I have a 9 year old dauchsand who two days ago had a cluster of seizures. Five over a seven hour period. He hasn’t had one since. We left him at the ER over night that night and while he was there they gave him Midazolam, Phenobarbital, and Ampicillin. My question is how long is the recovery period. I read a lot of people stories and found it’s rare for a dog to have sever brain damage from cluster seizures. None of them lasted over a couple minutes. Trouble eating, disoriented, can’t walk. Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund | 11 years and 5 months old

The trouble eating, disorientation and wobbly gait is likely a transient side effect from the phenobarbital given to control the seizures. This should subside after about two weeks until the body is used to the medication.

My Dog Had Cluster Seizures: Recovery Time & Side Effects

Health & Wellbeing

My dog 1.5 year Dachshund has been on phenobarbital since last 4-5 days. I want to understand the side effects if any and what precautions should I take to make sure he is fine. Historically, His ALP is elevated. In the range of 500 Also he is a bit

Hello. Typically, phenobarbital takes a bit of time to get used to. The average amount of time to see some effects is 4-6 weeks, but every animal is an individual case, so it can vary. Expected side effects would be drowsiness, excessive drinking and sometimes excessive hunger. If your pet is so drowsy that they cannot walk , eat or function relatively normally - I would suggest that you speak with your veterinarian about adjusting the dose. It can elevate liver enzymes. Usually, blood is drawn periodically to check the therapeutic levels. This helps determine dosage adjustments. If your pet has months in a row without a seizure, you may want to ask about lowering the dose. We try to achieve the lowest dose that is effective at controlling the seizure activity. Thank you for using Boop by Petco

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

8 yr lab started phenobarbital 15 days ago. The effects of the drug appeared to be subsiding. Wobbly hind end, falling over on hind end. The last couple days they have seemed to get worse. He is dazed, panting, drooling, and still continues to fall o

Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. In the initial stages of starting Phenobarbital, dogs develop what we call transient symptoms. These include becoming wobbly (ataxia), drooling, disorientation, panting, etc. These symptoms will eventually subside as the dog's body becomes used to the phenobarbital. If Trapper is no longer having seizures, I would call the veterinarian and ask if the dose can be slightly lowered. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I have a 7 (we think he is a rescue) year old Chi. I've had him since October and 2 weeks ago he had multiple seizures. Not sure if seizures are part of his past history. I rushed him to the vet. He stayed and was monitored and was given Phenobarbita

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Those are likely side effects from the phenobarbital. For that reason, I would highly recommend that you contact your veterinarian as they may decide to decrease his dose of phenobarbital based on this. Best of luck!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My dog had patella surgery on Monday 15/4 and had a sezuire on Thursday. She has been sedated since. How long does it take for Gabapentin / phenobarbital take to get into the system? We are being told 2 weeks is this right?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. I'm sorry to hear that Miley had a seizure. Yes, it can take 2-3 weeks for phenobarbital to hit the "steady state" of the drug, meaning get to the effective concentration in the body. If your veterinarian gave a 'loading dose' of phenobarbital first, Miley may reach the effective concentration sooner than 2 weeks. Gabapentin can take effect within a few hours, however this is not a very effective anti-seizure medication, and more of a chronic pain/sedative medication. I hope this is helpful!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My dog is 9 yrs old 11 kg n yesterday she'd extreme seizures.she fell down n then went completely stiff for few minutes n wasn't even blinking eyes then she fell down again n started kicking her legs very fastly but struggling.then she was unable to

Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. I assume Chhutki was prescribed phenobarbital for seizures. This medication can produce transient elevation of liver enzymes, increased thirst, increased appetite, lethargy and weight gain. It does not affect kidney or heart function and does not cause gallstones formation. If you don't use any anti-epileptic medications for your dog, she will likely have more seizures, which can be longer/more severe than her first seizure.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Hi my dog has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and has been prescribed phenobarbital. He takes 2 pills daily each is 12.5 ml. Since being on them his fits have stopped completely which is good . But he has changed he is lethargic very thirst

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is very normal in the first 2 weeks of starting phenobarbital. The dogs experience lethargy and the hind legs are wobbly and they appear to walk drunk. This will resolve in 2-4 weeks. The dogs do remain thirsty and have increased hunger on the medication. I wish Ceasar the best!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Sunday night my 5 yr old dog had cluster seizures. We went to the emergency vet where he was given more seizure meds and muscle relaxers. We picked him up Monday morning and went to a neurologist. He was given more meds and relaxers. Its now Friday

Hello, Thank you for using Boop by Petco. So sorry this happened to Sputnik. It can take up to 7-10 days for his body to regulate to the medications. It's not really the relaxers necessarily that is making him this way. Those are likely already out of his system. It is hard for me to say though as I'm not sure what he was given, how much, when the last dose was, etc. It is usually the anti-seizure medication that will make dogs lethargic until the body gets accustomed to it. As long as he is eating and drinking, urinating and defecating then I wouldn't be overly concerned at this stage. If after 10 days he is still very lethargic then you need to call your vet or the neurologist and talk about adjusting the dosage of the medications. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My small dog had a grand maul seizer last night. The vet we see was able to prescribe phenobarbital. We gave it to last night and another does this morning. She is lethargic, do we continue giving her the meds? She is an older dog. The vet thin

Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. Molly should take phenobarbital to avoid further seizures, which is a priority in this situation. You should continue with the dose she has been prescribed. Many dogs are lethargic after the first few doses of phenobarbital but then are back to normal. Please, get in touch with your vet on Monday to confirm that Molly is on the right dose of phenobarbital. If the lethargy and lack of appetite persists, your vet will likely decrease the dose or change the medication. Molly will probably stay on anti-seizure medication for life.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

5 year old female dog has had seizures from a suspected poisoning. She's been on medication for the past 6 months. 2 tablets of 64.8mg of phenobarbital every twelve hours. Seizures were controlled until recently. Vet added 2 capsules of 300mg gabepen

Based on the history, a toxicity seems less likely and a primary disease of the brain more likely. If the seizures are not well controlled on phenobarbital it may be that she needs a higher dose. You should discuss phenobarbital levels with your veterinarian. If the levels are in therapeutic range, a second anticonvulsant such as levetiracitam should be considered. Furthermore, you may consider following up with a veterinary neurologist to discuss diagnostics including an MRI of the brain.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

my dog is having seizures usually when he gets excited or when he barks and if he bangs his head he is on levetiracetam about a month now and i feel like he is less lively is sluggish like he is in pain with the medicine and is walking very slowly an

Some people do notice lethargy and difficulty walking with levetiracetam, but in general these side effects improve after a few days to weeks. If Milo's seizures started recently I would also worry that the lethargy and trouble with balance could be signs of neurologic disease. Seizures in an older dog are most commonly related to a lesion in the brain such as a tumor. I would recommend rechecking with your veterinarian to have Milo examined - you may want to discuss additional tests like an MRI to determine a cause for the seizures or discuss alternative anti convulsants.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

My dog had cluster seizures. How long for recovery and side effects?

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My dog had cluster seizures. How long for recovery and side effects?

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Related Answers from Veterinarians

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My dog 1.5 year Dachshund has been on phenobarbital since last 4-5 days. I want to understand the side effects if any and what precautions should I take to make sure he is fine. Historically, His ALP is elevated. In the range of 500 Also he is a bit

8 yr lab started phenobarbital 15 days ago. The effects of the drug appeared to be subsiding. Wobbly hind end, falling over on hind end. The last couple days they have seemed to get worse. He is dazed, panting, drooling, and still continues to fall o

I have a 7 (we think he is a rescue) year old Chi. I've had him since October and 2 weeks ago he had multiple seizures. Not sure if seizures are part of his past history. I rushed him to the vet. He stayed and was monitored and was given Phenobarbita

My dog had patella surgery on Monday 15/4 and had a sezuire on Thursday. She has been sedated since. How long does it take for Gabapentin / phenobarbital take to get into the system? We are being told 2 weeks is this right?

My dog is 9 yrs old 11 kg n yesterday she'd extreme seizures.she fell down n then went completely stiff for few minutes n wasn't even blinking eyes then she fell down again n started kicking her legs very fastly but struggling.then she was unable to

Hi my dog has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and has been prescribed phenobarbital. He takes 2 pills daily each is 12.5 ml. Since being on them his fits have stopped completely which is good . But he has changed he is lethargic very thirst

Sunday night my 5 yr old dog had cluster seizures. We went to the emergency vet where he was given more seizure meds and muscle relaxers. We picked him up Monday morning and went to a neurologist. He was given more meds and relaxers. Its now Friday

My small dog had a grand maul seizer last night. The vet we see was able to prescribe phenobarbital. We gave it to last night and another does this morning. She is lethargic, do we continue giving her the meds? She is an older dog. The vet thin

5 year old female dog has had seizures from a suspected poisoning. She's been on medication for the past 6 months. 2 tablets of 64.8mg of phenobarbital every twelve hours. Seizures were controlled until recently. Vet added 2 capsules of 300mg gabepen

my dog is having seizures usually when he gets excited or when he barks and if he bangs his head he is on levetiracetam about a month now and i feel like he is less lively is sluggish like he is in pain with the medicine and is walking very slowly an

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