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Why does my dog get seizures after playing on phenobarbital?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My dog is on phenobarbital for siezures. I have noticed that after playing with my dog in the yard she will still have break through siezures the next morning. Does all the running and playing make her burn through the medication faster?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 24th, 2019

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is probably the overstimulation of her brain and the nerves that causes the breakthrough seizures. Exercise would not make her burn through the medication faster. It is really best to minimize excitement in any dog that has a history of seizures. That being said, if this is a new thing and it has been longer than 4 months since her last phenobarbital blood test, it would be best to go ahead and have that checked to see if the dosage needs to be adjusted. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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