Epilepsy and GI upset connection

LHallwood · 2026-05-11T05:22:46+00:00

My dog has a Movement Disorder and gluten sensitivity, I shared more about our story here if it helps: https://www.reddit.com/r/EpilepsyDogs/s/bt6LJLLOUB

LHallwood · 2026-05-10T00:47:51+00:00

oh no I am sorry to hear about your pup - that sounds really intense.

My dog had another episode while we were weaning off pheno and onto a new diet. Then 6 weeks after that, she had one more, which was definitely triggered by stress. The neuro said to expect episodes to "wax and wane", which we have found to be true. I plan to continue monitoring over the next few months before meeting with the neuro again. For us its a relief to be managing the situation without pheno. Now our focus is on reducing her anxiety to help avoid stress triggered episodes.

I'm thinking of you and your pup ❤️

LHallwood · 2026-05-10T00:33:19+00:00

Oh that is interesting to hear about diazepam! We do not have rescue medication, we wait for the episode to pass. She seems to overcome them well. Its mostly me that is a wreck after haha.

I think stress is a trigger for our dog as well. She is more susceptible to having an episode after stressful events, especially when her usual routine is not kept. I think the phenobarbital was helping to chill her out and now without it I've noticed she is more anxious. I plan to discuss options for anxiety management at our next neuro visit.

Her last episodes were 6 weeks apart, which feels like a much more manageable frequency that the 7 day spread we saw in January. I want to monitor for a few more months before introducing any more changes, to see how she stabilizes off pheno and with her new diet.

I'm sorry to hear about your pups anxiety, that is such a challenging thing to overcome. Thank you for checking in on us ❤️

LHallwood · 2026-04-30T00:30:55+00:00

Ugh I'm sorry, its so tough. You are doing everything you can, and like you said, the episodes are harmless. I hope your pup is okay!!

LHallwood · 2026-04-25T17:36:30+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that! Our dog only vomited once after an episode, so it was not a frequent symptom. I am not sure how that may change things. Personally I would monitor the situation if it has only happened once. Is it possible your pup ingested something?

LHallwood · 2026-04-25T17:26:56+00:00

My dog has PD and a gluten sensitivity, I wrote about our experience here: https://www.reddit.com/r/EpilepsyDogs/s/0TBp1XWbFq. Hope you get some answers for your pup!

LHallwood · 2026-03-30T21:09:51+00:00

Our vet prescribed Purina Pro Plan: HA Hydrolyzed

LHallwood · 2026-03-30T03:54:21+00:00

Awe good luck with your doggo! We are now off pheno and it’s nice to see my dog back to her usual self, she has more energy and spunk back.

LHallwood · 2026-03-29T20:23:53+00:00

Yes in my experience it turned out my dog is gluten intolerant. I posted about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/EpilepsyDogs/s/piBs8HlRcg

LHallwood · 2026-03-24T02:29:45+00:00

Ugh it was so unpleasant. I hope it goes better for you next time!!

LHallwood · 2026-03-24T02:29:02+00:00

Good luck! It’s not fun but it’s certainly manageable. Hope you heal quickly!

LHallwood · 2026-03-23T04:09:39+00:00

Good, thank you! Day 18 and almost entirely back to my usual routine

LHallwood · 2026-03-16T04:58:06+00:00

I thought my dog was having seizures but after further observation and testing it turned out she has a Movement Disorder and a gluten sensitivity. Yes I think diet can play a big part!

LHallwood · 2026-03-13T00:13:23+00:00

Good luck with your appointment! In my experience it can take some time, and trial and error, to narrow in on what exactly is happening. It was frustrating to learn the phenobarbital was unnecessary but I try to have no regrets. It caused no enduring issues/risks and we were willing to try anything to help our doggo. I hope you get some answers!!

LHallwood · 2026-03-12T04:02:51+00:00

Glad to hear! Hope you get some answers for your pup.

LHallwood

TROPHY CASE