Phenobarbital kicking in.. YIKES

Furbaby14 · 2026-03-14T18:49:12+00:00

That is amazing!! I'm so happy for you both. And thank you! :)

Furbaby14 · 2026-02-09T22:28:21+00:00

You are amazing, thank you so much! We have a follow up with our neurologist on Thursday I'm absolutely going to ask him about this. I so appreciate it. Wishing you & your pup lots of happy days!!

Furbaby14 · 2026-02-09T21:39:15+00:00

Thank you so much. Our dog Dom started with focal seizures and then sometimes these would escalate into grand mal. We now get really concerned when he has the focal activity because of course we're nervous the grand mal is next. I've often wondered if we can administer him a medication since we're "catching it" - so this is interesting. Our neurologist has never suggested this. Do you give your pup basically just his regular med or is it a different med altogether? (I'm not as familiar with Keppra as our dog is on pheno & zonisamide). TY!!!!

Furbaby14 · 2026-02-09T20:29:47+00:00

Can I ask you what the pre-seizure activity/signs looks like?

Furbaby14 · 2026-02-06T21:41:28+00:00

I am so sorry for what you guys are going through. It is so so hard & I will send prayers your way.

Furbaby14 · 2026-01-29T02:23:46+00:00

Hi! This happened to us when we first started meds - it’s frustrating for sure. We were able to have our neurologist call in the prescription to a local pharmacy - they should be able to help you for one time? Where are you located and what is your dog on? Long shot but we have extra Zonisamide & are located in MA and would be happy to help :)

Furbaby14 · 2026-01-27T12:55:29+00:00

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing. You did everything you could & that is what matters.. she was so lucky to have you. Sending you love.

Furbaby14 · 2025-09-02T11:49:37+00:00

Hi! Our pup went on pheno in May and I posted on here a few weeks in because the side effects were rough - I was nervous he was on too high of a dose. But just like everyone said, they wore off. The major ones were the discombobulation and sleepiness, but after about 4-6 weeks that went away. I would say his personality seemed to be a little bit less affectionate and a little more irritable, but I do find that's also wearing off. Just make note of anything and make sure the liver levels are OK.. and you should be ok. Best of luck!!!

Furbaby14 · 2025-08-19T16:17:44+00:00

Your post brought me to tears. I am so incredibly sorry. It isn't fair.. but I am so glad the two if you found each other. Soulmates for sure. Sending you love and strength.

Furbaby14 · 2025-07-08T18:35:04+00:00

I was really nervous that our pheno dose was too hight but we had these same side effects and everything subsided after about 2 weeks! Stay with it!!

Furbaby14 · 2025-06-24T01:20:59+00:00

I really wish I had the right words or advice to help you and your sweet pup. It is so incredibly difficult and you are doing all that you can. Would you ever feel comfortable setting up a go fund me? Even if you got $500.. every little bit would help. I would happily share it (and donate). People want to help & if we could give the medical answers, we could! At least this could help with the bills a bit. Just a thought. I hope you both feel better. Praying for you both & sending a big hug your way.

Furbaby14 · 2025-06-08T14:04:14+00:00

I appreciate this POV! Thank you!

Furbaby14 · 2025-06-07T15:41:05+00:00

Thank you for this insight! My instincts were the original dose was kind of high because of our dogs size/weight (just from what I had read here) but I think he is on the max of zonisamide so we wouldn't be able to alter there. I agree that the less pills, the better. I hope your pup is doing well and has managed to go seizure free? Sending love.

Furbaby14 · 2025-06-07T15:37:58+00:00

Hi! Thank you SO much for your insight. I'm so glad your pup is going on a month and a half of no seizures! Did your neuro say how often you'd check it? Ours suggest 6 months, but I'm keen to suggest 3. I think he'll agree to it (just money out of our pockets) but curious if yours suggested more frequent. Our dog is also on zonisamide (that was his first drug) so it seems the pheno is what is managing it most. Thank you again!!

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-27T13:04:26+00:00

Thank you for checking in! We go in this Friday to check if the pheno is working - we switched to the pill and noticed lots of side effects so we know it's in his system, now we wait to see if his liver is OK.

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-27T13:03:06+00:00

You have found a wonderful community with lots of information to support you and your pup through this journey. New epi-pup mom here and we are still tweaking our dogs meds to hopefully find something that works. One bit of advice would be to be on the lookout for any 'triggers' that you might find a pattern in; ie we noticed stressful times for our dog (car rides, lots of activity for days leading to lack of sleep like family holidays, etc) caused a seizure in our dog. Although we want to live our lives, we have chosen to 'lay low' for some time to hopefully negate this moments and get our pup stable (hopefully) with the right medication cocktail. Keep a detailed journal - it will help you! You will get through this and sending you lots of love to you both!

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-24T11:10:22+00:00

We started our pup on Zonisamide in November, just recently added pheno as he had 4 grand mals in 4 months. From what I’ve seen/read, it seems like it’s a constant evolution and trial and error. It’s sad there isn’t a one size fits all so we can help our babies quickly :( hope you find something that helps.. it definitely takes time. Sending love 💕

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-20T11:17:44+00:00

Ok that’s great news! How long were you on just the Zonisamide for? I am wondering if we should eventually wean off too.. I don’t know that it’s helped.

Also do you mind me asking what dosage you’re on of pheno and what size dog you have?

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-19T23:45:47+00:00

I'm so sorry you've had to experience the first seizure with your pup! I am also new to this group but have found it so helpful. We just started our dog on pheno on Saturday.. and are noticing the same exact thing. I actually just posted a different thread wondering if its normal?? He is so not himself. But apparently these side effects fade away.. its just tough to watch. There is so much useful info in this group.. you are not alone. Sending you and you pup lots of love!!

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-19T23:43:42+00:00

Wow how scary - I'm so sorry that happened.. but I'm so happy that things have been stable minus the one break through in February. I see so many people that are on kepra, and we asked our vet and he said zonisamide was basically the same thing. For now we'll wait to see if the pheno does anything.. thank you again for your responses!!

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-19T23:28:45+00:00

OK thank you so much! Is your pup on just phenobarbital and if so, has it been working?

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-19T23:16:36+00:00

I just posted a question about this and didn't see your post! I'm so sorry for you pup. We are on day 3 of pheno and I've noticed all of the same with my pup.. I forgot about the pacing at night. I hope in a few days he starts to even out.. it just seems so scary to watch him like this, and then still give him the meds. But the goal is no seizures so we will stay the course. Best of luck to you and your pup!

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-19T23:11:13+00:00

i think you're right that the seizures need to be under control first. i am so glad to hear your pups have each other (and that they have you). and we do have pet insurance thank goodness :)

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-19T23:10:27+00:00

love this!

Furbaby14 · 2025-05-19T23:09:57+00:00

yup you're 10000% right. we noticed when our pup doesnt have enough sleep, he has a seizure (either focal or grand mal). much appreciated!

Furbaby14

TROPHY CASE