Anticonvulsant
If your dog suffers from cramps, this can have various causes. For example, it may be due to a disease of the nervous system, poisoning or trauma. In any case, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
In some cases, however, it may also be useful to give your dog an anticonvulsant to relieve the symptoms and prevent further damage. In this article, you'll find out what anticonvulsants are available, how they work and what you should look out for.
What are anticonvulsants?
Anticonvulsants are drugs that reduce the excitability of nerve cells in the brain or spinal cord. This makes the seizures less frequent or less severe. There are various types of anticonvulsants, which can be differentiated according to their active ingredient and mechanism of action.
The most common anticonvulsants for dogs include
- Phenobarbital: This is the oldest and most commonly used anticonvulsant for dogs. It works by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has an inhibitory effect on nerve cells. Phenobarbital must be administered regularly in order to achieve a constant blood level. However, it can also have side effects such as tiredness, weight gain or liver damage.
- Potassium bromide: This is another common anticonvulsant for dogs that is often given in combination with phenobarbital. It works by reducing the influence of chloride on the nerve cells, which also has an inhibitory effect. Potassium bromide has the advantage that it has fewer side effects on the liver than phenobarbital, but it can cause gastrointestinal complaints or skin problems.
- Levetiracetam: This is a newer anticonvulsant for dogs that has a different mode of action than phenobarbital or potassium bromide. It works by preventing the release of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter. Levetiracetam has the advantage that it has fewer side effects than other anticonvulsants and acts quickly. However, it must be administered more frequently and can be more expensive.
The authors assume that a veterinarian should be consulted if an animal is ill and that medication should only be taken after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. Only an individual examination can lead to a diagnosis and treatment decision.
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