Why does my dog get seizures after playing on phenobarbital?

Based on the history, a toxicity seems less likely and a primary disease of the brain more likely. If the seizures are not well controlled on phenobarbital it may be that she needs a higher dose. You should discuss phenobarbital levels with your veterinarian. If the levels are in therapeutic range, a second anticonvulsant such as levetiracitam should be considered. Furthermore, you may consider following up with a veterinary neurologist to discuss diagnostics including an MRI of the brain.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I assume Chhutki was prescribed phenobarbital for seizures. This medication can produce transient elevation of liver enzymes, increased thirst, increased appetite, lethargy and weight gain. It does not affect kidney or heart function and does not cause gallstones formation. If you don't use any anti-epileptic medications for your dog, she will likely have more seizures, which can be longer/more severe than her first seizure.

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.

The pacing could be a side effect of the phenobarbital or a side effect of the underlying cause for Frito's seizures. If the pacing continues or he has any decreased appetite, vomiting, or seems excessively sedate then you need to contact your veterinarian to discuss altering the dose potentially.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. In the initial stages of starting Phenobarbital, dogs develop what we call transient symptoms. These include becoming wobbly (ataxia), drooling, disorientation, panting, etc. These symptoms will eventually subside as the dog's body becomes used to the phenobarbital. If Trapper is no longer having seizures, I would call the veterinarian and ask if the dose can be slightly lowered. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm so sorry to hear Hunter has been suffering from seizures. I would recommend reaching out to your regular veterinarian to discuss alterations in his medication protocol, as it is best for someone familiar with him, his case and his medications to make any alterations. Good luck!

Phenobarbital is within a group of drugs known as barbiturates. The most common side effects in dogs, by far, are sedation, increased drinking, increased urination, and increased appetite. If the drugs were the cause of the behaviors you are witnessing, this would have to be classified as some sort of paradoxical reaction to the medication. In other words, it would be causing symptoms that are opposite to the purpose of the drug itself. Though I have not personally witnessed this, there are reports in rare instances of dogs becoming hyperactive and agitated after use of phenobarbital. While I can not say with certainty that this is the cause of the behaviors, It is definitely curious that they began at the same time as medication was started. You may want to speak with your vet about these observations and possibly choose a different medication.