Dear Epi Dog Owner,
Whether you’re new to our community or have been here for a while, we want to take a moment to say we’re so sorry you’re going through this. Watching your dog have a seizure is tough—it’s stressful, upsetting, and can leave you feeling helpless. Although it is hard to believe, the toll on you—the dog owners—is heavier than it is on your amazing dogs. At Dogileptic, we’re here to help you feel better about your dog’s condition, celebrating all the joy of epi dog ownership along the way.
A common theme we see with dog owners is that constant urge to figure out what “triggered” a seizure. It’s only natural—you love your dog and want to protect them from everything. But the truth is, epilepsy is often more about your dog’s natural biochemical makeup than anything external. The search for a specific cause can drive you a little crazy (and trust us, we’ve all been there). But focusing too much on finding a trigger can actually add more stress than it relieves. Sometimes, seizures will just happen, and that’s okay. You haven’t done anything wrong.
Instead, let’s think about epilepsy as something to be managed, not “fixed” or “cured.” Whether you’re using medications, holistic treatments, or a combination of the two, the goal is to build a healthier, more stable brain environment for your dog. It’s about making seizures less likely to occur because of the strength and stability built up in the brain—not chasing down every little thing that might cause one.
Most of the time if a seizure happens, it just happens. We see so many amazing, dedicated dog owners like you who carry guilt when a seizure occurs, thinking, “What did I do wrong?” But here’s the reality: you didn’t do anything wrong. And you don’t need that extra weight on your shoulders. You did and continue to do your absolute best to provide your dog with the love and care they need, day in and day out. Your dog certainly isn’t blaming you—and you shouldn’t blame yourself either.
Seizures are just one small part of your dog’s life. A few seconds or minutes out of the day, week, month, or year that you get with your dog. For the other 99% of the time when your dog does not have a seizure, your dog forgets about it, and goes back to living in the moment, just being dog again. There’s so much more to your time together than those tough moments, and we want you to focus on the good ones. We want you to get back to being (wo)man and (wo)man’s best friend.
Yes, we all hope for fewer seizures, quicker recovery, and fewer side effects, and we absolutely believe that the right care can help. But just as important as the treatments you choose is remembering to celebrate the good days and let go of the bad ones. Remember that you are doing the maximum. Remember that it is YOU, not your dog, that is worrying about a potential next seizure; unfortunately for you, they’re happy to jump into the dirty, muddy pond; they can’t wait to eat the mouldy, delicious smelling trash that someone left out on the street; they’re happy to roll in the pile of cow poo left in the field. They are just happy being in the moment, and being dog.
Don’t let the seizures define your dog our your life. And most importantly, be as kind to yourself as you are to your dog. You’re doing an incredible job, and your love and dedication make all the difference. 💕
With Minds, Hearts, and Tails Full of Love and Compassion,
Bailey, Sally, and Christina 🐶💕
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our 4 yr old chihuahua, Taffy, has gone blind. any suggestions on how to exercise and play with her