Has she ever seen a veterinary neurologist? If not I would ask her vet for a referral. If they hesitate to give her one, then she should search for one on her own.

Below is a site that may be of help to you.......

Here is a link that might be useful: epilepsy

what annz said.

I'm not at all up on what's going on with seizure medication, but there have been tremendous strides made in treating dogs with seizure;
they don't have to be zombied out.

time to try another vet, maybe a specialist.

I wish her the very best.

Thank you, both of you. I mentioned what Annz said (about seeing a neurologist). She said that it was mentioned to her a while back, but she doesn't see the point of a brain scan - I kinda see her point, since she already knows the dog has seizure disorder...and if the dog had a brain lesion or something, she wouldn't do any surgery for it due to cost and the dog's age. If it were me, I would do the diagnostic work-up just to know what is going on and if something could be done.

Another case of "if it were me", but that's the way it goes. I also know she won't change her vet. I tried to get her to try my vet and/or my neurologist, but she doesn't want to change vets or spend the money for a neurological work-up. She did go to the my holistic vet, but stopped going because of the high costs (yes, it costs a lot, but it's trial and error before the right herbal/holistic meds are found).

She also said that she knows there are new meds out there, but they are too pricey. It seems like cost is the issue, and I can't blame her for that. Still hoping to hear if someone knows of a treatment/medication that will decrease the seizures without making the dog zonked, but I highly doubt it.

So truth be told, I don't know what I was expecting by posting this thread. I feel like she's not going to want to spend any money just to "try" something, and then I'm going to get frustrated.

My daughter's Jack Russell has seizures and they took him to Purdue Vet Hospital and he spent several days there. They put him on the phenol barb, potassium bromide and Kepra. They have had to adjust his doses many times. She has to cook his food and keep the sodium very low. He gets green beans, pumpkin, carrots, a little celery and boiled chicken. Small meals 3 times a day. The meds are spread throughout the day. He also takes supplements from the vet. She is very good about taking all her pets to the vet. I go with her each time. We go about once a month or when ever she knows they need to go.

He also sees the vet and gets accupuncture about once a month. That helps with his stiffness.

He does still have seizures from time to time but they are not as bad as they had been. She never leaves him alone. I puppy sit all the time for them when they want to go out.

He does have a good quality of life, he seems happy. He is a little wobbly at times and we don't let him go down our stairs as those are a bit hard for him. He seems to have to urinate more often and it is a big puddle! We do what we have to to keep him as well as we can. I hope this helps your friend. We also notice that when there is a big weather change, that can trigger seizures.

Many dogs act doped and have ataxia when starting KBr. A tincture of time may be the best medicine at this point. Most dogs adjust to it after several weeks and no longer seem so stoned.

Gabapentin can be used for seizures. I can get 100 capsules for $22 (generic)- would probably be 50 days worth in a small breed dog, or 25 days worth for a large breed dog. I don't think that is too expensive. My own Rottie is on it for back pain, in addition to her many other meds. I don't know how expensive Keppra is.

FYI, Costco is a great place to get med's cheaper. I used to get my dogs Cushings med's there. 1/2 the price of a pharmacy and a 1/8 of the price of a Vet.

Thank you for all the above information...great stuff! I will pass this on to her.