Help, my dog has seizures and I can`t use phenobarbital. I can use either Tegretol or Valproic Acid?

I am sorry your dog is having seizures, go to http://www.merckvetmanual.com and type in Anticonvulsant Drugs, the first entry should be a table that has information on different anticonvulsant drugs including the Valproic Acid, but Tegretol wasn’t listed. Below was an entry on seizure control, hope it is of help.

Seizure Control:
Status epilepticus (continuous or cluster seizures) in dogs and cats may be interrupted by diazepam, given at 0.5 mg/kg (not to exceed 10 mg at one time), IV. Sodium pentobarbital to effect, not to exceed 3-15 mg/kg, IV, may also be used, followed by phenobarbital at 2-4 mg/kg, IM, every 6 hr. Diazepam given at 0.1-2 mg/kg/hr, IV, may be used to control persistent status epilepticus. Oral anticonvulsants should be resumed as soon as possible if currently being given.
Recommended maintenance anticonvulsant therapy in dogs and cats is phenobarbital at 2-4 mg/kg, PO, bid-tid as needed to control seizures or to maintain serum levels at 25-30 µg/mL. Dogs can be treated with potassium bromide (KBr), 22 mg/kg, bid with food until the serum level is 1,500-4,000 µg/mL 3 mo after initiation of therapy. Phenobarbital is good for animals with seizures multiple times weekly as it may become clinically effective in 72 hr, whereas KBr may take several weeks. KBr bypasses the liver so it is better than phenobarbital in animals with liver disease. Phenobarbital and KBr may be given in combination. KBr may cause asthma in cats. Since KBr is not commercially available, it may be prepared by a compounding pharmacist by mixing chemical grade KBr crystals in water at a concentration of 125 mg/mL or 250 mg/mL. Once the effective dose is obtained, the crystals may be packed in gelatin capsules. Because KBr is toxic to people, owners are advised to wear gloves while medicating the dog. KBr serum levels are affected by the salt content of the diet, so the diet should be consistent. KBr has proved more efficacious in dogs with cluster seizures than phenobarbital. Other oral anticonvulsants are rarely used because of side effects, ineffectiveness, or expense. Diazepam at 0.5-1 mg/kg, PO, bid, may be used in cats with uncontrolled seizures on phenobarbital; it is not an effective oral anticonvulsant in dogs. A compounding pharmacist can prepare rectal suppositories containing diazepam 0.5-2 mg/kg for use at home in dogs with cluster seizures. Acupuncture may be useful to control seizures in all species.

There are a few other kinds of medicines you can use to treat seizures. Take a look at this website, its really informative.

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/FAQ.htm#Liver_Damage

don’t know what country you are in, but in the US, my vet prescribed Dilantin for my pit bull’s seizures.

Get a prescription from your vet & then use the RX to order on line & have the med shipped to you! **