Is my German Shepherd's lethargy from new seizure medication?

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.

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.

I think you need to get her to a vet immediately. I would be very worried that she has something serious going on like a tumor on the spleen which is very common in GSD. The trazadone may not have been the best idea. Side effects associated with Trazodone include lethargy, sedation, vomiting, diarrhea, panting, hyperactivity, ataxia, increased anxiety, increased appetite, shaking, restlessness, and/or agitation. I strongly recommend a vet visit right away. Don't let her suffer. She sounds very sick.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Gus. I suspect that the new seizure medication has interfered a bit with his coordination. This is common when starting a seizure medication. In his case, it has likely exacerbated underlying joint disease. So I think his problem is a result of both the drug therapy and his joints. The effects of seizure medications become less pronounced as the animal becomes used to it over a week or two. He could also try another drug to see if he has less side effects. However, with his size many drugs might be cost prohibitive. It would be a good idea to take x-rays. If he has joint disease, it is best to treat it as soon as possible. Typical therapies are weight management, joint supplements and anti-inflammatory pain medication. I hope this information helps!

It's possible that the seizures are due to a brain tumor, which is very likely due to his age. this means his condition will deteriorate regardless of the treatment, sometimes the deterioration takes several months and sometimes it's a matter of days.

Yes this can be a side effect of the gabapentin, or tramadol if your dog is on that for pain. I would lower the dose by half and speak with your veterinarian about it to see if they want you to stay on the lower dose, stop the medication, or switch to another pain medication. As the healing progresses you shouldn’t need as much medication and hopefully you can discontinue it soon as these are unwanted side effects. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Bode.

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!