If your dog has been to the vet and gabapentin was recommended to treat seizures or another medical condition, you may have some questions and concerns, especially if you are aware that gabapentin is a drug regularly used in people. Furthermore, you may be perplexed if you have read on websites, particularly forums that Gapapentin has resulted in the death of a pet. This page will clarify myths about gabapentin, triggers that can cause a dog’s death after taking medication, adverse effects, usage, dosage, efficacy, and more to provide a better understanding. This information, however, should not be used in place of the advice of your veterinarian.
Gabapentin Killed My Dog
Although gabapentin is typically regarded as safe when prescribed and given by a veterinarian, there can be several factors that lead to uncommon and serious adverse effects in dogs. It is crucial to realize that such occurrences are quite rare. Following the administration of gabapentin, a dog may experience severe responses or, in rare circumstances, die. Potential contributing factors may include:
Overdose: An overdose can occur if gabapentin is used in doses that are much higher than those recommended by a doctor. Overdosing can cause serious health concerns, such as respiratory depression, cardiovascular troubles, and in severe circumstances, even death.
Drug Interactions: Dogs receiving gabapentin may also be taking other drugs or substances. It is possible to experience more side effects or overdose when using gabapentin along with other medications, particularly those that depress the central nervous system.
Preexisting Health Conditions: Dogs who have serious liver or renal illness or other underlying medical disorders may be more sensitive to the effects of gabapentin. In dogs with damaged organ function, the drug’s metabolism and removal can be hindered, raising the chance of negative effects.
Allergic Reactions: Although uncommon, gabapentin allergy reactions in dogs have the potential to be fatal. Hives, breathing difficulties, anaphylaxis, and face swelling are examples of allergic reactions.
Failure to Comply with Dosage Directions: Failure to adhere to the veterinarian’s recommended dosage and administration guidelines may have undesired results. It can be dangerous to administer too much or stop taking gabapentin all at once.
What Is Gabapentin for Dogs?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant or anti-seizure drug that veterinarians typically use in conjunction with other drugs to relieve neuropathic pain and control seizures in dogs and other pets. In addition to treating epilepsy and post-operative pain, gabapentin is frequently used with drugs like opioids.
Gabapentin typically aids in controlling this abnormal electrical activity through its neurotransmitter, which works to calm the functions of the brain. Seizures are brought on by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
The FDA has not approved the use of gabapentin in dogs. However, veterinarians continue to often prescribe medication to treat different kinds of pain. Includes intervertebral disc pain, in addition to other ailments like anxiety, idiopathic epilepsy, and dog seizures.
How does Gabapentin Work?
Gabapentin is a structural analog of the neurotransmitter inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Although the drug replicates the actions of GABA, it’s unclear exactly how it works.
However, we are aware that gabapentin blocks the brain’s voltage-gated calcium channels. As a result of the central nervous system’s decreased calcium currents, excitatory neurotransmitters that cause seizures, pain, and anxiety are controlled.
It’s interesting to note that gabapentin neither directly affects pain nor prevents pain signals from getting to the brain. Instead, it operates as a particular kind of nervous system dampener and calms the nervous system.
Efficacy
In one trial, gabapentin reduced seizure activity in 50% of the test individuals with epilepsy. The American Veterinary Medical Association discovered that gabapentin reduced anxiety and increased cooperation in cats before stressful situations.
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence to support gabapentin’s ability to relieve pain in dogs, despite a lack of clinical research supporting its analgesic effects in canines. This medication increased the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) and vice versa, according to research on postoperative pain levels in dogs. When compared to dogs who only received NSAIDs, those who were given gabapentin also needed fewer dosages of narcotic painkillers.
How to Give Gabapentin to Your Dog
Gabapentin is an oral drug that comes in 100-milligram, 300-milligram, or 400-milligram pills designated for humans. There is also a liquid form, however, it occasionally contains xylitol and is therefore harmful to dogs. A compounding pharmacy can create gabapentin in smaller pills or in a liquid that is safe for dogs if your dog is very little or refuses to swallow pills.
There have been instances where dogs have puked after taking this medication on an empty stomach. If so, consider administering subsequent doses with food or a treat.
Follow the dosage and time recommendations of your veterinarian. It can be administered with or without food, achieves its peak potency between one and three hours after administration, and wears off within 24 hours (perhaps longer if your dog has liver or kidney issues). It is often administered twice to three times daily.
How Long Does Gabapentin Take to Start Working in Dogs?
Within an hour or two of administration, gabapentin will begin to take effect in the majority of dogs. Normally, it lasts for six hours. However, every dog is unique. If gabapentin does not seem to be helping your dog, consult your veterinarian.
Uses of Gabapentin for Dogs
Gabapentin (brand names: Neurontin®, Neurostil®, Gantin®, Gabarone®, Gralise®, Progresse®, Aclonium®, and Equipax®) is a medication that can be used to address a variety of diseases and concerns. Let’s go over the most common Gabapentin applications.
Gabapentin for Seizure Control: The most prevalent neurological condition in dogs is seizures. They can be difficult to manage depending on the underlying reason, and standard anti-seizure medications are frequently associated with unpleasant responses. Gabapentin is an add-on medication that, when used with other anti-seizure medications, aids in the management of canine seizures and epilepsy.
Gabapentin for Pain Management: Gabapentin is most effective for treating neuropathic pain, which is caused by conditions such as extruded discs and nerve damage. It is also particularly effective in the treatment of joint pain and postoperative pain.
When combined with NSAIDs and opioids, it increases their effectiveness and permits lowering their doses. This is significant given that long-term use of NSAIDs and opioids is linked to serious adverse effects.
Gabapentin for Anxiety Relief: This is a less common and relatively new usage of gabapentin in animals. But it’s already gaining a lot of popularity. In particular, situational and generalized anxiety can be reduced using the slightly sedative effect. Dogs can be given gabapentin to help them relax during anxious situations including grooming appointments, lengthy vehicle rides, veterinarian visits, loud events (such as fireworks and thunderstorms), etc.
Last but not least, it is important to remember that gabapentin is an add-on drug, which means it is hardly ever administered alone.
Side Effects of Gabapentin in Dogs
Since gabapentin is not approved for use in veterinary medicine, its complete safety cannot be determined. Veterinarians continue to use and advocate gabapentin due to its great outcomes. Then again, some medications frequently cause brief unpleasant responses that pass over time. the following are the most typical side effects of gabapentin:
Sedation or Sleepiness: If you are giving Gabapentin to your dog for the first time, it may feel drowsiness or sleepiness. It can take your dog a bit longer to get used to the drug. Giving the medication when your dog wants to go to bed is a great method to control the sedation if it persists.
Loss of coordination (Ataxia): After receiving the first doses of gabapentin, your dog may feel lightheaded and uncoordinated. This effect wears off over time.
Stomach Upset: When first introduced to gabapentin, your dog may have diarrhea and stomach distress. So before increasing the dosage to the desired level, it is typically advisable to start small.
Behavioral Changes: Dogs taking gabapentin can experience behavioral changes such as increased restlessness, anxiety, or agitation.
Hypothermia: Rarely, the drug gabapentin may cause a decline in body temperature, which can result in hypothermia. When the drug is overdosed or given to smaller dogs, this is more likely to happen.
Allergic Reactions: Dogs can experience allergic responses to gabapentin, despite their rarity. An allergic reaction may manifest as facial swelling, hives, breathing difficulties, or a rash.
Consult your vet before adjusting your dog’s gabapentin dosage as doing so increases the chance of adverse effects and may have an unintended consequence.
Factors That Could Trigger Side Effects
The Nature of the Drug
To make sure you are acting appropriately and are not endangering your dog, you should see a veterinarian before giving your dog any medication. The ideal way to provide gabapentin to dogs is in the form of pills and capsules. Since xylitol is harmful to dogs, it is best to avoid giving your dog the syrup version of gabapentin.
Wrong Dosage
Humans can also benefit from gabapentin. You shouldn’t give dogs the same dosage that you would give humans, though. For guidance on the proper dosage, consult a veterinarian.
Before giving Gabapentin to a dog, a few things need to be taken into account. Both the dog’s size and the illness must be taken into account. It’s possible that smaller dog breeds need less than bigger ones. Your dog could be in danger from an overdose.
Special Conditions
To make sure that your dog is healthy enough to take gabapentin, a few things must be examined. Giving Gabapentin to your dog if it already has underlying medical conditions, particularly those that affect the liver and kidney, could be risky.
Before giving your dog Gabapentin, you must take into account whether or not they are chemically allergic. To determine whether you should proceed, a veterinarian intervention will be necessary. Using gabapentin while your dog is expecting is not advised because it can harm the puppies.
Gabapentin Dosage For Dogs
Your veterinarian may prescribe gabapentin in the following dosages:
- 100 mg (capsules and tablets)
- 300 mg (capsules and tablets)
- 400 mg (capsules and tablets)
- 800 mg (capsules and tablets)
Typically, gabapentin is given orally once every eight hours. It can be administered with or without food. When giving your dog the gabapentin prescription, always adhere to your veterinarian’s instructions.
Your dog’s gabapentin dosage and administration will be decided by your veterinarian. Additionally, your veterinarian will inform you of how frequently your dog needs medicine. Your dog’s weight and the condition for which they are being treated will determine the dose’s size, frequency, and administration. Just make sure you take your dog to the veterinarian and strictly adhere to the instructions given.
Can You Use Gabapentin and Trazodone Together for Dogs?
It is common to combine gabapentin with other medications. To alleviate anxiety, trazodone and gabapentin is one such well-liked combination. The combo is so well-liked that one tablet already contains it combined.
To lessen a dog’s fearful or violent behavior at veterinarian visits, the Chill Protocol, a treatment strategy for aggressive and fearful canines, combines gabapentin with both melatonin and acepromazine. However, before combining gabapentin with any medications or dietary supplements, speak with your veterinarian.
To manage seizures, gabapentin is frequently used with a variety of other anti-seizure medications. For pain treatment, it is frequently used with tramadol or NSAIDs like carprofen or gapriprant. These medications work together because they each target separate pain processes.
Can Dogs Take Gabapentin And Rimadyl Together?
Rimadyl is a popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, and other NSAIDs are common first-line painkillers for both people and animals. However, you should never give NSAIDs to your dog. Instead, a vet will recommend Rimadyl or another NSAID that is safe for dogs. Additionally, gabapentin is frequently highly efficient at managing dogs’ moderate pain when combined with Rimadyl or another safe canine NSAID.
Safety Measures When Administering Gabapentin To Your Dog
The safety margin for gabapentin in dogs is very large. It is even safe to use in conjunction with CBD products, but the moderate calming effects of both medicines may be increased. It won’t harm your dog’s kidneys or liver.
However, there are certain significant contraindications of gabapentin for dogs:
- First and foremost, never administer human liquid gabapentin that is sold commercially. The sweetener xylitol, which is frequently used to sweeten sugar-free gum, is present in this recipe. For dogs, xylitol is extremely poisonous and potentially fatal.
- After having antacids, wait before providing gabapentin. You must wait at least two hours after giving your dog an antacid, such as Pepcid or Prilosec, before administering gabapentin because the antacid reduces the amount of gabapentin that is absorbed from the stomach.
- If your dog has been taking gabapentin for a while, never stop it abruptly. This could lead to rebound pain, which is comparable to wind-up pain in that it’s agony that’s worse than before. Weaning your dog off gabapentin should always be done gradually.
- Gabapentin must be metabolized by the liver and kidneys, thus dogs with liver or kidney illness should not take it.
- To prevent drug interactions, it should not be administered to dogs that are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking antacids, hydrocodone, or morphine.
- Most dogs eventually get tolerant while seeking chronic pain alleviation. Thus, they require greater gabapentin dosages. Of course, as gabapentin dosage increases, so does the potential for negative effects.
- This makes it easy to overdose and worsen side effects, and the cycle keeps going.
- Increased sedation may also result from using gabapentin with other benzodiazepine or diazepam-based anxiety medications.
Can Gabapentin Cause Your Dog to Not Be Able to Walk?
Can Gabapentin impair your dog’s ability to walk?
If the dosage is too high, gabapentin may make your dog unsteady on their feet or lose their coordination. This is because gabapentin may have sedative effects on the neurological system, which in some animals may result in sleepiness, lethargy, and reduced motor function.
After giving your dog gabapentin, contact your veterinarian if you detect any concerning signs. Your veterinarian might be able to change the dosage or suggest another drug that is better suited to your dog’s requirements.
Not all dogs using gabapentin will suffer these side effects, and some may be able to take the drug without any problems.
Keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior and how they react to the medication. If you have any worries or queries regarding their care, consult a veterinarian.
Natural Alternatives To Gabapentin
Various safe and effective natural alternatives for pain management can be considered when weaning dogs off gabapentin. These options not only give pain relief but also a level of safety and efficacy that is frequently favored over pharmaceutical medications such as gabapentin, which may lack thorough scientific data and FDA approval in the veterinary environment. Here are some popular alternatives:
1. Turmeric: Turmeric contains curcumin, an active chemical recognized for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. To alleviate pain and inflammation, many pet owners and vets utilize turmeric pills or add it to their dog’s diet.
2. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a holistic therapy in which fine needles are inserted into particular places on the body to trigger natural healing processes. It can help dogs with numerous sorts of pain, including musculoskeletal discomfort.
3. Chinese Herbs: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses a variety of herbs to treat a variety of health problems, including pain. Chinese herbal formulations can be adjusted to a dog’s individual demands and condition if given by a skilled TCM practitioner or veterinarian.
4. CBD (Cannabidiol) Oil: CBD oil, which is derived from hemp or cannabis plants, has grown in popularity as a natural cure for pain and anxiety in dogs. It can be an effective treatment for chronic pain, but it is critical to check with a veterinarian to ensure optimum dosing and safety.
5. Western Herbs: Certain Western herbs contain natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, such as Devil’s Claw, Arnica, and White Willow Bark. However, it is critical to contact a veterinarian or holistic practitioner to guarantee your dog’s safety and dose.
6. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy procedures such as hydrotherapy, massage, and range-of-motion exercises can help dogs with musculoskeletal difficulties relieve discomfort and increase mobility.
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, such as fish oil, can help reduce inflammation and improve joint health in dogs with illnesses such as arthritis.
8. Physical and mental enrichment: Getting your dog involved in physical and mental activities will help divert him from pain and improve his general well-being. Interactive toys, puzzles, and mild exercise are examples of such activities.
9. Glucosamine: Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance frequently present in the cartilage of your pet. Your dog’s glucosamine levels could drop over time, which could cause arthritis and related joint pain. Supplemental glucosamine can assist in raising these levels and encourage better joint health. These supplements are typically offered as chewable tablets, and your dog should get them by the directions on the label or the advice of your veterinarian.
10. Antioxidants: Antioxidants assist in reducing inflammation and may be useful in pain treatment. Berries, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and pumpkin are foods high in antioxidants. These can help your dog manage pain if you include them in their diet. If you want to add more nutrition to your dog’s meals, try mashing cooked sweet potatoes or carrots or sprinkling pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix, which contains extra sugars and spices) on top of the food. To avoid disturbing your pet’s stomach, introduce these meals gradually and in moderation.
When exploring these options, it is critical to consult with a veterinarian. They can advise you on the best approach for your dog’s specific circumstances and verify that the methods you choose are safe and effective. It is also critical to monitor your dog’s reaction to these alternatives and make adjustments as needed to guarantee their comfort and well-being.
How do I know if gabapentin is managing my dog’s pain?
Your dog may become more lively, happy, and able to engage in previously avoided activities (such as jumping on furniture or using the stairs) after gabapentin begins to function. Any of the above behaviors indicate that your dog is likely feeling considerably better.
How to store and handle gabapentin
The majority of dog gabapentin can be kept at room temperature. Any place can be used to store the drug as long as you keep it away from moisture and humidity( and obviously away from the kid’s reach) Your veterinarian might advise keeping any liquid solutions you use in the fridge.
What To Do if You Miss a Dose
If you forget to give your pet a dose, administer the next one right away, or if it’s almost time for the next dose, go back to the regular schedule. To catch up, avoid giving a double dose. Call your veterinarian about the missed dose if you’re unsure what to do, and then do as they say.
What to Do in the Case of a Gabapentin Overdose
Don’t forget to inform your vet about any drugs, vitamins, supplements, or herbal treatments you give your pet.
Lethargy, tiredness, sadness, and clumsiness are just a few of the negative effects that could become more severe if gabapentin was used in excess. Contact your veterinarian right away if you believe your pet or another animal may have accidentally overdosed on this medication or mistakenly ingested it.
When you take your pet for treatment, don’t forget to bring the prescription container with you.
