Phenobarbital is a drug that helps to control idiopathic seizures with the success rate of 60%-80%. After your dogs starts the drug treatment, make sure you do the blood test after about 2 weeks into the drug therapy and then no later than every 6 months. The reason for this is that phenobarbital can cause serious side effects in some dogs and it needs to be monitored.

Phenobarbital Side Effects in Dogs

The mechanism by which Phenobarbital operates involves controlling neurons responsible for the seizures, but unfortunately, it also affects other healthy neurons in the process.

One of the potentially most damaging side effects is the scarring of the liver and liver failure if the harmful side effects are not detected early enough. This risk increases with a long term use of phenobarbital (over 3 months). Another cause for liver concern is due to the fact that Phenobarbital is known to interact with certain antibiotics such as doxycycline, corticosteroids, chloramphenicol, metronidazole and drugs used for treating parasitic and fungal infections in dogs.

Phenobarbitals causes them to metabolize more quickly and, thus, they call for a greater dose to remain effective. Most side effects disappear after a few weeks upon which the dog should be given the first blood test.

It is the first two weeks that the organism of the dog needs to adjust the most to the new drug therapy. The other most common side effects phenobarbital may cause include the following:

• Increased urination

• Increased thirst and appetite

• Hyperactivity or restlessness

• Loss of coordination in leg movement

• Sedation

• Lethargy

• Depression

It is recommended that the dog be given a liver friendly diet to protect it against the scarring of the liver better. Milk thistle is reported not to be as effective as advertised. Make sure you monitor the dog's behaviour regularly.

Do not stop using phenobarbital without consulting your vet first. Phenobarbital is generally a safe drug but must be prescribed by a vet. If, for some reason, phenobarbital therapy is not bringing the desired results, consult your vet. Keep in mind that potassium bromide is another common alternative.

Precautions

Extreme care is needed when phenobarbital is going to be administered in animals:

* with anemia, heart and lung disease

* with known hypersensitivity to the drug

* taking other drugs

Maintain a therapeutic level of Phenobarbital at all times and, if possible, write the details of the seizure attack or record your dog's seizure to help the vet know better what is happening to your dog and how phenobarbital may also be affecting the seizures.