what can you give to stop seizures in dogs

Treatment & Prevention For Seizures in Dogs

If your canis familiaris has frequent, recurring seizures there are a number of treatments your vet may prescribe to assistance reduce the frequency and severity of your pup's seizures. Today our vets share a number of available treatments for seizures in dogs, and explain more about the challenges of getting your pup'southward treatment 'just correct'.

What is the best medicine for seizures in dogs?

Finding the correct medication or medications to reduce the frequency of your canis familiaris's seizures can take time, and may crave a number of modifications along the way. The goal of treatment is to prevent seizures in dogs from occurring, and to reduce the severity of seizures if and when they do occur.

When weighing upward the best handling for your pup, your vet will consider any underlying wellness conditions your canis familiaris may take, as well as each treatment's effectiveness, potential side effects, ease of administration, and affordability.

Treatment for most dogs experiencing seizures begins with either phenobarbital or potassium bromide, with other medications and treatments being considered if these drugs are unsuccessful at adequately suppressing your pup's seizures.

Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital has been used for decades to suppress seizures in dogs and is typically the outset medication prescribed past vets for dogs experiencing seizures. It is estimated that lxxx% of dogs on phenobarbital experience a decrease in seizure frequency of 50% or more. This medication can be used solitary or with other anti-seizure medications to help achieve an acceptable level seizure command.

While your domestic dog is on phenobarbital it will be necessary to visit the vet regularly for blood tests. There is a fine balancing act between maintaining optimal therapeutic levels of the drug in your pup's bloodstream, and preventing levels that are too high. High levels of phenobarbital can lead to the development of liver disease in dogs, and optimal levels can fluctuate over your pets lifespan. While your dog is on phenobarbital you may discover that their dosage changes from fourth dimension to time.

Other common side effects of phenobarbital in dogs include a temporary sedative outcome in first few days of use and a marked increase in your dog'south appetite and thirst.

Potassium Bromide

Potassium Bromide is a very effective anti-convulsant medication for dogs. As many as 52% of dogs become seizure-free when given this medication, and about 70% of dogs will accept a 50% reduction in seizure frequency or ameliorate.

Information technology does accept some time to reach stable therapeutic levels of potassium bromide in your dog'southward claret, significant that, as with phenobarbital, there is a need for ongoing claret monitoring tests.

Potassium bromide has been linked with the development of pancreatitis in some dogs. Pancreatitis is a very serious status, making regular blood level monitoring extra of import if your dog is being given potassium bromide to reduce their frequency of seizures.

As with phenobarbital, you lot may notice that your dogs seems sedated when yous first begin administering this medication. The sedative issue should diminish over time.

Levetiracetam (Keppra®)

If your vet has been unable to reduce the frequency and severity of your pup's seizures with the help of phenobarbital or potassium bromide they prescribe levetiracetam. This drug is a typically used in cases where seizures are peculiarly hard to control through other drug therapies, and has minimal side effects. While this medication alone can be effective for reducing seizure frequency in some dogs, it is well-nigh frequently prescribed for use in combination with other drug therapies.

Zonisamide (Zonegran®)

Zonisamide is fast gaining popularity as a treatment for seizures in dogs. This drug can exist used on its own or in conjunction with other anti-convulsion medications. That said, this drug does come with a number of side-effects including sedation, lack of coordination while walking, vomiting, and reduced appetite.

Premidone

Premidone is typically prescribed to dogs with seizures who are not responding to other anti-convulsion medications. When administered, this drug is converted to phenobarbital and phenylethylmalonamide (PEMA) by the dog'due south arrangement and can exist effective in suppressing seizures. Side effects of Primidone in dogs can include drowsiness, dizziness, hives, and swelling.

Per Rectal Diazepam

For many pet parents this will certainly not be an ideal solution for their canis familiaris's seizures, however per rectal diazepam tin be effective for treating dogs who frequently experience cluster seizures. Cluster seizures are 2 or more seizures inside a 24 hours menses. Administering per rectal diazepam following the get-go seizure can help to decrease the number and severity of subsequent seizures in the cluster, and tin be administered upward to three times within a 24 hr catamenia.

What natural remedy tin I give my dog for seizures?

Whenever you are considering trying natural remedies to treat your dog, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian. Natural treatments and remedies may interact with other medications your dog is taking.

Modified diet

In some dogs, a veterinary therapeutic diet used along with standard medication can assistance to further reduce seizure frequency. Some studies show that medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) significantly reduce seizure frequency in more than 30% of the dogs, and reduced seizure frequency by at least l% in almost half of the dogs studied.

Supplements

Holistic veterinarians may recommend trying supplements to reduce the frequency of your canis familiaris'due south seizures. Supplements which are oft recommended for dogs with seizures include Chinese herbs to improve liver function, vitamin E, taurine, and melatonin.

Acupuncture

Many pet parents feel that this ancient Chinese treatment is very helpful in reducing the number of seizures their dog experiences. Dogs typically accept acupuncture well and if the treatment proves successful for your dog, small gold beads can be implanted at the various force per unit area points in lodge to provide long-term treatment.

Why is my dog nonetheless having seizures on medication?

Finding the correct combination of drugs, and the optimal therapeutic dose to control your domestic dog's seizures can bear witness challenging. It is essential for vets to motility slowing when increasing the dosages of anti-convulsion medications since high levels in the bloodstream can atomic number 82 to serious wellness risks for your dog such as liver disease and pancreatitis.

Patience is going to be a required aspect of your domestic dog's seizure treatment. Given time, a reduction in seizure frequency and severity can be achieved and maintained for virtually dogs.

Where tin can I detect a veterinary specialist that treats seizures in dogs?

At Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Winston-Salem our Lath-Certified Veterinary Neurologist specializes in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in pets, including seizures. Our specialist vets work closely with you and your primary intendance veterinary to provide the very best care for your pet.

If your dog is experiencing seizures that require avant-garde veterinarian treatment, inquire your vet for a referral to come across our Veterinary Neurologist at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Winston-Salem. If your dog is experiencing a seizure lasting longer than 3 minutes, or experiences a number of seizures inside a 24 hr period visit our emergency animate being hospital for urgent care.

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Source: https://www.winston-salem.carolinavet.com/site/pet-health-advice-blog/2020/11/27/treatment-prevention-seizures-in-dogs#:~:text=your%20pup's%20seizures.-,Phenobarbital,frequency%20of%2050%25%20or%20more.