Phenobarbital makes dog urinate a lot

emaschka · Post by **emaschka** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:02 pm

Hello. A little history: My dog, Gracie, is taking Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide for her seizures. We tried to ween her off of Phenobarbital (while still continuing the Bromide) a while ago and she had seizures more frequently. So now Gracie is back on both medicines. I have noticed an increase in appetite, thirst, and urination. After searching the web, I discovered that these can be common side effects.

My question to you all is: Is there anything I can do to decrease the urge for her to urinate so much? She wakes me up 1-2 times during the night, almost every night, to let her outside to pee. I have seen Victoria Stilwell tell a dog owner to take away the dog's water after a certain time every evening and instead, give the dog ice cubes. Then, of course, give the dog water again in the morning. However, I do not believe that this dog was on any medication to cause excess thirst. Is this the right thing to do? Do you have any ideas? (Oh by the way, I have two dogs. So both dogs would be effected by removing the water bowl in the evenings.)

Thank you!
Emily

Nettle · Post by **Nettle** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:19 pm

My personal view, which is nothing to do with this Board, is that I would not take water away from any animal, never mind one on medication that increases thirst.

I have no idea of your home layout, but is it possible to give the dog unfettered access to outside in some way eg open door or dog flap?

Otherwise, I'd just grit my teeth and get up. I did it for years with one of my dogs, and it was just part of caring for her. I'm not pretending it's easy, but those are the options I would consider.

You'd do the same for your old Mum if she needed personal care.

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:20 am

Nettle wrote:My personal view, which is nothing to do with this Board, is that I would not take water away from any animal, never mind one on medication that increases thirst.

I agree with Nettle, I wouldn't take water away from my dogs, I have a dog that medication has increased his water intake, if he needs it he gets it.

A sudden change in a dog's drinking habbits often means a dog is becoming sick and you can get them to the vets quicker than if you wait until other symptoms appear.

As my dogs sleep with me in my bedroom, I have a bowl of water there as well.

PSnyder · Post by **PSnyder** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 1:13 am

Emily: There's not much you can to do alleviate the excessive thirst that phenobarb causes. My Sheltie was on phenobarb for seizures and it seemed as if he was camped at his water bowl which also meant the need to go out more often. Timed outings are probably the best answer to that during the day, but at night it can be a problem. He didn't need to go out as frequently as your dog wants to so it may be the meds have effected her more than other dogs might be. It's something you should discuss with your vet. I absolutely agree that you shouldn't take away her water bowl, except when instructed to do so by your vet. If you take away her water at night it's possible she could become obsessed with drinking and would be at it even more.

Mattie · Post by **Mattie** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:15 am

Emily, just a thought, what tests did your vet do before giving your dog phenabarb?

I have a dog that has seizures, his are food related, if he doesn't get these foods he doesn't have seizures. I changed my vet because of him, best thing I every dod, because my first vet didn't do any tests to see what the cause of the seizures were.

There are many reasons why a dog has a seizure, not all is epilepsy, if you can find the cause, you can stop them happening.

MaiasMom · Post by **MaiasMom** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:39 pm

Some time ago there was a list of dog food that had phenobarbitol in it. The host animal was killed by using this method. The drug circulated through the host animal via the blood which we all know runs through the meat, just look at the next piece of beef or poultry you buy. I buy only food that has been "clean" killed, no drugs. I think if you do a search on the internet you can find the "no no" list. Grocery store food never reaches my house. My dogs are given enough kibble for their needs but I supplement with veggies, fruit, yogurt(plain). treats they love the most are baby carrots, cheap, apples without the core, brocolli, the stalk you cut away, I call my gang "garbage cans" they will eat anything I give them. I never ever give them processed people food, I make them dog ice cream, you can find this on the net. They love orange juice so I make them popsicles. They love tomatoes in any form. I make my own V8 for them leaving out added salt and onions. In the summer months I have a strip of ground that I plant wheat grass aka "pet grass" that they really love to nibble on.
I might sound like my whole life is about my dogs and the reality is their whole life is about me and what I do for them.

MaiasMom · Post by **MaiasMom** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:48 pm

I just forgot to ask, do they know what causes the sizures? Perhaps a specialist in this area is in order. My girl picked up a bad case of Staph, my regular vet put her on antibiotics which worked short term so I took her to an animal dermatolagist, he gave her the right antibiotic for the right amount of time and a special shampoo to use once a week. Cleared it right up and she is Staph free for 2 years.

Most dogs come in contact with Staph without problems, but my girl has a weak immune system that I believe is the result of a vet giving her vacinations when she was sick and her immune system was already over loaded. I give my gang plain organic yogurt a few times a week for digestion and to help their immune system work better. They love it and it's cheap. I also give them each a fish oil caplet, they like this also and you get a huge bottle for little money.