Is it safe for cats to be on Gabapentin gel indefinitely? He has been diagnosed with lower urinary tract disease caused by stress. Gabapentic is the only thing that helps him. He is an 8 year old neutered male. Feline idiopathic cystitis, also known as feline interstitial cystitis or FIC for short, is a type of feline lower urinary tract disease that causes inflammation of the bladder in cats. “Idiopathic” means that the cause of the disease process is unknown; “interstitial” refers to the location of the inflammation in the interstitium The symptoms above could be caused by any cause: bladder tumor, UTI (urinary tract infection), bladder stone, etc. Basically, any source of inflammation in the bladder will create FLUTD. The term FUS, which stands for feline urinary syndrome to describe FLUTD, is not often used now, but you may hear it. If your cat is taking gabapentin in capsule or tablet form, mix the prepared powder with a small amount of your cat’s favorite food or a bit of water so they can swallow it easily. If using the liquid form, use the syringe to carefully administer the medication directly into your cat’s mouth, slowly squirting it near the back of the tongue. Sterile bladder inflammation is the single most common cause of lower urinary tract signs in cats, Dr. Fischer told attendees at a recent Fetch dvm360 conference. Tony Buffington, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVN, and Jodi Westropp, DVM, PhD, the gurus of all things lower urinary tract, have coined the term “Pandora's syndrome” to describe sensitization By calming the overactive nerve pathways in the urinary tract, gabapentin helps to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with FLUTD, making it easier for the cat to urinate without significant distress. The dosing guidelines for Gabapentin in cats usually include the phrase “to effect,” meaning different cats will need different amounts. In general, smaller cats can be given 50-75 mg, while larger cats can be given 75-100 mg. Basically, dosage modifications are allowed as long as you do not exceed the dose of 27 mg per pound of body weight Gabapentin has many useful properties for treating cats beyond use as an anticonvulsant. It is used off-label in cats to reduce situational anxiety, provide pain relief, and is the preferred treatment for a condition called feline hyperesthesia syndrome. Cat urine normally dicourages bacterial growth. Only cats that are producing abnormal urine are prone to developing lower urinary tract infections. Cats may develop a urinary tract infection if they have very dilute urine from chronic kidney disease, glucose in the urine from diabetes, or blood in the urine from stones or tumors. Use in Cats with Chronic Conditions: Cats with chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis or urinary tract disease can benefit greatly from gabapentin therapy. By providing ongoing pain management, veterinarians can help improve the quality of life for cats with these conditions. The short answer is: gabapentin is not a primary medication to directly help a cat urinate. While it can play a supportive role in certain situations, it doesn’t target the underlying mechanisms that cause urinary issues. How much Gabapentin for Cats? According to pet experts and veterinarians, the safe dose of gabapentin for treating seizures in cats is 2-5mg/lb or 5-10mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours. For feline pain, the ideal amount of the medicine is 1.25 to 2 mg/kg every 12 hours.
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