Phenobarbitol & seizures 11 yr old Boston Terrier

[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. The 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, not a dog at all, gets stuck in a circle trying to go potty, pushes head into wall and stands there. Eating and drinking when I take her to eat. Peeing on herself. So took her to bet yesterday, the said not normal and thinks she is having a reaction. She consulted with 3 other vets and the decided to quite cold turkey PB  start Zonisimide(sp?). Have been off PB 36 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 after 48 hrs. ----

[huskiemom1]

my husky has had seizures since 1 1/2 years old. We could control them with rescue remedy and salmon oil.  They were about three a year spread out, up until this year they progressed and she started peeing while seizing.  Also she had 4 seizures in 4 night right after one another, peeing while having them, and when she came out of them she threw up like projectile vomit(not to be gross or anything and it was water and phlegm each time).

Took her to the vet and he put her on 150 mgs of Zonisamide 2 times a day and took blood work, and she had hypothyroidism, and she is on thyroxine .7 mgs 2 times a day.

She is extremely thirsty and acting like a zombie and doesn't eat at all.  when she does eat, she throws it back up along with the water.  WHAT DO I DO????? ANY HELP APPRECIATED :(

Does anyone think the mgs of Zonisamide are to high for being on it for the first time?  It has been since 3/24 when she had the 4 seizures, and hasn't had any since she has been on the medicine, but won't eat at all on her own, and when she does it is only a bite or two and then gets sick again.

Please help if you can.
Concerned husky mommy

[daisysmama]

Hi There.  I know what you are going through.  My dog (12 year old Beagle) started having seizures in Jun 2014.  My dog went through about the same thing your dog is going through. Apparently, my dog is very sensitive to PB.  Have tried several dosages on her & she does ok with a very, very low dose but the seizures come back in 2-3 wks.  Right now she is taking 1/2 tab in a.m., 1/2 tab in p.m and every other evening she takes 1 full tab (this is 16.2 mg). My vet just yesterday put her on Zonisamide 100mg twice a day.  He's hoping she does well on this & can eventually take her off the PB. It will take a few days for the PB to get out of your dogs system so hopefully you will see improvement in her soon.  Has your vet put her on Prednisone?  My vet explained to me that when a senior dog all of a sudden develops seizures more than likely it is a brain tumor causing it.  The Prednisone helps to keep the brain swelling under control & also helps with the seizures.  I hope you see improvement in her soon.  I know it hurts to see our babies going through this.    Take care.

daisysmama