My Dose Doesn’t Match these Guidelines
Don’t worry if your dog’s dose doesn’t appear to match any of the examples we’ve given. Vets use guidelines, but they treat each dog on a case-by-case basis. Guidelines are useful, but only your vet will know how much gabapentin your dog needs. So, how long does gabapentin stay in a dog’s system? Does it linger on or disappear quickly?
Other Dosages of Gabapentin in Dogs
If your dog doesn’t have epilepsy but is in pain due to another condition like cancer, the gabapentin dosage will change accordingly. When it comes to post-operative pain, gabapentin seems to block some of the pain signals that the nervous system is creating. Gabapentin analgesia in dogs is widely documented, and it’s often considered by vets as a way to lower morphine intake.
One study found a single dose of 10mg/kg of gabapentin for a dog’s pain reliably reduced the amount of morphine needed after an operation. Similarly, with chronic pain, studies have found a single daily dose to be very effective.
This type of pain is often associated with cancer and other really nasty diseases. So, the dosage can differ hugely from dog to dog, depending on their medical situation.
How Long Can a Dog Take Gabapentin?
You may be wondering how long can a dog take gabapentin, since epilepsy can be a life-long condition. With epilepsy in dogs, gabapentin is taken as long as the pup needs it, which can be months or even years.
There are some risks in long-term use of gabapentin in dogs, such as an increased risk of cancer. But a dog suffering from regular heavy seizures needs this relief, so the trade-off is usually worth it.
In the short term, when correctly prescribed, gabapentin doesn’t seem to cause any real issues. Except for a bit of dizziness, most dogs do absolutely fine on this medication. So how will gabapentin affect your dog? Lets take a look at gabapentin’s side effects in dogs.
Few medications are without side effects, but their severity can differ a lot from drug to drug. Side effects of Gabapentin in dogs can also differ according to the individual dog, its general constitution and its medical history.
The most common side effects for dogs taking gabapentin involve a loss of coordination. Gabapentin use in dogs can cause them to appear unsteady on their feet. They may also experience drowsiness.
Gabapentin in Dogs – Safety and Side Effects – Dog Health Vet Advice
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 is also used to treat chronic pain, primarily nerve pain. It has also been used in cats to treat fear and anxiety associated with veterinary visits.
Its use in cats and dogs to treat seizures and pain is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off label use in veterinary medicine. In these instances, follow your veterinarian’s directions and cautions very carefully as their direction may be significantly different from those on the label.
Gabapentin is administered by mouth in the form of a capsule, tablet, or compounded liquid. It can be given with or without food, but if your pet vomits after receiving this medication on an empty stomach, try giving future doses with food or a treat. The best time to give this medication is right before feeding. Measure liquid formations of this medication carefully.
Do not give the oral liquid form made for humans, as it contains xylitol, a substance that is toxic for dogs. Do not stop this medication abruptly in pets with epilepsy, as this can cause withdrawal seizures.
This medication will take effect quickly, in about 1 to 2 hours, and improvement in clinical signs should follow.