How long for my dog to recover from seizure medication effects?

The trouble eating, disorientation and wobbly gait is likely a transient side effect from the phenobarbital given to control the seizures. This should subside after about two weeks until the body is used to the medication.

Oh no. Poor guy. I would highly recommend taking Chester to your normal vet fo a follow up exam and possible bloodwork to ensure his organ function is ok. Different antidepressants can have different effects on pets and the # of days your pet is affected is determined by how much Chester ingested. It may be normal for his recovery time to be more than a few days, but again, discuss this with your vet who has all the information needed to make that determination. Also if there are long lasting effects, then perhaps additional treatment can be discussed with your vet. I do hope that your pet Chester is able to make a full recovery soon! Best wishes and take care.

Hello, Yes, it can be normal for dogs to experience a change in behavior and attitude for a few days before and after a seizure. These are called the pre and post ictal phases when the brain is preparing and recovering from the seizure. Knowing that she has normal blood work helps to support this. Keeping a journal of Bell's seizure activity and behavior changes can help you over time better predict and anticipate this. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would recommend having her seen by the veterinarian that performed the ultrasound for a recheck. If after 48 hours my patients are still sedated and not feeling well after I give them sedatives in the hospital, I want to see them for a physical examination just to make sure everything is ok. Every dog is different and depending on the sedatives used, could cause sedation for days after the drugs were given. My own dog used to take 72 hours to recover from a morphine injection so I have been in the same position as you. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Sorry to hear about Tobie. I am wondering if Potassium Bromide is the only drug he is currently using for Seizure activity. I ask because it is not typically a first line of defense sort of medication that we choose any more for these conditions, due to level of effectiveness and side effect profile. If he is not used to this type of medication, an increased dose can definitely result in some unwanted side effects. Since you gave it a while ago already, there is not much you can do for him in terms of getting it out of his system forcibly, other than letting nature run its course. However, he may benefit from supportive care in a hospital setting if you feel his symptoms are very concerning. Personally, I would not allow him to continue walking freely around the house right now in case he accidentally injures himself. Once he is out of this stupor, he can be unconfined. If this sort of behavior is continuing after another 12-24 hours, he should definitely be seen to determine if this is his disease process worsening. In terms of diarrhea, this could have been due to stress, the medication, or general GI upset from countless other reasons. One episode of diarrhea is not something of significant concern. Hope this answers you question.

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.

Some people do notice lethargy and difficulty walking with levetiracetam, but in general these side effects improve after a few days to weeks. If Milo's seizures started recently I would also worry that the lethargy and trouble with balance could be signs of neurologic disease. Seizures in an older dog are most commonly related to a lesion in the brain such as a tumor. I would recommend rechecking with your veterinarian to have Milo examined - you may want to discuss additional tests like an MRI to determine a cause for the seizures or discuss alternative anti convulsants.