I know that seizures are, sadly, quite common in dogs and that phenobarbital is the remedy of choice. So I want to share my experiences with it.

Mango started on the recommended dose for his weight and the side effects were devastating. The first couple of days, no worries, but by day five he was so dizzy that he couldn't walk around without crashing into walls. I had to support his bottom when he did his poop because his legs would collapse out from under him. If he lay down where there was no carpet, he could not get up without assistance. 

The vet agreed to cut the dose in half and see how it went. So a week after starting and two days after reduction in dose, he was still wobbly, but could at least get up and down OK and do his potty. Even then, it took an additional two weeks for him to stop showing gross signs of the medication and at least a month before I could really declare him back to his old self.

With that horrific time mercifully behind me, I can say that the phenobarbital has been a real blessing. He has been seizure free for about six months now (fingers crossed). He is completely adjusted to the medication and very bouncy and happy.

I will note that Fred the Bloodhound also started recently on pheno. He, too, was profoundly affected at the recommended dose and his was cut in half after a few days and he is doing fine.

So if you are faced with the prospect of pheno, here are my tips;

1) Be very sure that it is time to start. Phenobarbital is a lifetime commitment of drugging, once started. We waited almost a year from Mango's first seizure to start. At that time, it was clear they were getting more frequent and more severe.

2) Don't be fooled by the first couple of days. It takes 3-5 days to really get into them and then there is a significant loss of coordination.

3) Don't be afraid to ask your vet if you can lower the dose after a few days.

4) Remember that the side effects are temporary. Be patient. Keep track of your dog's improvement. 

5) Make sure you set up a schedule you can keep for dosing. I originally said "6:30 AM and PM" and was totally stressed out. Now I say "between 6-7 AM and PM" and it has made a huge difference. I also keep his pill dispenser on the counter so that every time I walk past I can double check to make sure he got his dose.

6) He did one time hide his pill in his jowls and spit it out (I think). The imprinting was off the pill so I could not be sure it was one of his and not one of my husband's. So I just waited until evening and gave him his usual dose then. I don't advise missing doses and I understand that letting their blood levels lower can bring on a seizure, but I wanted to share that we had at least one missed dose with no ill effects.