ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/levetiracetam
US brand names:Keppra
Levetiracetam is dosed at 50–100 mg/kg PO q8h in african grey parrots, per 73. Beaufrère H, Nevarez J, Gaschen L, et al. Diagnosis of presumed acute ischemic stroke and associated seizure management in a Congo African grey parrot. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011;239(1):122-128. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.473 doi:10.2460/javma.239.1.122 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.10 (Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Agents Used in Birds.a,b). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Binds synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, modulating neurotransmitter release. Novel mechanism distinct from other anticonvulsants. Does not affect GABA or sodium channels at therapeutic doses.
Excellent safety profile. Minimal hepatic metabolism (renal excretion). No significant drug interactions. Sedation and ataxia initially (usually transient). Use extended-release if available (q12h instead of q8h). Safe in cats.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Amazon Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Prairie Dog drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 20–60 mg/kg | Loading dose IV over 5-10 min | Strong | Hardy BT, Patterson EE, Cloyd JM, Hardy RM, Leppik IE. Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study of Intravenous Levetiracetam for the Treatment of Status Epilepticus and Acute Repetitive Seizures in Dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2012;26:334-340. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00868.x; Dewey CW, Bailey KS, Boothe DM, Badgley BL, Cruz-Espindola C. Pharmacokinetics of single-dose intravenous levetiracetam administration in normal dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2008;18:153-157. doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2008.00294.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.775 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.746, Levetiracetam monograph spanning p.746-748; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| PO |
| 20–60 mg/kg |
| q8h (IR) or q12h (ER) |
| Strong |
| Volk HA, Matiasek LA, Feliu-Pascual AL, Platt SR, Chandler KE. The efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in pharmacoresistant epileptic dogs. Vet J. 2008;176:310-319. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.03.002; Boozer LB, Platt SR, Haley AC, et al. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of immediate- and extended-release formulations of levetiracetam in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2015;76:719-723. doi:10.2460/ajvr.76.8.719; Platt SR, Kent M, Freeman AC, Aljuffali IA, Gullick D, Arnold R. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of extended release levetiracetam in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2011;25:729-729. PMID: 26207970 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.774 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.746, Levetiracetam monograph spanning p.746-748; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |