No stairs, no jumping, no driving for cats on sedative doses of gabapentin. Gabapentin has analgesic effects in cats, and reducing pain may be one of the ways it helps reduce fear. Gabapentin is typically used prior to sedation/premedication protocols (see below). Gabapentin does not replace in-clinic sedation/premedication protocols. For cats at home, even those without neuropathic pain, gabapentin can be a sedative option. Gabapentin can also be used when clients are taking cats to the veterinary hospital; 50 to 100 mg PO administered 2 to 3 hours beforehand will produce mild to heavy sedation and possible ataxia. Oral gabapentin in cats – often without additional sedation/premedication – can be used by house-call and clinic-bound veterinarians to facilitate examination, blood draws, cystocentesis, blood glucose curves, ultrasound exams and additional injections. Some cats will need the injectable sedation in addition to gabapentin, and this is okay. Downing’s preferred protocol is acepromazine (1 mg/mL at 0.02 mg/kg), hydromorphone (2 mg/mL at 0.05 mg/kg), and midazolam (5 mg/mL at 1/4 of the normal anesthetic induction dose) given subcutaneously 15 minutes prior to the appointment. Give oral anxiolytic at home 2-3 hours prior to visit. Options: Gabapentin 20 mg/kg PO 2 - 3 hours prior to leaving home. Trazodone approx. 10 mg/kg PO 2 hours prior to leaving home. Liquid preparations can facilitate administration of the medication and accuracy of dosing. For sedation and calming, vets usually prescribe 40-70mg for smaller and old felines and 75-90mg for adult cats 2-3 hours before a vet visit or travel. Like other medicines, the safe dosage of gabapentin depends on the size of the cat, body weight and overall health condition. No stairs, no jumping, no driving for cats on sedative doses of gabapentin. Gabapentin has analgesic effects in cats, and reducing pain may be one of the ways it helps reduce fear. Gabapentin is typically used prior to sedation/premedication protocols (see below). Gabapentin does not replace in-clinic sedation/premedication protocols. Gabapentin is often used as a sedative for cats, but the sedative effect largely depends on dose, which is why it’s very important to follow your vet’s advice when using it for this purpose. RESULTS Owner-assessed cat stress scores during transportation and veterinary examination and veterinarian-assessed compliance scores were significantly lower when cats received gabapentin than when they received the placebo. Sedation was a common effect of gabapentin administration, and ataxia, hypersalivation, and vomiting were also reported. This study set out to investigate the effect of giving a single dose of gabapentin for fear-based aggressive behaviors in cats during veterinary visits. The researchers compared a dose of either 100 or 200 mg/cat to placebo capsules 2 hours prior to the vet visit. Determining how much gabapentin to give your cat for sedation requires careful consideration and professional veterinary advice. Understanding gabapentin’s role, dosage guidelines, and potential side effects is crucial for responsible and effective use. A randomized, blinded, crossover clinical trial of 20 cats demonstrated that a single dose of 100 mg/cat given 90 minutes before transportation was safe and significantly reduced client perception of transportation stress and veterinarian perception of handling compliance. 8 Studies of gabapentin in community cage-trap–confined cats given 50
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