Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Veterinarians' preferred seizure drugs for dogs and cats
By Kluger, E K et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2009·Faculty of Veterinary Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Veterinarians' preferences for anticonvulsant drugs for treating seizure disorders in dogs and cats.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Veterinarians treating dogs and cats with seizures often prefer using phenobarbitone, especially for chronic cases. In fact, 82% of vets reported using it, sometimes in combination with potassium bromide for dogs with hard-to-control seizures. While most vets feel confident managing seizures in dogs, only about 63% feel the same way about cats. Regular monitoring of medication levels and liver health is done by many vets to ensure the best care. This approach helps balance effective treatment with minimizing side effects, and vets emphasize the importance of keeping pet owners informed about their pet's seizure management.
People also search for: dog seizure treatment · cat seizure medication · phenobarbitone for dogs · potassium bromide for seizures in dogs · managing seizures in cats
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify veterinarians' approaches and concerns when managing canine and feline patients with acute and chronic seizure disorders. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHOD: A questionnaire was distributed to veterinarians to determine how many dogs and cats they were actively treating for seizures, their anticonvulsant drug (ACD) preferences for treating acute and chronic seizure disorders and whether serum anticonvulsant concentrations and/or biochemical analytes were routinely measured. Additional questions involved the respondent's year and place of graduation and identified concerns they faced when managing patients with seizure disorders. RESULTS: Phenobarbitone was the most commonly used ACD for managing chronic seizure disorders in both dogs and cats, with 82% of respondents using a combination of phenobarbitone and potassium bromide to manage refractory seizure disorders in dogs. Most respondents (96%) felt comfortable managing seizures in dogs, but only 63% were comfortable managing affected cats. Routine monitoring of serum ACD concentrations and of liver biochemical analytes was performed routinely by 71% and 45% of respondents, respectively. Of the respondents, 86% graduated from Australian universities and of these 53% had graduated after 1985. CONCLUSION: Veterinarians identified when to commence medication, whether regular monitoring of serum ACD concentrations and liver enzyme activity was necessary, and if the cost was justified. Veterinarians also identified the need to balance dose rates and side-effects by using combination therapy, and the importance of providing accurate information to clients about what to expect in terms of seizure control for their pet.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19857237/