Can Phenobarbital Cause Blood Clotting Issues in Dogs with Epilepsy? New Study Reveals Surprising Results

Phenobarbital (PB) is a common treatment for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, but it can affect blood clotting. This study used thromboelastography (TEG), a test to check how well blood clots, to examine dogs with epilepsy treated with PB. The goal was to see if PB caused any issues with blood clotting.

The study looked at three groups: dogs treated with PB for less than 6 months, dogs treated for more than 6 months, and healthy dogs as a control. The results showed that no dogs had serious clotting problems, but nearly half (47%) of the dogs with epilepsy had increased fibrinolysis (a process where the body breaks down blood clots). This suggests some dogs might have issues with clot breakdown, possibly due to liver damage caused by PB, but more research is needed to confirm this.

Interestingly, the study found no clear connection between the dose of PB or its blood levels and the clotting results. No dogs had bleeding complications, but the cause of the fibrinolysis remains unclear, and further studies are needed to understand the clinical significance.

Read full study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vcp.13380