Understanding Dog Anti Seizure Medications and Treatment Options

Dog owners who have experienced seizures in their furry friends know how frightening and unpredictable they can be. Seizures can be caused by various factors, including genetics, head trauma, infections, and metabolic disorders.

Some common dog breeds that are prone to seizures include the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, and Poodle. These breeds may be more susceptible to idiopathic epilepsy, a condition where seizures occur without a clear cause.

Managing seizures in dogs requires a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and monitoring. The goal of treatment is to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, as well as minimize side effects.

Medications for canine seizures typically fall into three categories: phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and levetiracetam.

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In case of an emergency, it's essential to act quickly and follow the right steps. If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinarian's office immediately.

Your vet may have provided you with emergency contact information, so be sure to have that handy. If they're not available, follow their directions for contacting an emergency facility.

If you're unsure about what to do, don't hesitate to reach out to your vet or an emergency facility. They'll be able to guide you through the process and provide the necessary assistance.

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Finding the right medication for your dog's seizures can be a process of trial and error. The goal is to prevent seizures from occurring and reduce their severity.

Phenobarbital is often the first medication prescribed by vets for dogs experiencing seizures, with 80% of dogs on the medication experiencing a 50% or more decrease in seizure frequency.

Potassium Bromide is another effective anti-convulsant medication, with as many as 52% of dogs becoming seizure-free when given this medication. Regular blood monitoring tests are necessary to reach stable therapeutic levels.

Long-term use of Phenobarbital can lead to liver disease in dogs if levels become too high, which is why regular blood tests are crucial.

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Per Rectal Diazepam can be an effective solution for treating cluster seizures in dogs, which are 2 or more seizures within a 24-hour period.

Administering per rectal diazepam following the first seizure can help decrease the number and severity of subsequent seizures in the cluster.

This method can be repeated up to 3 times within a 24-hour period to manage cluster seizures.

Clorazepate is a benzodiazepine prodrug that enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in the brain.

It's available in regular and sustained-release formulations, but the sustained-release tablets don't offer any advantage in dogs.

After oral administration, clorazepate is rapidly hydrolyzed in the stomach to nordiazepam, its active metabolite.

The serum elimination half-life of nordiazepam is typically four to six hours, but it can be as short as three hours in some dogs.

An initial dosage of 0.5 to 1 mg/kg given every eight hours is recommended, with a dosage of 2 mg/kg given every 12 hours also suggested.

The therapeutic range in dogs receiving clorazepate is 100 to 400 ng/ml of nordiazepam.

Severe withdrawal seizures are possible if clorazepate is abruptly discontinued.

Long-term use of clorazepate may lead to tolerance of its antiseizure effects, and concurrent administration of phenobarbital can reduce serum nordiazepam concentrations.

Serum chemistry profiles should be performed every six months to monitor hepatic function in dogs receiving clorazepate, especially those receiving phenobarbital concurrently.

There's no published information on the efficacy of clorazepate in dogs with seizure disorders, but in our experience, it's a moderately effective alternative anticonvulsant drug.

Zonisamide is a sulfonamide-based anticonvulsant that's effective in treating focal and generalized seizures with minimal side effects.

It's metabolized primarily by hepatic microsomal enzymes, and the half-life in dogs is about 15 hours. This can be shorter in dogs receiving drugs that stimulate hepatic microsomal enzymes.

For dogs already receiving hepatic metabolism-inducing drugs, an initial oral dosage of 10 mg/kg given every 12 hours is recommended. This maintains canine serum zonisamide concentrations within the therapeutic range reported in people.

For dogs not receiving these drugs, a dosage of 5 mg/kg given every 12 hours is recommended. Trough serum zonisamide concentrations should be checked about one week after instituting therapy.

Zonisamide has a high margin of safety in dogs, with minimal side effects occurring in beagles administered dosages up to 75 mg/kg/day for one year.

In a recent study, zonisamide decreased seizure frequency by at least 50% in seven of 12 dogs with refractory idiopathic epilepsy. The mean reduction in seizure frequency was 81.3% in this responder group.

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Gabapentin is a structural analogue of GABA, and it's well-absorbed in both dogs and people, with peak serum concentrations occurring within one to three hours after administration.

Gabapentin appears to exert its antiseizure effects by enhancing the release and action of GABA in the brain and inhibiting neuronal sodium channels.

In people, virtually all of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine, whereas in dogs, 30% to 40% of the oral dose undergoes hepatic metabolism to N-methyl-gabapentin.

The recommended dosage in dogs is 25 to 60 mg/kg divided every six to eight hours, with an initial dosage of 10 mg/kg given every eight hours being a good starting point.

Gabapentin's half-life in dogs is three or four hours, and to maintain serum gabapentin concentrations within the therapeutic range, it should be administered at least every eight hours, and possibly every six hours.

There are no clinical reports on the efficacy of gabapentin in dogs with seizure disorders, and in our experience, gabapentin is only occasionally useful in dogs.

In people, gabapentin appears to be much more effective in treating focal rather than generalized seizure disorders, and it's often given to people with seizure disorders.

Levetiracetam is a new anticonvulsant drug that's been studied in several experimental animal models. It's used to treat focal and generalized seizure disorders in people and has shown promise in reducing seizure frequency in dogs.

Levetiracetam has a unique mechanism of action, unlike other anticonvulsant drugs, and doesn't directly affect common neurotransmitter pathways or ion channels. It may inhibit high-voltage-activated neuronal calcium currents or interfere with negative allosteric modulators of inhibitory GABA and glycine pathways in the brain.

In dogs, levetiracetam has a bioavailability of 100% when taken orally, with a serum half-life of three or four hours. About 70% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine, and the remainder is hydrolyzed in the serum and other organs.

The effective serum concentration of levetiracetam is 5 to 45 µg/ml in people, and since there's no clear relationship between serum drug concentration and efficacy, routine therapeutic drug monitoring is not typically recommended. For dogs, an initial dosage of 20 mg/kg given every eight hours is recommended, which can be increased by 20-mg/kg increments until efficacy is achieved or side effects become apparent.

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Levetiracetam has been shown to be extremely safe in long-term toxicity studies in dogs, with minimal side effects occurring at dosages up to 1,200 mg/kg/day for one year. One study found that dogs receiving 300 mg/kg/day developed a stiff, unsteady gait, but the remainder of side effects were limited to dogs receiving 1,200 mg/kg/day.

Phenobarbital is often the first medication prescribed by vets for dogs experiencing seizures, and it can be used alone or with other anti-seizure medications to achieve acceptable seizure control.

It's estimated that 80% of dogs on phenobarbital experience a decrease in seizure frequency of 50% or more. This medication can have side effects like a temporary sedative effect and increased appetite and thirst.

Regular blood tests are necessary while your dog is on phenobarbital to ensure optimal therapeutic levels of the drug in their bloodstream. High levels of phenobarbital can lead to the development of liver disease in dogs.

Potassium bromide is another effective anti-convulsant medication for dogs, with as many as 52% becoming seizure-free when given this medication. It can take time to reach stable therapeutic levels of potassium bromide in your dog's blood.

Potassium bromide has been linked to the development of pancreatitis in some dogs, making regular blood level monitoring extra important. You'll need to monitor and document your pet's seizure activity at home and have your veterinarian check therapeutic blood levels.

Premidone is typically prescribed to dogs with seizures who are not responding to other anti-convulsion medications, and it's converted to phenobarbital and PEMA by the dog's system. Side effects of Primidone in dogs can include drowsiness, dizziness, hives, and swelling.

Per rectal diazepam can be effective for treating dogs who frequently experience cluster seizures, and it can be administered up to 3 times within a 24-hour period.

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Our neurology team at Davies Veterinary Specialists deals with the diagnosis and management of conditions of the nervous system and brain.

They focus on conditions such as seizures, which can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, injury, or infections.

Seizures can be managed with medication, but it's crucial to work with a qualified neurologist to determine the best course of treatment.

Our neurology team has the expertise to diagnose and manage conditions of the nervous system and brain, ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet.

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If you're looking for alternative options to traditional dog anti-seizure medications, there are a few things you can consider. Natural remedies may interact with other medications your dog is taking, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian before trying anything new.

Holistic veterinarians may recommend trying supplements to reduce the frequency of your dog's seizures. Supplements like Chinese herbs to improve liver function, vitamin E, taurine, and melatonin are often recommended.

Some special diets and supplements may also be helpful in managing seizures in dogs. Therapeutic diets formulated to support brain function may include ingredients like medium-chain triglyceride oil and omega-3 fatty acids.

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Here are some supplements that may be recommended by holistic veterinarians:

It's essential to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet or adding new supplements, as they can interact with other medications and affect your dog's overall health.