Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures

Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Patty (Guest Post) (11/20/2008) If your dog is taking phenobarbital please make sure you talk to your vet about liver support supplements. Coco my 8 years old beagle is dying of liver failure after taking phenobarbital for 6 years. Please don't let this happen to your dogs. I am heart broken and filled with guilt because I didn't do the research. Please consider Denosyl and Milk Thistle (Marin) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By kristen (Guest Post) (11/12/2008) I have a great dane who takes 200mg in the am and 200mg in the pm. It finally has controlled her seizures but I also worry that she will one day build a tolerance. She is only 3 years old. I guess all you can do is take everyday with them that you have. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Liz C. (Guest Post) (10/30/2008) I have been reading a lot of people's postings about the phenobarbital medication and how expensive it is. I go to Walgreens and my dog's medication for 60 pills (65 mg) cost me 11.99 and that was just for one month, the first time we got her pills. She takes this medication twice a day. The pharmacists told me about this program they have, the Walgreen's prescription savings club and I paid 20.00 dollars to sign up and got a three months supply (180 pills) for only 28.00 dollars. I actually save like 10.00 which I think is good for us. I don't know if anyone gets their meds cheaper but I would like to know. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Carrie (Guest Post) (10/13/2008) My beloved poodle is taking 8 pills per day 32.4mg each. He started out in 2003 taking one pill total per day. As his body gets immune to the new dosage he will have seizures again. I'm in a catch 22 destroying his liver with these high dosages to keep him from seizing. Does anyone out there know of an equally effective medicine without the side effects? He is only 8 years old. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Molly (Guest Post) (08/07/2008) I have a 5 yr old Jack Russell Terrier who has has seizures for 2 yrs now. Our vet now has him taking a total of 128mg/day of phenobarb, and other people have told me that is way too high. We have his blood levels checked every 6 months, and he is now in the "upper therapeutic" range for phenobarb levels in his blood. Basically we can't up his dose any more - we haven't tried potassium bromide yet. He'll go a couple of months without a seizure & then he'll have 2 or 3 in a week - it seems pretty random. Our theory is that it's stress-related, and if we're not home to let him out when he wants or he gets stressed by something else, maybe it triggers a seizure. I'm really worried about what the meds & the seizures are doing to his life span - he is our little baby! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post by imaqt1962 (857) | (08/03/2008) Profile | Blog! | Contact I don't agree with your vets comment. our dog was 11 when she passed away due to heart failure but she had seizures since she was 1 our vet increased the dosage as needed over the years.occasionally she would have a siezure this was due to building up a tolerence to the dosage she was on.and we would increase the dosage. she eventually took 1 1/2 in the morning and the same amount at night we never noticed any difference in her.she was the same old girl she was when we started her on it as long as your dog is doing o.k then I wouldn't consider putting her down everyone builds up a tolerence to medications including people Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Phyllis (Guest Post) (08/03/2008) OMG, I had NO idea that so many people, like myself, have dogs that are having seizures. I have a half poodle, half shitzu, who is 13 years old. He started having seizures 6 months ago. Every now and then a seizure will sneak through even though he is on phenobarbital. The vet has increased his dose from a half pill twice a day to a full pill twice a day. He really is not himself and probably never will be but the vet did tell me, which upset me terribly, that if he should have a seizure that last more than a couple of minutes, then I should seriously consider putting him to sleep. After reading all this other feedback, why would a vet tell you that? Any comments on this? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Christy (Guest Post) (06/03/2008) Any help is appreciated. 1.5 year old Weimaraner who is on 2500 mg Potassium Bromide and still having seizures daily, so we put her on 90mg PhenoBarb on Sunday, and for the past 3 days she has been out of control. Wont sit still. Scratches the doors, climbs on the furniture. Gets in the trash cans. Is this from the Phenobarb? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Nadia (Guest Post) (05/30/2008) My dog is 3 years old and she has had a large amount of seizures. In the past week she has seizured every day sometimes twice a day and last night she had clusters of seizures and has not stopped. I really don't know what to do for her anymore. She is on 2 Phenobarbitals twice a day and now we just started her on Potassium Bromide along with the Phenobarbital. I tried giving her valium but it didn't do anything. I have seen a couple of vets and have done all of the tests except for the MRI which is the last resort. Have any of you ever heard of a dog seizuring this much??? Please help Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Katie, again (Guest Post) (05/07/2008) http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Phenobarbital.html Here's another link - really good information, including how to try and prevent liver damage. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Katie (Guest Post) (05/07/2008) http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/phenobarbital.htm I also got good information from the Epilepsy Guardian Angels site, see link above. They had a lot of information of typical prescription amounts for Phenobarbital and why, and also really good information on how to make your own natural dogfood that is a good nutrition balance for a dog with epilepsy. To buy the natural (no additives, no grains, etc.) food can be very expensive but it's easy and inexpensive to make and so much better for the dog than commercial. I got a pomeranian from a rescue shelter a few weeks ago - 8 years old - and he began to have seizures, including clusters last week, and in the seizure phases he also became very vicious. He started phenobarbital just under a week ago. Now he is constantly thirsty and hungry, sleeps a lot or is agitated and panting... but no seizures and no biting, and I understand that the side effects wear off. I hope so because he's already gained quite a bit of weight I think! If you give the dog the same amount of food, but spread it out as 4 small meals instead of 1 or two meals, it's much easier on them. But the main thing with phenobarbital, if not used correctly it is very dangerous! As a few other people have said, do NOT use it without a vet's care, and have the proper testing done before and after - it's really important! I hated having to give it to my dog because it can be hard on them, but the seizures were frequent and bad and every one does more damage... Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Amber (Guest Post) (04/29/2008) I have an 8 year old long-haired chihuahua who has been having seizures for years. However, I've only had her for 6 months and didnt know about her seizures until one day she had one. Well, i took her to the vet and she was put on PB. She takes 1/2 of a 16.2 MG tablet. She was doing great for 3 months on it until today she had a seizure. Actually the seizure stopped then she went into another one. I called the vet and because it was after hours, i was sent to another number, well they sent me to another number, then once there I was put on hold then something happen and they hung up. I dont know what to do and was just wondering if anyone could had any ideas. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post by poohann70 (2) | (02/19/2008) Contact I have a St Bernard who was having very bad seizues for days. The seizures finally stopped & he is now on phenobarbital & so far no more seizures. I was reading an article where a lady gave her dog Vitamin E after her dog reached the maximum dose of PB & her dog quit seizuring. I also started my dog on Vitamin E with my vets consent of course & he has not had any more seizures in two weeks. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post by poohann70 (2) | (02/19/2008) Contact I have a St Bernard who was having very bad seizues for days. The seizures finally stopped & he is now on phenobarbital & so far no more seizures. I was reading an article where a lady gave her dog Vitamin E after her dog reached the maximum dose of PB & her dog quit seizuring. I also started my dog on Vitamin E with my vets consent of course & he has not had any more seizures in two weeks. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Kate (Guest Post) (01/28/2008) My 18months old lab x english mastif has just been diagnosed with pancreatitis and has head tremors as a result. Does anyone know a good site or drug store online where I can buy PB cheaply? Also does anyone know where I can buy the ID cans of dog food? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post by petloverlynn (2) | (01/23/2008) Contact Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post by petloverlynn (2) | (01/23/2008) Contact i have a 6 yr old poodle who started at 5 takin 1 seizure a month,he wants to eat,all the time and he is gaining weight, he is 29 pounds he is a minature, ive nothiced moods also in him like depressed, he is on 2 pills a day 30mg,an has no seizures, with the liver though id like to try something else my vet said valium is not for seizures,but he is a nervous dog he is a poodle, i dont want him getting real fat and other problems start,what should i do ? would 1big can of dog food a day be ok? i need to start not giving in to him,he is very smart and will not ,come in the house if i dont have a treat or food for him HELP!!! what should i do also does anyones dog have a slight skin peeling on the belly ,i noticed like dandruff, since he has takin phenobarb,theres no odar,he is clean, i know im so wrong giving in to him,what would be a substancial amount of food to give him? he like soft food, in cans more then hard,ive noticed he has allergys at night it sounds like he has nasal congestion,but the vet said he is fine am i just being overly protective ,he is all i got,thanks and god bless for any answers Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Andrew (Guest Post) (09/01/2007) I have a two year old boxer who has had two seizures and has been taking PB. He has been taking it for about a week and a half and has gained a lot of weight and been really tired with mood change. Just wondering if this is normal? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By steven (Guest Post) (07/21/2007) I am the Pharmacist at a vet hospital. The ideal way to go about solving this problem would be to take your pet in for some bloodwork. It will only take 15 minutes(at the most) just ask your vet about getting a Phenobarbital level pulled. This will tell you to what degree the Phenobarbital is affecting your pet and also how much is actually in the system. NEVER DOSE MORE THAN THE DOCTOR SAYS!!!!! The test is usually a send out test and will take maybe a week to get results. When the results are in you can then talk with your vet about an increase in dose or possible using other medications such as Valium. Note: Phenobarbital is a Barbiturate. This means it can have sedating effects on your pets. However it does take time and a few doses to get it in your system so you may not notice the effects right away. Hope i helped. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Becki in Indiana (Guest Post) (03/29/2006) Our Golden Retriever also was experiencing occasional seizures -- the vet mentioned that the breed often has a sensitivity to artifical colorings in dog food, and it was theorized that these colorings could cause seizures in some dogs. Before trying medication, we switched our dog to a dog food free of artifical colors. That was seven years ago, and she hasn't had a seizure since! It wouldn't hurt to try .... Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Sheila (Guest Post) (03/28/2006) I had a dog that had seizures and I found that if I didn't let her outside in the heat she hardly had any at all.I know its hard to keep them in the house but heat is really bad. Hope this helps Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Annie. (Guest Post) (03/28/2006) You will find all the information you need at: http://canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com They have helped me immensly with my cocker and his seizures. They answer quickly and will advise you on other drug therapy. Good luck with your Golden Annie Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By IMAQT1962 (Guest Post) (03/28/2006) OUR DOG HAS HAD SEIZURES SINCE SHE WAS 1 AND IS NOW 9. SHE IS ON PHENABARBITAL AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN. WE'VE HAD TO UP HER MEDS A TIME OR TWO AND I ASKED OUR VET THE SAME QUESTION AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD KEEP INCREASING THE DOSAGE UNTIL THE DOG COULD NO LONGER TOLERATE IT OR IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER AND THEN THEY HAD OTHER MEDS WE COULD TRY IF IT CAME TO THAT Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Claudia-MD (Guest Post) (03/28/2006) I agree that this is a question for your vet. I have a small long haired dachshund (rescued) who had his first seizure last week (I have had him for 15 months.) My vet said just watch him and with more seizure activity, we will up his dose. And, yes, there are other drugs approved to treat seizures in dogs. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post by aardvark (106) | (03/27/2006) Contact We had a dog for over 14 yrs. with a fairly mild seizure disorder and we did use phenobarb. This is NOT a question for thrifty fun....sorry. You MUST work with the dog's vet on this. NO OPTIONS !!! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post By Linda (Guest Post) (03/27/2006) Dosing meds for humans and dogs are totally different as drugs are metabolized differently by humans and canines. Perhaps your vet would try a different anti-convulsant. There are many anti-seizure drugs, the vet will know what can be used on a dog. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Phenobarbital for Dog Seizures Post by camo_angels (658) | (03/26/2006) Profile | Contact You know, my dog is lab/shephard/husky mix, and has had two seizures (over 6 months apart); but my one year old human son ;) is currently taking phenobarb; I assume you are doing 15mg tablets? We do 2/3 for my son, because he had a cluster three weeks on THursday. I am not sure about neurology (though dogs are set up a lot like us) but size wise, my son is 26 lbs, so I am sure he is on a minimum level. I think the rule of thumb is to increase until side effects show, and then drop back one dose to be sure they will be controlled. Does your dog have cluster seizures (one starts up a few seconds later)? Ask your vet if surgery is a possibility. I don't know how much you want to invest money wise, but sounds like he is well loved and has quite a few more years ahead of him! ANd look into pet insurance. That may ease the financial burden. Please keep posting on this, I pray you and your family find some light! Report Spam or Abuse