Consider The Following Before Using Gabapentin For Your Cat
1. Gabapentin was originally FDA-approved for its anticonvulsant and analgesic effects. After gaining recognition for what it can do for the mind and body, it is now prescribed for several ailments in smaller amounts that vary from neuropathic pain to stress.
2. Regardless of the reason behind its use, Gabapentin requires careful adjustments for each patient. Dosages vary between cases as no two are exactly alike. The size of a cat versus a human makes the appropriate dosage even harder to determine.
3. Veterinarians tend to prescribe Gabapentin in an alternate form from the usual tabs or capsules. A liquid concentration is available for cats that do not take well to swallowing solids or who may react negatively to being given pills.
4. Timing this medication can be tricky. It takes about two to three hours to take effect in its most concentrated form. Preparing a schedule of dosages can help create a routine for the cat, making it easier to get used to and record reactions.
Why Is It So Stressful For My Cat To Go The The Vets Office
We know exactly why cats dont like coming to our clinic. They have to get in a carrier, get in the car, go to a strange place with new people, new sounds, new smells for a cat, this is exhausting and scary, because they have so little control in the situation. A frightened cat mostly wants to hide and they cant do that when theyre in a carrier or an exam room.
With most of our feline patients, our Feline Friendly Handling ® Guidelines allow us to perform exams and treatments. Quiet voices, skilled and gentle handling, using warm towels, and making slow, steady vs sudden movements all help provide an environment most likely to make a cat feel safe. But some cats are so stressed by any part of the whole experience that they go into defensive mode for self-protection. We totally understand, but we also are trying to perform a physical exam, to draw blood samples, give vaccinations. And sometimes, the worst part of all is having their nails trimmed!
What Are The Side Effects Of Gabapentin In Dogs
Sedation is the main potential side effect of gabapentin, and the level of sleepiness varies from patient to patient. Veterinarians will prescribe a starting dose, and if this results in the dog becoming a little too sedate, the veterinarian will taper the dose down to the most effective one.
Like all medications, there is a small chance that a dog could be allergic to it, in which case, this medication should be avoided.
The dosage range for gabapentin varies widely depending on what it is being used to treat. Gabapentin should be used with caution for animals with liver or kidney disease, as it will take longer to metabolize.
Gabapentin is available in several forms that are human-labeled products:
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100 mg
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300 mg
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400 mg
There is also an oral solution made at 250 mg/5 mL however, sometimes the solution is formulated with xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Your veterinarian will help you order this medication in a form that is safe for your dog.
Sometimes a dog is too small to use the human formulations, in which case, a compounding pharmacy can formulate whichever form and dosage that the veterinarian requests.
Gabapentin is usually given by mouth three to four times, with or without food. Check the directions on the bottle or ask your vet if you are not sure of the correct dosage for your dog.
Gabapentin should start to take effect fairly quickly, and relief should be noticed within one or two hours of administration.
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Gabapentin To The Rescue
Gabapentin has been used as an anti-seizure medication, as well as a treatment for diabetic neuropathy pain in people. One of the side effects is sedation. We learned about using gabapentin as an anti-anxiety medication in cats from our local veterinary cardiologists. They had good experiences with this technique and felt that the medication was very safe.
As with any medication given to effect, weve learned that doses vary with different cats. In smaller, older or sick cats, we generally prescribe 50-75 mg in larger cats, 75-100 mg. This is given 3 hours prior to a visit, so 2-2.5 hours prior to leaving your house. The tiny tabs can be mixed with a small amount of baby food and given via syringe. Just ask us to show you how.
If you are unable to give your cat the medication at home, we can schedule your cats visit on a weekday morning. That way your cat can stay with us for a few hours so we can give a sedation injection. We try to minimize this, but in some cats it is needed. This can also be done for for the occasional cat where gabapentin doesnt provide enough sedation to get the desired effect.
What Are The Side Effects Of Gabapentin For Cats
The most common side effects when using Gabapentin include:
- Sedation
- Ataxia
- Diarrhea
Gabapentin is however generally considered a well-tolerated drug with few adverse effects.
Pets that are allergic should not take the medication. In animals with known kidney diseases, you also need to be cautious. It is not recommended to give it to pregnant animals either as it may affect fetal development.
Some forms of liquid Gabapentin contain xylitol. This is toxic to dogs, so it is generally not recommended if a dog is present in the household.
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Gabapentin Is Often Prescribed For Ongoing Neuropathic
While this drug shows some changes that are common among other antiepileptic drugs, it also has its individual side effects.
AEDs are known to create shifts in the behavior of users, affecting the level of anxiety, depression, and even psychosis that the animals experience.
This can prove useful in calming cats who become anxious and/or aggressive due to physiological or pathological conditions.
Other behavioral changes not related to the general mood of a cat may include an effect on its mobility, grooming habits, vision, and bowel functions.
Gabapentin Side Effects In Cats
The most common side effects seen in cats with gabapentin are lethargy and abnormal walking/movement, which is called ataxia. It is important to note that some of these effects may be expected or even desired when gabapentin is used intentionally as a sedative. Effects typically start to wear off within 12 hours.
Gabapentin should be used cautiously in cats with liver or kidney disease, as we may see it take longer for the effects to wear off. Its use should typically be avoided in pregnant queens.
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How Do You Give Oral Medications To A Cat
Giving a cat oral medication isnt always the easiest task, but by remaining calm and following the guidance below, you can make sure your pet gets the medications it needs.
Your veterinarian will tell you if your cats medication should be given with food or on an empty stomach. If the tablet or capsule can be given with food, you may make a meatball by placing the medication in the center of a small ball of canned cat food or cheese.
Cats are more likely than dogs to chew their food, so felines often eat the meatball and spit out the tablet or capsule. This causes the tablet or capsule to partially dissolve and become difficult to handle. If the cat bites into the tablet or capsule, it will leave a bad taste in its mouth and likely make a second attempt more difficult.
The following instructions will help you give medications if a meatball doesnt work for your cat. Use caution to avoid being bitten. A cats mouth contains many bacteria and bites can result in deep punctures. If bitten, clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention.
Medications for oral administration may be in pill, capsule, or liquid form.
Gabapentin Now Has A Growing History Of Toxicity When Unregulated
According to an article in the American Journal of Medicine titled Gabapentin Toxicity in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Preventable Cause of Morbidity, Gabapentin has been linked to toxicity in CKD patients.
The doctors who authored this article confess that they are working with a limited amount of literature in this connection, but their survey of patients over a 9-year timespan concludes that it is a serious matter that deserves attention.
The claim here is that patients with CKD receive inappropriately high doses of Gabapentin to compensate after dialysis, resulting in over-toxicity. The human subjects are reported to have higher ages and comorbidity that influence these levels.
Fortunately, Ohio States trials begin with extensive screening to select which cats are eligible. Participating cats must be at Stages 2, 3, or 4 in their CKD to be candidates.
They are subjected to testing to ensure thorough health investigations which could help provide more accurate results.
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What Is Gabapentin Used For In Cats
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic drug used to treat chronic pain in cats, dogs, and horses.
The drug has been shown to be especially efficient in treating neuropathic pain in cats, usually in conjunction with other analgesic agents like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . Gabapentin is also prescribed for pain associated with malignancy and chronic arthritic pain in cats.
Originally developed to control seizures in humans, gabapentin can also be used to treat seizures in animals, usually combined with other anti-seizure drugs. In some cases, gabapentin can be prescribed as adjunctive therapy for cats and dogs with refractory idiopathic epilepsy.
While the drug is not labeled for use for anxiety, it has been increasingly used in veterinary medicine to treat anxiety and fear associated with stress in cats, especially while on the way to a vet visit. The number of clinical studies into gabapentins efficacy in cats has been limited, but a study from 2017 published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association confirmed that administering the medication to cats 90 minutes prior to a vet visit significantly reduces signs of stress-related behaviors during transportation and examination.
Gabapentin For Cats: Side Effects
The most common side effects of Gabapentin include sleepiness, occasional diarrhea, and incoordination. Some vets have experienced that higher doses of Gabapentin lead to sedation in cats with chronic kidney disease .
In order to alleviate these side effects, the drug should be started in smaller doses and then gradually increased over time. It can also cause a false positive reading on urinary protein tests.
Overdose would likely cause increased severity of side effects including drowsiness, lethargy, ataxia, and depression. If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, be sure to contact your vet or an emergency facility right away. If recognized promptly, gastric-emptying protocols including activated charcoal, cathartics, and emesis can be helpful.
Pro Tip: To help manage the cost of owning a cat and prepare for unexpected health-related emergencies, many pet parents choose to enroll in pet insurance. Pet insurance usually incurs a low monthly fee but can pay for up to tens of thousands of dollars in vet bills.
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Does Buprenorphine Make Cats High
In a sense, yes. When opioid drugs bind to opioid receptors, this helps to moderate pain receptors, but can also lead to a state of euphoria, as well as sedation. It is common therefore to see cats on buprenorphine have dilated pupils, and show signs of excessive purring and affection. Some cats will appear to be really chill on buprenorphine, while others may become hyperactive.
Side Effects Of Buprenorphine
Cats pupils often become very dilated after treatment with buprenorphine. They may also exhibit behavioral changes like increased purring, rubbing on things, and hyperactivity.
There are some common side effects we may expect to see with buprenorphine in cats. Typically, their pupils get very dilated, which is an effect called mydriasis. Most cats will then also exhibit some behavioral changes including excessive purring, rubbing on things, pacing around, and hyperactivity.
These effects are typically mild, manageable, and even a little humorous, as your precious feline becomes overly lovey-dovey and tries to rub his head and neck on everything in sight.
In uncommon cases, these effects can be more pronounced leading some cats to become more agitated, disoriented, and restless. Rarely, some kitties may also exhibit gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, drooling, a , and an elevated body temperature.
Buprenorphine can also cause sedation in some cats, causing them to do little more than space out on their favorite spot on the couch or bed at home.
While more an effect veterinary professionals monitor for when buprenorphine is given as an injectable in the clinic, it is important to monitor for signs of respiratory depression, especially in the case of an accidental overdose at home. This can look like very slow, shallow breaths.
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Can Dogs Take Cbd And Gabapentin
Another common question is if dogs can take gabapentin with CBD oil. This is not recommended due to the risk of increased sedation between the two.
Always consult with a veterinarian before starting your dog on any additional medications or supplements that were not originally prescribed to ensure that they are safe with your dogs current medications.
Is Tramadol Or Gabapentin Better For Dogs In Pain
Tramadol is another medication that has been commonly prescribed to treat pain in dogs however, this is starting to fall out of favor with veterinarians.
Studies have found that tramadol may not be as effective as originally thought. In fact, it was found to be ineffective at controlling pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. However, studies are ongoing, and the debate is still up for discussion on the effectiveness of tramadol.
In the meantime, veterinarians are turning more towards gabapentin for pain relief in their patients.
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It Must Be Magic: How Gabapentin Can Change Your Cats Vet Visit
For most cats, a visit to the veterinarian can be an overwhelming experience. Even though you and your vet team do everything possible to make their visit stress free, it can still be too much for some cats. Being removed from their familiar comfortable environment, a trip in the car, new smells and sounds at the vet any one of these things can be stressful, but combine them and its no wonder some kitties need a little extra help when they visit us.
In the past few years, feline veterinarians have discovered that Gabapentin can aide in examining some kitties that have previously had to be sedated. Its been used for chronic pain safely for several years, but has only recently been recognized for its effectiveness as a great short term anxiety medication for cats. It takes the edge off without having to use an oral tranquilizer medication or anesthesia. Other than drowsiness it has very little risk for side effects, and a lot of kitties will eat the capsule contents sprinkled in/on their food making it easy to give at home or at the vet. Occasionally owners report more increased drowsiness which can make them a little wobbly on their feet but it generally resolves within 12 hours.
Known Drug Interactions With Gabapentin
Notify your veterinarian if your pet is taking any other medications, vitamins, herbal therapies, or supplements, as well as the dosages and administration schedules, to help avoid any potential risk of interaction with gabapentin.
Drugs known to have interactions with gabapentin include hydrocodone and morphine. Antacids can also affect gabapentins effects, so if your pet is on both gabapentin and antacids, you should separate the administration of the two medicines by at least two hours.
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When To Use Gabapentin For Cats
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic medicine. It is particularly efficient in managing neuropathic pain and can be used in conjunction with other anti-pain medication like opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In terms of pharmacology, Gabapentin is a structural analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA . Or, simply put, it mimics GABAs effects blocks the brains voltage-gated calcium channels, thus reducing calcium currents in the central nervous system.
As a result, there is a decrease in the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and efficient control of pain, seizures, and anxiety. Therefore, as you can see, Gabapentin does not affect the pain directly. Instead, it quiets the CNSs sensitivity to pain.
What Is Gabapentin And What Are The Uses Of Gabapentin For Cats
Gabapentin is a structural analog of gamma-aminobutyrate . GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The mechanism of action of Gabapentin is however not completely understood. It was designed to mimic the GABAs mechanism. But, unlike GABA, Gabapentin does not bind to the GABA receptors as expected. It does still work very well as a useful drug.
Gabapentin is therefore widely used in both human and veterinary medicine. It is used as an anti-seizure drug in animals suffering from epilepsy, often alongside other drugs. It is also used to treat chronic pain primarily nerve pain and arthritis in older animals. A newer use of Gabapentin is to treat stress, fear, and anxiety in cats.
It is not labeled for use for anxiety but is used increasingly for this in veterinary medicine. Recent studies from 2017 done on cats showed that the administration of Gabapentin before a veterinary exam, caused the cats to be far more relaxed. Other findings included:
- Owners gave significantly lower stress scores during transportation and examination to the cats who received Gabapentin.
- For 20% of the cats, an examination was possible only when they were medicated with Gabapentin.
Generally, reports show that a lot of cats respond well to Gabapentin. This gives the veterinarian a little help when performing a thorough exam. As well as in cases where drawing blood is necessary or simply a nail trim. Most importantly it makes the experience more comfortable for the cat.
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