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If your dog has had an appointment with a veterinarian recently and has been prescribed gabapentin, you might have some questions about it. After all, isn’t it a human medication? Or perhaps you’ve read a little bit about gabapentin being used in dogs for chronic pain, and you think your dog could benefit from a treatment trial but want some more information. Well, look no further. This article will hopefully answer some of your niggling questions.
What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a medication belonging to a drug group called anticonvulsants. This means that its primary use is for the treatment of seizures. It is a human drug, and its use in cats and dogs is currently off-license. Despite this, it is an increasingly popular and very effective veterinary medicine. It is available as a tablet, capsule, and oral liquid and is a controlled drug. This means that your veterinarian will need to prescribe it to your dog, and you will only be able to obtain a certain amount at a time.
If your dog has chronic pain from arthritis, spondylosis, tumors, herniated discs, or other conditions, they might benefit from Gabapentin.
What is Gabapentin used for?
During its use as a treatment for seizures in humans, gabapentin was found to be a useful medication for chronic pain, especially nerve pain. Trials have shown that it’s not just humans that benefit from these pain-relieving effects; dogs and cats can too. Although its use is not licensed in animals, veterinarians can prescribe it based on their previous experience and knowledge. So it has become a very beneficial veterinary drug.
Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for dogs with chronic pain from conditions like osteoarthritis, spondylosis, intervertebral disc disease, and many more. It’s particularly effective when used in combination with other pain-relievers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like meloxicam, firocoxib, and carprofen. You can find out more about pain-relief options for dogs on our blog post. If you’re not sure how to recognize signs of pain in your pooch, you can find out more here.
As well as being useful for seizures and pain, gabapentin is showing lots of promise in the veterinary world as a treatment for anxiety and phobias.
How much Gabapentin does a dog need?
Gabapentin is available in tablets and capsules in 100mg, 300mg, and 400mg sizes. It’s also available as an oral liquid that contains 250mg/ml. The recommended dose range of gabapentin for dogs is quite broad, with plenty of scope for adjustment. Your veterinarian will be able to determine the most appropriate starting dose for your pooch and their needs.
The amount can gradually be increased if your dog tolerates it well and seems to be improving. The daily dose of gabapentin is typically split into two or three doses throughout the day to keep your canine companion comfortable at all times.
Gabapentin can sometimes cause your dog to be drowsy and sedated, and even a little wobbly for a few days, but this usually settles.
Are there any side effects of gabapentin in dogs?
Gabapentin doesn’t have a veterinary license, so its safety cannot be completely guaranteed. However, many veterinarians have used it routinely and effectively for many years now, with excellent results. Although any medication can cause an adverse reaction in an individual dog, such reactions are very rare. Gabapentin can sometimes cause your dog to be drowsy and sedated, and even a little wobbly for a few days, but this usually settles. If you are concerned that your dog has side effects due to medication, you should always let your veterinarian know so that they can report them to the authorities.
The most important risk when it comes to gabapentin is that some liquid formulations contain the sweetener xylitol, which is severely toxic to dogs. However, this risk is avoided altogether as long as you only give your dog medication that your veterinarian has prescribed.
Why might gabapentin not be a suitable medication for my dog?
Gabapentin might not be safe in dogs with kidney disease or dogs who are pregnant or lactating. It’s also not safe to give gabapentin to your dog if they are taking certain other medications, like antacids and some opioids. This is why it’s essential to contact your veterinarian before giving your dog gabapentin.
Don’t forget to speak to your veterinarian and behaviorist before starting any new medications.
Conclusion
When your pet gets prescribed a new medication, like gabapentin, it can be a bit scary, and you might have lots of questions. This article should help you understand more about why gabapentin is used in dogs and the side effects you should look out for. However, if you are still concerned, your veterinarian should be able to help.
FAQ
Gabapentin has many uses in dogs. Its first use in humans was as an anti-seizure medication, and it can also be used to treat seizures in dogs in some cases. However, its most popular use is as a treatment for chronic pain, particularly nerve pain. It’s often used in conjunction with other medications to provide more effective or multimodal pain relief. More recently, it has been found to be helpful in the treatment of anxiety and phobias. Still, you should speak to your veterinarian and behaviorist before starting any new medications.
If your dog has chronic pain from arthritis, spondylosis, tumors, herniated discs, or other conditions, they might benefit from gabapentin. Gabapentin is especially useful to add in if your dog’s current pain relief isn’t quite effective enough. However, your veterinarian will be able to help you decide whether gabapentin is a good option for your four-legged friend.
A mild overdose of gabapentin can cause weakness and incoordination, as well as sedation. Thankfully, gabapentin is a reasonably short-acting medication, so within 12-24 hours, you should see the signs wearing off. On the other hand, a more significant overdose could cause severe sedation and even be life-threatening. So, if you think your dog may have had too much gabapentin, you should seek veterinary advice right away.
Gabapentin is absorbed and starts working quite quickly. Once you have given the medication, you should see the effect within a couple of hours.
Dr. Hannah Godfrey MRCVS graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011. Although she initially worked in mixed practice treating all species, she found a love for small animal work and has worked exclusively with dogs and cats since 2014. She lives in Wales with her partner, son, and two cats (named Poppy and Ashton Kutcher), and writes comedy fiction in her spare time.
