Flash’ Story - Epilepsy & Diet

Written by Lucy Warhurst - carer of a lovely Staffie called Flash

Flash started having seizures at the end of November 2021. Looking back, I suspect there may have been some activity in October too—there were a few nighttime issues, including finding poop in the bed, and one incident where he woke up covered in foam and drool, which I now recognize as signs of a focal seizure.

Flash had his first vet appointment at the beginning of December after experiencing two partial seizures and a grand mal that lasted five minutes. His blood results showed elevated sodium levels. I don’t know exactly how high, but in hindsight, this could have been due to a few human treats I had given him. I naively thought stopping these would stop the seizures altogether.

Earlier that year, in January, Flash came to stay with me for what was supposed to be a three-week holiday—but it turned into a forever stay. I got him insured and started looking into improving his diet from the IAMS he had been on. I chose AATU because of its high protein content and great reviews. Unfortunately, I didn’t anticipate the tummy troubles it would cause. We visited the vet after ongoing runny poops, and he was given a probiotic.

His stomach issues came and went, and honestly, I didn’t think much of it—he seemed to enjoy the food and was full of energy. He quickly made friends and loved playing with them. Our friend David would help out when I had long meetings, often taking Flash out with his dog, Alba. Flash adored them and would even search for them on our walks.

In September/October, a few things shifted. Flash sprained his leg after slipping on the laminate and ended up on pain medication and rest for a month. Around the same time, I began a new relationship, and we were out a bit more—though never for long stretches without Flash. Sadly, David became unwell, and we didn’t see him or Alba as often. Flash’s first seizures started about a month before David passed.

Soon after, things became very difficult. A close family member had a serious accident, leading to long-term health issues and financial stress. I found myself frequently travelling, managing paperwork, and emotionally supporting someone in a very dark place—all while trying to care for Flash, manage his increasing seizures, and maintain my job. I was also struggling mentally and ended up off work and in therapy by August 2022.

It was a deeply stressful year—trying to be a caregiver in several directions, while losing the strength to take care of myself. Flash’s seizures were happening between 2–4 times a month, and while I had been tracking them diligently, no clear trigger emerged. He began medication in June 2022—50mg of Phenobarbital twice daily—and went 75 days seizure-free. Around his 4th birthday in August, he had three seizures in one weekend, likely from overexcitement. His dose was increased, and after a spike in seizures again in January 2023, he was also prescribed Levetiracetam.

Despite these adjustments, Flash’s seizures increased. And by mid-2023, the challenges at home worsened, introducing new levels of emotional strain.

After another cluster of seizures, I requested a referral to a neurologist. Instead, the vet reached out to one via email, who suggested another medication increase. Flash’s Phenobarbital dose went up to 90mg twice daily, and soon after, his liver values skyrocketed. He became violently ill, had multiple seizures, and was eventually diagnosed with pancreatitis. A few weeks later, the same happened again, landing him in the hospital once more.

I had done my research.

Finally, we got the referral and I voiced my concerns. I had been researching and learned that medications like Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide can raise blood fat levels, affecting the liver and pancreas—something also seen in humans. Flash’s liver was likely already stressed, and his diet might have been adding to the problem, especially with certain proteins that upset his stomach.

After discussions and a diagnosis, Flash was weaned off Phenobarbital. I consulted with BARF UK and switched his food to lower-fat proteins (under 8%). He started a new supplement routine, including Samylin and Proenzorb. His medication regimen was also adjusted: Pregabalin and Levetiracetam at new intervals. Since these changes, he’s only had one seizure—in late March—and as of now, he's been seizure-free for 86 days, the longest stretch since treatment began.

So, what changed? Well, some stability returned to my life. A major source of emotional turmoil came to a conclusion, and I’ve found some peace. I also took a Reiki class with Flash and realised how much of my own anxiety had been affecting him—passed down the lead, as they say. Flash has made new friends through a dog walking group, and his confidence and happiness have bloomed. He hasn’t had tummy trouble in a long while, and he’s even handled the occasional treat well.

I’ve also started taking better care of myself—going to the gym regularly, giving both of us structure and space.

I truly believe a combination of emotional stress, life changes, and unsuitable medication contributed to Flash’s seizures. He’s a sensitive soul—strong, but intuitive. Just like humans, I think his body reacts to stress, especially in his stomach. That churning feeling when you have that feeling of dread and worry.

Flash Warhurst

Flash might never be completely seizure free. Having kept a diary for him for such a long time, I identified that getting a sudden fright – the three or four occasions that he has been snapped at/worried by another dog – has also been a trigger for him. I do think his socialisation is going to teach him more confidence around other dogs, and I will always be a layer of protection for him too. I have every confidence now though that I have a better understanding of his triggers to be able to mitigate the best I can do.