I've been giving evening primrose oil capsules to my dogs for many years.  However, recently when visiting the vet and mentioning this, she said not to give them as it could cause epileptic fits which she said Goldens were prone to.  Instead, she said I should give him Viacutan, which actually seems to be a very similar product, so I'm .

I've since done a bit of internet digging and it would seem that for epileptic dogs/people, evening primrose oil shouldn't be given as it can make fits more likely.  However, this is presumably only in dogs/people who already suffer from epilepsy (which my dog doesn't) rather than causing the condition in the first place.

As I've said, the two products seem to be very similar so has anyone got any knowledge/ideas why Viacutan should be considered preferable?

Thanks.

No idea, but as I've always understood it, you wouldn't give EPO to a dog who is already suffering from epilepsy - if they don't have it, I'm sure EPO doesn't cause epilepsy to start. 

I think your vet is trying to make you buy something direct from them rather then somewhere else.

I've given EPO to dogs for years now, never with a problem!

Sunbeams, I must admit I wasn't aware that dogs or people with epilepsy shouldn't be given EPO but none of my dogs have had epilepsy (touch wood!) and they've all had EPO so I also don't believe it can actually cause epilepsy.

I think your vet is trying to make you buy something direct from them rather then somewhere else.


I wouldn't like to think that ice_queen as I trust this vet not to give me false information - and I don't trust vets easily!  Viacutan doesn't need a prescription anyway and is available in lots of places much cheaper than the vets.

Well, as your vet has succeeded in making you worry why don't you just stop giving evening primose oil?  There are plenty of alternatives.

Same here, I used to give EPO to my dogs on a daily basis - the vet originally recommended it to me for a persian I had, whose coat was very dry and brittle - he said it's excellent for coat and skin - and my dogs were on it without any problems.  But I do remember reading ages ago that you just shouldn't give it if a dog has epilepsy. 

Well, as your vet has succeeded in making you worry why don't you just stop giving evening primose oil?  There are plenty of alternatives.

But I would like to know what the difference between the two products is as the ingredients seem remarkably similar! :)

Hi Annie

I would avoid giving EPO to any breed prone to epilepsy whether they actually have it or not.

A number of years ago Hamish (Goldie) was having a problem with his coat and I decided to try EPO. Within a couple of weeks he had a couple of "funny episodes". Certainly not full blown fits, but flickering eyes, unaware of surroundings, wobbly. He went to the vets but he couldn't find anything wrong, and by then he wasn't showing any symptoms. I then read on the bottle that EPO shouldn't be given to epileptics, so stopped giving them to him. He has never had another "funny episode".

I know nothing about Viacutan, but thought it might be useful for you and others to hear my experience regarding EPO.

Hi Pedlee and thanks for your post.  Must have been a scary experience and I'm glad to hear that Hamish fully recovered.