Most recurrent seizure conditions in German Shepherds are identified as idiopathic epilepsy. Phenobarbital is a safe and effective medication for reducing the frequency of seizures. Since this medication's primary side effect is sedation, one must balance the dose to obtain the maximum seizure reduction, without over sedating the patient. After the initial blood panel, subsequent blood Phenobarbital levels may be necessary to fine tune the dosage to suit your dog. Although advanced tests, such as MRI and CAT scans are available, they are usually expensive and often non diagnostic in canine epilepsy.
Epilepsy is highly variable in frequency, duration and severity of seizures.
Your dog may seizure four times a day for several months, then never seizure again. His condition may progressively worsen, stay the same or spontaneously improve. Your best bet is to keep him on the Phenobarbital, and to log his seizures on a calendar to follow trends. The other puppies in the litter are eating, but she is not. She has tried different dog foods but no luck.