Primary Epilepsy Medications for Cats: A Comprehensive

Part 1: When Can Cats Stop Taking Antiepileptic Medications?

1. The Right Time to Discontinue Antiepileptic Medication

When a cat experiences prolonged or frequent seizures, and a veterinarian recommends medication, it's appropriate to start the cat on antiepileptic drugs. The treatment should continue until the cat's condition stabilizes on the medication, with no seizures occurring within a sixmonth period. At this point, you can cautiously attempt to discontinue the antiepileptic medication and observe the cat for a few days. If no seizures occur, the medication can be safely stopped.

In cases where a cat's seizures are due to a shortterm head injury or conditions like brain tumors or encephalitis, antiepileptic drugs are also necessary. Once the cat's injury or underlying cause is controlled, the medication can be gradually reduced and eventually stopped. However, if seizures continue despite the medication, the dosage may need to be increased, or additional treatments may be required. In cases of encephalitis, specific encephalitis treatment is also necessary.

Part 2: Common Antiepileptic Medications for Cats

Phenobarbital

Phenobarbital is the firstline treatment for feline epilepsy and is the most commonly used medication. It should only be administered if the cat does not have any preexisting metabolic issues. If the medication is for routine control, you can use Butabarbital, which is another name for phenobarbital tablets. These tablets are a common form of medication used to control seizures in cats.

The benefits of phenobarbital include its affordable price, relatively low side effects compared to other medications, and its widespread use. The drug is also quickly absorbed, has a rapid onset of action, and high bioavailability.

Usage Instructions:

Administer the medication orally twice a day.

Before starting the medication, keep a record of the cat's seizure frequency.

When a cat begins treatment, start with the initial dose, which is typically 12mg/kg. Higher doses can cause significant drowsiness and more pronounced side effects.

After two weeks of treatment, perform a blood test to measure the blood drug concentration. A blood concentration of 2030ug/ml is considered ideal for cats.

If the blood concentration is insufficient, it may indicate poor control of the condition, and the dose may need to be adjusted or other treatment options considered. Retest the blood concentration after two weeks. However, there may be a situation where the cat's clinical symptoms are wellcontrolled, but the blood concentration has not reached the specified level. In such cases, it may not be necessary to increase the dose.

These are the treatment methods for feline primary epilepsy shared by Oxygen Pet Doctor. However, these guidelines are for common situations, and specific treatment should always be based on the veterinarian's diagnosis and treatment decisions. In addition to medication, owners must also provide proper care and support to help manage the cat's epilepsy effectively and return to a happy life.