Phenobarbital side effects--how long?

[jtrosen]

My dog (shepherd/husky mix, 73 pounds, 12 years old) began to have grand mal seizures last week. He had two seizures, one on Sunday and one on Monday, at almost exactly the same time in the evening. After the second seizure, the vet put him on phenobarbital (97 mg/2x per day).

He's been on it for five days now and is still pretty out of it. He is extremely lethargic (sleeps most of the day), has coordination problems, and weakness in his hind end. He walks veeery slowly. He's also extremely hungry and thirsty. I've read that all of these are possible phenobarbital side effects. How long do these usually last before the dog gets used to the medication? I'm hoping that these are not signs that something else is wrong, though I am aware of the possibilities.

[snowbike]

My lab Annie has just been put on a low dose of phenobarbital (1gr). The side effects are that she is very wobbly and can hardly walk. Is this normal? This is the 4th day she is on it.

[tonyb286]

Hi. Anti-seizure medication is not a simple or straightforward thing. Unfortunately. It is also not a quick-fix. Have your vets been taking bloods during the phenobarbital trial? If not, they won't know whether the therapeutic level has been achieved, or not. It takes time - and the period and symptoms presented during this time can be frightening and discouraging, but most dogs settle on the medication over a period of 2 to 8 weeks. It is useful to keep a diary of "events" during this time.

When Pb doesn't have the desired effect on its own, adding potassium bromide to the mix can work. Did your vet consider this?

Potassium Bromide is often the next best option, after trying Pb, as it is universally successful.

I am not as familiar with Zonisimide, though it seems it is quite low on the list of favored anticonvulsants. There are side effects (as with all this type of drug):

Side effects could include drowsiness, ataxia, loss of appetite and GI upset. While the drug appears safe, owners should be warned that because of the sulfonamide base, potential adverse effects (eg, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, bone marrow dyscrasia, hepatopathy, vasculitis) could occur.

I think you need to be patient. Try to accept that side effects initially are par for the course, and you need to give this (or any other drug) some time to work. I know it's upsetting seeing these side effects, but they should settle down eventually. It just takes time.

Tony

[daisysmama]

Hi Jandandy,
Yes, my dog  (also beagle) tries to eat everything too.  She has never taken Keppra though.  I guess it might be the PB?? I have to watch her very closely.  I walk her on a leash & if she acts like she is nudging in the grass, I gently pull up on her leash & take her in.

[Pressley0812]

My little Boston started having seizures a year ago August. 1 each month for 3 months then 4 in one day. Started 16.2 mg PB twice daily. October 4 she had a seizure an hour before she was to have her normal dosage. Then October 12 she had one while we were gone. She was pacing, running her head along walls, circling my legs. Took her to the vet the doubled her meds. She is basically a zombie, did double for 3 days called again backed down to 1 1/2 pills thinking it was too much. Did that for 2 days no improvements. Cannot walk without falling, not herself at all, gets stuck in a circle trying to go potty, pushes head into wall and stands there, face rubbing along wall, walking on tops of paws when I let her try to walk, we are on day #6 since the last seizure. She was eating and drinking when I take her to eat, yesterday would not eat. Peeing on herself. So took her to the vet Friday, they said her symptoms are not normal and thinks she is having a reaction. She consulted with 3 other vets and the decided to quit cold turkey PB  start Zonisimide(sp?). Have been off PB 48 hrs and no improvement. I am worried she has damage due to her seizure and may not be able to recover. Any suggestions? Our plan is see a neuro dr in she is not better by Monday.

[Looks4Path]

My golden retriever Bumper  just turned 6 yrs. old in late August. He has been having seizures since he has been about two. At first the seizures were only every two months, some times 3 months, and once he even went as long as 6 months that I know of without a seizure. Sometimes he would seize one day and then the very next day have another seizure but then good for a couple of months. All of his seizures last around a minute, then the post ictal stage can last for a while. I also want to mention that Bumper does not see to well, thus his name. He was born with plaque over the retina's of his eyes, so he kind of see's peripherally, almost like having a fist in your face to see around. A week ago Monday, he had one seizure at 10:40 pm, another at 2:00 am, woke me up seizing again at 8:00 am, and then later that evening at 5:10 pm. I had already made an appt. with my regular vet for the next day for blood work and start him on meds, but after the seizure at 5:10 pm, and no one at the vets office, I took him to the ER. There, they gave him a shot of pheno, and gave me pills of pheno to start the next day, along with a couple of valium rectal syringes. He did sleep all night without another seizure. He saw the vet the next day for blood work and vet said to return in 3 weeks for a level check. In the mean time, after starting on pheno 1-1/2 grain twice a day (88.8 lbs.) the side affects with bumping into things, collapsing and not knowing where he was or heading in the wrong direction of my voice, I spoke to a vet on saturday  who reduced him to 1 grain in the morning, and the 1-1/2 grain at night. This seems to have helped a bit, and I think he is starting to come around a bit. Though I am worried about if his vision will ever be back to what it use to be. This has been a very stressful time with dealing with this drug, I am so glad I found this thread!

Has anyone claimed on the Pet insurance for epilepsy? If so what did the Pet insurance company pay? Will they pay for an MRI or specialist? For the drugs like pheno?  Thanks, LaDonna

[Sylvi16]

When my doxie was about 3 years old he bit me,actually it was more of  scrape bite when I tapped her back end for tearing up my just installed laminate floor.  I so I tapped hjm again in the same spot.  He bit me again in the same spot on my hand.  I tapped again and a bite again.  I then slapped him on the nose with a paper, the receipt for the floor.  He stopped any more aggression.  Since I worked full-time I did not want to leave him the care of my roommates.  So I day-borded(sp?) him at the vets.  When I dropped him off the next morning, I was telling the ladies that ran the front part of the excellent clinic about his odd behavior the night before.  They said, simultaneously, "You must have hurt him".  I said I tapped him.  They decided an x-ray was in order.  The technican took the x-ray and the doctor found 3 herniated discs.  I was hurting him. If those very talented and dedicated ladies had said nothing or worse yet did,'t recognize his behavior as pain life would have been different for us.  He is now nine and doing ok.