Dr. Fitz and Dr. Johnson will help decide which medications are best for you and your pet. Here is some information on the most commonly prescribed options and possible side effects.
Anti-Seizure Medications
Maintenance Medications
The goal of anti-seizure medications is to decrease the number and severity of seizures while keeping side effects as minimal as possible. While achieving complete seizure control is rare, these medications can greatly improve your pet’s and quality of life by spreading out seizures and decreasing their intensity.
It is very important to give every dose exactly as prescribed. Never stop, adjust, or change your pet’s medication without first consulting a veterinarian at Neuro Vet or your primary veterinarian. Making sudden changes can be dangerous and may trigger more frequent or severe seizures. Most pets who need anti-seizure medications will stay on them long-term, often for life, to help keep their seizures under control.
Rescue Therapy
Pulse therapy is a short-term, as-needed treatment using specific anti-seizure medications. It is most often used during, or in anticipation of, cluster seizures—when multiple seizures occur within 24–48 hours. The main purpose of pulse therapy is not to stop a seizure that is already happening, but to reduce the risk of additional seizures that could progress to status epilepticus (a prolonged seizure), which can be life-threatening. Think of this approach as an “at-home rescue plan,” designed and supervised by Dr. Fitz or Dr. Johnson. It is especially helpful for pets with predictable seizure patterns or known triggers.
Dosing and frequency are customized to each patient, taking into account their seizure history, other medications, and response to previous therapy. Pulse therapy does not replace daily anti-seizure medication but works alongside it as part of a tailored, comprehensive seizure management plan.
Pain Medications
Certain neurological conditions affecting the spine or nerve roots can often lead to discomfort, which may range from sharp, shooting pain to mild, chronic aches. The right pain medication can make a big difference, providing relief either for a short time during recovery or as part of a long-term plan to manage chronic pain.
Immunosuppressants
Immune-mediated diseases occur when your pet’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own body. Immunosuppressants calm down the immune system to help stop it from harming the body’s own healthy tissues. In veterinary neurology, this is most commonly seen with conditions like meningoencephalitis or steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis.
Steroids
Steroids are used to treat a variety of neurological conditions—from reducing nerve inflammation and brain swelling to calming an overactive immune system. The dosage is very important, as different diseases require different amounts and durations of steroid treatment. We’ll carefully determine the right dose and course for your pet based on their specific neurological condition.
Other Medications
Depending on your pet’s condition, additional medications may be prescribed to help them stay calm during recovery periods, assist in urination in cases of severe spinal cord disease, or relieve muscle spasms.