Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Phenobarbital is dosed at 16–20 mg/kg IV Loading dose (give in 4 mg/kg increments q20min) in dogs, per Munana KR. Update seizure management in small animal practice. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2013;43(5):1127-1147. PMID: 23890243 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1036 (2026-08-01).. Phenobarbital is used in dogs for Status epilepticus (loading), Epilepsy (maintenance). Routes documented in dogs: IV, PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Phenobarbital in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Luminal, Solfoton
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 16–20 mg/kg | Loading dose (give in 4 mg/kg increments q20min) | Emergency loading | Status epilepticus (loading) | Strong |
| PO | 2.5–5 mg/kg | q12h | Lifelong | Epilepsy (maintenance) | Strong | Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed. (2016), p.626 (PDF 654), Small Animal Dosage — Dogs |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity by prolonging chloride channel opening. Also blocks AMPA/glutamate receptors. Raises seizure threshold.
First-line anticonvulsant for dogs. Hepatotoxicity with chronic use (monitor liver enzymes and serum levels). PU/PD, polyphagia, sedation (often transient). Hepatic enzyme inducer (many drug interactions). DEA controlled.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Phenobarbital dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IV 16–20 mg/kg Loading dose (give in 4 mg/kg increments q20min); PO 2.5–5 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Phenobarbital in dogs: IV, PO.
Cited course lengths for Phenobarbital in dogs include: Emergency loading; Lifelong. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Phenobarbital is indicated in dogs for: Status epilepticus (loading), Epilepsy (maintenance).
These are general warnings for Phenobarbital across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. First-line anticonvulsant for dogs. Hepatotoxicity with chronic use (monitor liver enzymes and serum levels). PU/PD, polyphagia, sedation (often transient). Hepatic enzyme inducer (many drug interactions). DEA controlled.
Why a species-specific page? Phenobarbital pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.