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378273 tn?1262097621

Phenobarbital Side Effects

I am very worried about my dog. She began phenobarbital a couple of days ago. She weighs 70 lbs and is getting 1 1/2 pills of 65 mg pills twice daily.  At first everything was ok, but now her rear legs are giving out. She cannot stand up without help and cries if I touch her legs. Once she is up, she staggers like she is drunk.  I have a call in to the vet, but no response yet. Can I give her a Tramadol (left over from a previous dog) for pain? Is it dangerous to stop the phenobarb completely or should I taper off gradually?   I hate to see her in pain.  Thank you---
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378273 tn?1262097621
Yes, I posted a bit a few years back when I was first diagnosed with Afibs. I am now on Flecainide as well as Metropolol and Warfarin. I have "lone" Afibs and sometimes weeks go by without an episode; but most of the time I get it about once a week; usually in the middle of the night.  One time, one of my dogs woke me by bumping his nose to mine - I was having a run of really slow beats and I guess it scared him. Usually I have tachs though - hard to say which is more uncomfortable.  Spicy foods brings it on as does stress, but not at the time of the stressful event; a few days later!  So I'm kind of expecting to get an episode in a few days from the worry about my dog Sierra.  Last year I broke my arm and did not get an episode for about a month. Then I had a long one, about 12 hrs llong,  It's as if the body knows that I can't handle more than one stressful event at a time.  Anyone else notice that?

PS Sierra is much, much better. She can do get up from a lying down or sitting position without a problem Whew!
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
Thanks for sharing the good news, we who read and respond worry and are saddened by what we read, a happy ending makes every thing much better.

Do you ever share AFib issues with fellow suffers, me, on the Heart Rhythm Community here on MedHelp?.   I am a community co-leader there and also engage in discussions there...yes and elsewhere... I'm an old guy and have a lot of experience with health issues.
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378273 tn?1262097621
Thanks for your response. She is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and was put on the phenobarb for seizures. Finally I heard from the vet - she was not concerned and said what I describe are common side effects. She agreed with my lowering the dosage.  She said it can take up to 2 weeks for the side effects to subside. There is an emergency place a couple of miles away; which I will take her to if she gets worse, but she has greatly improved in the last 12 hours or so. She can now get up on her own most of the time and seems more alert.

About doctors getting back to patient: I went to the chiropractor for vertigo problems and he checked my carotid arteries with his stethoscope and heard a noise. Told me to call my cardiologist (whom I see for afibs) and let him know. I called the office; was told they needed an order from the chiropractor. Called him, said he would send one. Haven't heard back from the cardiologist's office.  I am assuming they are not worried, but this type of thing happens a lot in the L.A area. They are so overwhelmed with patients (even the vets are) not sure why. Maybe it is because everyone does so many tests and procedures these days. Who knows? But it is very frustrating. I had to leave my internist because he didn't listen to me and admitted he only had time to spend 10 minutes with each patient!  WTH? I still don't have a new one. But I do love my cardiologist and especially his NP who spends more time with me than the doc!

Sorry for the long off-topic rant!  Thanks again for your quick response. I am so relieved my dog is better today (and so are the other dogs who were very concerned too!)



Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
Is the dog taking the medication because of leg/hip problems, or is that an unintended consequence of treating something else?

How old is the dog, apparently one of the larger breeds - some of which hip problems are more likely than for smaller dogs.

Not sure how a vet can not respond to a call for help for a dog under their care/treatment.  I'd for sure look for a new vet for any future needs.

I can't give advice on prescription medications, but I will say if I had, and I think I have, a dog pain medication and my dog was in pain I'd use it with some care - watchful eye/monitoring.  

Is there an emergency animal hospital in your area?  I am somewhat out in the country in NJ, but there is a 24/7 emergency animal hospital within 25 miles of me.m  There may be one near you as well.
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