Gabapentin has a variety of uses in veterinary medicine, and prescribing gabapentin for dogs, especially, is becoming more popular amongst veterinarians. Show
Here’s everything you need to know about gabapentin for dogs. Jump to a section: What Is Gabapentin for Dogs?Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic drug that is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat seizures, pain, and anxiety in dogs. It is a human medication, and its use in veterinary medicine is “off-label,” meaning it is not FDA-approved for pets. How gabapentin works is not completely understood; however, it is thought to inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. What Is Gabapentin Used for in Dogs?Gabapentin can be prescribed to help with seizures, pain, and anxiety in dogs. Preventing SeizuresGabapentin has anticonvulsant properties that make it beneficial for adjunctive therapy for dogs with refractory seizures, or those whose current medication regime is no longer effective enough. Controlling PainGabapentin is also an analgesic, meaning it provides pain relief for chronic pain and neuropathic pain. It’s most commonly used for the chronic pain associated with degenerative joint disease. It has also shown to be beneficial when used in combination with other pain medications—such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories or opioids—to help with pain associated with surgery. Easing AnxietyWhile traditionally used for seizures and pain, gabapentin is becoming more popular to use as adjunctive therapy for anxiety in dogs as well. What Are the Side Effects of Gabapentin in Dogs?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. Like all medications, there is a small chance that a dog could be allergic to it, in which case, this medication should be avoided. What's the Gabapentin Dosage for Dogs?The dosage range for gabapentin varies widely depending on what it is being used to treat. Gabapentin should be used with caution for animals with liver or kidney disease, as it will take longer to metabolize. Gabapentin is available in several forms that are human-labeled products:
There is also an oral solution made at 250 mg/5 mL; however, sometimes the solution is formulated with xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Your veterinarian will help you order this medication in a form that is safe for your dog. Sometimes a dog is too small to use the human formulations, in which case, a compounding pharmacy can formulate whichever form and dosage that the veterinarian requests. Gabapentin is usually given by mouth three to four times, with or without food. Check the directions on the bottle or ask your vet if you are not sure of the correct dosage for your dog. Gabapentin should start to take effect fairly quickly, and relief should be noticed within one or two hours of administration. Since it is a short-acting drug, the effects will be gone in 24 hours; however, the medication may last longer in dogs with renal or liver impairment. This drug should not be stopped abruptly when used to treat seizures, as it can result in withdrawal seizures. Always consult a veterinarian before discontinuing any medication. Can You Use Gabapentin and Trazodone Together for Dogs?Trazodone is a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication, and while it is not recommended to be used with tramadol, it is safe to use with gabapentin. There are combination solutions from compounded pharmacies that contain both trazodone and gabapentin, and these are more commonly prescribed for behavior disorders like anxiety. Can Dogs Take CBD and Gabapentin?Another common question is if dogs can take gabapentin with CBD oil. This is not recommended due to the risk of increased sedation between the two. Always consult with a veterinarian before starting your dog on any additional medications or supplements that were not originally prescribed to ensure that they are safe with your dog’s current medications. Is Tramadol or Gabapentin Better for Dogs in Pain?Tramadol is another medication that has been commonly prescribed to treat pain in dogs; however, this is starting to fall out of favor with veterinarians. Studies have found that tramadol may not be as effective as originally thought. In fact, it was found to be ineffective at controlling pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. However, studies are ongoing, and the debate is still up for discussion on the effectiveness of tramadol. In the meantime, veterinarians are turning more towards gabapentin for pain relief in their patients. See AlsoWant to learn more about pain medication for dogs? Read this advice on pain management. Featured Image: iStock.com/Fly_dragonfly Skip to content
Nali Macklin - June 17th, 2020 Accuracy Review & Edit: Nicole Wanner, DVM - May 26th 2021 For dog owners living with a dog suffering from neurological disorders, pain, or anxiety, daily life can be scary, unpredictable, and heartbreaking. Not only knowing that your dog is in chronic pain, but the uncertainty of when the next seizure or epileptic fit will come is a sad reality that many owners face. Today we will specifically look at a drug called Gabapentin for dogs; what it does, how safe it is, its possible side effects, as well as take a look at some natural alternatives. Gabapentin is a type of anticonvulsant drug that is usually given to increase the effectiveness of other seizure medications in dogs, but it can also be used for pain and anxiety. It is a common drug for humans, but can also be effective for dogs, cats, and other animals. Seizures occur when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Scientists aren’t sure exactly how Gabapentin works, but it has been shown to help calm this electrical activity and change levels of certain neurotransmitters, like serotonin.Gabapentin has a similar chemical structure to the neurotransmitter GABA. This neurotransmitter helps calm down brain activity.Gabapentin is a generic drug. Brand names for this drug include Aclonium®, Equipax®, Gabarone®, Gantin®, Gralise®, Neurontin®, Neurostil®, and Progresse®. Because it does take a while for Gabapentin to have full effect, this drug is likely more commonly prescribed for chronic pain rather than temporary pain. What is Gabapentin used for in dogs?Gabapentin is often prescribed to treat:
Safety of Gabapentin for dogsGabapentin is currently not FDA approved for veterinary use, but it is commonly accepted and prescribed by vets. It is generally speaking a safe drug and appears to have few side effects, even when an overdose happens.However, one study showed that high doses of Gabapentin caused pancreatic cancer in mice. A larger study in humans found that Gabapentin did not increase risk for this cancer, though, and no studies have been done in dogs. Still, you might want to ask your veterinarian if your dog’s breed is susceptible to this disease (e.g., Airedale Terriers, Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels). Also, because this drug passes through the kidneys, it may not be suitable for dogs that have kidney disease. Gabapentin Dosage for dogsYour vet will determine the dosage of gabapentin for your dog as its a prescription drug. The following are the generally prescribed dose ranges:
Side effects of Gabapentin in dogsThe most common side effects of Gabapentin include the following:
You should gradually increase the medication over time until you reach the recommended dosage to alleviate these side effects.Other more serious side effects may occur. If you notice the following symptoms, you should contact your vet:
As with any prescription drug, your vet will consider how your dog’s other medications might interact before prescribing Gabapentin. Price of GabapentinAccording to one popular online pet pharmacy, the following are prices sold per capsule depending on the dosage.
Natural Alternatives to Gabapentin for dogsFurther research is needed to fully draw a conclusion on CBD for anxiety, pain, and seizures in dogs. However, tens of thousands of small studies and anecdotal evidence from pet parents have proven that it has great potential. If you consider using CBD for your dog we suggest doing so in coordination with your vet, as only they are qualified to diagnose and treat health problems in dogs. Drug interactions are also possible, in fact, CBD can interact with Gabapentin, potentially causing increased drowsiness.Another issue you’ll likely run into is the lack of standardized dosage and quality control in dog CBD products. We suggest broad spectrum CBD, as it maximizes the benefits of the hemp plant while eliminating psychoactive side effects; something most pet parents want to avoid. With CBD oil placed in your dog’s mouth, we suggest a starting dose of 0.45mg/lb (1mg/kg) twice daily, with a gradual increase to 0.9mg/lb (2mg/kg) if necessary. If your dog won’t allow you to place a dropper in their mouth, then CBD dog treats are a great option. With CBD treats we recommend a higher dosage of 1.3– 2.7mg/lb (3-6mg/kg) twice daily, as less CBD makes it to the bloodstream after it’s digested. While CBD dosage isn’t an exact science, you have a much higher chance of success when using a weight-based dosage method. If that all sounds a bit complicated, our CBD dog treats and oils come with a dosing table printed right on the bottle, which is easy to use and will provide the above amount of CBD for your dog.
Biscuit's Story  To say Biscuit lived an active life would be an understatement. Unfortunately, at the age of 10, she started to limp after trips to the dog park. It broke my heart to see her in pain doing what she loved the most. I started feeding her a raw food diet and added high-quality supplements to ensure her nutritional needs were met. Unfortunately, while she loved the food, the limping persisted. I decided to go to the vet. They quickly diagnosed her with osteoarthritis and prescribed a drug to help. Her limping stopped, and she was in less visible pain. For the first week, it seemed that this was the solution. A few days later, it was to my absolute shock that she... Read Her StoryWhat Is The Best CBD Oil For Dog Seizures? Finding the best CBD oil for dogs with seizures could significantly change your dogs' life and yours. Choosing the right product could help your dog live a healthier life. Fortunately, there is research on CBD for dogs. This article breaks it down and draws from our decades of experience to help you find the best CBD for dogs with seizures. Read NowAccuracy Review by:
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