Writing the Book I Couldn't Find: Seizures and Keto for Dogs

I'm a cartoonist. I love making my living as a cartoonist. But lately, my attention has been diverted by caring for my dog after she reacted badly to flea treatment.

When my Jack Russell, Molly, started having seizures, I threw myself into research. With my biochemistry background, I was able to understand some of the research that's been done lately on ketogenic diets and how they can help with seizures. I could also grasp why a flea treatment might have caused the seizures in the first place. Through careful dietary management, we've largely managed to stop her seizures—something I'm now documenting in a book about our experiences.

I went onto Amazon this week to see what other books had been written about ketogenic diets for dogs with seizures, I discovered something troubling.

AI Slop is Preying on Pet Owners

I came across a couple of listings that looked promising. I even downloaded one of them.

It became immediately obvious that the content was written by AI. Recipes for frittatas and stir-fries and the like would never have been designed by a veterinarian for a dog with seizures.

I wondered if the vet listed as the author existed. When I searched for “Dr Rose Macpherson, DVM” her name only appeared on Amazon and some Facebook posts where a man was recommending her books (all of which had been published in August this year). Probably the same guy who used AI to write these books.

Nala Cross, another “author” of a book about dog seizures was also hard to find anywhere but on Amazon.

“Nala” has put out two books this year about dogs. Both have clearly AI-generated covers—no surprise there. She's supposedly a dog trainer, so surely she must appear somewhere on the internet to promote her business? Especially with a name that's not very common. But I couldn't find her anywhere. Probably because she doesn't exist. I didn’t download the book this time, but many of the reviews look very similar and one from a genuine buyer mentions that the content reads like it is AI-generated.

Here's what's happening: It's fairly easy to use tools to find out what content people are looking for on Amazon. If that content doesn't exist, what a brilliant opportunity to create it and make sure it does—regardless of whether you have any actual expertise.

These are independently published books, and I have no problem with that (I've put out over 10 myself). But I do have a problem with people pretending to be qualified professionals when they're clearly just using AI to prey on vulnerable people looking for answers for their pets’ illnesses.

When your dog is having seizures, you're desperate for help. You're willing to try anything that might work. The last thing you need is AI-generated rubbish masquerading as veterinary advice.

How to Help People Who Need Information on Ketogenic Diets for Dogs with Seizures

In researching what might help my Jack Russell, I found there was very little genuine information about ketogenic diets and how to specifically tailor them for dogs. The research exists, but it's scattered and often buried in academic papers that aren't accessible to the average pet owner.

Clearly, I'm not the only person who's been looking for this information. Which is exactly why Amazon is now getting flooded with AI slop—people are exploiting a genuine need in the market.

This is why I'm writing my own book. Not because I it’s the book I wanted to write (I wish Molly had never had flea treatment tablets and never developed seizures), but because the information simply isn't out there in an accessible form. And unlike the AI-generated alternatives, it will be based on real experience, real research, and real care for dogs and their owners who are going through this frightening experience.

If you have found this post because of your dog’s seizures, let me know; I’d love to share the book with you when I’m finished (and I’ll be looking for an advance reading team to read a free copy in exchange for honest reviews, not bot-generated ones)