In the 1950’s and 60’s decades surgery was reported as the only option of treatment for pectus deformities and any trial of conservative treatment condemned as ineffective. Doubts and critics about surgical results have occured since the 70’s, with reports of complications of high morbidity such as wound infection, wound hematoma, pneumothorax, atelectasis, ugly scars, keloid, decrease in pulmonary function and death.

There are two medications that are most often prescribed to treat epilepsy, Phenobarbital and potassium bromide. These two drugs used either alone or in combination with each other control seizures in 80 to 95% of all dogs. For dogs who are not controlled with these two drugs, there are other medications that aren't as consistently helpful but may be the perfect medication for an individual dog.