Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog developed lupus-like illness after phenobarbital treatment
By Erin Phillips et al.·Published in Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·2023·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Presumptive phenobarbital‐induced systemic lupus erythematosus in a domestic dog
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3.5-year-old poodle was brought to the vet for seizures and was treated with phenobarbital. After starting the medication, the dog developed a fever, low blood cell counts, and protein in the urine, which indicated a possible autoimmune reaction. The vet decided to stop the phenobarbital and switched the dog to a different seizure medication called levetiracetam. Fortunately, all the dog's symptoms improved, and within three months, the dog was back to normal without needing any additional medications.
People also search for: dog seizures treatment · poodle autoimmune disease · phenobarbital side effects in dogs
Abstract
Abstract Case Description We describe a case of presumptive acquired systemic lupus erythematosus secondary to phenobarbital administration in a dog, which resolved with withdrawal of the drug. Clinical Findings A 3.5 year‐old poodle presented to a veterinary teaching hospital for Tier 1 idiopathic epilepsy and was treated with phenobarbital. The dog experienced fever, multiple cytopenias, and proteinuria in conjunction with a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer. Diagnostics Serial CBCs, urine protein : creatinine ratios, and sternal bone marrow aspirates were performed to evaluate improvement. Treatment and Outcome Phenobarbital was withdrawn and levetiracetam initiated. All abnormalities resolved with supportive care, without initiation of immunosuppressive drugs. All cytopenias and proteinuria resolved and ANA test results became negative within 3 months. The patient recovered and did well clinically. Clinical Relevance Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease of multiple autoimmune syndromes occurring concurrently or sequentially in conjunction with the presence of circulating ANA. It has been well described in dogs as an idiopathic condition, but in human medicine may occur secondary to drug reactions (drug‐associated lupus) including as a reaction to phenobarbital. The findings in our case are consistent with the criteria for drug‐induced lupus in humans and we suggest it as the first report of phenobarbital‐induced lupus in a dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/37737539