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Effective sedation: Gabapentin is known to provide sedation and relaxation to dogs, making it easier to handle them during stressful situations such as vet visits or grooming sessions. Minimizes anxiety: Many dogs experience anxiety in certain situations, which can lead to aggression or self-harm. Drugs – and more importantly the drug dosages – for sedation/anesthesia/analgesia should be chosen based on the patient’s degree of fear/anxiety or aggression, level of pain, and sedation/anesthesia risk level (ASA Status, Table 1). Also consider the anticipated degree of restraint required, invasiveness of the procedure that the pet is Gabapentin’s calming and sedative effects can help dogs feel more relaxed in high-stress situations, making it a good option for dogs with generalized anxiety or noise phobias. To use Gabapentin for anxiety, it’s typically given 1-2 hours before the anxiety-inducing event. 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. Wean patients off gabapentin gradually to reduce the potential for seizures.8 Also, when using this drug in conjunction with antacids, separate dosing by two hours.8 Keep in mind that gabapentin can cause a false positive result for urinary protein, and concomitant use of morphine or hydromorphone can result in increased activity of gabapentin Gabapentin: Often used alongside trazodone, gabapentin helps ease anxiety and pain. While its primary use in humans is for nerve pain and seizures, it has proven effective for calming dogs by blocking calcium channels in the brain, which reduces overstimulated neurons. When combined with trazodone, gabapentin enhances its sedative effect. The most reported side effects described by owners administering gabapentin to their dogs are sedation and ataxia (loss of coordination). Sedation is typically transient, with such effects Sedation is the main potential side effect of gabapentin, and the level of sleepiness varies from patient to patient. Veterinarians will prescribe a starting dose, and if this results in the dog becoming a little too sedate, the veterinarian will taper the dose down to the most effective one. 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. Side Effects in Dogs. Gabapentin is generally regarded as a safe drug for dogs. Side effects of gabapentin in dogs include sedation or weakness. Use with other sedatives may amplify these effects. Dogs treated with gabapentin may also experience gastrointestinal effects, especially at higher doses. These include vomiting and diarrhea. Gabapentin has anxiolytic, sedative, analgesic, and anticonvulsive properties. 1-5 Oral gabapentin causes anxiolysis and sedation in humans and reduces fear responses in cats. 1-4 Although published data on gabapentin’s use for anxiolysis and sedation are lacking, anecdotal clinical experience supports its use. Melatonin is a naturally Gabapentin is commonly used as a mild sedative to treat situational anxiety, for example, just before a vet visit. Using gabapentin in pets is considered “off-label” which means it is not an FDA-approved indication in pets. How does gabapentin work in dogs? Sedation and Hind Leg Weakness: In some cases, gabapentin’s sedative effect can cause a dog to become so drowsy that they exhibit difficulty walking or hind leg weakness. If this occurs, report it to your vet immediately for dosage adjustment. Gabapentin for dogs is an anti-seizure and pain medication commonly prescribed to dogs by veterinarians. Gabapentin for dogs may be helpful for treating chronic pain especially nerve pain that is secondary to neurological diseases such as slipped discs. The most common side effects of gabapentin in dogs include sedation and dizziness. For dogs, it’s used to treat seizures, anxiety, and nerve pain. It works by blocking calcium channels in the brain to suppress overly stimulated neurons that cause anxiety, nerve is particularly emotionally challenged by a veterinary visit it is possible to combine trazodone with gabapentin using the following recommended dose: • Trazodone 4-12 mg/kg PO and Gabapentin 20 mg/kg PO For small dogs liquid preparations can facilitate administration of the medication and accuracy of dosing.
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