Phenobarbital for cats Guide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects

Phenobarbital is a well-known drug for cats. It’s used to treat seizures and epilepsy in cats¹. This medicine is also given to dogs, horses, and other animals. It helps with various brain diseases and toxin diseases. Phenobarbital calms down the brain’s unusual activity, which causes seizures.

Despite not being fully approved by the FDA for animals, phenobarbital is very common in veterinary practice¹. It can be used legally by vets for certain situations. Since it’s a controlled drug, following the proper laws when using it is a must¹. In this guide, we will look into how to use phenobarbital for cats safely. You’ll learn about the right dose and possible bad effects. This information will help you take good care of your cat’s health.

Key Takeaways

• Phenobarbital helps manage seizures and epilepsy in cats, making it a popular choice in vet medicine.
• Vets prescribe it for different brain and toxin diseases that might affect various animals.
• Though not FDA approved, it’s still used legally in specific cases by vets.
• Phenobarbital is a controlled substance, so rules are in place for its use.
• Using this drug might cause some common side effects like tiredness, stomach issues, and liver problems in cats.

What is Phenobarbital?

Phenobarbital is a medication called a barbiturate. It’s controlled by the DEA as a Schedule IV substance². Both people and animals can use it. Vets can give this to cats and other pets if needed, even though it’s not directly approved for them.

Overview of Phenobarbital

This drug is very safe for cats. It helps with seizures and bad behaviors³. However, some cats might not react well to it at first³. Vets usually start cats on a small dose. Then, they increase it slowly to see what works best for each cat³.

Cats should have it twice a day. The usual start is half a 1/4 grain tablet each time³. But, your vet might want to give more later if needed for control³.

Medication Type and Forms

Phenobarbital comes in tablets, liquid, and shots for animals². Tablets can be 15 to 100mg. The liquid usually is 20mg/5ml (4mg/ml)⁴. Your cat’s liver gets better at using the drug after about a week³. At first, cats might sleep more and seem tired. But, this often gets better as their body gets used to the drug³.

Brand and Common Names

It’s known by a few names. You might hear it called Luminal, Solfoton, or by the names phenobarbital and phenobarbitone².

Since it’s a strong drug, vets and owners should be careful with it. Knowing about the drug’s types, names, and how to use it right is important. This helps make sure cats get the help they need safely, especially for seizures or other brain problems²⁴³.

About Phenobarbital for Cats

Understanding Seizures in Cats

Seizures in cats have various causes. These can include brain tumors, issues in the brain’s tissues, and certain diseases⁵. Other reasons are toxins, or low blood sugar. There’s also a special kind of epilepsy where doctors can’t find a clear reason⁵.

How Phenobarbital Works for Seizures

Phenobarbital’s a type of medicine called a barbiturate. It works by making the brain’s activity slower, which can prevent seizures from happening as often⁶. This happens because phenobarbital stops the brain from being too active, which can cause seizures⁶.

For cats, phenobarbital comes in different tablet sizes. These include 15 mg to 90 mg. Most cats take it 2 times a day⁶.

Doctors need to check the medicine’s level in the blood. They do this first after two weeks of treatment, then again at six weeks. After that, tests should be every six months or if the dose changes⁶.

For dogs, liver damage is a big worry with phenobarbital. But this is not usually a problem for cats⁶. Still, serious liver issues might happen with long term use, especially at high doses⁶.

It’s very important not to miss any doses of the medicine. Not taking it can bring seizures back⁶. If the seizures stop, you might think about stopping phenobarbital. But don’t stop it suddenly to avoid bad seizures⁶.

Too much phenobarbital in the blood can harm the liver. If the blood level is too high, another medicine might be added. This is to lower the dose and still control seizures⁶.

“Phenobarbital can reduce seizure activity with efficacy up to 93% in cats with Feline Idiopathic Epilepsy.”⁵

If your cat has FEPSO, starting phenobarbital early and using it strongly can control the seizures. This might even lead to a point where the cat doesn’t have seizures anymore⁵.

Benefits of Phenobarbital for Cats

Phenobarbital is a top choice for managing seizures in cats⁸. It’s known to work well. This makes it the first option for many vets. And it’s affordable, making it a great choice for long-term use⁸.

In a hospital study, seizures affected 0.5%-3.5% of cats⁸. When cats had ongoing seizures, about a fifth to over half were found to have epilepsy⁸. Research proves phenobarbital is effective for most cats with seizures⁸.

Studies show phenobarbital is safe for cats⁸. It’s a trusted option for vets. The low price also makes it a smart choice for managing seizures long-term⁸.

While some other drugs have been looked at, they aren’t as supported as phenobarbital⁸. Phenobarbital offers the right mix of help and affordability. It’s the go-to for many dealing with cat seizures⁸.

To wrap it up, phenobarbital’s known for effectively treating seizures in cats. Its cost-effective quality is a big plus. Choosing it gives both vets and pet owners peace of mind⁸.

Phenobarbital for cats Dosage

Phenobarbital is a DEA Schedule IV controlled substance⁹. Its prescription and use are closely watched. Vets decide the right dosage for each cat. They consider the cat’s weight, the type and number of seizures, and how the cat responds to the medication¹⁰.

Since phenobarbital isn’t FDA-approved for pets, vets use it in an “extra-label” way. This means they must have a strong relationship with the pet and its owner.

Safe Dosing Guidelines

Phenobarbital tablets for cats come in strengths of 15 mg to 100 mg⁹. The starting dose is usually 1–3 milligrams per kilogram of the cat’s weight. This equals 7.5 to 15 milligrams every 12 hours for the cat¹⁰. Vets might change the dose to get the best results and reduce side effects.

Monitoring Blood Levels

Vets often check the blood levels of phenobarbital in cats with a simple blood test⁹. This ensures the medicine is working well and that the cat is not having too many side effects. If needed, the vet will adjust the dose to keep the seizures under control.

Your cat should have a blood test two weeks after starting phenobarbital. Then, tests should be done every 6 months⁹. Sometimes, more testing is needed if the dosage changes or the cat starts having more seizures. Occasionally, the drug might make the liver enzymes go up, so the vet will keep a watch on the liver health of your cat⁹.

“Roughly 75% of a Phenobarbital dose is removed from the body by the liver for processing, and liver toxicity linked to Phenobarbital usage is associated with blood levels of 35 ug/ml or higher⁹. The liver may experience scarring due to chronic Phenobarbital exposure, more often observed in dogs than cats.”⁹

Side Effects of Phenobarbital for Cats

Phenobarbital is often prescribed to cats for seizures. But, it can cause side effects owners should know about¹¹. These include tiredness, trouble moving, wanting more food and water, and peeing a lot more¹¹. Some cats might scratch their faces more as well¹¹.

In rare cases, cats might face bigger issues like problems with their immune systems, low white blood cells or platelets, and liver problems¹¹. It’s really important to check your cat’s blood regularly to catch any problems early¹¹.

Precautions and Interactions

If your cat has liver, kidney, heart, or lung problems, or is dehydrated or low in red blood cells, be careful with phenobarbital¹¹. It can also mix badly with some other medications, like asthma drugs, blood thinners, allergy meds, and drugs for high blood pressure¹¹. Make sure your vet knows about all the medicines and supplements your cat takes to avoid dangerous mix-ups¹¹.

If your cat gets too much phenobarbital, it’s a big problem that needs a vet’s help right away¹¹. Also, missing a dose might make your cat have a seizure, so sticking to the right schedule is key¹¹.

“Phenobarbital is a controlled drug requiring a new prescription every 6 months.”¹¹

So, phenobarbital can help with seizures in cats. But, owners must know the side effects and how to be careful. Check with your vet often. And watch how your cat responds to the medicine closely¹¹¹².

Administering Phenobarbital to Cats

Phenobarbital, the oldest anti-seizure medication discovered in 1912, is widely used for seizures in cats¹³. Seizures are a top reason why cats visit neurologists¹³. There are key steps to follow when giving phenobarbital to a cat.

Dosage Chart and Frequency

Every cat is unique, so the vet will set the right dose of phenobarbital. This is based on the cat’s size and how it reacts to the drug. Pets can take phenobarbital with or without food. But, giving it with food might prevent stomach issues.

Different studies show that phenobarbital works well for cats when fighting seizures¹⁴. It is easily absorbed by the body when taken by mouth. Plus, after taking it by mouth, the drug remains effective for a long time¹⁴.

Missed Dose Guidelines

If a dose is missed, try to give it as soon as you remember. But, if it’s close to the time of the next dose, just go ahead with the next one. Never give a double dose. This might harm your cat.

Always listen to your vet when giving phenobarbital to your cat¹⁵. While applying it on the skin has been tested, it’s hard to get the drug level just right in the blood¹⁵. There might be mild side effects like skin redness or irritation from skin use¹⁵.

“Phenobarbital is usually the first choice of anti-seizure medication for cats due to its effectiveness.”¹³

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

When you give phenobarbital to cats, be careful. This is true for cats that are having kittens or already nursing. Why? Because phenobarbital goes through the placenta and into the milk¹⁶. This means it might not be safe for the baby kittens. A vet will think a lot before they give this medicine to such cats.

Pregnant and Lactating Cats

If a cat is pregnant or nursing, extra care is needed with phenobarbital. It goes through mom’s body to the baby kittens. This could affect the baby’s health and growth¹⁶. So, vets are very cautious when choosing this medication for these cats.

Adverse Reactions and Overdose

Too much phenobarbital can cause big problems, even death. Watch out for signs like sleepiness, coordination problems, low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, and hard breathing¹⁷. If you think your cat took too much, get them to a vet right away. Also, alert your vet if your cat seems very tired or has other strange symptoms regarding this medicine¹⁷.

Some cats might get used to phenobarbital or even depend on it. This is more likely if they take a lot of it for a long time¹⁷. If the cat needs to stop taking it, they could show strong withdrawal signs. It’s crucial their vet helps manage this process closely.

Be very careful with phenobarbital around pregnant or nursing cats. Overdosing or reacting badly to this medicine could be very dangerous. If you see something wrong, don’t wait. Get your cat to the vet right away. Only give this medicine under very careful watch and with a plan to stop it slowly, as a vet directs¹⁶¹⁷¹⁸.

Comparing Phenobarbital to Other Anticonvulsants

Phenobarbital is a common anticonvulsant for cats, but there are more options. Drugs like zonisamide and potassium bromide may work differently and have different side effects¹⁹.

When vets choose a seizure medicine for cats, they look at how well it works, the cost, and how the cat reacts. This choice really affects how well the cat’s seizures can be controlled¹⁹.

A study by Finnerty et al. (2014) checked on the right levels of phenobarbital for seizures in 30 cats between 2004-2013¹⁹. Another study by Marsch et al. (2021) looked at how often and what side effects cats get from phenobarbital¹⁹.

Other research, like the one by Charalambous et al. (2018), looked at how safe and effective these drugs are for cat epilepsy¹⁹. A trial by Heller et al. (2019) compared putting phenobarbital on the skin with giving it by mouth¹⁹.

Another big part of choosing the right medicine is if the cat owners can give it as needed. Wareham et al. (2019) highlighted this in their study¹⁹. Research by Cochrane et al. (1990) also gave insights on phenobarbital levels in cats with different ways of giving the drug¹⁹.

Choosing the best anticonvulsant for a cat is a big decision. It involves looking at lots of research and thinking about the cat’s individual needs. Vets make choices that help their patients the most by weighing the medicine’s effect, cost, and side effects¹⁹.

Vets need to keep learning about new cat seizure treatments. They choose the best plan for each cat, so they live better with seizures¹⁹.

“Effective management of feline seizures requires a comprehensive understanding of the available anticonvulsant options and their comparative benefits and drawbacks.”¹⁹

Conclusion

Phenobarbital is a top choice for treating seizures and epilepsy in cats. It works for up to 93% of cats. This is if the right level, 15 to 45 μg/ml, is in their blood. However, giving it to cats is hard for about 18% of owners²¹.

There’s now a way to give phenobarbital that’s easier for cat owners. It’s through the skin, not the mouth. About 67% of owners prefer this method²¹²². But, it does need more checking to make sure it’s working right, no matter how it’s given²².

Phenobarbital is still the go-to treatment for cat seizures and epilepsy. It’s safe and doesn’t cost much¹⁹. By keeping an eye on it and adjusting as needed, it usually keeps seizures at bay. This helps cats lead better lives and brings comfort to their owners.

Source Links

1. Phenobarbital for Dogs and Cats
2. Phenobarbital | VCA Animal Hospitals
3. Phenobarbital in Cats
4. Phenobarbital for Cats: Overview, Dosage & Side Effects – Cats.com
5. Feline Epilepsy – NDSR
6. Phenobarbital
7. Evaluation of Transdermal Administration of Phenobarbital in Healthy Cats
8. Systematic review of antiepileptic drugs’ safety and effectiveness in feline epilepsy
9. Mar Vista Animal Medical Center
10. Phenobarbital in Vet Medicine – Facts and Information | PetCoach
11. Phenobarbital | Texas West Animal Health
12. Microsoft Word – Phenobarbital
13. A Better Life for Bruce
14. Pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital in the cat following intravenous and oral administration.
15. Testing Transdermal Phenobarbital in Cats
16. Phenobarbital Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing – WebMD
17. Phenobarbital (Phenobarbital): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings
18. What is Phenobarbital? – NDSR
19. Once-a-day oral treatment with phenobarbital in cats with presumptive idiopathic epilepsy
20. Controlling primary epilepsy (Proceedings)
21. Prospective crossover clinical trial comparing transdermal with oral phenobarbital administration in epileptic cats
22. Comparing transdermal with oral phenobarbital administration in epileptic cats – EveryCat Health Foundation