dog epilepsy

Question
My toy poodle started having seizures 2 and a half years ago. It was when we evacuated from hurricane Katrina. She had a very bad seizure that lasted a very long time. We thought she was dying and tried to find a vet nearby but not many were available. It went away after about maybe 45 minutes in which we drove to several vet but we were in a small town and they were not available. She did not have another seizure until 6 months from then and started having frequent ones some small and 2 big ones in which we did take her to the emergency vet. She was put on Phenobarbital and that seemed to control the seizures. She was 7 years old when Katrina happened. Now she has one every 3 months that is short in length. I give the medication all the time- I NEVER FORGET. Is it expected for her to have seizures every 2 1/2 months? She usually has had them every 5 months but she had one in the middle of May and August 4. We did go on vacation and boarded her for a week. We just came back on Saturday. Could this be the cause? Should I worry? Thank you again for your help.

Answer
It is not unusual at all for a dog to have seizures in the time frame you are mentioning. Even with medication, this will happen. Stresses such as boarding, new people in the house, etc, will bring on or exacerbate symptoms of epileptic dogs. I can bet that she had a terrible time with the hurricane. Just imagine what humans with this disease were going through.

I am glad you made it out safely! Just keep her on her meds and get her yearly or twice yearly check ups. Sometimes lowering the proteins in the diet help (with special foods) but that is usually only for epilepsy that is brought on by high levels of ammonia in the bloodstream.

You can ask your vet about it the next time you see him/her.
I wouldn't worry about her scattered seizures until she has them daily.
Then you should call the vet! But as it is, she is doing pretty well it sounds like. I bet she is cute as a bug too isn't she?
Let me know if I can be of any other help.
Take care,