Treatment for Canine Seizures

Like People, Many Canines Suffer from Seizures

Animal seizures are characterized by involuntary physical activity resulting from abnormal electrical signals in the brain. They may arise secondary to complications such as hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalance, infection, poisoning, or head injury; or their cause can be genetic.

What to Watch Out For

There are many types of seizures, each with different symptoms, but the most commonly observed signs of seizure in canines include restlessness, hyperactivity, excessive salivation, or disorientation; and can be followed by trembling, jerking, teeth chattering, rigidity, loss of control over excretory functions, and sudden loss of consciousness. Should you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.

MYERS Medical Compounding Can Provide Alternative Treatments

Our compounded medications may be more suitable for you and your pet than the commercially available medications for seizures. Some of the ingredients we use include:

• Phenobarbital is the most commonly used anticonvulsant in canines. it is effective in 60 to 80% of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. In addition to being used on a daily basis to prevent seizures, phenobarbital can be used to stop seizures in progress
• Primidone is the only antiepileptic drug (AED) specifically approved for dogs by the FDA. The liver metabolizes primidone into phenobarbital, PEMA & primidone. All three have antiseizure properties, but it is believed that almost all the antiseizure activity of primidone is due to phenobarbital.
• Potassium Bromide is the anticonvulsant of choice for difficult-to-control seizures and for dogs with liver disease. It is often used in combination with phenobarbital in dogs with poor response to phenobarbital alone.
• Sodium Bromide is used instead of potassium bromide in dogs with kidney problems.
• Diazepam is a tranquilizer. Drugs in this class act directly on the brain. Diazepam is used clinically as an anticonvulsant and in dogs and cats. It is the treatment-of-choice for clusters of seizures or status epilepticus in both dogs and cats. It is used in the emergency treatment of seizures due to poisoning or intoxication. It may be administered orally and rectally via suppository or enema.
• Gabapentin is related to gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) which is a natural neuro chemical found in the nervous system. It is only partially metabolized by the liver, and researchers do not yet fully understand how it works as an anticonvulsant.