My boy is now on epiphen...not what I was hoping for, however it seems to have made him more eager to work during training...If I wanted to enter him into a competition would he be allowed to compete while taking the epiphen?

I was outside doing a bit of work with him this evening and the thought popped into my head that he might be excluded because it is sort of a mind altering type of medication.

Thanks
J

Epiphen is phenobarbitone.  It slows down metabolism.  Being eager is just your dog.  It won't be the drug making him work well, I wouldn't have thought.

My biggest worry wouldn't be whether I'd be allowed to enter.  Just my personal slant on it, I would never do agility with an epileptic dog.  I would be mortified if it actually brought on a seizure.  I would never forgive myself.

I wouldn't do agility either...but he seems to be enjoying the obedience...he has his moments...at the moment he is having quite a bit of anxiety ( which he never had before) but during the training sessions we've had he seems to forget about it...so I thought he might find his confidence again.

In that case, I'm thinking that, if him concentrating on obedience results in minimising his anxiety, then yes, do what is right for your lad. 

Perhaps the anxiety is due to him finding the effects of the drugs unsettling.  Just a suggestion mind.  You know your boy best.  Good Luck anyway.  My bitch has been on ephipen for years.

My lab was diagnosed with epilepsy last year and started on epiphen. We were competing in obedience and to be honest I never wondered about if he was allowed to compete while taking them....i know of other dogs competing very successfully who are taking this and other epilepsy drugs. As long as your dog is fit enough to work I can't see how it makes a difference...

That's interesting to hear.  And rather nice to know that dogs can enjoy obedience even on drugs.  In my experience the bond you get when working at anything with a dog, is very, very special.  And the dogs get the same satisfaction.  I'm glad that you posted your experience.  It will give others a lift if they are worrying about their dog with epilepsy.

I suppose I should have added that it takes slightly more planning before going to a show :) With epiphen having to be given at such strict time intervals its worth bearing in mind whether you might be travelling around the time a dose is needed...i always had spare tablets with me so if we were held up I could stop and give him his tablet. Also making sure that the timing doesn't clash with the shows running orders...my dog was having his tablets at 8am and 8pm. I made sure I always had a box with towels, rescue remedy, tablets, food etc in the van just in case he fitted while we were out. I changed the sleeping arrangements so he now sleeps in the caravan instead of with the other dogs. Before the season starts this year we shall be visiting the vet ( who always supported the idea of him continuing to train) and i will be discussing the option of having some diazepam to take with me when we are away...just in case! My biggest fear is that he will fit (and its always late at night!!) while we are away, especially if its somewhere that we don't know our way around. My boy won't compete any more...he stresses in stays so not worth it, but still absolutely loves his training and I will continue training him until he decides he doesn't want to do it. :) Epilepsy is a horrible illness but with careful thought they can still enjoy life to the full :D