Potassium Bromide and Seizures

prescription medication your only option for treating your doggy’s symptoms. At the very end, we will point you in a holistic, natural direction for seizures in dogs. 

Seizures and Seizure Disorders in Dogs: What are the Signs?

Seizures in dogs are involuntary movements that cannot be controlled for the duration of the seizure. When the brain is not functioning normally, miscommunication can occur amongst the neurons circulating throughout the various lobes.

Signs that your dog is having a seizure include uncommon movements, such as...

• Incessant drool from one side of your dog's mouth
• Suddenly urinating before falling over or slumping to the ground
• Biting down on his or her tongue and not releasing
• Falling over for no reason
• Inability to walk straight or at all
• Limbs that stiffen
• Alterations in breathing patterns
• Lack of motor coordination and playfulness
• Acting as though he or she cannot fully understand you
• Loss of consciousness

Movement that does not cease on its own

Concerning foaming of the mouth

The Root Cause of Dog Seizures

At a base level, seizures are neurological disorders that are due to malfunction in the brain. Despite originating in the brain, seizures influence and engage the whole body. One of the most sensitive organs in the body is the brain, and disruption to the cognitive functioning of a dog will, more likely than not, initiate a seizure.

To break it down in less confusing terms, a seizure is basically caused by a sudden increase in the activity levels of the brain's electrical currents. The onset of a seizure usually starts with the eyes rolling back into the head and the body convulsing in a way that looks uncontrolled, chaotic, and relatively crazed. This miscommunication between the brain's chemical messengers is caused by an imbalance in the brain. When there isn't an even amount of inhibiting neurons in your dog’s brain, in comparison to the number of excitatory neurons, the brain cannot run smoothly, as it usually does.

In summary, seizures result from an unnatural disparity between neurons in the brain. Interestingly enough, it's important to note that -- outside of legitimate seizure disorders, such as epilepsy -- seizures are not a disease in and of themselves. Rather, seizures are often a symptom of an illness, ranging from eclampsia during pregnancy and brain tumors at any point in time. The root cause of dog seizures is usually something deeper than the seizures alone. If anything, seizures are, unfortunately, a very helpful indicator that your dog needs to be seen by a professional.

Some of the other more common causes of seizures include…

• Epilepsy, a common disorder defined by the prevalence of seizures
• Cancer, and more specifically, a brain tumor
• Concussions or any blows to the head, no matter how severe
• Overdose caused by drugs like cocaine, methamphetamines, sedatives, et cetera
• Bleeding in the brain
• Overconsumption of alcohol, or sometimes even caffeine
• Severe insomnia or sleep-deprivation
• Hyponatremia, which is a condition where blood-sodium levels are seriously low
• Medications especially prescribed for mental illnesses or pain

Now, dogs cannot -- read: will not -- consume alcohol on their own, and it’s very unlikely that your doggy will ever get into drugs as dangerous as the ones that can cause seizures. But the other symptoms listed above are definitely viable in the case of your dog’s seizures. Since it is impossible to diagnose any medical situations without proper processes and equipment, we strongly advise that you take your dog to see his or her veterinarian.

The only way to know for sure what is going on with your puppy pal is to receive sound medical advice and wisdom, and who better can you trust than your dog’s vet? Not

only will you feel more at peace once figuring out what’s going on with your pup, but you will also receive comfort from your veterinarian in this stressful, trying time.

Potassium Bromide: What is This Substance?

Seizure disorders are well-controlled by potassium bromide and it is less intense for dogs to handle than phenobarbital. Though it is easier on the body and the mind of dogs, potassium bromide can sometimes take longer to influence a dog's seizures than is preferred. More often than not, potassium bromide can take upwards of four to five months before seizures are fully under control. Whether you can believe it or not, potassium bromide is actually salt. When it comes to treating seizures in dogs, potassium bromide is often suggested and used as a way of managing seizures. As an antiepileptic medication, potassium bromide is oftentimes an alternative for phenobarbital, which is also an anticonvulsant medication. When a dog's body does not tolerate the effects of phenobarbital terribly well, veterinarians often resort to prescribing potassium bromide as a way of treating seizures in dogs.

When it comes to seizures, potassium bromide is a wonderful fixer-upper. A while back, the AKC Canine Health Foundation looked into the benefits of CBD oil for dogs that struggle with persistent epilepsy. In the clinical trial performed and conducted by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, researchers discovered that potassium bromide is a much less brutal way of handling seizures in dogs. Other medications prescribed for seizures in dogs of all breeds caused horrific side effects in canine patients.

Potassium bromide, on the other hand, is welcomed more readily by the body than the other treatment options -- phenobarbital, in particular.

What You Should Know Before Giving Your Dog Potassium Bromide for Seizures

There are risks associated with the use of potassium bromide for dogs. Something you should be aware of is that potassium bromide is not approved by the Federal Drug Administration or FDA. Potassium bromide is not dangerous, but the FDA has not received sufficient evidence that it is a sufficient remedy for seizures in dogs. Although the FDA has yet to approve potassium bromide as an anticonvulsant and antiseizure medication for dogs, potassium bromide is completely safe to administer to dogs. Potassium bromide toxicity is not common, especially not among dogs that are receiving professional care and caution, as well as adequate attention from their owners.

Minor potassium bromide side effects include the following situations…

• Elevated thirst levels
• Changes in hunger levels, usually an increase but possibly a decrease
• Cases of nausea and vomiting Instances where your dog's bathroom behavior changes

Possible side effects caused by potassium bromide in dogs can be indicative of a fatal outcome if you are not careful and alert to the presence of these symptoms.

If your dog is expressing any of the following mannerisms, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible:

• Breathing troubles or nervous system inconsistencies
• Legs that appear immobile or paralyzed
• Tremors of any part of the body
• Discoordination or difficulty moving around
• Grogginess, extreme tiredness, or inability to properly respond to commands as usual
• Dangerous changes in potassium levels, which is only visible in lab results

Alterations to the liver functioning of your dog

Pancreatitis, in some of the more serious cases

Alternative Methods of Treating Seizures without Potassium Bromide

The main problem with seizures is that they occur as a result of overstimulation in the body. CBD is a substance that interacts with the endocannabinoid system, meaning that cannabidiol affects neurotransmitters and their respective receptor proteins. That said, when introduced to a dog that is suffering from repeated symptoms of seizures, CBD studies have been shown to work its magic and soothe the neural firing in the dog’s brain. The side effects of potassium bromide in dogs can deter many dog owners who prefer not to subject their dogs to further undesirable conditions, especially not on top of what their puppy pals are already going through. So, in comes CBD, or cannabidiol, as an alternative method of managing dogs that struggle with seizures, whether in disordered forms or just on occasion! CBD is a natural remedy that has the ability to soothe the body and calm the internal processes of dogs.

There have been many studies that indicate the endocannabinoid system, which is positively stimulated by CBD, may help to regulate the health of their skin. This means that skin health has been shown to be improved through the use of CBD, even for skin allergies! As a matter of fact, CBD and allergies are a great match for each other.

Along with decreasing the severity of seizures and reducing the prevalence of symptoms, CBD oil studies have also been shown to have numerous health benefits for dogs of all sizes and breeds. As a general principle, CBD oil for dogs is thought to be an effective medicinal remedy for a variety of ailments. CBD may help with lowering stress levels, prevent anxiety from spiking, reducing pain,  increasing appetite in dogs, and even possibly provide a bit of protection against diseases like cancer. It also may assist in controlling skin allergies in dogs.

CBD is essentially like THC in that it has healing, medicinal qualities but without any of the psychoactive effects or body-altering sensations. For these reasons, CBD oil is 110% safe for dogs! CBD can be thought of as a one-size-fits-all remedy, but all dogs are still different, meaning that the dosage, method of administering CBD, and other variables might also differ. CBD oil is traditionally sold as an actual oil tincture, but you can also find CBD creams to help manage your dog’s seizures. If your dog happens to also have a skin allergy, then CBD can be used as an effective way to manage two ailments with one medicinal remedy! How convenient!
When you purchase CBD -- no matter the form it is in -- you will more likely than not also receive brief instructions on the appropriate amount of CBD oil to give your dog. Dosages typically depend on the weight and height ratio of your pupper. Smaller dogs will require less CBD to achieve relief, whereas results are probably more likely for dogs when they are given higher levels of CBD at once.
 
If your dog is not a fan of staying still or having unknown products on his or her exterior, then you can always look into CBD capsules for dogs. This pill-form of CBD enables you to administer CBD to your doggo without making your pet uncomfortable. If your dog does not require high levels of CBD for his or her seizures, then you can also look into purchasing CBD-infused dog treats or calming CBD chews. Both of these options will give you another way of managing your dog’s symptoms without creating discomfort or additional stress for your little buddy.

Your dog cannot overdose on CBD, so don’t worry about the possibility of accidentally administering too much, because -- truth be told -- you cannot do such a thing. The

worst that will happen is that your doggy will fall asleep, like an unplanned nap. However, following directions is always wise. They are there for a reason, after all.

CBD Oil for Dogs with Seizures Where to Buy Dog CBD Oil

The best kind of CBD oil for dogs with seizures is pure CBD oil. While you can definitely purchase CBD oil that is not 100% void of THC, CBD oils without any THC additives are the absolute best for dogs. Keep in mind the fact that any CBD oils intended for pets that happens to also contain low levels of THC are incapable of getting your dog high.

Dogs cannot become high from CBD ingestion, even when THC is part of the mixture. See, CBD oils that contain slight levels of THC are not potent enough with tetrahydrocannabinol. There is only a minor trace amount of THC within the CBD, and more often than not, this minute amount of THC is only assisting in calming your pet’s seizure symptoms.

>As long as the CBD oil is made entirely of all-natural ingredients, your dog’s seizures will start to meet their match. If you are more comfortable with the idea of your dog only taking CBD oil that contains no THC, then check out the CBD oils at Innovet. All of our CBD-based products are hemp-based, meaning our oils are extracted and derived from hemp plants. In this instance, it is nearly impossible for the CBD oils to contain any THC whatsoever.

Better yet, you can access natural remedies and cures for your dog’s seizures right from the comfort of your own home! We believe inconvenience, so we ship directly to our customers’ doors. The bond between a dog and his or her owner is one of the most special connections in the world. As a company that strives to do everything with your dog’s health in mind, we only offer CBD oils and products that we trust. Let us help you solve your dog’s seizure symptoms!

Take a look at our wide selection of CBD oils and dog treats for pets with seizures! If you are looking for the purest CBD oil for dogs, you’ve found what you’re looking for. Let us know if we can help you in any way!

Please contact us with any questions and concerns.

Sources:

Cannabidiol Reduces Seizures
CBD mitagate seizures
Evidence of CBD
Cannabidiol Eases Pain
CBD Application Has Therapeutic Potential

 

Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.

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Sincerely,
The Innovet Team

Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.

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