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Why is my dog wobbly and falling after starting new seizure meds?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Male | unneutered | 10 years and 4 months old

Hi my dog is on Levetiracetam 1 1/5 250mg tablet daily plus Epilease 1 1/5 tablet daily and since Friday night he started Epirepress 60mg 1 a day ( morning half tablet and half at night ) but since starting the new tablet Epirepress he has become very unstable on his back legs , falling a lot while trying to walk around. Can you tell me why this is and if he can have something to help him . Thanks

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 10th, 2018

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bailey. I am assuming the has a seizure disorder based on the medications that he is taking. When a new medication is added, the dog can go through an adjustment period. The biggest signs I will see is the patient being sedate or wobbly on their legs. These side effects are typically transient. His body likely just needs time to adjust to the recently added medication. In my experience, these signs do not usually last longer than a few days or up to one week. In the meantime, do your best to support him he walks. I would not give any over-the-counter medications as there is not something that will help. If his signs are not decreasing, talk with your veterinarian and see if he needs s dose change. I hope this information helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 15th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concerns. With the anti-seizure medications, ataxia is a common symptom, which sounds like what you are describing. Thankfully, this symptoms is typically transient, meaning that it will resolve within several days of being on the medication (typically 2-3 days). Sometimes it can take longer, in which case you may need to taper the medication or lower the dose. In some cases, it is so pronounced that a different anti-seizure drug may need to be used. For example, my dog did not do well on Keppra and experienced severe ataxia that did not resolve even after 7 days. I switched to potassium bromide and his ataxia diminished after several days and his seizures were still controlled without the ataxia side effect. If the ataxia does not resolve after 5-7 days, I would contact the veterinarian who prescribed the medication and discuss this with him / her. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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