Hi BostonTerrMom,
Here is a link that gives the starting dose recommended. It may be used by most veterinarians. I really don‘t know.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/tphm18.htm
Keep in mind each dog is different. Dosage can vary by weight, what the therapeutic range shows for the drug and clinical signs that the dog is having. Some dogs can take more, some can’t.
Back to your first post regarding that the Pb has been decreased and asking if you should increase the Zonisamide. I hope that decreasing the Pb did not create the seizures to occur when she had nine of them in 55 minutes. Is that possible?
Please keep in mind, the more seizures that occur, the more it causes a kindling effect. The brain learns how to have seizures and it continues them. That’s why it is so important to get the seizures under control.
I’m so glad that you have discussed this with your vet and have decided to increased the Zonisamide and have gotten some diazepam as well.
Another suggestion, if the diazepam doesn’t seem to work or your dog can’t tolerate it, is the ice pack on the mid back. This has helped me numerous times when I have seen Sampson about ready to go into a seizure. I was able to stop the seizure. And even if I can’t, the ice pack still gets applied and it decreases the post-cal stage down to nothing. This might be something worth trying. I wonder if this helps keep the temperature down as well?
Someone previously had mentioned that they were able to stop their dogs seizure by saying something to them in a loud voice, not screaming. For example, with Sampson, I see him going down about to have a seizure and I will say “Sampson want a carrot!†This will pop him right out of it and he will follow to me the kitchen. I will say this because he loves baby carrots. Maybe something being said that your dog likes to hear would work?
I hope the increased dosage of Zonisamide works and keeps the seizures at bay for a long time.
Keep us posted and good luck!
Barb & epi-Sampson (39 lb Sheltie)
Pb 48.6 BID
KBr 1.2 ml of 250 mg BID
Zonisamide 300 mg BID
Keppra (generic) 500 mg TID
Denamarin QD
Taurine 500 mg BID
Vitamins/Minerals & Vitamin B Complex w/Iron
Wellness Core Reduced Fat TID
“They too, are created by the same loving hand of God which Created us...It is our duty to Protect Them and to promote their well-being.â€â€”Mother Teresa