What are the side effects of seizure medication in dogs?

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. Side effects such as incoordination may indicate a dose that is too high.

Can you overdose a dog on phenobarbital?

Dosage of Phenobarbital for dogs In general, Phenobarbital comes as a tablet to be given to your dog every 12 hours with or without food. Missing a dose can result in your dog having seizures. Overdose can cause depression in the nervous system.

What is a serious side effect of anti epileptic medications?

The first-generation antiepileptic drugs can have severe side effects and are known to cause liver damage….Side effects include:

Dizziness,
insomnia,
headache,
ataxia,
diplopia,
tremor,
hypersensitivity and,
potentially fatal Stevens-Johnson rash in children.

What are the side effects of phenobarbital in dogs?

Common short-term side effects of phenobarbital are mild sedation and some incoordination. Longer term side effects may be increased appetite, and, occasionally, increased thirst and urination. After 7-10 days, these effects wear off and your pet should appear normal again.

What is the best medicine for seizures in dogs?

Phenobarbital.
Potassium Bromide.
Levetiracetam (Keppra®)
Zonisamide (Zonegran®)
Premidone.
Per Rectal Diazepam.
Modified diet.
Supplements.

What are the long term side effects of phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital and phenytoin have good antiepileptic effect, but clinically significant untoward effects occur during their long-term use. Phenobarbital may cause hyperactivity, behavioral problems, sedation, and even dementia; these effects are dose related to some extent.

What happens if you overdose on phenobarbital?

An overdose of phenobarbital can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include slow or shallow breathing, weak pulse, cold or clammy skin, little or no urination, pinpoint pupils, feeling cold, or fainting. Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions.

How much phenobarbital can a dog take?

Dosage Of Phenobarbital For Dogs Typically, the starting dosage for dogs is 1 to 2 mg per pound of body weight given twice daily. This can be increased up to 8 mg per pound of body weight per day based on the dog’s response.

What happens if you take too much epilepsy medication?

Toxicity increases as plasma concentration rises above therapeutic range; if it goes higher than 40 μg/mL, serious complications such as respiratory depression, apnoea, coma and ventricular arrhythmias can occur. Children and adolescents may be at greater risk at lower serum levels than adults.

What is a common side effect of anticonvulsants?

The most common side effects include dizziness, nausea, headache, vomiting, fatigue, vertigo, ataxia, blurred vision, and tremor.

What are the long-term side effects of phenobarbital?

Can I euthanize my dog with phenobarbital?

We use phenobarbital as a euthanasia drug, a seizure medication. In a large dose through an intravenous catheter administration, the drug will render the pet unconscious and will shut down heart and brain functions within one or two minutes.

What are the side effects of epilepsy medication for dogs?

The primary concern in side effects of anti-eplileptics is hepatotoxicity, or toxicity to the liver, that can result in liver damage or failure. Medications that are prescribed for seizures in dogs include phenobarbital, potassium bromide, benzodiezapines, valporic acid, phenytoin and primidone .

What are the side effects of anti-epileptic drugs?

Dosage and concentration of anti-epileptic drugs is based upon a combination of effectiveness with the least side effects and toxicity. The primary concern in side effects of anti-eplileptics is hepatotoxicity, or toxicity to the liver, that can result in liver damage or failure.

Can you give a dog benzodiezapine for seizures?

It is recommended for dogs with hepatic ailments because it is not metabolized by the liver. Benzodiezapines are oral or injectable medicines that may be prescribed as seizure control medications for dogs that have been previously diagnosed with liver disease.

When to give a dog long term medication?

Follow On: Dogs that are prescribed long term anti-epileptic drugs are at risk for a number of dog seizure medication side effects. Dogs are prescribed long term therapy when they have experienced cluster seizures, a status epilepticus, or two or more seizures within a six week period.