Your vet will usually prescribe your dog a dose of potassium bromide
daily
; however, if this medicine is upsetting your dog’s stomach, they may advise you to try smaller doses. If you are giving a liquid solution to your dog, you’ll need to inject it directly into their mouth with a plastic, needleless syringe.
How much potassium bromide can a dog take?
The starting dose of KBr is
22 to 40 mg/kg orally per day
. However, given the reversibility of side effects, the upper limit of the dosage is dictated by the animal and owner’s ability to tolerate side effects. In the dog, the t
1 / 2
of KBr is approximately 25 days (range 15 to 45 days).
What does bromine do to dogs?
“Hot tubs are really dangerous for dogs – not only can the chlorine, bromine or other chemicals cause
irritation to sensitive areas like their skin, eyes and ears
, but dogs can also suffer an extreme reaction through inhaling treated hot tub water into their lungs,” adds Dave.
How long does it take for potassium bromide to work in dogs?
Potassium bromide does not begin working right away. It may take
six to twelve weeks
before we see improved seizure control with potassium bromide. Do not become discouraged by this fact. We will monitor blood levels 3 weeks and 3-4 months after starting the medication.
What happens if I give my dog too much potassium bromide?
Overdose. Toxicity to potassium bromide due to chronic overdose presents as
profound sedation, muscle pain, central nervous system signs, lack of coordination, stupor, and tremors
.
Does potassium bromide make dogs hungry?
As with any medication, potassium bromide does have the potential to cause side effects in dogs. The side effects that may be seen with potassium bromide include:
Increased appetite
. Increased thirst.
Can potassium bromide cause ataxia in dogs?
Potassium bromide may cause a side effect called ataxia
, a drunken-like or staggering, off-kilter gait. The chemical can also cause hind leg weakness (paresis). Both side effects may come and go (as in our dog), but may also be persistent, depending on patient tolerance and dose.
What does potassium bromide do for dogs?
Bromides (brand names: K-BroVet®, Libromide® also known as KBr) are a group of anticonvulsants used to
treat seizures in dogs, either as a primary or adjunctive therapy
. The two most commonly used bromides are potassium bromide and sodium bromide. Its use in dogs to treat seizures is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’.
How does potassium bromide stop seizures?
However, in January 2021, FDA conditionally approved KBroVet-CA1 (potassium bromide chewable tablets) to control seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. The drug is a halide salt, and
when the salt passes through neuronal channels, it hyperpolarizes neuronal membranes and stabilizes the neurons
.
Can dogs drink bromine water?
It is unlikely that pool water with chlorine or bromine at those concentrations would be enough to kill a dog or cause serious toxicity
, as it would be impossible for your dog to ingest more than trace amounts when taking in a few mouthfuls.
Can potassium bromide cause diarrhea in dogs?
Stomach Upset, Nausea, and/or Vomiting:
Potassium Bromide can cause stomach upset, nausea, and/or vomiting in dogs
. This side effect is most common is dogs that are receiving their dose without food.
Is bromine toxic to animals?
Yet, bromine can be more difficult to rinse off. At the end of the day, both chemicals work well in the pool and
neither should have an adverse effect on your pet’s health
.
Can potassium bromide cause pancreatitis in dogs?
Abstract. In a retrospective study,
at least 10% of dogs receiving potassium bromide/phenobarbital combination therapy, compared with 0.3% of dogs receiving phenobarbital monotherapy, had probable pancreatitis
.
What is the best anti seizure medication for dogs?
- Phenobarbital. …
- Potassium Bromide. …
- Levetiracetam (Keppra®) …
- Zonisamide (Zonegran®) …
- Premidone. …
- Per Rectal Diazepam. …
- Modified diet. …
- Supplements.
Do seizures shorten a dog’s life span?
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.
Does potassium bromide need to be refrigerated?
Potassium bromide suspension
must be stored in the refrigerator
and expires after 30 days. After the expiry date, the Potassium Bromide degrades such that the product becomes ineffective for seizure control.
Does potassium bromide cause weight gain in dogs?
What results can I expect? Some dogs may experience sedation (drowsiness) when first starting this medication. This often resolves within several weeks of starting the medication. Some dogs also experience an increased thirst, which causes increased urination, and an increased appetite which
can cause weight gain
.
Can too much potassium bromide cause seizures in dogs?
SIDE EFFECTS OF CONCERN:
For this reason bromide levels are monitored periodically. A similar syndrome can occur in dogs if bromide levels become too high.
Dogs with a history of pancreatitis may experience an exacerbation if potassium bromide is used to treat a seizure disorder
.
Should I put my dog down if he has 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 dogs with seizures live long?
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.
