Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with low blood cells after phenobarbital treatment for seizures
By Oberholster, Olivia·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2021·Ontario Veterinary College, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pancytopenia secondary to suspected idiosyncratic phenobarbital reaction in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old neutered male St. Bernard-mastiff mix was brought in because he was very tired and not eating after starting phenobarbital for his seizures. Blood tests showed he had pancytopenia, which means he had low levels of red and white blood cells and platelets. The vet suspected this was due to an unusual reaction to the medication rather than an immune issue. After switching to a different seizure medication called zonisamide and providing supportive care, the dog's condition improved, and his blood values returned to normal within three weeks.
People also search for: dog lethargy after phenobarbital · St. Bernard mastiff seizure treatment · dog not eating after medication
Abstract
A 4-year-old neutered male St. Bernard-mastiff crossbred dog showed clinical signs of lethargy and anorexia after being administered phenobarbital for the treatment of idiosyncratic seizures. A complete blood (cell) count revealed pancytopenia. Auto-agglutination and Coombs tests were negative suggesting that an immunemediated cause was unlikely; therefore, an idiosyncratic reaction to phenobarbital was suspected. Supportive care and control of seizures with zonisamide was initiated and clinical signs improved. Blood values were monitored closely and returned to normal after 3 wk.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857972/