QUESTION

Just before christmas he had been vomiting unable to keep food and water down. He stayed in the vets for two days they said he had inflamation in his stomach. Three weeks later he was sick again they did some tests, he's showing signs of liver problems, which are due to the epiphen tablets, he has been ok for three weeks, I just want to know if I can give him anything to help him with this problem he had a fit (clusters) a couple of days ago, came out of them good. it was six weeks ago since he had his last seizure, which is very good for him. I would be very grateful to have some advice on any thing else i can do for my dog.

Andrea

ANSWER

Dear Andrea,
Although it is true that the pills your dog is on can affect the liver, this will take a long time, usually, to show up. you did not say just how long the dog had been on the pills. I use the drug you named a lot, as the company does a good job in supporting both the pet and the vets. this is done in the form of blood tests to determine the required level of both phenobarbitone and potassium bromide in your dog, and I also ask the company, Compton, to do a liver tox screen, based on the drugs your dog is on. Unfortunately, the best drug for fit control is the drug you are on, so, before a change is made, i strongly advocate a check on levels. hope this helps. Your vet will know the bloods needed and the protocols.

James Haddow