POTENTIAL SEIZURE TRIGGERS

Most seizures seem to occur spontaneously, however, we have found that certain chemicals and emotional stress factors can trigger a seizure. Any kind of stress to your dog is a potential seizure trigger.

The Guardian Angels have put together a list of things that may trigger seizures in some epi's. Remember, not all triggers will apply to all epi's. In order for something to be considered a seizure trigger the time between the trigger and the seizure is within 30 hours except in the case of vaccinations which can be up to 45 days.

To reduce seizures please pay attention to the list below and see if you can avoid a seizure.

Stress Factors:

* Changes in routine caused by construction, visitors, new family members etc.
* Being left alone
* Car Rides
* Visits to the vet
* Thunder storms
* Changes in barometric pressure
* Extreme cold weather
* Flashing lights from television, cameras, Christmas trees or lightning
* Angry voices
* Loud arguments between people (dogs think you are angry at them and it is the worst kind of stress for them)
* Fatigue
* Nervousness
* Anxiety
* Going too long between meals
* Prolonged excitement
* Any changes, sudden, subtle, radical, etc. (food, environment, etc.)

Medications:

*Vaccinations
*Heartworm Medications
*Flea and Tick preventative
*Some prescription medications

Yard and Garden:

*Lawn Treatments
*Fertilizers
*Herbicides
* Insecticides
* Bee and Wasp venom
* Toad poisoning
* Cedar shavings (in dog beds also)

Household

* Scented candles
* Perfume
* Loud music
* Cigarette smoke

Household Products:

*Pine Sol or cleaners with pine oil or scent.
*Kerosene for lamps
*Camphor
*Eucalyptus
*Borax or Boric Acid (sometimes used to treat fleas)
*Deck and wall stains
*Polyurethane fumes
*Paint fumes

Foods and Spices:

* Turkey (for some dogs)
* Caffeine
* Walnuts
* Moldy cheese
* Rosemary Oil
* Saffron
* Sage
* Foods with Ethoxyquin, BHA or BHT
* Treats with Ethoxyquin, BHA or BHT
* Rawhide Treats
* Pigs feet
* MSG (sometimes called natural flavoring, smoke flavoring etc)
* Changes in dietary chloride (salt) content (from a change in food, treats or water) for dogs on Potassium Bromide

Keeping a journal of seizures and suspected seizure triggers will help you identify anything that might contribute to seizures in your dog. A sample seizure journal can be found on our website at: Seizure and Medication Record.