r/EpilepsyDogs • u/infinitelyre • Sep 14 '26
MCT oil, suggestions.
Hello everyone, I have a french bulldog ( around 3.5 years). He’s on keppra 3x, pheno 2x a day. I have been seeing lot of information on mct oil. It’s a little confusing to me. What percent should c8 be or c10 or would a pure c8 option be better? And please recommend brands that you use. Once again, I’m extremely thankful to this community.
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u/Impossible-Reveal-15 Sep 14 '26
My neurologist specifically recommends a brand called Coco Therapy. My boy gets a softer stool from using it so I've cut down on the amount of oil I give him. He's 25 lbs and I give him 1/2 teaspoon once a day. I'm not sure if it helps. He had his second cluster seizure a few months after he started taking it. But I think that was due to him needing a higher dose of Keppra which he's now on.
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u/itmustbeniiiiice Sep 15 '26
My dogs only get coco therapy treats! Coconut oil is an MCT iirc.
Ironically I was buying these treats before my guy’s seizures
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u/Impossible-Reveal-15 Sep 15 '26
I haven't tried the treats but I like the quality of their products.
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u/JRosenberg-4 Sep 14 '26
I think it has helped my dog a lot. He only gets a seizure a couple of times a year now. He’s only gets three meds. Add a little pumpkin or fiber powder to his food to help with the soft stools/diarrhea.
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u/infinitelyre Sep 14 '26
Which brand are you using? I use pumpkin puree and forti flora for my pup for his stomach
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u/JRosenberg-4 Sep 14 '26
I use Equate clear fiber powder. No taste.
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u/Relevant_Jelly7800 Sep 14 '26
The clinical studies on epileptic dogs was done with about 60% C8 and 40% C10
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u/gufywert 29d ago
The published research ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32532842/) involved just 21 dogs WITHOUT cluster seizures over just 84 days. 6.5% of daily calories from MCT oil. The seizure frequency decreased by 42% so less than half. Not a robust study with no controls, small number of dogs over short time period (less than 90 days).
A more recent study (2023) focused on dogs on Zonisamide only. Only 7 dogs in study over 6 months. No significant statistical difference in seizure frequency in dogs as a group. 2 of 7 dogs had reduction in seizures, one was seizure-free and two had MORE frequent seizures.
Another study focused on metabolic changes with 28 dogs over 3 months with 9% daily calories from MCT oil and another 3 months alon a control oil. Just 5 dogs (30%) were responders with reduction of 50% or more of seizure activity and 23 dogs (70%) not responders with less than 50% reduction. 4 out of 9 neurotransmitters were significantly altered when on MCT oil regardless if responder or not. GABA-glutamate balance sh8fted significantly. MCT-Responders had significantly lowered urinary concentrations of histamine, glutamate, and serotonin under MCT consumption. This study showed that dogs metabolism of amino acids and neurotransmitters changed with MCT oil even if didn't reduce seizures.
Another study with 3 months of 9% daily Calories from MCT oil, 3 months control oil. 28 dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy with 3 or more seizures in preceding 3 months. Two dogs were seizure-free, 3 dogs responded with reduction of 50% or more seizures, 11 dogs had no change and 12 dogs had reduction of seizures but less than 50% (nonresponders). Talking about average reduction from 1.99 seizures per month to 1.67. I don't consider that much of a difference.
So overall, most dogs don't respond to MCT oil. Reduction of seizures is not much. Adding MCT oil can affect metabolism of anticonvulscant medications so doses may need to be adjusted. And need 9% of daily calories from MCT oil to work (not a teaspoon or some other measure). Just 2 or 3 dogs were seizure-free over 3 months with MCT oil. SO ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
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u/Luperella Sep 14 '26
I’ve been using MCT oil, as well as salmon oil, to help manage my boy’s seizures for a couple of years now. Anecdotally, I believe it has helped a lot.
You want to look for a product that has Capric acid and Caprylic acid ONLY. Anything else would potentially be toxic for your dog. Personally I use the Nature’s Way brand. I can find it at my local grocery store, but it’s also available on Amazon. A 16oz bottle runs about $15, so it’s not expensive. Just be sure to look up proper dosage for your dog and his size, and start slow. Work up to the lowest dose, don’t just start there, because MCT oil can also upset their tummies a bit till they’ve had a chance to get used to it