Lost cat was on phenobarbital - what to expect

My 7 year old spayed female Calico has been on phenobarbital for just under 3 weeks as of today after severe seizure-like activity which we suspect was due to cuterebriasis. She was treated for the parasite, seemingly successfully as she recovered to her fully normal self, and the pheno, I suspect, was prescribed to control the possibility of seizure activity due to whatever damage the parasite caused. We could not  afford the MRI to confirm the exact nature of damage.

She got out of the house unexpectedly two days ago and I just found out that a neighbor found her and drove her up the street about a half a mile as he thought she was a stray, and she escaped. It has now been two days since she's been gone and she's missed four doses of phenobarbital (she is prescribed 15mg 2x daily)

She is usually a very quick, resourceful cat and a good hunter under the best of circumstances. But I am worried sick  that she has suffered some major health concerns/major seizure that has rendered her inable to get help, travel, etc.after what I've been reading about the abrupt stopping of phenobarbital.

I am out looking twice a day and registered on every online website to find her.

I guess my question is.....what to expect if / when (be optimistic!) we find her?

She has only been on the drug for under 3 weeks, so perhaps she hasn't gotten a stable dosage in her system yet and missing those doses won't be as traumatic? And we are not sure she had epilepsy to begin with...will the withdrawal from the drug be as severe if there isn't an underlying epilepsy to treat to begin with?

Has anyone had any experience of stopping phenobarbital abruptly?

Thanks in advance.

I do not have any experience giving cats phenobarbital, but I just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear your cat got out. I really hope you find her soon and that she's okay. 

GoHolistic said:

 
I do not have any experience giving cats phenobarbital, but I just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear your cat got out. I really hope you find her soon and that she's okay. 

Click to expand...

Thanks so much GoHolistic.

I can't sleep or eat, I'm so upset. I hope we find her soon too. I think I'm going to leave work early to keep looking for her.

Thanks for the positive thoughts. I'll take all the help I can get!

I can only imagine how upset you are.     Did you (or can you) find out exactly where the neighbor dropped her off? If so, can you find a safe place to park the car and walk around calling for her. If there's a noise she's familiar with at home, such as shaking the treat bag or banging a can of cat food, bring it with you. If she was dropped off in a neighborhood, you could try posting flyers with a picture.

If you have local shelters/rescue groups, I would suggest putting a call into them to make sure she wasn't taken there. You can also give them a description and your contact number in case she shows up.

Can you get friends and family to help you look for her? It'd be better to have more eyes looking for her in an area.

My heart really aches for you. I'd be devastated if any of my indoor cats got out and couldn't be found. 

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Yes,  I know just where she was "dropped" off, and I've been by there twice yesterday and my husband once today already - calling her and making the noise we usually do to call her in. I am going to try to bring some food with me tonight. 

I did post flyers already right around where she was last seen....and joined about 5 or 6 sites that email/fax flyers to any local agency that deals with pets....so I have everyone from the local grocery store to our vet, animal hospitals, SCPA, fire department - all should have received a notice. Maybe I will go post myself tomorrow. I spoke to at least ten neighbors directly  (which is about half of our neighbors - we're pretty rural) and am planning on putting a card in their mailbox tonight as another reminder.

I also signed up for the petamberalert that will call 250 of my neighbors with a recorded message about her being missing. I actually got one a few months ago and thought it was the coolest thing. I didn't see/find their dog - but I DID write down the info, even though I didn't even know who she was or her dog. I'm hoping that will do the trick and someone will call with a lead on where she may have been seen last.

I'm almost considering not going trick or treating with my kids tomorrow.....but maybe I can get my Dad and husband to go look for me instead. 

My greatest fear is that off of her meds she is so incapacitated that I won't find her regardless of where she is, she may be holed away somewhere. I'm sick over it.

Thanks so much again for the suggestions and thoughts. 

It sounds like you are doing everything you can. Good for you.     Again, I'm so very sorry. I really, really hope you find her.

Many vibes that she'll show up.       

Your vibes worked!!!! Neighbor called at 5am this morning andI found her shortly after, right where she had originally been lost! She seems right back to her normal self, but will call the vet today to ask about the meds. So so grateful!!!!

Such a happy update! I am so glad you found her safe and sound!

meaganoc said:

Your vibes worked!!!! Neighbor called at 5am this morning andI found her shortly after, right where she had originally been lost! She seems right back to her normal self, but will call the vet today to ask about the meds. So so grateful!!!!

Click to expand...

This is a wonderful update! I am SO glad! 

You must be so relieved.  

And I don't know that it was so much my vibes as it was your efforts in finding her...perhaps both!