WHAT IF PHENOBARBITAL DOESNT WORK OR CAUSES UNACCEPTABLE SIDE EFFECTS?
This can happen and in such cases, potassium bromide (often abbreviated KBr) becomes the next best choice. The phenobarbital dose is generally cut back and potassium bromide is given at a high dose for a day or two before dropping to a maintenance bromide dose. Potassium bromide is felt to be an investigational treatment by the FDA and special permission is needed to use it; still, 85% of phenobarbital failures can be controlled with potassium bromide. Bromides reach therapeutic levels very slowly (months), thus in most cases, bromides and phenobarbitol are used in combination. Due to the success of seizure control with potassium bromide, many neurologists begin therapy here instead of with phenobarbital. SEIZURES AT HOME (WHEN IS IT AN EMERGENCY?) It is a lucky pet that never has another seizure after beginning medications, but an occasional breakthrough seizure (as disturbing as it may be to watch) is rarely of serious concern. It is important not to put yourself in danger around a s