Rosemary and seizures

[Tiger's Mom]

QUOTE (Cosy @ Nov 15 2008, 08:14 PM)

I wanted to bring something to attention that had been brought up by another not long ago and was somewhat overlooked.
I think it was dwerten who mentioned Rosemary poisoning.
I had been caring for my older daughter's maltese, who, in the past six months had gradually been having little "spells" eventually progressing to grande mal seizures. It was horrid and the vet could find no reason, thus wanting to put her on phenobarbitol for epilepsy. I was so astounded as the dog had been perfectly healthy and now was at death's door with no energy and seizing several times a day (at the worst). When I read that article I remembered my daughter had put her on Eukanuba due to being on the go and unable to make it to the store that sells Canidae. As I recalled it was SHORTLY after that the "spells" began and escalated. I decided to check out the ingredients and sure enough there was the Rosemary. We stopped the feedings of it and within a week or so the seizures were all but gone, with another two weeks finding her seizure free. Her energy level returned and she was fine. I checked with the vet and she had not heard of Rosemary causing this, although that didn't mean it wasn't so. (I commend her for being honest). I found other articles on the net regarding the same. My guess is Rosemary may not cause it in all dogs as not all have a sensitivity to it and small dogs may need less of it to induce such symptoms. Rosemary and its extract are used as preservatives in some dog foods and snacks.
Another friend of mine recently had a maltese that had a seizure. I asked if she had given her anything new to eat. She found the new snack she was giving contained Rosemary. I believe it was Newman's. Her bloodwork came back fine, just as my daughter's dog. She threw the snacks away and the dog has not had another seizure since.
I just wanted to put this out there for reference, in case anyone runs into a similar problem.[/B]

thank you so much for sharing this with us . . .even if it was not confirmed, it puts us all on awareness . .I would not even risk it and avoid it completely after reading your posting.

[Maltese&LabMommy]

WOW, THANK YOU for this post! My baby just had a seizure last night =( After reading this, I rembered I gave her two of the snacks w/ rosemary extract in them! I am in shock right now, but THANK you again!!!!! The snacks are in the trash as we speak!

[Ladysmom]

Originally Posted by Maltese&LabMommy

WOW, THANK YOU for this post! My baby just had a seizure last night =( After reading this, I rembered I gave her two of the snacks w/ rosemary extract in them! I am in shock right now, but THANK you again!!!!! The snacks are in the trash as we speak!

As I posted in your other thread, large amounts of rosemary can trigger a seizure in dogs with a low seizure threshold (epileptics). The small amount in food or treats will not cause a seizure in a healthy dog.

[Rocky's Mom]

Thanks Brit...I'm glad I found this out beforehand...one more thing to remember, LOL.

[Cosy]

Actually stomach upsets from a poisoning factor as well as some herbs (such as rosemary) can be toxic and affect the nervous system. The dog does not have to be epileptic to have a seizure, just as a dog with low blood sugar levels can have a seizure without being epileptic.

[Dogwriter]

I wanted to share my similar story. Piper had a seizure this past Monday a.m. I was ready to take her to the vet for shots, so I grabbed her and went...10 min tops to get there. Vet wasn't sure why she had it, said just start documenting them.

When I got home, I saw this thread and read it out loud to my husband, who said OH she was chewing on the rosemary plant yesterday, I almost called you to come and see.

So. HOpefully no more seizures! We went back to the vet for the shots yesterday, and they were appreciative that I mentioned it. Seems like they hadn't really heard of it before.

[Cosy]

I hope no more seizures for her too. Please let us know how she does. No more rosemary for her!

[maltlovereileen]

Originally Posted by Cosy

I wanted to bring something to attention that had been brought up by another not long ago and was somewhat overlooked.
I think it was dwerten who mentioned Rosemary poisoning.
I had been caring for my older daughter's maltese, who, in the past six months had gradually been having little "spells" eventually progressing to grande mal seizures. It was horrid and the vet could find no reason, thus wanting to put her on phenobarbitol for epilepsy. I was so astounded as the dog had been perfectly healthy and now was at death's door with no energy and seizing several times a day (at the worst). When I read that article I remembered my daughter had put her on Eukanuba due to being on the go and unable to make it to the store that sells Canidae. As I recalled it was SHORTLY after that the "spells" began and escalated. I decided to check out the ingredients and sure enough there was the Rosemary. We stopped the feedings of it and within a week or so the seizures were all but gone, with another two weeks finding her seizure free. Her energy level returned and she was fine. I checked with the vet and she had not heard of Rosemary causing this, although that didn't mean it wasn't so. (I commend her for being honest). I found other articles on the net regarding the same. My guess is Rosemary may not cause it in all dogs as not all have a sensitivity to it and small dogs may need less of it to induce such symptoms. Rosemary and its extract are used as preservatives in some dog foods and snacks.
Another friend of mine recently had a maltese that had a seizure. I asked if she had given her anything new to eat. She found the new snack she was giving contained Rosemary. I believe it was Newman's. Her bloodwork came back fine, just as my daughter's dog. She threw the snacks away and the dog has not had another seizure since.
I just wanted to put this out there for reference, in case anyone runs into a similar problem.

HOLY COW!!!!! Thank you for sharing the story, alerting us...and so glad her dog is now fine (that cutie pie pic you posted?)... how scary!!! Thank heavens you thought of that/checked!!!!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by Dogwriter

I wanted to share my similar story. Piper had a seizure this past Monday a.m. I was ready to take her to the vet for shots, so I grabbed her and went...10 min tops to get there. Vet wasn't sure why she had it, said just start documenting them.

When I got home, I saw this thread and read it out loud to my husband, who said OH she was chewing on the rosemary plant yesterday, I almost called you to come and see.

So. HOpefully no more seizures! We went back to the vet for the shots yesterday, and they were appreciative that I mentioned it. Seems like they hadn't really heard of it before.

I would remove the rosemary plant My demi had this same thing happen which is why I posted and it occurred 12 hrs after she ate some rosemary rotisserie chicken i screwed up and gave her and she does not have epilepsy. She has not had one since.

I think many use rosemary to keep rabbits out of their yards. Is this true?

[furevermy2luvs]

Thanks so much for drawing this to our attention. I just checked a bad of Iams that I have that Buddy was not too fond of and sure enough the last ingredient listed is Rosemary Extract! Why would they put that in dog food knowing that it could possibly cause seizures? I will definitely be reading ingredients on everything I give him from now on. I quit giving him rawhide chews because I read that they have arsenic in them! And I was always concerned he would get choked on them, never knowing they could poison him!!! There needs to be more regulations on pet foods. We wouldn't give our children things that would poison them so why would we want to give our animals something that would cause harm?