Evening Primrose Oil and Seizures

[henrysmum]

Henry's eye Dr has recommended that we give him Evening Primrose Oil capsules as he thinks Henry is suffering from allergies - licking front paws and pawing his face. The reason he is concerned is because he says that allergies can affect tear production/tear quality.
I've been doing some research on Evening Primrose Oil and in a few places I have read that it can lower the tolerance to seizures. Henry has had 3 seizures over the last 10 months and our regular vet has diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy - not severe enough to medicate, just live with the episodes.
Before I ask our regular vet about this I thought I'd ask your opinions. I don't want to give Henry anything for one problem and then have to medicate him for the side effects.

[ViralMD]

Debbie, I've looked in the medical data on the internet, and, sure enough, primrose oil lowers the threshold for seizures. The current (human) recommendation is to avoid this if the patient has seizures or schizophrenia. There's got to be SOMETHING else the vet can come up with for Henry's allergies, no?

[henrysmum]

Thanks viralmd. I'm NOT going to give him the Evening Primrose Oil. I'm going to call my regular vet and ask his opinion and see what (if anything) else he can come up with. As for the feet licking thing, (which, by the way, he only does in the evenings!!)I know a lot of people experience this with their animals, so if anyone else wants to jump in with suggestions..........please do.

[ewoodpugz]

Mickey and Arthur just wanted to send big brother a big snuggle. I would def steer clear of evening primrose - It's interesting to know, I've never heard about it being a problem for epileptics etc. Let us know if you find an alternative.

[henrysmum]

I would def steer clear of evening primrose - It's interesting to know, I've never heard about it being a problem for epileptics etc. Let us know if you find an alternative.

Will do Rebecca. I hadn't really thought that there could be side effects from something that is sold by the bucketful in health food shops --That is until I did a bit of googling - thank god for the internet.

[Lemon]

There are a million fatty acid supplements... I wonder why he wouldn't look into those as an alternative. Primrose oil probably isn't a problem in a pug not prone to seizures, but I'm with you -- it's not worth the risk for your pup.

[Old Mother Hubbard]

Debbie, It was so lovely to meet you and dear Henry. Hes a lovely boy . Did you vet talk to you about Benadryl for Henry??? Give Hnery a big kiss from his friends here in the USA.

[henrysmum]

Sue, it was great to meet you and Jon in the flesh (so to speak!) too . You've certainly got a very good friend in Henry - he's now addicted to greenies
My vet hasn't mentioned Benadryl at all. I know some PV'ers swear by it but I just assumed that it wasn't given on a daily basis, just as an emergency stand-by.
I really need to speak to my vet about it although I'll probably get charged a telephone consultation fee
Licks and snorts to your three from Henry.

[Kiadli]

our regular vet has diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy - not severe enough to medicate, just live with the episodes.</p>Our Molly was diagnosed with idopathic epilepsy when she was 2 years old. She's now 8, we never thought she'd make it this far, and although the fits have become more frequent over the years, and more intense and take her longer to recover. When she's not on a bad curve, she's got a fantastic quality of life through not being medicated. We have rectal sedatives for when she gets hit with a bad fit, which is all we rely on. Earlier this year she fitted so bad she bit through her paw. I wasn't sure she'd come round, but true to form she bounced back. I think with the paw licking, it's a boredom thing. Some pug bitches do it when in first stages of labour as a pain displacement. But all of mine, young and old, do it in the evening. I honestly, think they are just chilling! I do wish Henry well!!

[c_mcrae1]

Henry's eye Dr has recommended that we give him Evening Primrose Oil capsules as he thinks Henry is suffering from allergies - licking front paws and pawing his face. The reason he is concerned is because he says that allergies can affect tear production/tear quality.
I've been doing some research on Evening Primrose Oil and in a few places I have read that it can lower the tolerance to seizures. Henry has had 3 seizures over the last 10 months and our regular vet has diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy - not severe enough to medicate, just live with the episodes.
Before I ask our regular vet about this I thought I'd ask your opinions. I don't want to give Henry anything for one problem and then have to medicate him for the side effects.

Barney does this to keep his nose roll clean. Just a thought, but he wipes his face adn then licks his leg to get the stuff/smell/taste off his leg. It makes me clean his nose roll, maybe he's just learned to tell me what he wants.