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    Gabapentin in Cats

    Written by Dr. Jamie Richardson (she/her)

    Gabapentin is a prescription medication that can help treat many different conditions in cats, ranging from seizures to chronic pain to anxiety. Read on to find out how gabapentin works and when your veterinarian may recommend it for your cat.

    In this article:

    What Is Gabapentin? 

    Gabapentin is an FDA-approved medicine used in humans, dogs, and cats to treat numerous conditions. One of the most common uses of gabapentin in both humans and animals is to treat musculoskeletal and nerve pain. 

    According to a study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, gabapentin is the most commonly prescribed medication to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain in cats.

    Gabapentin calms down the nervous system by blocking some of the signals that allow pain and overexcitement in the brain and spinal cord. This helps your cat to feel more relaxed during stressful or fearful situations and to feel less pain.

    Conditions Gabapentin Is Used to Treat in Cats 

    Gabapentin may help to treat several conditions, such as:

    • Chronic pain, especially neuropathic (nerve) and other musculoskeletal pain
    • Situational anxiety, such as anxiety or stress caused by travel or going to veterinary appointments
    • Sedation and pain medicine before surgery
    • Part of a treatment plan for epilepsy, a seizure disorder, along with other treatments

    Side Effects of Gabapentin in Cats

    As with all medications, there can be side effects to gabapentin when administered to your cat. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the most commonly reported side effects include: 

    • Sedation or sleepiness
    • Ataxia (clumsy movements/walking)

    At higher doses, gabapentin may cause:

    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Decreased appetite

    Caution should be used when prescribing gabapentin to cats with kidney disease because the kidneys filter medication waste from the body. Cats with chronic kidney disease may need adjusted dosing or a different medication. 

    Because gabapentin can cause your cat to be very sedated, calm, and drowsy as a side effect, it’s best to keep your furry friend in a safe, enclosed area where they cannot be susceptible to potential injuries (such as falls from high furniture or stairs). 

    Dosing of Gabapentin in Cats 

    Gabapentin is typically offered in the following forms: 

    • 600-mg and 800-mg oral tablets
    • 100-mg, 300-mg, and 400-mg capsules
    • Oral solutions
    • Compounded doses (the milligram strength varies by the cat’s weight)

    While gabapentin is available in several different dosages, it may still need to be specially made through a compounding pharmacy when being prescribed to cats to ensure an appropriately sized dose due to their smaller size.  

    This medication can be given to your cat with or without food and reaches peak effect approximately two hours after administration. When being given to help combat travel anxiety or veterinary exam anxiety, it is important to give the dose prior to the stressful event in order to give the medication time to fully kick in and be most effective. Please be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions when administering gabapentin to your cat.

    Monitoring of Gabapentin Use in Cats

    Cats taking gabapentin will need to be monitored throughout their treatment to ensure that it’s not causing any adverse effects. Monitoring may include routine bloodwork, such as a complete blood cell count (CBC) to take an in-depth look at your cat’s white and red blood cells and platelets, and a blood chemistry panel that checks overall organ function (including the liver and kidneys).

    Summary

    If your cat has experienced anxiety or been reactive in stressful situations, deals with chronic pain, or has been diagnosed with epilepsy, gabapentin may be an appropriate treatment. Your veterinarian can help you learn more about gabapentin and if your cat could benefit from the medication.

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