Rosemary and seizures - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**Cosy** · 11-15-2008, 09:14 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.

**08chrissy08** · 11-15-2008, 09:34 PM

Wow, I had not heard about this. Thank you for putting this up.

**Harley & Dakotas Mum** · 11-15-2008, 09:49 PM

Thanks Brit - always good to know this stuff!

Appreciate you taking the time to share it with us.

I'm glad your daughters little one is alright! How scary!!

**Zoe and Bella's mom** · 11-15-2008, 09:52 PM

Brit,

Thank you so much for making us aware of this information!

ginny & zoe & bella

**Ladysmom** · 11-15-2008, 10:01 PM

Oh my goodness! Brit, you are absolutely right! The internet is full of information about rosemary causing seizures!

Thanks for the warning!

**mom2bijou** · 11-15-2008, 10:11 PM

Thank you Brit! These things are so important to know....and I'm so happy your daughter's pup is going to be ok!

**k/c mom** · 11-15-2008, 10:18 PM

Oh, gosh! I didn't know this. I'm so glad your daughter's Malt is OK now! I just checked my Castor & Pollux Organix food and thankfully it doesn't have Rosemary...

**tamizami** · 11-15-2008, 11:24 PM

Thanks for posting your experience with rosemary, Brit. I have been very interested in this and haven't found a lot of information. The canine epilepsy site seems to indicate that the herb rosemary is promising in treating epilepsy, while the extract or oil from rosemary is the harmful ingredient. I noticed that Eukanuba contains rosemary extract.

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/herbsforpet...#anchor31243852

**Cosy** · 11-15-2008, 11:48 PM

QUOTE (tamizami @ Nov 15 2008, 09:24 PM)

Quote:

Thanks for posting your experience with rosemary, Brit. I have been very interested in this and haven't found a lot of information. The canine epilepsy site seems to indicate that the herb rosemary is promising in treating epilepsy, while the extract or oil from rosemary is the harmful ingredient. I noticed that Eukanuba contains rosemary extract.

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/herbsforpet...#anchor31243852[/B]

Yes, it's the extract that's usually found in the dog foods. I should have made that more clear. However, I certainly wouldn't want to give my dog Rosemary in any form at this point. The extract was found in Eukanuba and Newman's treats.

**CeeCee's Mom** · 11-16-2008, 12:02 AM

That is important information to know. I use to give my dog newman's treats but she didn't like it and I threw them away.

Are you talking about Toy? .......or do you have more than one daughter? I just fell in love with that picture of Toy looking up and into the camera. What beautiful bright eyes and such an angelic face!!!!

11-15-2008, 09:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cosy Maltese Guru Name: Brit Dog's Name: Cosy from Bonnie's Angel Maltese Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I live in Cowboy country :) Posts: 13,390	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. __________________ Please buy from reputable exhibitor breeders or Rescue.

11-15-2008, 09:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
08chrissy08 Maltese Guru Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,566	Wow, I had not heard about this. Thank you for putting this up. __________________

11-15-2008, 09:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Harley & Dakotas Mum Maltese Guru Dog's Name: Harley & Dakota Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 6,824	Thanks Brit - always good to know this stuff! Appreciate you taking the time to share it with us. I'm glad your daughters little one is alright! How scary!! __________________ Jacqui, Harley & Dakota

11-15-2008, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ladysmom Maltese Guru Name: Marj Dog's Name: Bailey and Lady at the Bridge Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 15,079	Oh my goodness! Brit, you are absolutely right! The internet is full of information about rosemary causing seizures! Thanks for the warning! __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/MLadys...s/182366213341

11-15-2008, 10:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
mom2bijou Maltese Guru Name: Tammy Dog's Name: Chrisman's Benjamin Angelo & Marcris Sweet Dreams Emma Anjelica Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 6,837	Thank you Brit! These things are so important to know....and I'm so happy your daughter's pup is going to be ok! __________________

11-15-2008, 09:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zoe and Bella's mom Maltese Guru Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,274	Brit, Thank you so much for making us aware of this information! ginny & zoe & bella

11-15-2008, 10:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
k/c mom Maltese Guru Name: Stick a fork in me.... I'm done. Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 21,485	Oh, gosh! I didn't know this. I'm so glad your daughter's Malt is OK now! I just checked my Castor & Pollux Organix food and thankfully it doesn't have Rosemary...

11-15-2008, 11:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
tamizami Maltese Guru Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA Posts: 2,476	Thanks for posting your experience with rosemary, Brit. I have been very interested in this and haven't found a lot of information. The canine epilepsy site seems to indicate that the herb rosemary is promising in treating epilepsy, while the extract or oil from rosemary is the harmful ingredient. I noticed that Eukanuba contains rosemary extract. http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/herbsforpet...#anchor31243852 __________________ Tami, Reina, & Stuart Little My recommendation for best dog healthcare book EVER: "Scared Poopless" by Jan Rasmusen; WINNER, Ben Franklin Award Best Health Book of any kind; WINNER, USABookNews Award Best Animal Pet Health Book; FINALIST, Dog Writers Association Best Care and Health Book; Recommended by the Animal Protection Institute and countless vets.

11-16-2008, 12:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
CeeCee's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Dianne Dog's Name: CeeCee (Jacob Maltese) Rain (Bonnie's Angel) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southeastern United States Posts: 10,099	That is important information to know. I use to give my dog newman's treats but she didn't like it and I threw them away. Are you talking about Toy? .......or do you have more than one daughter? I just fell in love with that picture of Toy looking up and into the camera. What beautiful bright eyes and such an angelic face!!!! __________________

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