Study demonstrates that companion cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) will exhibit compliance during veterinary visits on a lower dosage of gabapentin. Yes, gabapentin is considered safe for use in cats with kidney disease when dosed appropriately and monitored closely by a veterinarian. 2. Will gabapentin interact with other medications my cat is taking? The question of whether gabapentin is harmful to a cat’s kidneys is a valid concern for pet owners, especially those whose feline companions are already dealing with kidney issues. The simple answer is: gabapentin is generally not considered to directly damage the kidneys. Abstract Simple Summary. Adjusting drug dosages in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be challenging in clinical practice due to the lack of specific indications in the current literature; moreover, the evaluation of renal function through the measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is unanimously considered as a requisite for most adjustment strategies, is The question of whether gabapentin is safe for cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complex and requires careful consideration. The short answer is: it can be safe when used judiciously, but it’s not without risks and requires dosage adjustments due to the kidneys’ role in its elimination. Gabapentin is eliminated almost entirely through renal excretion, and decreased renal function significantly influences the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in humans. 14 While doses of gabapentin in the range of 50–150 mg/cat have been used in normal cats, 4,5,11 it should be noted that higher doses may be unsuitable for cats with CKD. 15 In a Gabapentin and Kidney Disease. It’s essential to exercise caution when using gabapentin in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Higher doses can lead to excessive sedation and hypotension in these patients. A dose decrease of at least 50% is often used in these cases. It’s imperative to consult with your veterinarian if your cat has CKD. Investigating appropriate dosing for gabapentin sedation in cats with and without chronic kidney disease (2017) Winn Feline Foundation reports on the study's goals and Gabapentin sedation in cats with and without chronic kidney disease (2020) Winn Feline Foundation gives an update, stating that CKD cats seem to have much higher levels of Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess serum concentrations of gabapentin in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) vs clinically healthy cats. Methods: Five healthy cats were enrolled in a pharmacokinetic study. A single 20 mg/kg dose of gabapentin was administered orally and blood was obtained at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8 Gabapentin may decrease arterial BP in cats with and without CKD and these findings should be taken into account when gabapentin is administered to patients in which measurement of BP is needed. Gabapentin is a common medication used in both pets and people to address certain painful conditions and as added control for seizure conditions. In pets, it is also often used for mild sedation for stressful situations and for car travel, especially in cats. Prescription Required?: FDA Approved?: So can cats take gabapentin? They sure can! Studies have found a positive correlation between gabapentin use and increased levels of serum creatinine and SDMA in cats with CKD. These markers are indicative of kidney function, which suggests gabapentin can potentially worsen existing kidney problems or highlight that the kidneys are not processing the drug as efficiently as they should. Gabapentin is eliminated almost entirely through renal excretion, and decreased renal function significantly influences the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in humans. 14 While doses of gabapentin in the range of 50–150 mg/cat have been used in normal cats, 4,5,11 it should be noted that higher doses may be unsuitable for cats with CKD. 15 In a Cats with CKD may need a reduced gabapentin dose to avoid excessive sedation. Cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may experience a build-up of waste products and other compounds in their bloodstream, which healthy kidneys would usually remove or regulate. The Research Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most prevalent feline metabolic disease, and ≈1 in 4 cats with CKD exhibit systemic hypertension. 1,2 Reliable measurement of systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) is therefore important to identify and treat adverse effects of high BP on the kidneys, eyes, brain, and cardiovascular system. 2 Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess serum concentrations of gabapentin in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) vs clinically healthy cats. Methods Five healthy cats were enrolled in a pharmacokinetic study. A single 20mg/kg dose of gabapentin Investigating appropriate dosing for gabapentin sedation in cats with and without chronic kidney disease (2017) Winn Feline Foundation reports on the study's goals and Gabapentin sedation in cats with and without chronic kidney disease (2020) Winn Feline Foundation gives an update, stating that CKD cats seem to have much higher levels of Gabapentin may decrease arterial BP in cats with and without CKD and these findings should be taken into account when gabapentin is administered to patients in which measurement of BP is needed. Keywords: Anxiety, stress, renal failure, half-life, situational hypertension. The 20 mg/kg stress-reduction dose of gabapentin may be beneficial to facilitate preventive veterinary care in younger, healthy cats, but this dose may be inappropriate for elderly cats, specifically those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Compliance scores for cats with CKD were significantly increased at 3h versus 8h. Cats with higher serum gabapentin concentrations were more compliant at the 3h mark. No CKD cats were considered to be overly sedated at the 10mg/kg dose. One limitation of this study was that all of the healthy cats were fairly young compared to the CKD cats so
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