History

• Phenobarbital first got its use in 1912, on humans. It was its human use for the treatment of epilepsy that led to its use for treatment in dogs.
  
  

Function

• Phenobarbital is used to treat epileptic dogs. It is the most common and least expensive of the treatments and generally tried first. The success rate is 60 to 80 percent.
  
  

Dosage

• Phenobarbital is given to dogs two to three times daily. This makes it easier to control the dosage. Phenobarbital comes in tablet form of 100mg and a liquid form of 4mg/ml. Only a veterinary can prescribe it and knows the best dosage for your dog.
  
  

Effects

• Side effects are generally minimal in animals taking Phenobarbital, but there is a risk. These side effects can include loss of coordination, lethargy, excessive potty breaks, excessive drinking, and sometimes excessive eating, causing weight gain. These side effects usually go away in time. Liver damage can also occur, although this is not common.
  
  

Benefits

• The benefit of giving your dog Phenobarbital is the control over his seizures brought on by epilepsy. When the seizures are controlled your dog can have happy, normal life. Not only does Phenobarbital help keep seizures at bay, it can also stop those that have already started.