ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/zonisamide
US brand names:Zonegran
Zonisamide is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs, per Podell M, Volk HA, Berendt M, et al. 2015 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on seizure management in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(2):477-490. | Chung JY, Hwang CY, Chae JS et al. (2012) Zonisamide monotherapy for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 60, 357-359 doi:10.1111/jvim.13841 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.456 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Multiple mechanisms: blocks voltage-gated sodium and T-type calcium channels, enhances GABA release, and has mild carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity.
Second-line anticonvulsant or add-on therapy. Sedation, ataxia, GI upset. Decreased appetite in some dogs. Renal tubular acidosis reported (rare). Monitor serum levels. Dogs and cats.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) 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 2 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) | PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Podell M, Volk HA, Berendt M, et al. 2015 ACVIM small animal consensus statement on seizure management in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(2):477-490. | Chung JY, Hwang CY, Chae JS et al. (2012) Zonisamide monotherapy for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 60, 357-359 doi:10.1111/jvim.13841 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.456 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Brewer DM, Cerda-Gonzalez S, Dewey CW. Zonisamide therapy for refractory seizures in five cats withttpresumptive idiopathic epilepsy. J Vet Intern Med. 2010;24:739-739.; Bailey KS, Dewey CW. The seizuring cat: diagnostic work-up and therapy. J Feline Med Surg. 2009;11(5):385-394. — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.456 (2026-08-01). |
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