Luminal for dogs is a prescription medicinewhich contains the active ingredient phenobarbital.
This is one of the most common drugs administered to treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy in dogs.
In the following guide you will learn everything about the application, dosage, side effects and alternatives.
Luminal for dogs: what it is and what it is used for
Luminal Vet for dogs is a medication that at Epilepsy in dogs is applied
Luminal can also be a medicine for dogs if a fur nose suffers from anxiety disorders, for example a fear of noise.
Ultimately, Luminal is intended to calm the nerves to a certain extent. More specifically, the active ingredient phenobarbital, a barbiturate, binds to the GABA-A receptors.
These in turn ensure that nerve stimuli are suppressed, which are responsible for epileptic seizures and anxiety, among other things.
Luminal Vet for dogs is available as a 100 mg phenobarbital tablet. There are also luminalettes for dogs.
Luminalettes for dogs can be an alternative to Luminal for dogs – especially for the smaller furry friends who weigh less than 20 kilograms.
Because the phenobarbital concentration contained here is 15 mg, which is significantly lower than Luminal Vet for dogs.
Proper use and dosage of Luminal in dogs
The correct dosage of Luminal Vet for dogs is generally at 2.5 mg phenobarbital per kilogram body weight, which the dog twice a day receives.
The starting dose of Luminal or Phenobarbital is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight and should never be exceeded.
This dose, determined by the veterinarian, also depends on the overall condition of the dog and the severity of the epileptic seizures.
It is therefore possible that the right dose for your dog will only be determined during the course of therapy with Luminal for dogs.
This requires regular checks of the blood level – among other things, to be able to see how well the dog is responding to the Luminal treatment.
How long does it take for Luminal to work in dogs?
The action of Luminal in the dog occurs normally after 1 to 2 weeks a. During this period, phenobarbital has been fully absorbed by the body.
This also means that the initial dose of phenobarbital is not changed by Luminal during these 1 to 2 weeks.
If an adjustment is necessary, this will only be done once the first treatment cycle has been completed.
IMPORTANT
Please never decide on the use and dosage of Luminal yourself, but only the veterinarian. This is the only way to prevent dangerous side effects.
What side effects can Luminal cause in dogs?
Phenobarbital is one of the strongest sleeping pills and narcotics – side effects such as extreme tiredness can hardly be prevented with it.
Also sluggishness and dizziness as well as hyperactivity are side effects that can occur in dogs, especially in the first days of treatment with Luminal.
But it may also be that these Side effects do not disappear after a few daysbut plague the dog over the entire treatment period.
In addition, polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia – increased urination, increased drinking and an increased appetite – have been observed in some dogs.
Serious side effects can also occur if an overdose of Luminal Vet has occurred in the dog. These include the following:
- hypotension
- kidney failure
- respiratory & cardiovascular depression
These symptoms can actually lead to the death of the fur nose. Therefore, once again: The correct dosage is determined exclusively by the veterinarian!
When should I not use Luminal in dogs?
Luminal for dogs is not the right medication for dogs that are hypersensitive to phenobarbital.
You should also administer another active ingredient if your dog suffers from cardiovascular diseases or respiratory diseases.
Like almost all veterinary medicines, Luminal for dogs should also not be used if the kidneys and liver are dysfunctional present.
These prevent the correct metabolism of the medication and the excretion of substances that no longer have any place in the body.
There are also restrictions for dog owners regarding the administration of Luminal to the dog. Women who are pregnant should not come into contact with Luminal for dogs.
Phenobarbital can have neurological effects on the unborn child via skin absorption.
And breastfeeding mothers should also stay away from Luminal for dogs.
Because phenobarbital can be excreted in milk, lactating bitches should not be treated with Luminal. The same applies to pregnant furry friends.
Where is Luminal for dogs available?
Luminal for dogs is a prescription veterinary medicinal product and therefore subject to prescription.
In pharmacies you will only get it if your veterinarian has issued the necessary prescription.
What alternatives are there to Luminal for dogs?
If your dog has had a bad experience with phenobarbital, an alternative to Luminal should contain another active ingredient, such as for example Pexion for dogs.
This contains imepitoin, which also helps with epileptic seizures. It can also be combined with medications containing phenobarbital.
Another alternative are medicines containing primidone. As always, the application and dosage may only be carried out after consultation with the veterinarian.
Does your dog need to be treated with Luminal for dogs? Then we say thank you if you want to share his experiences and your tips with us in the comments.