Adverse Side Effects of Gabapentin Treatment
Medication can actually cause quite a few problems. Below are some common issues your dog might face if they tend to take many different forms of medications.
Sometimes taking medications can actually cause your dog to have behavioral issues. This could include them barking more often than they used too, being irritable, and many other similar issues.
Another problem medication can cause in canines is that they can slow down your pet’s metabolism. Metabolism is important in dogs because it will give them energy. Without it, they will become very lethargic and not interested in doing the things they might have once enjoyed doing, like taking walks. While this isn’t to say that all medications will cause this, many do often slow down a dog’s metabolism because they use any energy your dog has to help fight off health issues.
This can also mean your dog is very lethargic and has trouble walking, running, or doing daily tasks. They might end up sleeping much more than normal as well.
Because any medication your dog takes will eventually make it to your dog’s stomach, it can cause irritation there. Medications can create sensitivity in your dog’s body which can leave them with a queasy stomach causing them to vomit often.
Another common issue medication can cause in dogs is diarrhea. This is especially so if your dog is taking antibiotics as they are known for causing issues in the gastrointestinal tract, like diarrhea and sometimes even bloody feces. Diarrhea also indicates that your dog’s body has some bad bacteria in it which is important to remove to help them heal properly.
Medications, like steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs, and can sometimes cause stomach ulcers in dogs to form. This is often due to the medication making their digestive tract a bit sensitive which makes it easier for these uncomfortable problems to form.
If your dog often scratches their skin or has some major skin issues, it could be caused by their medications. This is usually because the medication will cause sensitivity in the skin (especially if it’s topical) or an allergic reaction which can result in dry and red patches.
Some medications, such as NSAIDS, can be a problem and cause liver damage in dogs. While this isn’t to say that your dog will automatically get this problem if they take medications, you do need to be careful. Liver damage is often caused when your dog’s body is working too hard to help break down and eventually remove the leftover pieces of medication from their body – a process the liver solely performs. If your dog is receiving too much medicine, it could cause their body to overwork which can eventually lead to liver damage.
What if I Forget to Give My Pet His Medication?
If you forget to give your pet a dosage, administer it as soon as you realize. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take it at the next planned time, then resume your usual dosing schedule. Give your pet no more than two doses at a time.
What Medicine Can You Give Dogs?
Dogs can take many different types of medicine, like Prozac, Gabapentin, and Fluoxetine. These can help with problems like anxiety and seizures. However, these medications can have many side effects which can end up making your dog feel sick and lethargic.
Before giving your dog any medication, including oral gabapentin for pain relief, it is important to consult with your veterinarian. Some pain medication is safe for human medicine but is not safe to treat pain in pets.