Phenobarbital is an anticonvulsant that
can prevent seizures in dogs
. It is generally well-tolerated and a common first-choice treatment. There are side effects to watch out for as well as several drug interactions. Give your dog phenobarbital as instructed, and take them for any ordered blood tests on time.
Does phenobarbital work immediately in dogs?
Phenobarbitone is often the preferred first choice as it takes effect more quickly (
within 2 weeks
) than Potassium Bromide (3 to 6 months).
How long does it take for phenobarbital to kick in?
How long does it take for the oral version of phenobarbital to start working? This medication starts to work in
30 to 60 minutes
. The effects can last up to 10 to 12 hours, depending on the formulation and your medical condition.
How long can a dog take phenobarbital?
Phenobarbital can cause liver damage (such as scarring in the liver) after prolonged use (
over three months
). In rare cases, it can even cause liver failure, which is why frequent blood tests are necessary for your vet to monitor the liver function.
What is the best anti seizure medication for dogs?
- Phenobarbital. …
- Potassium Bromide. …
- Levetiracetam (Keppra®) …
- Zonisamide (Zonegran®) …
- Premidone. …
- Per Rectal Diazepam. …
- Modified diet. …
- Supplements.
Why does my dog still have seizures on medication?
It can take months to get seizure activity under control, and your pet can continue to have seizures while on medication
. Based on your pet’s seizure activity and the therapeutic blood levels of the medication, adjustments in dosage may be necessary. Remember, these medications are not a cure for seizures.
What not to feed a dog that has seizures?
Things to Avoid
Chemical preservatives, such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin
may increase seizure activity, as well. At least initially, organ meats such as livers and kidneys should be avoided. An article in Whole Dog Journal suggests that the diet of a dog with seizures should be free of gluten.
How long can a dog live with seizures?
Approximately 40-60 percent of dogs with epilepsy have one or more episodes of cluster seizures or status epilepsy, and a mean lifespan of only
8 years
, compared to 11 years for those with epilepsy without episodes status epilepsy.
What can trigger a seizure in a dog?
Causes of Seizures in Dogs
Heat Exhaustion
. Nutritional imbalances such as thiamine deficiency. Low blood sugar levels. Liver disease.
What happens if a dog gets too much phenobarbital?
Symptoms of over dosage of Phenobarbital are
ataxia (drunk acting), lethargy, sedation, recumbency (inability to stand), depression, hypothermia (decreased temperature), coma, and death
. In addition, there is also a concern for damage to the liver.
Will phenobarbital help dog with brain tumor?
Phenobarbital is generally effective regardless of the underlying cause of the seizure disorder which means that is
can be used for epilepsy, brain tumors
, infectious diseases, or poisonings.
How long does seizure medication take to work in dogs?
The medication should begin working within
1-2 days
. Do not stop this medication suddenly or else seizures may occur.
Should you euthanize a dog with seizures?
If your dog only experiences one seizure and is otherwise healthy, then you don’t need to consider putting it down
. However, if your dog is having multiple seizures and does not respond well to treatment, then euthanasia may be the best decision for both you and your pet.
Do seizures shorten a dog’s life?
The life span of dogs in which euthanasia or death was directly caused by their epileptic condition was significantly shorter as compared with epileptic dogs that were euthanized because of other causes
(P = . 001). The median number of years that a dog lived with epilepsy was 2.3 years.
Is keppra better than phenobarbital for dogs?
1,2 A study of 19 dogs published in 2017 showed that
when levetiracetam was used as a monotherapy, it was as effective as the standard of care as phenobarbital
.
Should I put my dog on anti seizure medication?
Your veterinarian probably doesn’t want to put your dog on seizure medication if he or she is one of those dogs who never has another seizure
. A reason that I would put a dog on medication would be if they have seizures that last more than three to five minutes.
Is Keppra safer than phenobarbital for dogs?
Keppra differs from traditional anti-seizure medication in the fact that it does not contain either Potassium Bromide or Phenobarbital, which means
it has a wider margin of safety
, especially for dogs suffering from a damaged liver, or liver problems.
How many seizures is too many for a dog?
Yet, several seizures in a row or a seizure that lasts longer than five minutes is considered an emergency situation that can be life-threatening. Call your vet immediately. The occurrence of
more than three seizures in a 24-hour period
is also an urgent matter that requires a trip to the vet right away.
Does honey help dogs with seizures?
In animals that experience night seizures, administering melatonin (the naturally-occurring chemical released by the brain to induce sleep) can help.
If a dog has diabetes or is hypoglycemic, a teaspoon of honey once or twice a day, depending on frequency or severity of seizures, is suggested.
Why do dogs have seizures at night?
We know that some dogs inherit idiopathic epilepsy from their parents, but the exact reasons they occur are unknown. Other causes of dog seizures while sleeping are
kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, liver disease, toxins, neoplastic growths, metabolic disorders, and more
.
How can I prevent my dog from having seizures?
Reducing stress and limiting changes to your dog’s environment
can help to prevent seizures, as stress is known to ‘trigger’ seizures. Feeding your dog a healthy diet, keeping an eye on their blood sugar and getting them checked regularly by your daytime vet will also come in handy.
How often does a dog with epilepsy have seizures?
Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurring seizures; these often occur unpredictably which presents a further challenge for owners. The prevalence of canine epilepsy is estimated to be
between 0.5-5-7 percent
. This means that as many as 1 in 20 dogs may experience a seizure in their lifetime.
Are seizures in dogs painful?
However, it may give you peace of mind to know that
dog seizures aren’t painful for your pooch
. Of course, your dog might feel a sense of panic and confusion but during the actual seizure, they won’t be in pain.
