Valium Use to Aid in the Control of Seizures 
in the Chinook Dog
by Intervale Chinooks
Do Anti-Epileptic Drugs Help with the Chinook Seizures?
PRECAUTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR
(PER RECTUM) VALIUM ADMINISTRATION
Valium is light sensitive and loses strength when in contact with plastic.
 Always keep stored in brown glass vial. NEVER pre-fill plastic syringes prior to use.
NEVER administer valium per rectum with needle attached. Always replace with teat canula or tom cat catheter.

Discontinue valium administration if you note bleeding from the rectum or anus.

Call your attending veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic.
Do not give more than three doses of valium per rectum in a 12-hour period without speaking to an emergency veterinary clinic or clinician.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADMINISTERING
VALIUM PER RECTUM
 Assemble needle and syringe.
Withdraw 5 ml (cc) from brown glass vial of valium.
Replace needle with teat canula or tom cat catheter.
Apply small amount of K-Y jelly to teat canula or tom cat catheter.
Remove syringe and teat canula.  Discard.
Check for any rectal bleeding.
Gently insert canula one-half to one inch into rectum and give dose of valium.

If patient defecates during administration, repeat steps 1-5.
Contact your veterinarian if you note any change in your dog's behavior or seizure character.
  HomeOur PackPhotosPuppies!New OwnersChinook HealthChinook HistoryChinook SportsOur Boys


This is what owners and researchers want to know! 
Some canines find seizure control with phenobarbital, potassium bromide, a combination of both drugs, or other newer drugs.  More information is needed to learn if drugs also help with Chinook dyskinesia type episodes (also called "Chinook Seizures") as well as if they work to control other types of seizures.

To help during the actual seizure, valium may be given rectally which may help to shorten the duration of a seizure, lessen the severity, and reduce the time it takes for a Chinook to rebound from the effects of their seizure.  This treatment works in some but not all dogs of other breeds.  Owners often express a feeling of overwhelming helplessness as they watch their Chinook go through a seizure event.  With valium on hand, this helplessness can be replaced with a feeling of control and relief. 

The following precautions, guidelines, and instruction sheet on the use of valium per rectum for canines was provided by a veterinary neurologist.  This info is printed here for your information only:  please do your own research and ask your vet!

NOTE:  if you have a Chinook with seizures, and if you are interested in learning more about this valium protocol - talk with your vet, and/or consult with a veterinary neurologist. A list of veterinarians specializing in neurology can be found here:  http://www.acvim.org/

The valium protocol listed here is for the use of liquid valium - a valium suppository is also available, though the liquid valium may offer a quicker response then the suppository.