About Canine Seizures After Chemotherapy

Just as in human beings, when dogs develop cancer there are many therapies available. One form of treatment is the use of chemotherapy. The choice among veterinarians when using chemotherapy is quite often a drug called Leukeran or Chlorambucil. The side effects from this drug include seizures, which can be difficult to manage.

What is Leukeran?

Leukeran is an oral medication which, when given in proper dosage, inhibits the cancerous cell's ability to divide and continue to replicate. Leukeran falls into a drug category known as alkylating agents and this particular class of drugs often causes unwanted side effects; more specifically seizures. It is important that you and your vet manage the doses and monitor the dog closely. If the dog is given a high dose of a medication, seizures are more likely to occur. Leukeran is the drug of choice when treating lymphocytic leukemia, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

How to Manage the Seizures

If your dog is prone to seizures on this medication then the risks must be weighed. If your veterinarian feels that Leukeran is the best treatment for your dog and would give your dog the best chance at survival, then you must weigh that against the risk of impairment that could be caused by seizures.

Seizures can be managed with several medications such as phenobarbital. Phenobarbital is an oral medication that controls seizures when ingested. Keep in mind it could take up to four weeks of treatment with phenobarbital before seizure control is observed.

When to Consider using an Anti-Seizure Medication

When considering the use of an anti-seizure medicine the benefits should outweigh the risks and your veterinarian can help guide you when determining this. Phenobarbital does have side effects as well, however in comparison to disorders that seizures can cause it might be well worth looking into as a treatment. Some of the side effects of phenobarbital include:

• Depression


• Anemia


• Scarring of the liver or liver failure (this is seen in long-term usage)