TABLE 19-4.

Drugs Used to Control or Prevent Seizures in Foals

DRUG	DOSE	ROUTE	FREQUENCY	COMMENT
Diazepam	5–10 mg per foal	IV*	As needed	Short-term seizure control
Phenobarbital	2–3 mg/kg	IV	Bolus to effect	Bolus over 15–20 minutes. Half-life can be prolonged; decreases thermoregulatory control, respiratory drive, and blood pressure
Phenytoin	5–10 mg/kg loading; 5 mg/kg maintenance	IV	q4h for first 24 hours; then b.i.d. (?)	Seizure control
Magnesium sulfate†	0.05 mg/kg/hr loading dose; 0.025 mg/kg/hr maintenance‡	IV	Constant rate infusion for first hour and for maintenance	Discontinue if muscle tremors or hypotension occur. Treat for 24–48 hours after hypoxic insult
Gabapentin	8 mg/kg	p.o.	b.i.d. to t.i.d.	Seizure control

^*IV, Intravenous.

^†To make 0.1 gm/ml solution, add 20 ml 50% MgSO₄ to 80 ml 0.9% NaCl.

^‡Loading dose = 25 ml/hr of 0.1 gm/ml solution for 1 hour. Maintenance dose = 12 ml/hr of 0.1 gm/ml solution.