Wobbliness (ataxia) after Phenobarbital in dogs

105 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs given Phenobarbital. That is 6.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

105Reports

74%Marked serious

22%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

6 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 26%

1–2 days

11 16%

3–7 days

11 16%

1–4 weeks

11 16%

Over a month

19 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

21 20%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.9%

Still unwell when reported

39 37%

Died

8 7.6%

Euthanised

17 16%

Not known

18 17%

Problems reported at the same time

48 46%

28 27%

26 25%

21 20%

20 19%

17 16%

15 14%

15 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Phenobarbital cause wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?: 105 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 6 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 599 reports · 2.6% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 150 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Diphenhydramine 169 reports · 3.6% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Butorphanol 125 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Cefpodoxime 182 reports · 4.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Tramadol 168 reports · 4.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Florfenicol + Mometasone + Terbinafine 430 reports · 12% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 33 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Propofol 69 reports · 2.2% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Dirlotapide 23 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Phenobarbital in dogs · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)