Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

RE: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Anthony Todd — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 11:21:27 GMT

[quote user="Jenny Boyd"]gabapentin and metacam gave better analgesia[/quote]

Yeah but it wouldn't have any action on the lesions??

Never found pred did nearly as well, or at all, with these, and the pain disappeared [and, of course, the appetite returned]... with megestrol, which was oral, palatable and infrequent.

Also giving tabs daily was a pain for the cat and, usually, the owner.

Try it and let us know; it's really nasty for the cat, so worth a try.

PS Totally resolved many for me back in the day.

RE: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Jenny Boyd — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 08:23:38 GMT

Hi Anthony we have tried pred, but the gabapentin and metacam gave better analgesia (as recommended by the dental specialist who carried out the surgery)

RE: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Anthony Todd — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 22:53:07 GMT

[quote user="Jenny Boyd"]for severe stomatitis which didn't resolve with full mouth extractions[/quote]

Can't work out tangents but would suggest Depomed or megestrol in these which always give early relief and often without relapses, but I'm sure you've already tried those.

RE: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Jenny Boyd — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 22:00:13 GMT

Yes I also would be interestrd to know other people's experiences. Currently have a 16yo burmese on daily meloxicam and gabapentin for severe stomatitis which didn't resolve with full mouth extractions and oro facial pain system also. A couple of months ago we increased the gabapentin dose as she was pawing at her mouth around mealtimes (still within formulary dose range) shortly after developed HL ataxia and CP deficits, worse on one side. Put dose back down but ataxia hasn't resolved. I was concerned another issue was going on, but owner has made decision to keep on gabapentin for now due to lack of good alternative for pain control, not keen for MRI etc. Does anyone think it could just be the meds causing ataxia even though she had been on that dose for a long time without issue?

RE: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Lucy Fleming — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 09:36:34 GMT

Bumping an an old thread to ask about people's experiences with ataxia and gabapentin. How commonly do those using it find ataxia occurs when first starting. Roughly how long would you expect it to last? If a patient is ataxic do you reduce the dose? (Patient in question is on 16mg/kg currently)

Cheers

Re: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Andrew Mellor — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:51:10 GMT

also could try a lower dose have seen good response at much lower doses.

Re: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Andrew Mellor — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:50:02 GMT

have seen it wear off but others not , you can stop it and try amitryptiline in stead

Re: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Iain McAllister — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:41:08 GMT

I have put the dog on 10mk/kg bid but after a day have gotten marked ataxia which is a problem as the HQ's are already weak because of LS problems - is this likely to wear off and if so how long will it take?

If it doesn't is it safe to just stop Gaba?

thanks

Re: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Andrew Mellor — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:03:13 GMT

have one collie been on it for about 3 1/2 years , she is only 5 now severe lumbosacral arthritis with sciatic nerve involvement, to be honest wwe have tried just about everything with this dog , she would not tolerate even being touched when bad so accupuncture was a no go, at one stage she was on rimadyl gabapentin and tramadol plus paracetamol, wheat bags and fleecy coat at night to get her comfortable enough to sleep, typical collie though still wanted to swim ( lived on a canal boat) every day and chase ducks ! currently on gabapentin 10mg/kg bid and plt and has not relapsed for nearly 18 months now.

The other drug I have used very successfully in the chronic pain dogs with arthritis etc is amytriptyline - again used for modulating neurogenic pain pathways for phantom limb pain , sciatica etc and seems to boost spirits a little as well, for those that suffer chronic back pain you will know how grumpy and down it can get you.

Re: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Joyce Whitehead — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:32:17 GMT

We have used it for a couple of chronic arthritics (almost as a last gasp when all else is failing) and it does seem to help to get them over a crisis - we have one dog with severe end stage elbow arthritis that needs a course from time to time when he stumbles and hurts himself and is acutely painful despite NSAIDs and added tramadol at times. We use 10mg/kg bid, and haven't seen any problematic side effects.

We have not used it long term though, so any info on that would be helpful.

Re: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Andrew Mellor — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:20:27 GMT

I have used quite a lot in conjunction with nsaids or PLT's more specifically with spondylosis but in any case where there has been chronicity leading to muscle spasm and trigger points, so mainly HD where they throw their weight forward and develop those solid muscle masses over ilial wings.( best treated by accupuncture , but if animal/ or more likely owner will not stand it ) I have found it to be really helpful, also great for phantom limb pain short term post op. generally 10mg/kg bid

Re: Gabapentin use in canine osteoarthritis

Bob Russell — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:59:24 GMT

We have a patient with neurological damage following hip surgery so no experience for arthritis but think carefully if you are going to order it from your veterinary wholesaler. It is about £50 per 100 from Dunlops but about £12 per 100 from the local chemist here (both generic versions).

Either buy it locally and supply or write a prescription for the owner to buy.

Seems useful for neurological origin discomfort but other than that I would be interested in peoples experiences for arthritis.