Understanding CBD, CBG, and CBN: A Cannabinoid Guide for Canine Epilepsy Support
- Theo's Promise
- Jun 1, 2025
- 3 min read
If your dog has epilepsy, tracking their seizures might feel overwhelming at first—but it can become one of your most powerful tools as a pet parent. Logging each episode, symptom, and trigger not only helps your veterinarian make better decisions, it gives you back a sense of control in the chaos of canine epilepsy.
Whether your pup has just been diagnosed or you're deep in the journey, this guide will walk you through the best seizure tracking methods, tools, and technologies—based on veterinary research and real-world experience.
Why Seizure Tracking Matters
Keeping a consistent seizure log helps with:
Spotting patterns and potential triggers (like stress, weather changes, or missed meds)
Measuring whether treatments or medications are working
Preparing for vet visits, emergency situations, or changes in care
Documenting quality of life over time
According to a 2021 review in Veterinary Record, seizure logs provided critical data that helped differentiate between idiopathic epilepsy and symptomatic causes, giving vets clearer direction on treatment plans.
What to Log: A Simple Template
You can track seizures in a notebook, spreadsheet, or app. Here’s what to include:
What to Record | Why It Matters |
Date & Time | Helps identify time-based patterns or cycles |
Seizure Type | Generalized, focal/partial, cluster, or prolonged |
Duration | Accurate timing helps evaluate severity |
Pre-Seizure Signs | Pacing, vomiting, whining, hiding—early warning cues |
Post-Seizure Behavior | Confusion, lethargy, aggression—helps measure recovery time |
Known or Suspected Triggers | Excitement, fatigue, heat, food changes, etc. |
Emergency Meds Given | Include dose, time, and response |
Notes | Anything else: environment, visitors, full moon? |
Stay tuned—Theo’s Promise will soon release a free printable seizure log for your fridge, vet folder, or phone.
Seizure Tracking Apps (Adapted from Human Tools)
There aren’t many apps made just for dogs yet, but several human epilepsy apps work well:
🧠 Seizure Tracker™
Platform: iOS, Android, Web
Best For: Detailed logging, exporting charts for vets
Bonus: You can upload videos and sync meds
📱 EpiDiary
Platform: iOS, Android
Best For: Daily med reminders and simple seizure logs
Note: It’s less customizable, but beginner-friendly
Pet Tech: Wearables, Cameras & More
🐶 Activity Trackers (Like Fi, Whistle, Tractive)
While these can't detect seizures directly, they track changes in activity and sleep, which can help identify early warning signs or post-seizure fatigue.
📹 Home Cameras
Nest, Wyze, and Petcube cameras let you monitor your dog remotely and catch nighttime seizures. Bonus: You can replay the footage for your vet.
⚠️ Biometric Collars (Coming Soon)
Emerging technologies are being developed to monitor dogs’ heart rates and movements to detect seizures in real time—keep an eye on this space!
Spreadsheet Tools & Custom Logs
Some pet owners prefer tech-free options or want to customize their logs.Consider:
Google Sheets or Excel for searchability and color-coded trends
Smartsheet for vet-sharable dashboards and filters
Printable PDF logs for keeping a paper trail
Theo’s Promise will be offering both Google and Smartsheet templates for free download soon.
Integrative Tracking (If You Use Holistic Therapies)
If you’re using CBD, acupuncture, dietary changes, or other integrative therapies, log those too! Holistic treatments may impact seizure frequency or severity. Tracking this info helps you evaluate what’s working.
✨ Tip: Be specific about dosages, timing, and any reactions.
One study (McGrath et al., 2019 – JAVMA) showed that some dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy responded positively to CBD therapy, especially when paired with consistent documentation and follow-up.
Share It With Your Vet
You don’t have to wait for an emergency to bring this data in. Email or print your seizure logs every 30-60 days for regular review.
Bring video clips, patterns, and your own concerns
Use the data to discuss possible med adjustments
Help your vet understand not just seizure count, but how your dog is coping
Final Thoughts
Tracking seizures isn’t about obsessing over every detail—it’s about being empowered.
You are your dog’s advocate. By documenting their epilepsy journey with care and consistency, you give them the best shot at stability, safety, and a higher quality of life.
At Theo’s Promise, we believe no one should have to navigate this alone. That’s why we’re building a library of resources, research, and tools designed just for dog owners dealing with epilepsy.
Together, we can make this journey more manageable—and give our dogs the care they deserve.
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