Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pancytopenia secondary to suspected idiosyncratic phenobarbital reaction in a dog.
- Journal:
- The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Oberholster, Olivia
- Affiliation:
- Ontario Veterinary College · Canada
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old neutered male St. Bernard-mastiff mix started feeling very tired and stopped eating after he was given phenobarbital to help control his unusual seizures. A blood test showed he had pancytopenia, which means he had low levels of red and white blood cells and platelets. Further tests ruled out an immune-related cause, leading the veterinarians to believe he was having a rare reaction to the medication. They provided supportive care and switched his seizure treatment to zonisamide, which helped him improve. After three weeks, his blood values returned to normal.
Abstract
A 4-year-old neutered male St. Bernard-mastiff crossbred dog showed clinical signs of lethargy and anorexia after being administered phenobarbital for the treatment of idiosyncratic seizures. A complete blood (cell) count revealed pancytopenia. Auto-agglutination and Coombs tests were negative suggesting that an immunemediated cause was unlikely; therefore, an idiosyncratic reaction to phenobarbital was suspected. Supportive care and control of seizures with zonisamide was initiated and clinical signs improved. Blood values were monitored closely and returned to normal after 3 wk.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857972/