Levetiracetam (Keppra) for Dogs & Cats: Seizure Treatment

This information is for educational purposes only. Never give your pet any medication without your veterinarian's guidance. Dosing, frequency, and safety depend on your pet's specific health profile.

Levetiracetam, often known by the brand name Keppra, is an anticonvulsant medication used to help control seizures in dogs and cats. It is a human medication that vets commonly prescribe extra-label in veterinary medicine. That means it is not specifically FDA-approved for pets, but your vet may legally prescribe it when it fits your pet's needs.

This medication is valued because it is generally well tolerated and has minimal liver metabolism compared with some other seizure drugs. In practice, that can make it a useful option for pets that need another seizure medication added on, pets with liver concerns, or pets that have had trouble with side effects from other anticonvulsants.

Levetiracetam comes in immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, injectable forms used in hospitals, and some compounded formulations. The immediate-release form is usually given every 8 hours because the drug leaves the body fairly quickly. Extended-release tablets may allow less frequent dosing in some dogs, but they must be swallowed whole and are not appropriate for every pet.

Levetiracetam is used to manage seizures and epilepsy in both dogs and cats. Your vet may prescribe it as the only anticonvulsant in some pets, but it is especially common as an add-on medication when seizures are not fully controlled with another drug such as phenobarbital or potassium bromide.

It may also be part of a plan for pets with cluster seizures, meaning multiple seizures in a short period, or for hospital treatment of active seizure emergencies. In some dogs, neurologists also use it when seizures are linked to structural brain disease or when a pet needs broader seizure support while diagnostic work is still in progress.

Levetiracetam helps control seizures, but it does not cure the underlying cause. A pet with new seizures still needs a full veterinary workup, because seizures can be caused by epilepsy, toxins, metabolic disease, liver disease, brain inflammation, or tumors. If your pet has a first-time seizure, worsening seizures, cluster seizures, or a seizure lasting more than a few minutes, see your vet immediately.

Levetiracetam dosing is individualized by your vet. In veterinary references, immediate-release levetiracetam is commonly dosed at about 20-60 mg/kg by mouth every 8 hours, while extended-release tablets are commonly used around 30 mg/kg every 12 hours in appropriate canine patients. Injectable levetiracetam may be used in the hospital for status epilepticus or cluster seizures.

Because levetiracetam has a short half-life in pets, timing matters. Missing doses or giving them late can increase the risk of breakthrough seizures. If your pet is prescribed the extended-release form, do not crush, split, or chew it unless your vet specifically instructs otherwise, because that can destroy the extended-release effect.

Your vet may adjust the dose if your pet is also taking phenobarbital, since phenobarbital can increase levetiracetam metabolism and make the drug wear off faster. Dose changes may also be needed in pets with kidney disease, very small body size, or unusual sedation. Do not stop levetiracetam suddenly unless your vet tells you to. A taper is often safer when a medication change is needed.

Levetiracetam is generally considered one of the safer seizure medications used in dogs and cats, but side effects can still happen. The most common ones are sleepiness, low energy, and incoordination or wobbliness. Some cats may also have decreased appetite or drooling.

Behavior changes can occur in some pets. A pet parent might notice restlessness, agitation, or acting unlike their usual self. Mild sedation sometimes improves after the first several days as the body adjusts, but ongoing or severe changes should be reported to your vet.

Contact your vet promptly if you notice persistent vomiting, marked weakness, severe stumbling, sudden behavior changes, facial swelling, hives, or worsening seizure activity. If your pet has a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, repeated seizures close together, trouble breathing, or does not recover normally after a seizure, see your vet immediately.

Levetiracetam has fewer drug interactions than many older anticonvulsants, which is one reason vets often like it. Still, interactions matter. The most important routine interaction in veterinary medicine is with phenobarbital, which can increase levetiracetam clearance and may mean your vet needs to use a higher dose or more frequent schedule.

Levetiracetam is also often used alongside other seizure medications such as potassium bromide, zonisamide, or benzodiazepines. These combinations can be appropriate, but they may increase sedation or make it harder to tell which drug is causing side effects. Your vet may recommend a seizure log, medication schedule, and follow-up exams to keep the plan organized.

Tell your vet about every prescription, supplement, compounded medication, and over-the-counter product your pet receives. That includes CBD products, calming chews, and sleep aids. Even when a direct interaction is not dramatic, combining products that affect the nervous system can change how alert, coordinated, or stable your pet feels.