Among the various maladies affecting dogs, seizures are perhaps one of the most scary conditions for dog owners to witness. Fortunately, there are several effective anti-seizure medications for dogs, with two of the most commonly used being phenobarbital (PB) and potassium bromide (KBr).
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Identification
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Phenobarbital is a drug belonging to the group of barbiturates . Potassium bromide is a salt composed by potassium and bromide, with the latter being the element that primarily has anti-seizure function.
Form
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Phenobarbital presents in a pill form measured in grains and can be easily found in pharmacies. Potassium bromide presents in a liquid form and may be more difficult to find since it is mostly prepared by compounding pharmacies.
Efficacy
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Phenobarbital is the drug of choice to treat seizures because it reaches therapeutic effects fairly quickly. Potassium bromide may take up to three to four months, unless a loading dose is administered in order to reach therapeutic effects more quickly.
Warnings
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Because phenobarbital is processed by the liver its long-term use may cause liver damage. Potassium bromide causes fewer side effects and is not metabolized; it is excreted by the kidneys unaltered.
Administration
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To be effective, phenobarbital must be strictly administered every 12 hours. Potassium bromide provides more flexibility; however, the dog's diet should not be changed and it is preferable to be administered twice a day with food to prevent stomach upset.
Conclusion
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While both medications may be effective, veterinarians will choose one on a case-by-case basis after having assessed the dog's symptoms and clinical history. Both drugs require monitoring of blood levels and should never be stopped suddenly.
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