My dog is prescribed Phenobarbital for seizures?

[Kimmie]

My dog was on 120mg of Phenobarbital for 2 months due to a few seizures that he had had. My dogs personality changed dramatically, he wondered around the house continuously, he whined, he no longer ran or played with toys, he would stumble and fall a few times a day. I went to the vets and had his levels checked and they said he was fine but reduced the dose at my insistance. This past week he was getting so bad that I thought that I was going to have to put him to sleep, so as a last effort to save him I took him off the meds, (slowly of course) and he is back to normal now. No more falling down or whining, no more pacing, his playing now. Putting him on the Phenobarbital was a very bad choice, an occasional seizure seems to be an easy alternative, especailly because he doesn't seem to remember them or have any long term side effects. Any opinions? Has anyone else had to deal with this?

[Abby]

Well, my female dog was on Phenobarbital. She still is, actually. She hasn't had any problems. Maybe your dog's system just needs to have seizures for some strange reason... Good luck!
Abby

[walking lady]

I would talk to the vet again and let them know that your dog is reacting really badly to the drug. There are other drugs out there to treat seizures - potassium bromide, Clonazem, others, as well as things like diet and supplements and homeopathic treatments that may help. I have a greyhound with seizures and she isn't on phenobarb on vet's advice, but I have valium in case I need it, a bag of ice in the freezer to put on her spine, and she's on the right diet and getting supplements and has been seizure free since May.

Talk to your vet about alternatives.

[VERY Tenacious]

The dose was too high!!!
That's all.
Duh...barbituates...drugs..."high"???? People spend a lot of money for that sort of buzz.

Phenobarb. is *THE* med.-of-choice!
Some do better on lithium.

Allow a dog to seize is BAD! There ARE 'long-term-side-effects"!

[robino]

Dear Kimme: My dog ginger is 12 years old and dignosed with lymes diseases and chronic renal failure. I have been treating her with traditional medication which has not worked out so great as she could not tolerated blood pressurre medications and hate the vets renal diet and was not eating enough for a phosphate binder to be effective. I also use a vet acupuncturist who is great and a homeopathic pharmacist who is well known for his expertise . The problem is one week ago she started to have a few seizures and was placed on phenobarbital 60mg po bid and I was told the side effects of the ataxia losing her balance and drugedness would go away in a week. Initially she was alright and actually eating better but then she became a zombie and kept falling and couldnt walk and her hind legs kept falling out and she could not get up. I told my vet who told me to hold the medication for one to two days but isnt there the danger of her having a seizure with a sudden withdrawal. How long did it take you to wean your dog off this medication and how did your dog do after