Is my cat's increased phenobarbital dose causing lethargy and staggering?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! No, I wouldn’t be concerned about the extra phenobarbital. It could cause minor sedation. If he is very lethargic it is unrelated to the medication. I would encourage a vet exam for the foot injury if he is worsening. Have a great day!

Yes, that is way too much Amitriptyline and an overdose like this can be fatal. If she is having seizures that are not controlled then she needs to go to the ER. Amitriptyline shouldn't really even be given twice a day. It is not really a anti-seizure medication so I am not sure why your vet prescribed it. I suggest you refer to this information sheet for more information. The typical dose for a cat is 5-10mg once a day. https://www.petplace.com/article/drug-library/drug-library/library/amitriptyline-hcl-elavil-for-dogs-and-cats/

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Those are likely side effects from the phenobarbital. For that reason, I would highly recommend that you contact your veterinarian as they may decide to decrease his dose of phenobarbital based on this. Best of luck!

Hello, thank you for your question. Without knowing the weight of your cat it is very hard to know what possible side effects are expected. Generally, phenobarbital when giving at a higher dosage than expected can lead to sedation. You may also notice that your cat is drinking/urinating more and has an increased appetite. If your cat develops any symptoms such as severe vomiting, sedation, weakness, or collapse I would recommend seeking veterinary care. Hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Molly should take phenobarbital to avoid further seizures, which is a priority in this situation. You should continue with the dose she has been prescribed. Many dogs are lethargic after the first few doses of phenobarbital but then are back to normal. Please, get in touch with your vet on Monday to confirm that Molly is on the right dose of phenobarbital. If the lethargy and lack of appetite persists, your vet will likely decrease the dose or change the medication. Molly will probably stay on anti-seizure medication for life.

This does seem a bit abnormal, as phenobarbital typically has sedative effects, so I would not expect it to cause Tigger to be restless like this. I would recommend calling the vet who prescribed this for Tigger and discussing these effects, as a dosage adjustment may be in order.

I am sorry to hear about Midnite. I would call and let your vet know of the symptoms. You don't mention if he just started this medication or if he has been on it long term. Some cats can experience lethargy and GI upset when first starting the medication and in some cases we need to start at a lower dose and taper it up, but you need to consult with your vet in order to know if this is the right course of action for your kitty. If he has been on methimazole for a long time and just started with the lethargy/decreased appetite, then an exam and possibly bloodwork are in order for him to ensure there isn't another cause for his symptoms.