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1127591 tn?1265254911

Are his seizures dangerous?

My dog Freddie started having seizures as a little puppy.   He had them almost daily for quite a while. (7 years, sorry but I couldn't afford a vet ) unless he got enough exercise, then he usually didn't have them.  Eventually the vet put him on phenobarbitol.  He was on it for about a year.  He stopped having seizures but he gained 3 pounds and was so lethargic and showed no emotions, like love or anything.   He was pretty much a "nothing" on the drug.  I even thought he'd be better off being put to sleep, he was so miserable.   But, I took him off the drug instead, and decided the seizures would be better.   He's been off the pheno for 2 months, and has only had 4 seizures (that I know of) since he came off.   But, I'm worried about him.  He's never been like other dogs, he doesn't have much of a personality.  I was wondering if the seizures will eventually kill him, or cause him brain damage?  He is usually weak after the seizures and may throw up or have to go to the bathroom.  So are the seizures less of a threat than the drugs?
3 Responses
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would highly suggest it.  Glad he is doing well, but perhaps we can improve on that.  Glad he has YOU.  Take care.
Helpful - 0
1127591 tn?1265254911
Thank you.   I will take him back to the vet.  He never suggested there was any other med besides the phenobarb, and never suggested titrating the dosage.  And, just so you know, he is having a pretty normal life without the meds.  He is loving again, and wants to be petted, and sleeps with me, and does not sleep all the time.  He has two little friends (my other dogs) to play with and he's lost almost 2 lbs of the weight he gained on the med.  So he's feeling better and breathing easier, etc.   And when he does seize, I hold and comfort him, and help him relax.  A few minutes after the seizure, it's like nothing happened until the next time.  But, I will check other meds out.  Thank you for your time and answer.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
My first recommendation is to go back on the phenobarb.  Anti-seizure drugs like this are meant to be "titrated" in other words, we give enough to stop the seizures, then begin to back off the dose to find a lighter dose that will allow the dog to have a pretty normal personality but not have seizures.  Does not sound like this was done.  I would highly recommend it.  

Also, many times anti-seizure drugs are given in combination.  The veterinarian may combine phenobarb (in a lesser dose) with valium and the combination controls the seizures and allows the dog to have a good life.  

I would NOT let the dog continue to seizure!  We do not know the cause of his seizures so it is impossible to say how severe they may become or if they could be fatal (rare by the way).  Seizures are not uncommon in Chihuahua dogs and crosses.  

So my recommendation is to get back with this veterinarian, titrate the dose of phenobarb, and OR supplement with another anti-sezure drug (there are many and most are not expensive) and get this guy where he has a somewhat normal life and behavior, But does Not seizure!!
Helpful - 0

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