The use of gabapentin in veterinary medicine has increased dramatically in the last several years. Despite its popularity, there is a narrow indication of its use in veterinary patients. Veterinarians commonly prescribe gabapentin to treat pain, seizures, and anxiety in dogs. Gabapentin is a human medication, and its use in veterinary medicine is “off-label,” meaning it is not FDA-approved for pets. Sedation is the main potential side effect of gabapentin, and the level of sleepiness varies from patient to patient. Gabapentin was originally approved to treat epilepsy in humans. However, gabapentin became more useful as a drug to control nerve pain. More recently, the inhibitory (reducing brain activity) effects of gabapentin have been useful to control anxiety in animals, especially when being transported. Common applications for gabapentin in veterinary practice include short-term use — such as to ease an anxious cat for a trip to the clinic — or long-term treatment of chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis or intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), a degeneration of spinal disks in dogs. Gabapentin was originally approved to treat epilepsy in humans. However, gabapentin became more useful as a drug to control nerve pain. More recently, the inhibitory (reducing brain activity) effects of gabapentin have been useful to control anxiety in animals, especially when being transported. Cartrophen Vet (pentosan polysulfate) (*Not approved in the US for dogs. Approved in Australia, Canada, and UK. Your veterinarian can tell you if it is available in your region.) Cartrophen Vet is an injectable medication administered by your veterinarian and used in dogs to manage osteoarthritis. Other medications such as gabapentin (also given 90 minutes before leaving) and clonidine (given 30-60 minutes before departure) may also lower the panic that happens when people first leave. Over the Counter Products (Nutraceuticals with ingredients like l-theanine, tryptophan, hydrolyzed milk proteins, synthetic pheromones, and probiotics) Gabapentin was approved by the FDA in 1993 under the brand name Neurontin. It was sold by Warner-Lambert, which was later acquired by Pfizer. It's been available as a generic drug since 2004. Gabapentin is approved for use in people to treat seizures and manage nerve pain caused by shingles. The medication is labeled for use only in humans, but Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug effective in humans to control neuropathic pain. In veterinary medicine, is extra-label used in combination with other treatments to control seizures when other drugs are not effective, when drugs are toxic, or for neuropathic pain treatment and anxiety. Gabapentin is usually used to manage chronic pain, especially nerve-related pain. It is also used (primarily in cats) to relieve anxiety associated with veterinary procedures, travel, and other fear-generating situations. Gabapentin can also be used as an additional medication in seizure management. The first step if you suspect separation anxiety is a trip to your vet. Some medical conditions and other behavioral conditions can look like separation anxiety. Many dogs with separation anxiety have more than one behavior problem which can complicate diagnosis and treatment. If a combination of pain medication and diuretics is not helping, the pain medication can be replaced by a veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). There are many options, and your veterinarian can guide you through the choices. Corticosteroids such as prednisone can be used with gabapentin but not with the NSAIDs. Gabapentin is generally recommended for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and other maladaptive painful conditions. In humans, their efficacy for the treatment of chronic pain is well recognized and this compound is commonly recommended as an adjuvant for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Gabapentin (brand names: Neurontin®, Aclonium®, Equipax®, Gantin®, Gabarone®, Gralise®, Neurostil®, Progresse®) is an anti-seizure and pain medication that is used with other medications to treat seizures and chronic pain, primarily nerve pain, in dogs and cats. MAO inhibitors are rarely used in veterinary patients with the exception of selegiline, a drug used for cognitive dysfunction in dogs; amitraz, an anti-parasite topical used in several tick control products (see our flea and tick product comparison chart); and in Mitaban® dip used against mange. The suspected therapeutic range for dogs is 4–16 mg/L. As is the case with felbamate, serum gabapentin concentrations are seldom pursued in dogs. Sedation does not appear to be a common problem with gabapentin use in dogs, but occasionally occurs. There are two clinical reports of gabapentin use as an add-on drug for dogs with refractory Gabapentin is commonly prescribed by veterinarians for chronic pain relief and to treat anxiety and seizures in dogs. It is often prescribed to ease fear and anxiety associated with veterinary visits in cats. When prescribing gabapentin for veterinary patients, the clinician should determine what type of pain is being experienced, if the medication will be beneficial, and assess if there is a better treatment option that should be prescribed instead. Common applications for gabapentin in veterinary practice include short-term use — such as to ease an anxious cat for a trip to the clinic — or long-term treatment of chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis or intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), a degeneration of spinal disks in dogs. Targeted Use of Gabapentin. One of the most commonly cited uses of gabapentin in veterinary medicine is for treating acute post-operative pain. 5 Considering the mechanism of action of gabapentin and its impact on pain signaling, it is unlikely that gabapentin will be an effective analgesic in this context. Inflammation is the most common
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