{"id":626541,"date":"2024-02-01T14:04:04","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T19:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626541"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:11:23","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:11:23","slug":"gabapentin-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gabapentin-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabapentin for cats: Dosage, side effects, and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gabapentin<\/span><\/a> was originally developed as an <\/span>anticonvulsant<\/span><\/a> to treat seizure disorders in humans and is now more often used to treat neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is not FDA approved for use in pets, but veterinarians often use it <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> to calm a cat before stressful events such as a vet visit. Less common uses of gabapentin in cats include treatment for neuropathic pain, seizures, and sometimes for feline hyperesthesia. How gabapentin works isn’t fully understood. Its effects are to slow down nerve signals. This helps prevent seizures, tamp down pain signals, and calm fearfulness or anxiety in a cat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is gabapentin used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The FDA has not approved the use of gabapentin in cats. When veterinarians prescribe gabapentin for cats, they do so off-label. It’s most commonly used as a single-dose sedative or an add-on drug to treat seizures, chronic pain, or nerve pain. It’s one possible treatment for cats with hyperesthesia. <\/span><\/p>\n

Anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians <\/span>usually prescribe<\/span><\/a> a single dose of gabapentin to provide mild sedation before a veterinary visit or other stressful event. The dose will be given to the cat at least one and a half hours before the examination or stressful event. Gabapentin is not commonly used in cats as a long-term anxiety medication. <\/span>Environmental changes<\/span><\/a>, diet changes, and supplements are the preferred treatments. If those don’t work, veterinarians usually prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (<\/span>SSRIs<\/span><\/a>) or <\/span>buspirone<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seizures<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians use gabapentin in cats as an adjunct therapy in controlling <\/span>seizures or epilepsy<\/span><\/a>. If a cat is having seizures, <\/span>the symptoms will vary<\/span><\/a> depending on the type of seizure. If a cat is showing unusual behaviors or symptoms that look like seizures, talk to a veterinarian. Veterinarians usually don’t prescribe gabapentin at first but rely instead on other anticonvulsants such as <\/span>phenobarbital<\/span><\/a>, levetiracetam, and zonisamide. If preferred antiepileptic medications don’t control seizures as expected, gabapentin or another drug may be added. <\/span><\/p>\n

Pain<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians use gabapentin for neuropathic pain or as an adjunct to manage chronic pain. A cat suffering from chronic pain will usually show symptoms such as limping, lameness, reluctance to move, mood changes, meowing, and licking the affected area. The most common reason cats and other animals experience chronic pain is osteoarthritis. Gabapentin is often used in conjunction with other pain medications to treat osteoarthritis in cats. The preferred pain medications for chronic pain management in cats are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (<\/span>NSAIDs<\/span><\/a>) and other types of medications unless the pain is due to nerve problems. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hyperesthesia<\/span><\/h3>\n

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (rolling skin disease) is a painful skin hypersensitivity unique to cats. It has many causes, including allergies, infections, seizures, neuromas, pain, anxiety, compulsiveness, stress, and internal diseases. Veterinarians don’t always find the cause. Symptoms include skin rippling, tail biting, tail chasing, aggression, meowing, and distress behaviors. Diagnosing and treating the condition can be complex, so there are several possible treatments. Gabapentin may be used if the veterinarian suspects nerve pain or seizures as a potential cause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is gabapentin safe for cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians consider gabapentin to be safe for cats, provided pet owners follow all the veterinarian’s instructions for giving their cat gabapentin.<\/span><\/p>\n

The smallest commercial-available dose of gabapentin is sold as a 100 mg capsule. This may be too large of a dose for a cat. The prescription may need to be prepared at <\/span>a compounding pharmacy<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabapentin is never given to cats who are allergic to it. Pregnant cats should not be given gabapentin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cats eliminate gabapentin through their kidneys. Cats with kidney disease may need dosage adjustments. Gabapentin may not be safe in cats with severe kidney disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of gabapentin in cats<\/span><\/h3>\n

In cats, the most common side effects of gabapentin are sleepiness and incoordination (ataxia). These effects are most likely to happen at the beginning of treatment. They should improve as the cat adapts to the drug. At higher doses, cats will experience muscle relaxation. <\/span><\/p>\n

Less common side effects include drooling and vomiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interactions of gabapentin with other pet meds<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pet parents do not need to worry about dangerous drug interactions when giving a cat gabapentin. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be problems when gabapentin is combined with some drugs, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n