What kind of medication should I give my Dog for seizures?

What kind of medication should I give my Dog for seizures?

Take your pet to a veterinarian for a full-scale evaluation. Most vets will try to rule out other common causes of seizures before deciding whether your pet has epilepsy or not. Phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and diazepam are the most commonly used medications for treating seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats.

Is it possible for a dog to not have a seizure?

The goal of anti-convulsants in seizure control isn’t to make pets never have a seizure again. Although this would be nice, it’s not realistic. However, the number, duration and severity of seizures should lessen with medication.

How is phenobarbital used to treat dog seizures?

Phenobarbital. The decrease in central nervous system activity is what reduces the frequency of seizures. It is relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and has been found to be effective in treating 60 to 80 percent of the cases of dog and cat epilepsy.

How is zonisamide used to treat seizures in dogs?

Zonisamide can be prescribed as a lone therapy, but it is most commonly given as an add-on medication with either phenobarbital or potassium bromide. Gabapentin is used in both dogs and cats. It has two different functions; to relieve pain and to control seizure activity. Gabapentin may be used to treat refractory seizures in dogs and cats.

What medications are available to treat seizures in dogs?

Phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and diazepam are the most commonly used medications for treating seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats. There are a number of other anticonvulsant drugs that can be prescribed to reduce canine and feline seizures, including a pet-friendly dose of valium.

What is the treatment for dogs with seizures?

Seizure treatment in dogs. The conventional treatment of seizures consists of giving the dog anticonvulsant drugs such as Phenobarbital, Diazepam, Primidone, Zonisamide, and Potassium Bromide.

Does a dog always go unconscious with a seizure?

Even though seizures often look quite terrifying, in reality dogs are usually unconscious and therefore unaware that the seizure is occurring. Seizures are not painful events. Therefore, it is likely harder for pet owners to observe than for dogs themselves to experience.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with epilepsy?

Results indicated that dogs with idiopathic epilepsy had a median life span of 9.2 years, close to that reported for dogs in general, compared with 5.8 years for dogs with known intracranial disease. Neutered male dogs with idiopathic epilepsy had a significantly shorter life span than did intact males;

What causes sudden seizures in previously healthy dogs?

Finding the cause of sudden seizures in previously healthy dogs may require a neurology or internal medicine work-up, but the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center notes that often the problem can be traced to a toxin exposure. Before you recommend an MRI, refer to this chart to see if the pet has potential exposure to one of the items.

What is the best medication for dog with seizures?

Seizure Medications for Dogs Phenobarbital. One of the most commonly used medications to manage seizures in dogs is called phenobarbital. Levetiracetam. Much newer to the seizure medication market than phenobarbital, levetiracetam is a drug more often known by its brand name, Keppra®. Potassium Bromide. Diazepam or Midazolam. Zonisamide.

What are some home remedies for dogs having seizures?

Daily Exercise. Exercise is a homeopathic remedy you can try, along with an herbal medication, that will further help keep your dog’s seizures at bay. An hour of exercise daily can help dogs release stress and anxiety and prevent obesity, all contributors to seizures. Talk to your vet to see how much exercise your dog should be getting,…

What is the best medication for seizures?

Common anti-epileptic medications used to treat generalized seizures include valproate (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol and others), phenytoin (Dilantin), and topiramate (Topamax). If your seizures cannot be controlled with one drug alone, your doctor will try a combination of two drugs.