08 February 2016

International Epilepsy Day


Photo by A. Piper Burgi

Today is International Epilepsy Day. It's a joint initiative sponsored by the International Bureau for Epilepsy and the International League Against Epilepsy. It is a global event which takes place on the second Monday of February each year and highlights epilepsy and those affected by it...not just the patient, but their families, too. 

Not only humans can be affected by this neurological disorder; dogs can suffer from it as well. As many of my readers know, my furry friends, Lana and Darren were diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of four and two, yet they both lived life to the fullest! While I managed to keep them relatively healthy for little over four years, Lana and Darren did battle with plenty of side effects from their meds, but won many of them just as any Epi-warrior would. Supplements, along with lots of love and conventional epilepsy treatments, helped my furry friends every step of the way. They loved to travel, run around and play, or just relax in front of the fireplace. I loved them with all my heart, and they loved life!



Although this is not my first epilepsy awareness blog post that I've written without Lana and Darren beside me, it's still not easy. It's downright hard, even though I have new furry loves in my life. Thankfully they are seizure-free...knock on wood! I love to look at old photos and videos of my old furry companions before they left me to cross the Rainbow Bridge. They were happy and mostly healthy, with a great zest for life. It makes me smile (and sometimes cry) to look at those memories of Lana and Darren, but I hope their message will continue and offer hope to other Epi-warriors and their families. 

Please know that you are not alone with this monster called Epilepsy, and that such a diagnosis is not the end! There is support out there, with many other Epi-warrior parents, veterinarians and other resources available to share their insights, experiences and information. I have shared many resources and websites in the back of my book, Living with Canine Epilepsy, for that very reason. And if you can't find what you are looking for then ask around...I'm sure there is someone out there who can help. 

So, my message for today is this: Keep calm and get the facts...Dogs with Canine Epilepsy can lead Happy and Meaningful Lives! 




















by A. Piper Burgi


Piper is the author of military lifestyle books and RV travel journals. When she isn't busy typing away on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedInFacebookGoodreads and Google+.

No comments:

Post a Comment