Epilepsy in Dachshunds

Bred as hunting dogs, Dachshunds are intelligent and brave with the ability to solve problems on their own. These features, combined with their elongated torso and small size, make Dachshunds popular dogs to own or adopt. As a breed Dachshunds can be prone to hip and spinal problems, but seizures in Dachshunds are also fairly common. There can be a number of causes for Dachshund seizures, including epilepsy.

While seeing your beloved Dachshund experience a seizure can be scary, there are steps you can take to reduce their frequency and provide help in the event of a seizure. There are anti-seizure medications available, as well as natural remedies like SeaPet’s Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract with CBD. Keep reading for more information about epilepsy in Dachshunds and how you can help your dog.

Are Dachshunds Prone to Seizures?

Relative to other breeds, Dachshunds are more likely to have seizures and epilepsy. It appears to be an inherited trait, but not much more is known than that. If your Dachshund has inherited epilepsy, it is known as Idiopathic Epilepsy. Conversely, Symptomatic Epilepsy is when a brain tumor, inflammation of the brain, or other maladies affect your Dachshund’s nervous system. In Dachshunds, Idiopathic Epilepsy is the more common type. Before proceeding with a treatment plan, it is important to get a firm epilepsy diagnosis from a veterinarian.

Knowing the stages of a seizure can help you better care for your Dachshund in the event that one occurs. First, during the prodromal, sometimes also referred to as the Preictal or aura stage, you might notice increased drooling, clingy behavior, or whining. After a time ranging from a few minutes to a few hours, the actual seizure happens in the Ictus stage. Dachshund seizures can last for a few seconds and present as mildly as small eye twitches or they can be grand mal seizures lasting for more than five minutes.

There are also two types of seizures in Dachshunds, which are focal and generalized. Focal seizures only affect part of your dog’s brain and they present mostly or exclusively with facial symptoms, such as blinking, head shaking, or excessive drooling. Generalized seizures in Dachshunds affect the whole body with convulsions, unconsciousness, and in many cases, loss of bladder control.

No matter what, seeing your adorable pet have a seizure can be very difficult. However, many seizures in Dachshunds are not in and of themselves particularly dangerous. They could be a sign of other problems with your dog’s health, so it is still important to consult your vet, especially if this is your Dachshund’s first seizure. In the event of a grand mal seizure, which involves full-body convulsions and lasts more than five minutes, it is essential to get your dog to a vet immediately. The same goes if your dog has multiple seizures in a day or a shorter time period.

Treatments for Epilepsy in Dachshunds

If you are interested in medication for epilepsy in your Dachshund, the most common anti-seizure medication is Phenobarbital, which is designed to reduce the symptoms of epilepsy in Dachshunds. While it doesn’t have many side effects that affect your dog’s activities or mood, it can lead to anemia or changes to liver health. It is important to get regular blood work to ensure your dog is safe.

There is also some evidence that dietary changes can reduce the effects of epilepsy in Dachshunds. Keto diets might have positive effects on the frequency and intensity of seizures. However, as with any restrictive diet, the logistics can be difficult and it is important to ensure that your dog is still getting all the necessary nutrients.

Another option is finding dietary supplements that can improve your dog’s overall health and make them less prone to seizures in Dachshunds. Products like coconut oil or fish oil possess valuable nutrients that are essential for all healthy dogs and might prove to be effective in combating epilepsy in Dachshunds. Also, consider CBD oil as a solution for your Dachshund’s epilepsy. When considering any supplement, medication, or dietary change, make sure to consult your dog’s veterinarian first.

CBD Oil to Address Epilepsy in Dachshunds

One of the compounds in hemp, Cannabidiol (CBD), possesses a number of beneficial health effects. It is noted as an anti-inflammatory, which makes it valuable for treating conditions like muscle tension or digestive issues. It also interacts with neurotransmitters that are connected with seizures in Dachshunds in key ways.

At this stage, there is still research to be done to better understand CBD’s efficacy in treating or preventing Dachshund epilepsy. However, a few key facts are well established. First, CBD has been shown to prevent a few specific types of seizures. Likewise, research shows CBD is able to amplify the effectiveness of pharmaceutical antiepileptic medicines while remaining effective in and of itself.

CBD has few side effects, and those effects tend to be mild. Because CBD is present in marijuana, your dog might show secondary effects, like sleepiness or increased hunger, without experiencing the “high” that comes from THC. While more research is continuing, the medical consensus is that CBD is a safe and effective way to reduce the frequency and severity of epilepsy in Dachshunds. Talking to your veterinarian can help you come up with a plan to incorporate CBD extracts into your Dachshund’s diet.

CBD Oil From SeaPet

SeaPet offers broad-spectrum CBD oils that can help a variety of pets with problems from anxiety to irritated skin or seizures. We inspect each bottle to ensure that it conforms to the highest quality standards. We use pure, organic hemp oil that possesses valuable fats and CBD extract. If you are looking for a way to address seizures in Dachshunds or epilepsy, CBD oil offers a low side-effect way to address their medical needs. Before giving these oils, or any supplement, to your Dachshund, consult with their veterinarian to make sure that they support their health needs.

We understand that seeing your pet suffer from epilepsy can be heartbreaking and scary. Dachshunds are wonderful dogs, and you certainly want yours to have the highest quality of life possible. Taking action to help your Dachshund with seizures can keep them active and healthy and lengthen their life. Using CBD hemp extract from SeaPet can reduce the frequency of seizures and provide other valuable health benefits to your Dachshund.