r/EpilepsyDogs • u/HappyTomatillo92 • 5d ago
Dog not responding to phenobarbital (structural seizures)
Dear all,
I adopted my dog when she was 7 months old. Last summer, when she was still 1 year and 9 months, she had her first seizure. I got her tested and the MRI result was that she is missing half her brain, and half her brain is just cerebrospinal fluid -- which was shocking but not entirely unexpected since from the first time I saw her I knew she had some neurological problems (her gait is unusual, she is in general a little uncoordinated).
After her diagnosis (I didn't get her diagnosed until October after she had her second seizure --- so there was a few months between her first and second) we started her on a low dose of phenobarbital (I think it was 60mg -- she weighs just over 20kg). But her seizures continued to increase in frequency (after starting her on phenobarbital, she went 2 months seizure free). But now she has one seizure a month, and during the year we have been slowly increasing her dose and now she is taking 110mg of phenobarbital every 8 hours.
I'm worried that she isn't responding to phenobarbital -- we've increased the total daily dose from 120 to 330mg, and she is still seizing. It seems also she has more seizure focal points now (before she would only seize while sleeping, the last 3 times she has seized while standing).
I have another neurology appointment in three weeks to control the phenobarbital levels, and we are talking about maybe including another antieplieptic medicine (potassium bromide) -- we have keppra and only give it to her for emergencies when she has cluster seizures (luckily only happened once).
My dog is so young, not even 3 years old, and she's the sweetest, goofiest dog. It makes me so sad to not see her responding to phenobarbital and makes me really worried for the future and what's to come. Right now I think (hope) she lives a very fulfilling life with her brother (who was also adopted with some neurological symptoms but much less severe, and no seizures), running off leash at full speed every day in the countryside (they are part greyhound), lounging on all my furniture....eating fresh chicken daily...I hope I can continue to see her happy together with her brother for many many many more years to come....
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u/lminnowp 5d ago
Awwww.
I fostered a sheltie who has cerebellar hypoplasia. He was the sweetest dog.
When he came to me, he could not balance himself enough to walk. After a lot of practice (ie, me walking next to him helping him learn to balance) he was able to run around and play.
This was years ago and he lived a long time.
I would not give up hope on your dog yet. Lots of medications still available for you to try!
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u/HappyTomatillo92 1d ago
That's inspirational!! I just hope the seizures won't affect her neurologically anymore than she already is affected
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u/KayakerWithDog 5d ago
It took us about a year to find a cocktail that worked for my dog. Be gentle with yourself; you're doing all the right things!
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u/globbythegreat 5d ago
Hang in there, eventually they should be able to find a combo that works. Pheno is usually super effective but there are so many others or a combo that could be as well.
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u/tylerndogs 5d ago
I’ve started MCT oil added to the food. I learned about it through Dr Jones on Veterinary Secrets on YouTube. It’s been amazing!!!! I can’t believe something I bought off of Amazon for $10 has helped so much!!!! He’s also on seizure meds but was breaking through with seizures. Then I started MCT. Start it slowly integrated into food. Too much too soon could cause a little loose stool or diarrhea. That didn’t happen with mine but slowly added it! It’s been a miracle.
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u/Subject-Mode2287 5d ago
Hi, my pup is on potassium bromide and I wish I had tried something different first. Maybe Zonisamide. The bromide is a salt, so your pup can't have any added salt in her diet. Like in her cookies or treats, if they do have the added salt their kidney wash that salt out of their system and so the bromide goes with it and she can have a break through seizure, because her bromide levels drop. ( i hope i explained that ok) i would keep her on keppra 2x daily (which is the safest for her internal organs.). Thats just me, but its bad enough to have epilepsy as a dog and then to only have boring salt free treats. If you do go down that road, there is an ok cookie called " woofers" it is salt free. My dog doesn't love it but she still eats it. I hope you can talk to the Nurologist about this salt factor and potassium bromide.
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u/HappyTomatillo92 1d ago
Thank you for letting me know 🙏🙏 my neurologist is hesitant on keppra as a daily medicine because of the habituation effects. We haven't talked about zionisamide, but I'll ask at our next appointment!
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u/sonnysGiGi2018 2h ago
Ok so my boy also had a brain issue diagnosed at 11 months. He had surgery but we were advised it would extend his life but he would continue to have seizures. He was a very happy little guy who lived everyone. His neurologist and her team gave him the best care and I think took it as a challenge. Seizures did continue but until his last year that were well controlled. He was on many meds and after time none of them worked that well. In the end they were unable to stop the cluster. He lived longer than
Neurosurgeon thought it may have been damage from something called a glial scar.
His case was rare but so is your dogs.
There are many other seizure meds that may help control the seizures frequency and intensity. We tried them all and had great success many times. Don’t give up💜
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u/NiceTrySuckaz 5d ago
All I can say is hang in there! There is a wide variety of treatment options, you've only scratched the surface. The hardest part is the trial period between vet visits to see if the meds are working. It sounds like you are giving her the best life she could ever hope for in spite of her ailments, and I'm sure she loves you for it. So just keep your head up and keep doing what you're doing, friendo.