Snell. Jacqui has changed not only Floyd’s life but mine too. After 3 months of Floyd being on herbal supplements, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids suggested by Jacqui along with changing his diet to a raw one, Floyd suffered another seizure. This seizure was half the intensity of the first 2, recovery time for Floyd (and me) was instant. Although you never want to see your pets suffer, it was good to see what we are doing is working.
Jacqui was very thorough with Floyd’s initial consultation, and follow up support has been awesome.
Deborah Nelson, November 2019
