Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Triglyceride levels in epileptic dogs on phenobarbital
By Kluger, Elissa K et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Faculty of Veterinary Science, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serum triglyceride concentration in dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 57 dogs with epilepsy, some treated with phenobarbital alone and others with both phenobarbital and potassium bromide, had their blood tested for triglyceride levels after fasting. About one-third of these dogs had high triglyceride levels, which can be a risk factor for pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. The study found that while body condition affected triglyceride levels, the amount of phenobarbital they received did not. It's important for pet owners to have their dogs' triglyceride levels checked regularly if they are on long-term phenobarbital treatment to prevent potential health issues.
People also search for: dog epilepsy treatment · high triglycerides in dogs · pancreatitis in dogs symptoms · phenobarbital side effects in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare serum triglyceride concentrations obtained after food had been withheld (i.e., fasting concentrations) in dogs with epilepsy that had been treated long term (> or = 3 months) with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and potassium bromide with concentrations in healthy control dogs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 57 epileptic dogs that had been treated with phenobarbital (n=28) or with phenobarbital and bromide (29) and 57 healthy, untreated control dogs matched on the basis of age, breed, sex, neuter status, and body condition score. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were collected after food had been withheld for at least 12 hours, and serum biochemical and lipid concentrations were determined. Oral fat tolerance tests were performed in 15 control dogs and 9 dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital alone. RESULTS: 19 of the 57 (33%) epileptic dogs had fasting serum triglyceride concentrations greater than the upper reference limit. Nine (16%) dogs had a history of pancreatitis, and 5 of the 9 had high fasting serum triglyceride concentrations at the time of the study. A significant relationship was found between body condition score and fasting serum triglyceride concentration in all dogs, but serum triglyceride concentration was not significantly associated with phenobarbital dosage or serum phenobarbital concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that dogs treated long term with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide may develop hypertriglyceridemia. Fasting serum triglyceride concentration should be periodically monitored in dogs treated with phenobarbital because hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for pancreatitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18922053/