The most frequently reported side effects of gabapentin are sedation and ataxia. Ataxia is the loss of motor control over the limbs, the main symptoms of it being weakened limbs (inability to walk, swaying, stumbling), drowsiness, tilting the head to one side, unresponsiveness, vertigo, and nausea. My vet denies the gabapentin caused the ataxia. He said there was no problem with the dosing either. I disagreed with the vet and have since taken my dog off the meds and he's back to normal now. The most common side effects (sedation, sometimes ataxia) typically subside after repeated dosing, which it sounds like you're already seeing this. As long as the side effects don't worsen (ataxia, stumbling, etc), he should be fine, though obviously keep your vet updated. Gabapentin is helpful to some people with specific pain problems as many in the comments are suggesting. However if you are getting TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) to treat depression and/or anxiety keep in mind gabapentin can actually reduce the efficacy of the treatment. If your dog recently started taking gabapentin and you are wondering about the gabapentin side effects in dogs, this article is for you. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses what side effects to watch for, and how those side effects can be minimized or managed. Individual cats react differently. My cat is 14 lbs and can now have 100mg gabapentin with very little sedation and no wobbliness, though the first time he got that dose, he was an absolute floppy trembling mess and I was terrified. Both gabapentin and maropitant citrate (Cerenia) can cause ataxia or dizziness as side effects, especially in small dogs. Even though she stopped these medications, residual effects can persist for a few days in some cases, particularly in smaller breeds like chihuahuas. My poor Madison. I do everything I can to protect my dogs and I feel like I failed her. For all dog lovers out there, (even if your dog is not elderly, they will be someday) please take a moment to read this. My sweet girl, has been on gabapentin and rimadyl for arthritis for a few years, and she seemed to be doing well on them. /r/dogs is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience to discuss various topics related to responsible dog ownership. This subreddit is a great starting point for a lot of information, but you should always verify and expand upon what you've read from reputable sources before putting it to use in your daily life. Dose-Dependent Effects. The likelihood of ataxia increases with the dose of gabapentin. Higher doses are more likely to produce noticeable side effects, including ataxia, and this can be particularly pronounced when a dog is first introduced to the medication or when doses are increased. My dog is a border collie/aussie mix (15f). She developed ataxia a week and a couple days after surgery (tumor on eyelid removal) and her 1st dose of Librela. She is currently taking incurin, gabapentin, joint support chew, prednisone, eye support chews, and famotadine. She is better than she was, but she struggles with her back legs. Along with sedation, dogs may also experience ataxia, which is a loss of coordination, when taking gabapentin. Some dogs might encounter gastrointestinal upset, showing symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting as side effects of this medication. After the 3rd week, my local vet gave me a bottle of (1) 300mg gabapentin to administer twice a day, and after a week of this new refill, my dog is now experiencing ataxia. Unbalanced, clumsiness and can't walk as much. If a dog has developed severe ataxia after taking gabapentin for 5 days, how could the side effect last? Dog had a torn I was hopeful for the higher gabapentin dosing but it seemed to exacerbate his cognitive decline and ataxia, So we’ve reduced it. I’ve heard pretty mixed reviews ab tramadol for dogs, but have heard a few promising reviews and read a few promising studies On Amantadine. I work with humans. For what it's worth, I give my 30 lb dog ~300mg of gabapentin for anxiety as needed (like around the 4th of July) as recommended by my vet. A short-term dose should not be an issue, but you should really call your vet. We were given a presumptive diagnosis of IVDD today. Based on Nikko's history, current medications and symptoms the doctor prescribed gabapentin. We are only one dose in and noticed the ataxia seems worse on the gabapentin and improves as it wears off. I gave my dog 0.6ml gabapentin and 20mg galliprant yesterday and he isn’t able to walk today he has no strength in his back legs . I’m not giving him his medication today. Can anyone that has given theirs dog these medication share their experiences and what to expect . We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() |