It wasn’t too long after Kartoffel was on his daily dosages of phenobarbital that the side effects started coming. The first thing I can remember is that
he started getting raised bumps on his snout
. They were under the skin/fur, did not move, and were somewhat hard.
Can a dog be allergic to phenobarbital?
Make sure your veterinarian is aware of any medical conditions your dog has, as well as any other medications your dog may be taking, as these can react poorly with phenobarbital. As with almost all drugs,
there is a risk of allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition
.
What are the side effects of phenobarbital in dogs?
Common side effects in dogs include
anxiety, agitation, lethargy, or sedation when therapy is started, and increased thirst, urination, and appetite or elevated liver enzymes on bloodwork
are possible. Side effects such as incoordination may indicate a dose that is too high.
Does phenobarbital make dogs itchy?
Liver toxicity appears to be a problem for dogs but not for cats.
Cats can get itchy faces on phenobarbital
. This can be problematic enough to require a medication change.
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.
How long do the side effects of phenobarbital last in dogs?
Common short-term side effects of phenobarbital are mild sedation and some incoordination. Longer term side effects may be increased appetite, and, occasionally, increased thirst and urination. After
7-10 days
, these effects wear off and your pet should appear normal again.
How long does it take for phenobarbital to get into a dog’s system?
Phenobarbitone is often the preferred first choice as it takes effect more quickly (
within 2 weeks
) than Potassium Bromide (3 to 6 months). Potassium Bromide can be used as first choice in animals with pre-existing liver disease or animals with very low seizure frequency.
Can a dog be weaned off phenobarbital?
After 6 months seizure-free, gradually wean the animal off phenobarbital
. The rapidity at which we decrease the phenobarbital depends on the serum levels at the time. If the levels are in the optimal range (100 to 130 umol/L) a minimum of 16 weaning weeks should be allowed.
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.
Can I give my dog Benadryl while taking phenobarbital?
Some medications may raise the risk of severe side effects with phenobarbital.
Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or cetirizine can cause excessive drowsiness
.
Does phenobarbital cause ataxia in dogs?
Ataxia. Ataxia is when a dog loses coordination in his hind end or experiences weakness there.
Phenobarbital can trigger ataxia
, and if you notice this, you should let your vet know.
What are the side effects of zonisamide in dogs?
Zonisamide use may be associated with the following side effects in dogs:
sedation, incoordination while walking, vomiting, and lack of appetite
. Contact your veterinarian if these signs are severe. Rare side effects include liver disease, urinary stones, and aggression.
How often should phenobarbital levels be checked?
We will usually recommend checking a phenobarbital level 4 weeks after reaching a therapeutic dose and then
every 4-12 months thereafter
.
How often should phenobarbital levels be checked in dogs?
Most veterinarians recommend that a phenobarbital level test be performed 2 to 4 weeks after the pet begins receiving the medication. Additional phenobarbital level tests may be required:
Every 6 months if seizures are controlled
.
What is superficial Necrolytic dermatitis?
Superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND) is
a disease in which dogs develop skin lesions
. Lesions are found most commonly on the pads of the feet, face or belly. The lesions are caused by a metabolic imbalance that isn’t fully understood.
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.
How much phenobarbital is too much?
Phenobarbital Overdose
A lethal dose of phenobarbital is
6-10 grams
, which a person may have in their medicine cabinet if they have been prescribed this drug. As a daytime sedative, a doctor may prescribe anywhere from 30 mg to 120 mg, and as an insomnia treatment, an individual could take as much as 320 mg.
Do seizures damage a dog’s brain?
That said, seizures can be a serious health concern and
even short seizures could cause brain damage
. If your dog suffers a seizure that continues for more than 30 minutes serious permanent brain damage could result.
What is dog ataxia?
The word ataxia means
incoordination within the nervous system
. The abnormal movement can occur in the legs, the head, the torso, or all three.
What toxins can cause seizures in dogs?
According to the ASPCA,
caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol
can cause your dog’s seizures.
Can dogs still have seizures on phenobarbital?
His answer:
Not quite yet
. When it comes to managing seizures, veterinarians still rely on phenobarbital and potassium bromide in the majority of maintenance regimens for these dogs. But managing seizure disorders is a challenge, especially when a dog does not respond to standard phenobarbital or bromide therapy.
Can phenobarbital cause liver damage in dogs?
Long-term administration of phenobarbital has been reported to cause hepatic injury in dogs
. Phenobarbital induces hepatic enzymes, and it may be difficult to distinguish the effect of enzyme induction on serum liver enzyme activities from actual hepatic damage.
Will phenobarbital make my dog gain weight?
Because Phenobarbital may also decrease other neurotransmitters, common side effects may include lethargy and loss of coordination, as well as: Increased appetite, which
may lead to weight gain
. Increased thirst and urination.
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.
Is Keppra better than phenobarbital?
Our final estimate found that
levetiracetam was superior to phenobarbital
(odds ratio, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.1-16; NNT, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.7-60) (Table 3). In the sensitivity analyses, we found that the phenobarbital group had a higher proportion of early failures than the levetiracetam group (7 [18.4%] vs 8 [6.8%]; P = .
