Phenobarbital and CBD Oil For Dog Seizures Explained [Update]

If your dog has experienced a seizure, your vet might prescribe a drug called phenobarbital. Not only does using phenobarbital have some serious side-effects for dog seizures, it also can get expensive to buy. If your dog has been prescribed phenobarbital, you might be concerned about the potential side effects or the ongoing cost of the drug. Here are some real facts about dog seizures and the possible option of CBD.

 

 

What Is Phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital for dogs is a drug that is commonly prescribed to help alleviate seizures. It is described as a barbiturate and is also known as a nonselective central nervous system (CBS) depressant. It is also sometimes called an anticonvulsant and conventional antiepileptic treatment.

 

When a dog suffers from epilepsy, a vet may prescribe phenobarbital on its own, or a combination of drugs may be prescribed if phenobarbital is not having the desired effect. Phenobarbital is chosen frequently because it is an effective drug for seizures in dogs. However, phenobarbital for dogs is only effective in 60 to 80 percent of cases of idiopathic epilepsy, which is a form of epilepsy in dogs where there are no other brain abnormalities.

 

 

How Does Phenobarbital Work With Epilepsy In Dogs?

Seizures are caused by sudden abnormal brain activity that causes temporary loss of control over the body. That will usually cause a dog to lose consciousness fall over on its side and have muscle spasms, convulsions, and it will often cause frothing at the mouth and loss of bladder and bowel control. A short seizure of no more than three minutes is not life-threatening and it is not thought to cause the dog any pain.

 

If the seizure frequency lasts more than five minutes, it can become life-threatening. Phenobarbital works by decreasing and stabilizing the activity of neurons in the brain. It increases activation of GABA receptors, which causes a calming effect on the dog, and it decreases activity in the glutamate neurotransmitter, which can reduce the incidences of seizures.

 

 

 

Phenobarbital Side Effects

Using Phenobarbital can cause some concerning side effects, and if there is too much phenobarbital in a dog's blood, it can be toxic. The potential signs of phenobarbital toxicity in dogs include a lack of coordination, lethargy, and the appearance of sedation. Some dogs also experience restlessness and anxiety. These usually depend on the dosage (mg kg) and administration methods.

 

 

Phenobarbital And Liver Damage

Phenobarbital has also been known to cause liver damage in dogs. Usually, this occurs at a low level and does not cause a problem, but if high blood levels of phenobarbital are needed to control seizures, the liver damage can be more severe. Dogs that are receiving phenobarbital will need to have blood tests to check for signs of liver disease and to measure blood levels of phenobarbital every 6 – 12 months.

 

This will allow the veterinarian to identify potential problems and alter the treatment plan before severe liver damage has occurred. If liver failure does develop, the first signs of it will be a loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting.

 

 

Phenobarbital And Bone Marrow

One of the possible side effects of phenobarbital in dogs is the rare but serious risk of bone marrow suppression. This adverse effect is particularly concerning as it can lead to pancytopenia, a condition where the bone marrow ceases to produce sufficient blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The onset of bone marrow suppression typically occurs within the first year of phenobarbital treatment, though the exact timeline can vary.

 

Veterinary medicine closely monitors dogs on phenobarbital, often through regular blood tests, to detect early signs of bone marrow suppression and ensure the drug's safety and efficacy. While this side effect is rare, with an estimated incidence of less than 1%, it underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring during the treatment phase for dog seizures.

 

 

 

Phenobarbital Not Effective

Phenobarbital for dogs will not always prevent seizures altogether, but it will usually reduce the frequency of them. If a dog that is prone to seizures only has one seizure a month, then that will be considered by a vet to be an indication that phenobarbital is managing the problem adequately.

 

However, some people report "my dog is on phenobarbital and still having seizures". Others report that phenobarbital was effective at first, but their dogs have started to have more seizures over time. Veterinarians will introduce other drugs to complement phenobarbital if this happens. This is yet another reason one might consider an alternative or adjunctive therapy to phenobarbital.

 

 

How Much Does Phenobarbital For Dogs Cost?

The cost of phenobarbital for dogs will depend on the dosage required and the frequency that the dog will need to be given the medication. It can also vary considerably depending on where you buy the medication. 180 phenobarbital tablets can cost anywhere between $30 and $110.

 

The price of phenobarbital can also vary considerably from one month to the next, depending on the current availability of the drug. Some pet owners have reported variations in the price of as much as $50 between separate prescriptions.

 

Because phenobarbital is a controlled drug, it will need to be prescribed by a vet. That means that there will be additional vet fees to pay, on top of the cost of the phenobarbital. Regular blood tests will also have to be carried out to check for any signs of liver disease. Routine monitoring tests will cost between $75 to $250 each time.

 

 

 

CBD vs. Phenobarbital

Caring for a dog with seizures can become a long-term commitment for a pet owner. Because of the spiraling costs of anticonvulsant drugs like phenobarbital and the potentially serious side effects of barbiturates, many pet owners have been looking into alternative treatments for seizures that will be cheaper and that will give the dog a better quality of life.

 

One alternative to phenobarbital for dogs that a lot of pet owners have tried is CBD oil, which is a natural compound that is derived from the hemp plant. CBD treatment is also used by many people who suffer from epilepsy, many of whom have reported positive outcomes from their use of CBD to treat their condition.

 

 

What Is CBD Oil For Dogs?

CBD oil comes in many forms such as CBD Dog Treats, CBD Oil in a Dropper Bottles or CBD Pills for Pets. For a list of Approved CBD products and how to use them, please check out our CBD Buyers Guide. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound of the hemp plant that works with your pets' Endocannabinoid System to regulate many functions of the body and brain.

 

 

The anticonvulsant properties of cannabidiol (CBD) have been known about for a long time. Research that was conducted as long ago as 1947 at the University of Sydney showed that compounds related to CDB had an anticonvulsant effect on mice. However, there is often confusion between CBD and marijuana, because both come from the same family of plants. However, unlike marijuana, CBD is non-toxic and causes no side-effects, although elevations in liver enzymes have been reported. It is not psychoactive and doesn't cause a high.

 

 

Is CBD Oil Right For Your Dog?

There is a growing number of pet owners who are looking at oral cannabidiol administration as a potentially safer and cheaper alternative to phenobarbital. At this time, there has been one study on the effectiveness of CBD for epilepsy in dogs. This study used CBD oil as an add-on to other anti-epileptic drugs that the animal seizure models were already receiving during randomized controlled trials.

 

The clinical trial investigators reported a reduction in numbers of seizures in the dogs receiving CBD oil and so this small preliminary study is encouraging. However, there is currently no information available on the clinical efficacy of CBD when used alone in dogs with seizures.

 

It's a difficult choice to make, but if your dog is suffering from epilepsy, CBD may provide an alternative treatment. CBD is sometimes used in conjunction with it to reduce the incidence of seizures even further. If you are interested in using CBD for your dog, it is important to discuss it with your veterinarian. They will be able to look at the specifics of your dog's seizures and determine whether it is a safe and reasonable option to try.

 

CBD Dosage Suggestions & Guidelines: CBD Dosage Chart

 

 

Can You Mix CBD Oil With Phenobarbital?

There have been no reports of negative side effects when using CBD oil with Phenobarbital or any other vet prescribed medications. Cannabidiol treatment can be used in conjunction with phenobarbital and it also can be used to replace it. Some people are starting to utilize CBD oil and phenobarbital for dogs together for a stronger treatment.

 

 

There is only one mild side effect that comes from using CBD with other pharmaceutical drugs. If given big dosages, CBD may alter how our bodies metabolize a wide range of drugs. This will make the other drugs less effective and is the same for pets as well.

 

Related: Home Remedies for Dogs

 

 

Can I Get My Dog off Phenobarbital And On CBD Oil?

In most cases, it is unlikely that you will be able to switch your dog completely from phenobarbital to CBD oil. However, if your dog is receiving phenobarbital, there could be reasons to get them off this drug. These include unacceptable side effects such as liver toxicity, bone marrow toxicity, or epileptic seizure frequency.

 

It's important to always follow your veterinarian's guidelines when reducing any medication. Even if your dog is still having seizures, it is likely the phenobarbital is controlling some seizure activity. In addition, phenobarbital is a barbiturate so dogs develop a dependency for it. This is why you can't just abruptly stop the medication or this might trigger life threatening seizures.

 

 

Final Thoughts - Phenobarbital and CBD Oil For Dog Seizures

In managing dog seizures, particularly those linked to idiopathic epilepsy, balancing the benefits and risks of treatment options is crucial. Phenobarbital remains a cornerstone in canine epilepsy management, but its potential adverse effects, such as bone marrow suppression, require careful monitoring. Emerging therapies like CBD oil offer promising alternatives, especially for refractory epileptic seizures, providing hope for improved seizure control and quality of life in dogs.