Seizures can occur in two forms: generalized and focal. Generalized attacks are what most think about and can be very violent and frightening. Focal, or partial, attacks are less obvious but can be just as debilitating. Dogs can have both generalized and focal attacks, but not both. This article will explain some of the treatment options available to treat focal attacks in dogs, read on from Step 1.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treat Attacks with Phenobarbital
Step 1. Understand how phenobarbital works
Phenobarbital is an anticonvulsant drug that works by decreasing neural excitation and increasing the stimulus threshold of the motor cortex. This means that focal seizures don't trigger as easily. Phenobarbital is a very effective medicine, as it is rapidly absorbed through the stomach lining and quickly enters the bloodstream.
Step 2. Find the right dose for your dog with your veterinarian
It takes repeated doses for phenobarbital levels in the blood to stabilize. However, levels should stabilize after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment. The starting dose is 2-3 mg / kg every 12 hours (or twice a day).
- For example, a normal starting dose for a 30kg Labrador is one 60mg tablet taken orally, every 12 hours.
- Each dose should be given as close to 12 hours as possible as some dogs are sensitive to even the smallest drop in blood phenobarbital levels. This means that they become more susceptible to the risk of having a seizure after 12 hours have elapsed.
Step 3. Monitor your dog for signs of drug side effects
A dog that has been given phenobarbital for the first time will show signs of drowsiness, lack of balance and increased hunger and thirst.
- Symptoms of sleepiness and lack of balance will usually go away on their own within 7 days, while hunger and thirst are permanent for as long as treatment lasts.
- Phenobarbital can also cause prolonged weakness in the hind limbs, making it difficult for them to keep their balance while urinating.
Step 4. Help your dog overcome phenobarbital side effects
To help your dog in the first few days of treatment, when he is feeling uncomfortable, it is a good idea to keep his water bowl readily available. This way he will always stay well hydrated if he feels too weak to get up and go drink.
- A harness built with a towel passed under his belly will allow you to easily support your dog's weight, so you can help him move around without losing balance.
- You will need to rest your dog, and not expect him to be able to take long walks in the first few days of therapy.
- In the first few days, the phenobarbital will make him clumsy and it is possible for him to trip and fall. Given the situation, place a barrier in front of each flight of stairs so that there is no risk of falling.
Step 5. Do not give phenobarbital to your dog if he has a dystomatosis
Phenobarbital must be broken down by the liver, so it should not be given to dogs with dystomatosis. If the stomach is not functioning normally, it is more vulnerable to toxic damage from phenobarbital.
The stomach produces the enzymes needed to break down phenobarbital into harmless metabolites. If the stomach cannot do this, phenobarbital levels can become toxic
Method 2 of 3: Treating Seizures with Potassium Bromide
Step 1. Learn how potassium bromide works
Potassium bromide (KBr) is often used as add-on therapy in dogs whose symptoms are not controlled by a single drug.
- Potassium bromide acts differently than phenobarbital, and the two drugs work synergistically. This means that each medicine amplifies the effect of the other, and the two together have a greater effect than taken individually.
- Potassium bromide works by replacing the chloride molecules with bromide, thus making it less likely that the nerves are triggered.
Step 2. Use potassium bromide in combination with phenobarbital
Unlike phenobarbital which reaches therapeutic levels in a week or two, it takes a month for potassium bromide to reach an effective and regular state.
- Hence, potassium bromide is rarely used as a sole therapy, because if the use of an anticonvulsant is necessary, it is usually impossible to wait a month for it to take effect.
- However, in combination with phenobarbital, potassium bromide appears to have a therapeutic effect before reaching a regular level in the bloodstream, so it can be useful in this combination.
Step 3. Talk to your vet about the correct dose for your dog
If focal seizures are not controlled by phenobarbital alone, then potassium bromide is added at a dose of 20-40 mg / kg per day. So a 30 kg Labrador is given 600 mg of potassium bromide per day.
The dog should adopt a low-salt diet during treatment, because the salt chloride will dislocate the bromide molecules from the nerves and decrease its effectiveness
Method 3 of 3: Managing Your Dog's Food During Treatment
Step 1. Try to keep feeding your dog the same amount of food, even if he seems to have an increased appetite
The increase in appetite is a purely psychological effect caused by phenobarbital, which tricks the brain into making the dog believe that it is hungry. The dog doesn't really need to eat more, so if he does he will end up gaining weight.
You should therefore weigh the daily amount of food for your dog (the same amount he consumed before the onset of epilepsy) and give it to him during the day
Step 2. Switch to a low calorie diet if your dog seems uncomfortable with hunger
If your dog seems upset due to hunger, switch to a low-calorie diet, such as the one prescribed by vets for overweight pets.
There are many obesity control diets available and they have the advantage of being organized in a way that gives the dog a feeling of satiety
Step 3. Consider removing gluten from your dog's diet
There is no proven link between diet and seizures in dogs, however wheat allergy is thought to play a role in people.
- The theory is that gluten antibodies attach themselves to the brain and trigger an excess of electrical activity.
- Whether or not your dog is otherwise okay, it shouldn't be a problem to reduce gluten in his diet, although the fact that this does make a material difference is still a matter of debate.
