What side effects can phenobarbitone cause?
Sedation and poor co-ordination This is normally seen at the start of therapy, after increases in doses, or with the addition of another drug, eg bromide. This effect typically wears off within two weeks. If it doesn’t or is excessive then your vet may advise that you reduce the dose of phenobarbitone or switch to another drug. Increased urination and drinking Phenobarbitone acts like a diuretic. Your pet must always have access to water when on phenobarbitone treatment otherwise they can get dehydrated. Some animals on high doses may have wet in the house overnight or when left for extended periods. Increased appetite Phenobarbitone therapy can increase your pet’s appetite however they often do not require more food. Weight gain can be a difficult problem to avoid. It may help to feed a lower calorie food so that your pet can eat more without gaining weight. Extending mealtimes for example by using a BustercubeT (http://www.bustercube.com) can also be helpful. Liver damage This is a f
