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. Cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit higher serum concentrations of gabapentin, indicating a need for dose adjustment. It’s essential to administer lower doses to avoid potential toxicity and monitor their response closely. How long can a cat stay on gabapentin? Cats can remain on gabapentin indefinitely, particularly for chronic An early study concluded that a dose of 20mg/kg was effective for this purpose in healthy cats, but this dose may be inappropriate for elderly cats, specifically those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Human studies have recommended Gabapentin doses be reduced in CKD patients, but no studies have been done in cats. 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). Concern #13: Can Gabapentin be used in cats with liver or kidney disease? Answer: Gabapentin should be used with caution in cats with liver or kidney disease, as these conditions can affect how the medication is metabolized in the body. Your veterinarian may recommend adjusting the dosage or exploring alternative treatment options in these cases. 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. Visits to the veterinary clinic can be a source of stress for both the feline patient and the caregiver. 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. Gabapentin itself does not directly cause kidney failure in cats. However, it can potentially exacerbate pre-existing kidney issues due to the drug’s elimination process through the kidneys. In rare cases, DRESS syndrome induced by gabapentin can lead to kidney damage. Customized Dosing: Veterinarians are now tailoring gabapentin dosages to individual cats with kidney disease, taking into account factors such as age, weight, and overall health. This personalized approach has shown promising results in managing pain and discomfort in cats with kidney disease. 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 The question of whether gabapentin is harmful for cats with kidney disease is complex and doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. While gabapentin isn’t inherently nephrotoxic (toxic to kidneys), its use in cats with pre-existing kidney issues requires careful consideration and monitoring. 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 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. Results: Cats with CKD had significantly higher dose-normalized serum gabapentin concentrations than normal cats at 3 h (P = 0.0012 CKD vs normal 10 mg/kg; P = 0.008 CKD vs normal 20 mg/kg) and 8 h (P <0.0001 CKD vs normal 10 mg/kg; P <0.0001 CKD vs normal 20 mg/kg). 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 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 should be used cautiously in cats with liver or kidney disease, as we may see it take longer for the effects to wear off. Its use should typically be avoided in pregnant queens. Sixteen chronic kidney disease (CKD cats) – (ten IRIS Stage 2, twelve IRIS Stage 3) – have completed the limited sampling PK study at 10 mg/kg. Samples from eight CKD cats have been analyzed to date to test the model. The model performed well and the data for normal cats demonstrated that half-life was similar to previous published reports. 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 Study demonstrates that companion cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) will exhibit compliance during veterinary visits on a lower dosage of gabapentin.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |