Potassium bromide (KBr) treatment is a common way to control seizures in dogs. Its drawbacks include the length of time it takes before dog owners see results. But KBr is convenient to use alone or combined with phenobarbital.
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History
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According to the University of Missouri's Canine Epilepsy Network (CEN), doctors first used bromide in the 1850s to treat epilepsy in people. Veterinarians discovered about 100 years later that they could treat canine seizures with KBr, without creating the mental side effects found in humans.
Forms
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Bromide, which is the anti-seizure agent, crystallizes when it mixes with potassium. Vets can prescribe KBr as capsules, chewable tablets or liquid. CEN recommends the liquid form because it's easier to adjust the dosage.
Usage
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Phenobarbital is the most common choice for controlling canine seizures. When phenobarbital alone isn't doing the job, vets may combine it with KBr, or use KBr by itself. KBr is also easier on the liver than phenobarbital.
Dose
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CEN says the usual dose is once a day due to the KBr's long half-life, meaning the time it takes for the drug to lose half of its strength in the body. Information from support group Epil-K9 suggests KBr can take more than a month to work. So vets may kick-start treatment with a "loading dose" for a few days.
Considerations
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Side effects include drowsiness, clumsiness and upset stomach. In the July 2000 issue of the "Canadian Veterinary Journal," researchers C. L. Gaskill and A.E. Cribb found a possible link between KBr and pancreatitis. Owners should not give salty treats (such as table scraps) during KBr treatment.
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