What is the best way to treat your pet's seizures?

Seizures are among the most frightening events you can witness in a beloved dog or family member. Feelings of helplessness and fear are natural, and the situation can feel overwhelming.
What can you do about seizures? First, it’s important to understand that they don’t just happen. Something inside your dog triggers the reaction, and the challenge is to determine the cause.

After trying the usual medication and enzymes, many people look for magical solutions. They may turn to the Internet, where they find a pack of merchants ready to solve their problem forever. A search on “seizure” reveals a dizzying number of products available with instant payment options.
Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy answer to seizures. If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Many who advertise quick fixes on the Internet are truly interested in one thing: seizing your money.

Your best course of action is to find a competent and caring veterinarian—one who can help diagnose the cause and prescribe the best medications for the specific situation. You’ll want to ask around and find one who can really help you.

Don’t be afraid to change veterinarians. If you think a vet is not helping with the problem, you should definitely seek out a second opinion or get a referral to a specialist. At the same time, ask yourself if you’re really giving your vet the freedom to treat the illness effectively.

Have you declined diagnostic tests and failed to follow through on re-check visits? Diagnostics and re-checks can be vitally important in chronic conditions. They didn’t arise overnight, and it may take some time to see results.

Teamwork is also critical to success. You and your veterinarian need to be partners in your pet’s care. Make sure your vet is someone you like and respect, so you the two of you will be more inclined to work together on your pet’s behalf. Modern medicine is miraculous in many ways, but only if you’re working with a good veterinarian who can help you.

As for the temptation to let your fingers do the walking on the Web, the Pet Care Forum on America Online offered sound advice: “Get off the ‘Net and call your vet.”