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.

[tenngrl36]

Hi I have a 3 year Boxer who started Phenobarbital in November. He is pretty much back to his old self. He still has a few seizures a month but the vet told me that might happen. He is not hyper but I would talk to your vet about this. As far as food, the vet told me to keep him on his normal diet cause if he overeats he will then become overweight. He was really hungry for about a month and a half but I think he is pretty much used to the medicine now. I wish you and your doggie all the best.

[buster81]

I have a 10 year old cocker spanial.she got put on phenobabital 3 years ago.she was started on the lowest dosage32.1mg per day,and adjusted up to 96.3 per day.over 3 month period.she didn't show any of those side effects till now.blood work showed her levels were to high.my concern is are other vets starting y'all on too high of a dosage.because those side effects indicate too much is in their system.like I said it took 3 years for her to get those effects and it was because her high levels.her effects are no control of her rear legs.sleeps all the time,and no motivation.hope this helps someone.

[thebeaglemom]

Try Bach's Rescue Remedy.  Regular human formula.  Put a few drops of the top of her head 10 minutes apart until she calms.  I have a beagle that has cluster seizures, is on phenobarb and potassium bromide and the Rescue Remedy does help her.  Good luck!

[Banjo88]

My 15 yr old 17 lb poodle had cluster seizures 2 days ago. The vet gave him 2 doses of phenobarb and valium (the last dose at 1pm on March 13th). She thinks that he may have a brain tumor and said that if I did not continue with diagnosis, that I should put him down. I took him home and am letting the medication wear off to see if he has another seizure. Within 12 hours he went from completely sedate to eating drinking, walking and using the bathroom on his own. It has been 36 hours and I would say he is about 80% back to his regular self, but he is still showing side effects from the phenobarb (more than usual hunger, partial loss of coordination and hind end weakness and restlessness). Does anyone know how long it takes for phenobarb to get out of the system? The vet said approximately 12 hrs, but that is obviously not the case. Also, since this morning he is having unusual smelly penile discharge, but he is still urinating fine. Has anyone experienced this? Is this a something to worry about?

Also, I really do not like the effects of phenobarb and am talking to my vet about Zonasimide or possibly Felbamate. Does anyone have experience with these?

[Elisa0119]

I have a pit bull mix that was put on phenobarbital yesterday my concern is she is not getting up to walk at all and sleeps alote she is eating and drinking normal and responds to us when we call her name she keeps her front legs straight and stiff and don't bend them that often her back legs seem weak and have to keep a pad under her to pee and poop anybody experience this??the doctor told me I have to allow healing time but she at least walked a little before going to vet

[Elisa0119]

I have a pit bull mix that was put on phenobarbital yesterday my concern is she is not getting up to walk at all and sleeps alote she is eating and drinking normal and responds to us when we call her name she keeps her front legs straight and stiff and don't bend them that often her back legs seem weak and have to keep a pad under her to pee and poop anybody experience this??the doctor told me I have to allow healing time but she at least walked a little before going to vet

[dcypherz]

My cocker is nine years old. About five years ago, I was told her skin problem was seborea.  She gets matting in her fur with a greasy foul smelling excretion. Under her neck, between her toes, and on her rear quarters. She got shaved one time and broke out all over with oozing sores. Then she got fatty tumors on her skin that cannot be "shaved".  Now she gets a longer cut to avoid arousing the sores.  A vet finally tested her thyroid and said she didn't make any, so he started her, raised the amount, and then she started having seizures.  A week ago, he doubled her amount to 32 mcg or whatever twice a day.  Last night she poo'd all over the house and back sidewalk.  I gave her phenobarb this morning, then she came to me with blood all over her mouth begging for her food.  I washed her up, fed her and now she is sleeping.  My husband said she wants food each time she takes her meds. I didn't realize this and waited a bit to feed her since she obviously had a stomach issue during the night. She hasn't had any seizures for a few weeks now, but I don't trust anyone who is treating her, now or in the past.  I feel like she needs a round of cefelexin and nothing else.  Her skin gets better when she took it before (yrs ago).  Does anyone know what I can do?  I am so sad watching this.  She has every side effect from the phenobarb...bad back legs, starting all day....  THANKS

[glnno81]

My sweet little pitty girl has been on it for a week. She also makes some goofy wobble like noises that I have never heard before.  She is soo stubborn too. She always was a little stubborn but listened perfectly to commands. Now she could care less about what we have to say. She eats my plants, the dirt, and chews everything. She flies through the air like a clumsy dolphin when excited.. which is really odd. She was having seizures multiple times daily which have stopped but why this behavior?? Will it go away??