Our Passion & Our Love

Our Passion & Our Love

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Rosemary... The Unwanted Herb for K-9's Living with Epilepsy


Quote from a Guardian who has a K-9 living with Epilepsy:
" rosemary can lower the seizure threshold in some dogs and cause seizures. A lot of us epi dog owners avoid it like the plague. It is in A LOT of dog food, treats, supplements, etc."

Rosemary... This seemingly fragrant and natural herb used both in the culinary world as well as the pet food / treat manufacturing companies would appear to be harmless.  But is it?  For those Guardians of Epileptic Dogs, this herb is a complete terror.  This neurotoxin can cause seizures, neurological problems and anemia.  The difficult aspect for the Guardian is when they purchase treats/foods for their dogs they have to be well versed in being able to pick apart the ingredient list.  Sadly, rosemary isn't always stated outright as being used in dog products.  The pet food manufacturers many times will list it only as "herbs" or "mixed tocopherols" as well as using it as a natural preservative.  Rosemary extract functions like a preservative for it is reported to work in synergy with the mixed tocopherols.  Another negative is, where ever the manufacturing company sources their ingredients from, if this place adds rosemary or it's extract and ships it to the manufacturer, they do not have to list it as one of their ingredients used in the treat / food which promotes another concern for the Guardian of the Epileptic Dog.  Many homemade dog jerky treats that are sold online will add rosemary as season to their treats.  We came across a person in Texas who was making jerky treats seasoned with rosemary and we suggested he put a statement about rosemary triggering seizures.  He replied back that there is no proof of this and he even said he contacted his pet nutritionist stating the same.

Not only will you find rosemary in treats / foods for our Dogs, you can also find it in many natural shampoo's, conditioners, supplements and sprays that are used on our fur friends.  One wouldn't think that a shampoo or conditioner would have the same effect, however these extracts will absorb into the skin and go into the bloodstream.  Extensive research must be done by the Guardian in order for them to feel safe and secure they are treating, feeding, bathing, etc... their dog properly so as to prevent them from having seizures.



House Woof Dog Biscuits has extensively researched what ingredients are the safest for the epileptic dog, presented our findings to a Guardian who lives with an epileptic K-9, 
Dorothy Wills-Raftery of the FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews and the author of many books including "What's Wrong With Gibson", to ensure what we have learned is correct and formulated a biscuit treat called "Gibbie Snacks" made with Oatmeal, cooked green beans, carrots, sweet potato, zucchini, fresh parsley and a lean beef puree'.   We felt there should be a K-9 treat available for the epileptic dog and through conversation with other's who have Epi Dogs, they would say there wasn't much out on the market for them to choose from for them to feel safe providing a treat not knowing if it were going to trigger a seizure in their dog and hearing this from Dorothy and others, the Gibbie Snack was born.  This biscuit treat, which by the way, was named after Dorothy's Epi Dog, Gibson.

House Woof Dog Biscuits also owners of Edelweiss Bakery & Cafe has been given Purple Day Ambassadorship and are the only Ambassadors in the State of Vermont.  March 26, 2014 (National Epilepsy Day) we held an event in our shop / bakery in Johnson, Vermont, where we donated 10% of all profits made that day as well as 100% of all sales of cupcakes iced in white and decorated with a Purple ribbon to The Wally Foundation-canine epilepsy.  Our Face Book Page "House Woof Dog Biscuits and Edelweiss Bakery & Cafe" changed our colors for the month of March to purple to signify this important event of Purple Day.  

The Wally Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting guardians of K-9 epilepsy as well as animal shelters and rescue groups, to pay for medications and treatment related to epilepsy.
The Wally Foundation has a simple mission and purpose... 

"To assist owners of idiopathic epileptic dogs, dog rescue groups and animal shelters to afford medications and treatments related to canine epilepsy. The Wally Foundation will strive to be a resource for canine epilepsy, and support research into more effective treatments and a possible cure in canines and humans alike."



House Woof Dog Biscuits donates $1.00 for every bag of Gibbie Snacks sold on our Web Store to The Wally Foundation to help with those in need of medication for there is a high cost involved when you have K-9 living with Epilepsy that needs the drugs to help keep their Monster at bay.  If you have a K-9 living with Epilepsy or if you are looking to assist in helping K-9's with Epilepsy and want to purchase our Gibbie Snacks for your K-9 please visit our web site at:
                  
If you are in need of information about K-9's living with Epilepsy visit these links






2 comments:

  1. Wonderful article! Thank you SO much for all you do for our canine companions and for supporting Canine Epilepsy Awareness. And topping my list - for developing (and consulting) the "Gibbie Snacks" named after my Epi-Husky Gibson. Such an honor! These treats are just wonderful and Husky-approved! (Times five!) It's also important for Epi-dog parents/guardians to know that you do not add salt to your treats, which is very important to Epi-dogs, such as Gibson, who are on Potassium Bromide, and must be very careful about salt in the diet. Your care and love of all dogs is so inspiring and truly welcoming by humans and canines alike! We love you guys at House Woof!

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  2. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. My son suffered from this disease for two years. He was constantly having Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs, Temporary confusion, Loss of consciousness and awareness. He was taking Acetazolamide Diamox 250 mgs bd, 1000mgs daily in divided doses. Carbamazepine (CBZ) Tegretol Regular 100‐200 mgs 1‐2 times daily. Clobazam (CBZ) Frisium 5‐10 mgs daily. Diazepam Valium (DZP) 5‐10mgs daily. Ethosuximide Zarontin (ETH) 250 mgs every 1/52, 2000 mgs daily. But despite taking all this medications, his condition was not still getting better. I and my wife became very worried as my son’s condition was becoming inimical by the day. So this prompted me to start a research online where I stumbled into an article in it I saw so many people talking about herbal doctor Uwadia Amenifo, how they have all positively benefited from his herbal cure. I took solace in their applaud to him and in their write up came the contact details of the herbal doctor. I copied out his contact details, and immediately I put a call across to him, and after explaining my son’s condition to him he gave me hope by saying he have cured so many people of epilepsy and that curing my son for him is as easy as him slashing his fingers. So I was very encouraged and I gave him a YES to go ahead. After all set have be done he prepared the herbs, and shipped it to me. We succinctly followed his instructions on the usage of his herbal product, and behold just as we never anticipate, his herbs worked perfectly well, and cured my son of his epilepsy. This gave me joy and I see reasons to share on this page with all those who, and or have people who is still suffering from epilepsy to in my abrupt recommendation contact Dr Uwadia Amenifo for their immediate cure. Below is a book of his contact details.
    Name: Doctor Uwadia Amenifo
    Email: doctoruwadiaamenifo@gmail.com
    Phone Number: +2349052015874.

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