Phenobarbital is a prescription medication used to treat epilepsy in dogs. Phenobarbital has a number of positive benefits for your dog as well as a risk for certain side effects.
-
Identification
-
Phenobarbital is a barbiturate medication that suppresses your dog's central nervous system. This means it slows the activity of the brain, reducing seizures.
Significance
-
In approximately 60 to 80 percent of dogs, phenobarbital alone is sufficient for ending seizures due to canine epilepsy.
Benefits
-
In addition to minimizing the risks of uncontrolled seizures, there are other benefits of phenobarbital over other drugs for canine epilepsy. Typically, phenobarbital is less expensive and only requires two to three doses per day.
Risks of Uncontrolled Seizures
-
Untreated, repeated seizures in your dog have the potential to cause permanent brain damage, changing his personality or affecting memory. Additionally, seizures place strain upon the heart and lungs and occasionally result in sudden death.
Types of Side Effects
-
Possible side effects of phenobarbital include sleepiness, lack of coordination and excessive thirst, urination and hunger; these side effects usually subside as your dog's body becomes acclimated to the drug. In rare cases, prolonged phenobarbital use causes liver disease.
-