Gabapentin in Cats

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Kate Richardson — Thu, 02 May 2019 18:01:16 GMT

[quote user="Thomas Johnson"]

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Disorientation etc may be unpleasant for owners but gabapentin is generally considered quite a safe drug in humans and dogs. [/quote]

I'm not saying it's not safe, I agree it seems to be a very safe drug, and it is one I prescribe for chronic use fairly regularly, but I worry that the use of a single high dose may be making some of these cats feel very unwell.

[/quote]

I guess it's like any drug we prescribe/use- you have to weigh up the pros and cons. Definitely pre warn the owners about how sedated they will be. However in some cats it doesn't touch the sides but for other cats it is a game changer. I do worry that indiscriminate use should be a concern, and it isn't a substitute for good cat friendly handling skills but sadly for some people it is easier to hand out a magic pill rather than adapt their handling techniques and improve the overall experience for the cat.

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

kesholliday — Thu, 02 May 2019 04:27:11 GMT

I probably wouldn't use gabapentin as a sole agent for sedation for long procedures like ultrasound.

I have found 100 mg 2 hours before x event (like a vaccination or blood draw) works well for most cats. I have had the odd one that doesn't seem to react at all to that dose.

Ataxia is the main side effect I've seen. I warn owners they may be 'wobbly' for a few hours following and to keep them inside and restricted from jumping etc.

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Andreia Dias — Wed, 01 May 2019 22:37:35 GMT

I'll give you more feedback next week when I return to the cat clinic. We have had two or three cats where I suggested a dose of gabapentin (like, feral cats or those that will try to kills us for blood sampling but that decided they should get hyperthyroidism). We have had feedback from a few owners that the gabapentin did really zonk them out and they were pretty disoriented and ataxic (ie owners not very happy). We are using 100mg per average cat 2-3 hours before visit and a dose the night before for the really aggressive ones. But I have given them away and they've not returned to see me yet, they might have come to see the other vet in the meantime.

We use the 25mg dose for pain relief - it does cause them some sleepiness and ataxia... but I feel it improves as they use it more, kinda like phenobarb. Only used it in dogs for pain or to help with seizures.

On cats we tend to use YuCalm for those ones that are just a bit "on the edge" (like not happy we touch their paws for blood sampling - we draw blood from cephalic after EMLA cream) and have very good feedback when done properly ie. dose for a week then double dose the night before and in the morning of the appointment.

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 01 May 2019 21:59:06 GMT

I use if fairly freely at 100mg / cat 2 hours before visit, for things like blood tests and blood pressure measurements.

If the cats need it to get those jobs done, then it is in their interests. It doesn't affect circulation, and is as safe as could be - and far less hangover issues than ket / midazolam, plus there is no requirement for them to stay in the clinic till recovered.

Do they feel unwell? I would say not. they just look bemused, they are still potentially reactive, but don't freak out.

I once had a cat struggling during a blood sampling procedure that literally dropped dead as I finished the draw.

Since then, I sedate if they look sideways at me, and gabapentin is far less hassle than anything else, and IMO safer to boot

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 01 May 2019 19:18:52 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]It works really well. The cardiologist that visits us uses it all the time[/quote]

Does it calm him down? If members of staff are in a bad mood can they taste it in coffee?

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 01 May 2019 16:53:50 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Disorientation etc may be unpleasant for owners but gabapentin is generally considered quite a safe drug in humans and dogs. [/quote]

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Lucy Fleming — Wed, 01 May 2019 10:27:01 GMT

[quote user="Thomas Johnson"]

I'm very unsure as to whether this use of gabapentin is a good idea. We recently had a locum vet who used it both for sedating cats for ultrasound scans and prescribed it for owners to give at home before bringing aggressive cats to the surgery, particularly for blood sampling. My impression with the cats for ultrasound was that while it worked well for some it had very little effect for others and they had to be given additional injections on top. For those cats given it at home, again the effect was variable, and we had several complaints from owners about how disorientated and stressed the cats were when they got back home after the visit. Also it's off licence.

Knowing several people who have been prescribed gabapentin the side-effects can be very unpleasant and I worry that a single high dose is making these cats feel very unwell.

[/quote]

I think you're absolutely right that we shouldn't be rushing and using this at the drop of a hat. I've so far only really advised it for a couple of cats, including one that is basically unhandleable when she comes in for her vaccination - last time she ended up hiding in a corner and attempting to savage anyone who went near her including the owner. I worry that with cats as bad as her the stress of coming to the clinic and being handled is worse than any medication side effects. But it certainly shouldn't be used as a replacement for cat-friendly handling techniques!

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Bob Russell — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 17:00:12 GMT

Any good for psycho dogs?

Disorientation etc may be unpleasant for owners but gabapentin is generally considered quite a safe drug in humans and dogs.

I was wondering about using it on a psycho dog that needs a booster!!

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Thomas Johnson — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:31:12 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

It works really well. The cardiologist that visits us uses it all the time (has switched from 0.1ml each of ketamine and midazolam).

Think he will normally use a 50mg tablet, but has used 100mg for bigger cats - a dose up to 20mg/kg is ok IIRC.

[/quote]

Knowing several people who have been prescribed gabapentin the side-effects can be very unpleasant and I worry that a single high dose is making these cats feel very unwell.

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Lucy Fleming — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:47:47 GMT

The one off dose for anxiety/ aggression is much higher than the long term dose - 100mg per "average" cat 2 hours before stressful event (eg vet visit) is what I've been told most often. In very troublesome ones a dose the night before is recommended in addition. Very small cats 50mg and very big cats 150mg is about as scientific a dose rate as I've ever come across!

RE: Gabapentin in Cats

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:34:20 GMT

It works really well. The cardiologist that visits us uses it all the time (has switched from 0.1ml each of ketamine and midazolam).

Think he will normally use a 50mg tablet, but has used 100mg for bigger cats - a dose up to 20mg/kg is ok IIRC.