My dog has monthly seizures on phenobarbital. What else can help?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Male | unneutered | 5 years and 6 months old | 37 lbs
My male beagle of 5.6 years has been having seizures every now and then for last 2 years and recently it’s once every month . He’s on phenobarbital for past 6 months and dosage is 45 mg twice daily for last two weeks . He still got an episode last week . We are also giving him omega 3 fatty acid and virgin coconut oil after the last episode . Anything else that can help ? Is it dangerous to have seizures this offen ?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 9th, 2019
Hi and thanks for your request. The aim of the phenobarbital administration is to reduce effectively seizure frequency and severity. In my experience a frequency of once a month is fair and acceptable. Ideally Phenobarbital concentration should be checked 3 and 6 months after starting the treatment to monitor liver parameters and make sure the concentration of the drug in the blood is within therapeutic ranges. Dose could be even increased, but to be able to give you specific advices about it I would need to know Shadow's weight. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on October 22nd, 2019
The dose of Phenobarbital may need to be increased or a second medication may need to be asked. In these cases it is essential to perform a blood test and measure the phenobarbital levels as a first step. Once you know what the levels are and if the liver is tolerating the medication well, then viable treatment options can be discussed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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