A NORTHWICH-based veterinary pharmaceutical firm has launched a new product to help manage epilepsy in dogs.

Dechra Veterinary Products, based at Cheshire Business Park in Lostock Gralam, has released Soliphen as a first line treatment for the condition.

Soliphen contains phenobarbital, an anti-epileptic which is well tolerated and effective as a monotherapy in 60 to 80 per cent of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.

Craig Sankey, Dechra Veterinary Products brand manager, said: “Epilepsy is the most common chronic canine neurological disorder, affecting around 0.62 per cent of dogs.

“It can be a distressing condition for both the animal and its owner so we are launching a therapy that can reduce the number of seizures in even the most challenging cases.

“We have also produced new guidelines for prescribing vets, detailing step by step how the treatments can act alone or concurrently. We believe using Soliphen as a sole therapy or in conjunction with Libromide will make a positive contribution to veterinary professionals in their ongoing treatment and management of dogs with epilepsy.”