do epileptic dogs bay at the moon????

Re: do epileptic dogs bay at the moon????

Fiona Leathers — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:29:39 GMT

Slightly off topic - I just to work for a woman who you could talk to the day after a full moon. She looked awful & never came out of her bedroom til way after 3 or 4 pm. We used to joke that she was a werewolf!! Seriously thoug, she used to organise her competition calendar by the moons so she was on top form at the competitions!

Re: do epileptic dogs bay at the moon????

StephSVN — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:25:50 GMT

Wow, how interesting! And what a shame I've already started my dissertation!

Was only on here procrastinating while doing research for uni, so since I had journal database open anyway, I just searched for 'seizure, moon' - and got loads of results!

Far too tired at the moment to read them in detail, but one I just skimmed (Baxendale & Fisher, 2008 in Epilepsy and Behaviour) found that there is a positive correlation, and that it is the illumination of the night that has the effect, not specifically the moon cycle as they incorporated cloud etc into their study. Interestingly, epileptic seisures were not affected, only 'unclassified' seisures.

Think I just found another distraction from my uni work...not good with exams this week and next and a dissertation that needs doing!!

Re: do epileptic dogs bay at the moon????

Claire Cameron — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:20:49 GMT

I've heard of this before but unfortunately I don't have any research on it.

I remember reading once that incidences of crime particularly those with mental health problems increases at the occurence of a full moon. I believe this is where the term 'luncatics' comes from

Apologies for the "googled" info but just been having a look about online

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6723911.stm

"in eighteenth-century England, a murderer could plead “lunacy” if the crime was committed during the full moon and get a lighter sentence as a result."

http://www.innerself.com/Astrology/full_moon.htm

Re: do epileptic dogs bay at the moon????

Sal the 1st — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:42:24 GMT

dont know if this is of any use. Where I worked once we used to see a GSD who was epileptic. His fits used to be seasonal - mostly in the winter and this is what the vet came up with.

The dog started fitting as the nights became darker always at night never during the day. The vet was friends with the client and often used to go round to the house for meals and there were several times while he was there that the dog had a fit.

The house where the dog lived was overlooked by a large factory and when it was dark and they were taking deliveries there used to be a very bright security light come on (so bright that the owners and neighbours had complained about it). The vet noted that everytime he had been there and the dog had fitted it was just after the security light came on - which shone through some trees at the bottom of the garden and asked the owners to note if this was always the case? He wondered if it was the light shining through the trees (and the trees moving producing a sort of flickering effect). Interestingly the fits just about stopped when the factory shut down - coincidence or what? - dont suppose there is much chance of proving it

just wondered if it is the light of the full moon that triggers it?

Re: do epileptic dogs bay at the moon????

Caro Laithwaite VN — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:20:51 GMT

Many things are influenced by the moon including menstrual cycles and l tend to think we see more fitters around full moon time.
The moon does have a strong effect on the earth and environs so it is not a surprise if he does fit then.

It may well be worth a google for moon effects on fitting and see if anyone else reports similar.