Puppy having seizures and bananas

[Tripletcarol]

Has anyone heard of bananas helping with the frequency of seizures?  My puppy started having seizures at 5 months and is now 9 months' old.  From tracking the seizures, they seemed to occur in clusters every few weeks. Our vet was hesitant about putting such a young dog on medication and told us as long as the seizures were only 2 per month, we would wait and see what happened.  We were told that a banana a day could prevent the seizures so I started with the banana a day and Connor went 5 weeks without a seizure until I missed a few days.  He had 5 seizures within a one-day period.  Back to the vet who put him on phenobarbitol, 32.4 mg/twice per day.  He has been on the medication for 3 days now and has had all the classic side effects which I am very well aware of since I started having seizures myself 10 years ago at the age of 50.  I also was put on phenobarbitol  and a host of other meds until we got the dosage right.  It is pure hell and I can sympathize with Connor since I have had many of the same side effects.  How ironic that God gave me a dog with epilepsy.  I believe he knew that I had the compassion and understanding to take care of him and not put him down as our vet recommended.  I would have liked to continue with the bananas but didn't want to take the chance and have permanent brain damage.  I constantly beat myself up and wonder what would have happened if I hadn't stopped the bananas.

[ginger899]

This is an old thread, but may still be of help to others.
The first thing I thought of when I saw "bananas" was Potassium! Bananas contain Potassium and are recognised as a good dietary source. But maybe there's a clue in that?
For anyone who has a dog with epilepsy or seizures it may be an avenue to discuss and explore with the vet?
I don't understand all the science but glimpsed something about this recently regarding humans.

[swamplilly]

Just an aside for anyone stumbling on this like I did in the middle of the night, after looking up something completely unrelated.. or related for that matter. Its regarding seizures and diet. For dogs AND people. I have been in a health and nutrition class this semester, and just did a report on Keto diets (like Keto, Atkins, and Low Glycemic Index Diet)
The reports are concerning treating seizure disorders with Keto diets. Apparently there is a solid link between glucose/carbohydrate intake, and seizures. There are decades worth of reports about links between a 60-90% reduction in seizures when on Keto diets. As soon as the diets are stopped, and carbohydrates are re-introduced, seizure frequency returns or increases.
  This is true for children and adults. Reports and testing going back to 1911, when the first reports in France are written concerning starvation and ceasing of seizures. It was the lack of bread/grains that did this, it was found out by the 1920's.
Do your own research ALWAYS. But reading this, and just finishing that report, has given me the idea that possibly a grain free diet may help dogs with seizures. The bananas make sense, because potassium helps with spasms. My dr told me to eat banana to help keep leg spasms at bay after a spinal injury. Possibly a combination of bananas, a grain-free diet, and a loving owner will help, especially if you do not want/cant afford costly medications.

[Tripletcarol]

I fed Connor Purina Puppy Chow as the vet we bought him from suggested.  When he wouldn't eat it any longer, I switched to Pedigree Puppy Chow.  For a number of reasons I also switched vets when he began his seizures.  I feed him a variety of treats like Beneful Baked Delights, Blue Dog Bakery, Beggin Strips, and a few others I can't remember now.  Actually, I did ask my vet about vaccines triggering seizures, and he said he had never heard about a relationship but did call a rep from Vectra 3D who said he had never had a case of seizures as well.  I do intend to try Natural Balance dogfood.

[Tripletcarol]

Interesting reading.  I think I will change to Natural Balance dog food.  Thanks for the info.

[Misfits4Me]

What do you feed this puppy? Including treats?
Did this start after any round of vaccines?
How about flea/tick products? Do you use any?
I'd be trying to locate the trigger in such a young dog......Let us know....Karla

P.S.  If your Vet suggested euthanizing this puppy, you need to find a more compassionate NEW one....Under the circumstances.....A Holistic Vet would be best for your guy........

[skydnsr]

Funny censorship program that blanks out Mr. Van Patten's first name.

[skydnsr]

I don't know about the bananas, but you might want to check out the website of a guy who calls himself dogtor J.  (Not a misspelling.)  He is a practicing veterinarian who uses diet to reduce seizure frequency in dogs.  He advises a diet that eliminates gluten, corn, soy, and dairy products.  He talks about specific brands of dog food that he recommends.  If I remember correctly, he recommends **** Van Patten's Natural Balance, but don't rely on what I remember.  Find his website, and I think you will find some interesting reading.  If you can't find it, post back, and I'll look for it again and PM you the link.  Good luck.