ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/zonisamide
US brand names:Zonegran
Zonisamide is dosed at 20 mg/kg PO q8-12h 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.474 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.
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 African Grey Parrot drugsAll Amazon Parrot drugsAll 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 4 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). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.456' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.440; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.440. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24h |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| 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. PMID: 19389638 — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.456 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.456' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.440; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.440. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705 |