Convulsions in cats following withdrawal of barbital sodium

Twenty cats which survived chronic barbital sodium intoxication were withdrawn from the drug to determine whether this species develops abstinence convulsions and, if so, what drug regimen is necessary for their occurrence. Increasing dosages were administered orally for periods ranging from 23 to 217 days so that final dose levels varying from 61 to 279 mg per kilogram were attained. Abrupt withdrawal resulted in generalized convulsions in 11 animals. Ten of these cats had attained final dosages exceeding 173 mg per kilogram. This factor affects the reproducibility of the phenomenon more than duration of intoxication or total amount of drug received.