Phenobarbital: Phenobarbital is usually the first line drug chosen for primary epilepsy. Common short-term side effects of phenobarbital in dogs are mild sedation and some incoordination. Longer term side effects may be increased appetite and occasionally, increased thirst and urination.
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Will phenobarbital change my dog’s personality?
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.
How long can a dog stay on 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.
Can epilepsy in dogs cause incontinence?
Urinary incontinence: Dogs may lose consciousness and lose control of certain bodily functions during seizures. It’s not uncommon for dog seizure symptoms to include urinary incontinence and accidental defecation.
Does phenobarbital make dogs incontinent?
Sometimes a dog may seem to need to urinate more frequently than normal when he is on phenobarbital. This may be due to his excessive drinking habits. More water in equals more water out.
Does phenobarbital have to be given exactly every 12 hours?
Absorption of phenobarbital varies greatly among breeds, therefore dosage should be determined by your veterinarian based on your dog’s weight, and the frequency and severity of seizures. Generally, this medication should be given every 12 hours, and it is important not to miss a dose.
What happens if I stop giving my dog phenobarbital?
Phenobarbital treatment should not be stopped suddenly. The drug causes dependence, and abrupt stoppage can cause barbiturate withdrawal seizures. Seizures can cause injuries and brain damage, but anti-seizure medication for dogs can prevent or control seizures.
Why does my dog whine on phenobarbital?
If your dog was just started on Phenobarbital or their dosage was increased, they may whine some after taking their medications. This medication is supposed to cause your dog to become calm. Some dogs it will have the opposite effect after starting them medication and they may become more agitated and whine.
Can dogs still have seizures on phenobarbital?
What should I do if my dog continues to have seizures while taking phenobarbital? Contact your vet immediately if your dog continues to have seizures after taking phenobarbital for 2 weeks. Seizures after this point may mean the dose is not right or that your dog needs a different medication.
Can I give my dog phenobarbital 3 times a day?
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. Phenobarbital is given as a tablet 2-3 times daily.
What happens if you give a dog too much phenobarbital?
Yes, dogs can overdose on Phenobarbital. Phenobarbital toxicosis manifests with ataxia, heavy sedation, recumbency (inability to stand), hypothermia (decreased body temperature), coma, and even death. If case of accidental ingestion, call the vet or Animal Poison Control Helpline immediately.
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.
Can seizures cause loss of bladder control?
Loss of bladder control is unfortunately a pretty common occurrence in tonic-clonic seizures, especially in nocturnal seizures when your bladder has had time to fill up.
Can epilepsy affect bladder?
These seizures cause pelvic muscles to tense, putting the bladder under stress. During this time, it’s common for people to lose control of their bladders. Atonic seizures induce muscle relaxation which can cause the bladder muscles to relax, allowing urine to flow.
Why do seizures cause urinary incontinence?
Atonic seizures occur when the muscles become weak. All of which can affect the bladder and urinary tract by increasing the amount of pressure placed on the bowels. With muscle contractions and weakness, the pelvic muscles may become unable to hold urine, resulting in accidental leakage or total voiding of the bladder.
What are the side effects of phenobarbital?
- drowsiness.
- headache.
- dizziness.
- excitement or increased activity (especially in children)
- nausea.
- vomiting.
What not to feed a dog that has seizures?
Food that causes seizures. According to the ASPCA, caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol can cause your dog’s seizures.
What does pentobarbital do to dogs?
Uses of Pentobarbital for Dogs and Cats Originally introduced as a sedative and anesthetic, pentobarbital is now most commonly used for euthanasia. Pentobarbital is still sometimes used as an anesthetic, in experimental situations, and is used to control seizures that do not respond to other medications.
What is the therapeutic level of phenobarbital in dogs?
The therapeutic antiepileptic serum concentration of phenobarbital was found to be between 25 and 40 micrograms/ml of serum. Serum phenobarbital concentrations greater than 40 micrograms/ml resulted in side effects in most dogs.
How many seizures is too many for a dog?
Seizures longer than five minutes or three or more seizures within a 24-hour-period. Two or more seizures within a six-month-period. Prolonged, severe, or unusual post-seizure periods.
Is keppra better 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.
What are withdrawal symptoms of phenobarbital?
- Seizures.
- Shakiness.
- Anxiety.
- Agitation.
- Insomnia.
- Overactive reflexes.
- Increased heart rate.
- Increased blood pressure.
Can dogs go through withdrawal from phenobarbital?
Most epileptic dogs are treated with phenobarbital, which is one of the few AEDs approved for treatment of epilepsy in dogs, but leads to development of physical dependence and the risk of withdrawal seizures upon termination of treatment (14).
Can I cut my dogs phenobarbital in half?
A pill cutter is much easier and more accurate to use. I think the best way to cut down the pill is to first cut it in half, then into quarters. To reduce by 10%, gauge where half of 25% is and take off a bit less than that.
Can dogs get addicted to phenobarbital?
When a dose is missed a seizure can occur. Addiction to phenobarbital, as we might imagine addiction to pain medication in humans, is not exactly a problem for dogs, but it is necessary to carefully wean a dog off the medication when the decision is made to no longer administer it.