If your dog recently started taking gabapentin and you are wondering about the gabapentin side effects in dogs, this article is for you. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses what side effects to watch for, and how those side effects can be minimized or managed. Plus, she answers seven gabapentin FAQs.
Anytime you start giving your dog a new medication like gabapentin, the potential for side effects can weigh on your mind. Then when you notice something different about your dog, it’s normal to wonder:
Is that a side effect of the gabapentin?
Or is it just a fluke that this change occurred around the time my dog started taking the gabapentin?
That’s why I want to clear up any misconceptions about the side effects of gabapentin for dogs and discuss what to do if you notice them.
What is gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a medication that is FDA-approved for use in humans. Like many medications in the veterinary world, vets use gabapentin “off-label” in dogs.
Vets most commonly prescribe gabapentin to treat chronic pain in dogs (especially neuropathic pain—pain that arises from nerve damage or dysfunction). They may recommend it by itself or in combination with another pain medication.
(However, in the interest of being transparent, you should know that the veterinary literature supporting gabapentin’s use as a pain medication is sparse. Some studies indicate it may be effective while other studies did not find that it significantly decreased pain. Still, my experience as a veterinarian prescribing it for my canine patients has made me a believer in its usefulness and efficacy.)
In addition to helping control pain, gabapentin can also be used in veterinary medicine to treat seizures in dogs (usually in conjunction with other anti-convulsant medications). Plus, it may help decrease anxiety in dogs.
(To learn more about the uses of gabapentin, check out my other article on gabapentin for dogs.)
What are the gabapentin side effects in dogs?
One of the benefits of gabapentin is that many dogs experience no side effects or only mild transient side effects. The three most common potential side effects listed in the drug handbooks (and corroborated by my personal experience) are sedation, loss of coordination, and GI upset. Let’s take a look at each side effect in more detail.
Sedation and drowsiness
Especially at first, gabapentin can cause your dog to be a bit more sedate and sleepy than normal. You may notice that he or she isn’t as excited as usual about a walk or playing. Or your dog may elect to keep snoozing in the bed rather than getting up and interacting with you. And your dog’s reaction time might be a bit slower than usual or he or she may seem like a lethargic dog.
Sedation is even more common in dogs who are also on other medications that cause sedation, such as:
- Antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl for dogs)
- Opioids (e.g. tramadol for dogs)
- CBD supplements for dogs
What to do if your dog is too sedate or sleepy
If you notice that your dog is a bit drowsier or more sedate than normal, don’t panic. Instead, ask yourself how significant the change is. If your dog is just slightly more subdued, all you may need to do is give him or her a few days to adjust to the gabapentin. Usually, that’s all it takes for your dog to get back to normal levels of wakefulness and energy.
Alternatively, if your dog seems more significantly sedate, please check in with your veterinarian. Sometimes your vet will suggest giving the gabapentin only at bedtime for a few days to give your dog time to adjust to it. That way, the sedation is happening when your dog is sleeping anyway. Then, once your dog adjusts, you can go back to the typical every 8 to 12 hour dosing.
Or, in other situations, the vet may recommend decreasing to a lower dose of gabapentin initially. And then you can gradually increase back to the full dose after your dog has adjusted to the gabapentin.
Both approaches (giving every 24 hours at bedtime or using a lower dose) do have the disadvantage of not providing as much pain control at first. But once you get your dog back up to the full dose for a few days, you should have a better idea of how well the gabapentin is working.
Ataxia, loss of coordination, or unsteady gait
Sometimes, gabapentin can also cause a dog to have an unsteady gait or loss of coordination. The veterinary term for this is “ataxia.” You may notice that your dog is wobbly and off balance or your dog’s back legs are collapsing. Dogs who first start taking gabapentin might have more trouble navigating stairs or jumping on or off furniture. Or dogs might occasionally stumble or even fall over when walking.
What to do if your dog is wobbly or uncoordinated
It can certainly be distressing if your dog can’t walk or is unsteady. So the best thing you can do if you notice ataxia is to check with your vet.
Chances are good that it could be from the gabapentin, especially if your dog wasn’t having any issues with an unsteady or uncoordinated gait before starting the gabapentin. But if your dog was experiencing some ataxia before the gabapentin, or has a history of neurological diseases such as IVDD in dogs, it is also possible that worsening of your dog’s condition, not the gabapentin, is to blame for the ataxia.
Since your vet knows your dog’s history, he or she is the best person to advise you in these situations. The vet may recommend giving it a few days. Or he or she may suggest lowering the dose or only giving gabapentin at night, like we discussed in the sedation section. But if there is concern that your dog’s condition could be worsening, the vet may recommend a recheck exam.
Sedation is commonly seen with dogs starting on gabapentin. Discuss with your vet if it is too excessive.
Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea or lack of appetite)
Just like many other medications, gabapentin can occasionally cause some GI upset. Your dog may have a decreased appetite for a few days, or he or she might experience mild vomiting or diarrhea.
What do to if your dog has GI upset
Depending on the severity of the GI upset, you may be able to manage it by giving the gabapentin with a meal. Or you could try feeding a bland diet for dogs and waiting a few days to see if the GI upset subsides. But if the vomiting or diarrhea is severe, or if your dog isn’t eating, it is best to check in with your vet. He or she may want you bring your dog in for an exam to ensure something else isn’t causing these symptoms.
Less common side effects of gabapentin in dogs
While they don’t tend to show up in the drug handbooks, there are some other side effects that are debatably associated with gabapentin use in dogs.
Increased appetite and weight gain
Anecdotally, it seems like the occasional dog on gabapentin will have an increased appetite. The dog may be counter-surfing, begging for food, or eating more. As a result of the increased caloric intake, the dog can gain weight.
By monitoring your dog’s body condition score (BCS) and taking steps to help your dog lose weight (if necessary) you can combat weight gain and increased appetite. But if you have concerns, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to your vet.
Agitation or behavioral changes
Some veterinarians have noticed that rarely a dog on gabapentin seems to have a paradoxical reaction. In other words, they get agitated or excited rather than sedate. Or the dog might experience behavior changes. Studies have reported this sort of reaction in children who take gabapentin. Therefore, it is possible that agitation and behavior changes could be associated with gabapentin use in dogs too. But the link isn’t clear at this point.
If your dog’s behavior changes suddenly, reach out to your vet for guidance. He or she can advise you on the best course of action.
Changes in urination
Gabapentin might slightly increase urine retention in dogs, but this hasn’t been well studied at this point. Occasionally, it also seems that urinary incontinence in dogs has improved on gabapentin. But it is unclear if this can be attributed to gabapentin or other factors.
If you are worried about changes in your dog’s urination volume or frequency, contact your veterinarian for advice. Since many factors can influence urination, the gabapentin may or may not have anything to do with what you are noticing.
Signs of an allergic reaction (hives or difficulty breathing)
Allergic reactions to gabapentin are possible, just like with any other drug. Dogs who are having an allergic reaction to gabapentin may have hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening, so you should make an emergency vet visit ASAP if you notice these symptoms.
How long do the side effects of gabapentin usually last in dogs?
The good news is that, with the exception of allergic reactions, which aren’t really side effects anyway, the side effects we discussed above are generally mild and short-lived. This is true in part because gabapentin has a short half-life.
The half-life is the time it takes for the body to metabolize (i.e. break down) and excrete (i.e. eliminate from the body) half of the dose of medication. It helps give an indication of how long we can expect the effects of the medication to last.
For medications with long half-lives (meaning they remain active in the body for a long time after each dose), side effects may be more concerning. This is because it takes longer for the medication to wear off.
Gabapentin, however, is not one of those drugs. It has a short half-life (3.3 to 3.4 hours in a study of the pharmacokinetics of oral gabapentin in Greyhound dogs). This means the body has broken down and eliminated half of the dose in about 3.5 hours. So the good news is that any side effects should wear off fairly quickly.
Plus, the average dog’s body adjusts to gabapentin after being on it for several days. Therefore, typically, in a week or so, the dog will no longer get significantly sedate or ataxic on gabapentin.
Do I need to stop giving my dog gabapentin if I notice side effects?
Even knowing gabapentin’s side effects are mild and usually subside quickly, I understand that it can be concerning to see your dog wobbling around the house or acting sedate. As discussed, the best thing you can do is contact your vet if you think you might be seeing side effects of gabapentin in your dog. Your vet can provide reassurance and advice on how to proceed.
Occasionally, there are situations where the severity of the side effects may prompt your vet to switch your dog to a different medication. Thankfully, this is fairly uncommon. Most of the time, the strategies we talked about will be enough to get your dog through the initial side effects.
Side effects of stopping gabapentin in dogs
It is important to note that if your vet does want to take your dog off gabapentin, he or she may recommend gradually decreasing the dose rather than stopping cold turkey. Rapidly stopping gabapentin can cause increased seizure activity if your dog is taking gabapentin as an anti-seizure medication. And abruptly withdrawing gabapentin can also cause rebound pain in dogs who are using it for pain control.
Thus, it is best to consult your vet before you stop giving your dog the gabapentin. This is especially true if your dog has been on it awhile, has a history of seizures, or has significant pain. The exception to this would be if your dog is having an allergic reaction, where continuing to give gabapentin could be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of a gabapentin overdose in dogs?
While we are on the topic of side effects, I also wanted to briefly talk about gabapentin overdoses. Thankfully, because gabapentin has a wide margin of safety and a wide therapeutic range, true overdoses are uncommon. In reported cases of accidental overdose, most of the time the dog showed a more severe versions of the side effects we already discussed.
Overall, the signs of a gabapentin overdose were mostly ataxia (i.e. a wobbly or unsteady gait), sedation or drowsiness, and vomiting. Since there is so much overlap between the expected side effects and the signs of an overdose, the best course of action is to talk to your veterinarian or a pet poison control center (e.g. ASCPA Animal Poison Control Center) if you are concerned. They can advise you about the safest way to proceed for your dog.
7 Gabapentin FAQs
Now that you hopefully have a better understanding of the gabapentin side effects in dogs, I want to address a few other gabapentin frequently asked questions I tend to get from my clients.
FAQ #1: What is the dose of gabapentin for dogs?
As mentioned, gabapentin has a wide therapeutic range. This means vets can safely prescribe it at a wide range of doses for the same size dog. It’s available in 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg capsules and 300 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg tablets. Plus, it comes in a liquid formulation that vets sometimes use for very small dogs.
As a word of caution, the liquid form of gabapentin often prescribed for humans (trade name Neurontin®), can contain xylitol. This is an artificial sweetener commonly found in human medications, sugar-free gum, and many other products. Unfortunately, xylitol is toxic to dogs.
When vets prescribe liquid gabapentin for dogs, they must check with the pharmacist to ensure the product the pharmacy carries does not contain xylitol. If the human pharmacy doesn’t have a xylitol-free formulation available, your vet may need to order one from a compounding pharmacy.
Typically, dogs take gabapentin every 8 to 12 hours for best efficacy. But sometimes your vet may start out with once-a-day dosing at bedtime until your dog gets used to the medication.
The dose of gabapentin that your dog will take depends on his or her size and the severity of the pain, anxiety, or seizures. Your veterinarian will decide on the best starting dose for your dog. And then he or she will make adjustments along the way based on how your dog responds.
FAQ #2: How does the body get rid of gabapentin?
Like many medications, gabapentin is excreted primarily by the kidneys via the urine. Because of this, sometimes vets need to make dose adjustments in cases of severe kidney failure in dogs. This may involve prescribing a lower dose of gabapentin for that dog compared to a dog of the same size who has healthy kidneys.
However, unlike many medications, the liver only slightly metabolizes gabapentin. Therefore, dogs with liver disease in dogs may not need significant dose adjustments.
FAQ #3: Are there situations where gabapentin could hurt my dog?
As we have discussed, gabapentin is overall a very safe medication. Vets do, however, try to avoid using it in pregnant dogs unless absolutely necessary. This is primarily out of an abundance of caution since, like many medications, the effects of gabapentin on the fetus have not been fully characterized in dogs.
Also, as already mentioned, your vet may also need to adjust the dose for dogs with kidney dysfunction.
Remember too that liquid gabapentin can contain the artificial sweetener, xylitol. Unfortunately, xylitol toxicity in dogs can be fatal in some cases. So it is very important to ensure your dog’s gabapentin does not contain xylitol.
FAQ#4: Are there any long-term side effects of gabapentin for dogs?
Dogs may be prescribed gabapentin long-term for pain control or seizures. But thankfully at this point, it does not appear that there are any concerns with using gabapentin for weeks, months, or even years. Overall, gabapentin seems to be less hard on the body than some other pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).
It is possible that over time a dog may develop a tolerance to gabapentin and require higher doses. However, this has not yet been conclusively demonstrated to be the case.
FAQ #5: How do gabapentin’s side effects compare to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
Vets commonly prescribe NSAIDs when they notice signs a dog is in pain. So, it would make sense to compare the side effects of NSAIDS (e.g. carprofen for dogs) to gabapentin since both are used as pain relievers.
NSAIDs are popular because they’re very effective at decreasing pain and inflammation. And they can also relieve arthritis pain in dogs to dramatically improve quality of life. However, the side effects of NSAIDs include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, GI ulcers, and lack of appetite.
Additionally, NSAIDs can negatively impact kidney function. Thus, vets must use them sparingly in dogs with kidney issues. Since many dogs who need daily medication to manage joint pain are seniors, this population is also more likely to have pre-existing kidney disease.
Gabapentin is an attractive alternative for pain management in these dogs. Although dogs with kidney disease may need a lower dose due to slower excretion, gabapentin does not seem to have adverse effects on the kidneys like NSAIDs do.
One of the drawbacks to gabapentin as a pain medication, however, is that it does not have anti-inflammatory effects like NSAIDs do. This may make it less effective for conditions where inflammation is contributing to the degree of pain.
FAQ #6: How do gabapentin’s side effects compare to those of trazodone for dogs?
Trazodone for dogs is a popular anti-anxiety medication. And gabapentin also has some use in controlling anxiety. Therefore, it also makes sense to compare the side effects of trazodone vs gabapentin.
Interestingly, they have several side effects in common. Both can cause some sedation and GI upset. Plus, trazodone can cause agitation, aggression, and increased appetite, which debatably also occur with gabapentin.
One of the big differences, though, is the fact that administering trazodone with many other anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications runs the risk of the dog developing a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome. And there is a list of other medications that trazodone doesn’t interact well with. However, gabapentin can safely be combined with trazodone and most other medications.
At the end of the day, though, the vet will select the medication that best fits the particular situation. There are a variety of potential anxiety-reducing medications. So the goal is to find the one or ones that work best for your dog.
FAQ # 7: How do the side effects of tramadol and gabapentin compare?
Another medication that gabapentin sometimes gets compared with is tramadol for dogs. Tramadol is an oral opioid medication, which means it provides pain relief. But like gabapentin, it does not have anti-inflammatory properties.
Vets sometimes use tramadol and gabapentin together. Or they may combine either one with an NSAID to provide better pain control.
When looking at side effects in dogs, the list for tramadol includes sedation, GI upset, constipation, panting, and dilated pupils. As is the case for gabapentin, these tramadol side effects are uncommon and tend to be mild.
Both tramadol and gabapentin lack enough evidence in the literature to prove their efficacy. But I do believe that they do a great job of helping decrease pain in dogs, especially when combined with another pain reliever. It is up to your vet to decide if gabapentin, tramadol, or both, is right for your dog.
Don’t let the concern about side effects of gabapentin keep you (and your dog) down
We all want what is best for our dogs and hate to see them experience any medication side effects. But the good news is that, as far as side effects go, gabapentin’s really aren’t so bad. They are unlikely to be harmful and usually go away within a week or so.
That doesn’t mean that it isn’t concerning to see your dog acting wobbly or sleepy. But it does mean that you can take some comfort in knowing that these side effects are par for the course and pretty easy to manage.
If your dog is experiencing side effects from gabapentin, please talk to your vet. Don’t let the short-term side effects make you think you should throw in the towel on gabapentin. Often the long term benefits that your dog will reap from being on gabapentin will far eclipse the stress and worry about the side effects. In the end, gabapentin may give your dog more good days, which is always a win in my book!
Good Day.
My 10-year-old Lab/Pit mix has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She is on Previcox -1/2 of 227 mg daily. This drug is a game changer for her arthritic issues. She was a rescue and has been shot a couple of times with buckshot, leaving hundreds of pellets behind. She also has had two CCL surgeries. She had slowed down so much on our daily walks that it was like walking a pull toy. She seemed short of breath and I typically let her set the pace. After several visits to the vet, and seeing two different ones, as mine retired in June, she was finally diagnosed. However, the office has failed me, and a promised 2-week return call after several calls and a written letter took 2 months to respond to, Our area is extremely short of vets, and most are overworked. She is also sleeping somewhat contorted at times. He suggested Gabapentin for sleep. 200mg per night. every other day for a week and then every day. She has been on it for about 2 weeks. She does sleep a little better but is not herself the following morning. She is still so happy to ride and walk. I see more energy and freedom due to the Previcox, after being on several other drugs that never gave the wonderful results this drug does. However, yesterday I noticed she was going to have a bad day. She woke with a distant personality. Not her smiling, loving self. I typically massage her when I wake and noticed her neck and the area between her front legs (sternum) were filled with fluid. She stayed somewhat distant and spaced out until about 2:00 . She continued her normal routine, but without expression like she was soulless. Her daily movements made the fluid go down somewhat. I had noticed some neck swelling the week before, but it would dissipate during the day, and then the next day she seemed fine, Hind site is telling me it was happening the days that she took Gabapentin. She has also had a couple of episodes of nausea and one she had a small amount of vomiting. Her appetite is great if not too good, Her normal bowel movements are fine, and most things are normal. Last night she was actually spirited like the Gabapentin had worn off and she came to life. I gave her only 100mg last evening instead of 200 mg. She slept fine but was nauseous when she got up and the fluid in her neck is minimal. She ate fine and is now sleeping. After reading several of the posts here I realize a lot of what she is feeling is normal and will take time to get used to. My question to you is can Gabapentin cause head, neck, and chest fluid along with nausea? Thank you.
Hi Brenda,
I am so sorry your senior girl is battling lung cancer and chronic pain. While the gabapentin may be causing some sedation and make her seem distant, I don’t think it is causing the swelling or fluid buildup you have noticed. Since I haven’t personally examined your dog, I can’t make specific conclusions. With that being said, I am very concerned that the fluid buildup may be due to progression of the lung disease or changes to her heart function. I understand it may be difficult to schedule an appointment for your pup to be evaluated by your vet due to high demand, but I honestly feel this is your best bet and may be urgent. I hope you can get the answers you need to make the best choices for you and your sweet girl. Wishing you both the best.
Hello,
Looking for some insight please. My 10 yr old bulldog mix was being treated for some arthritis in his hind legs, he was having trouble walking and using the stairs. In addition to rimadyl the vet suggested trying Gabapentin. He started off on 400mg 3x a day (80lb dog), still seemed just as Unsteady as before and had a few worse days. After about a week he was given the gabapentin 2x a day (instead of 3) due to the fact that I had to go away and the person watching him wouldn’t be able to get there for the 3rd dose late in the evenings. . So essentially he was cut back to two doses for the next 5 days. When we got back home we noticed a severe decline, he was totally unable to stand on his own. He was leaving droppings on his bed (unintentionally I believe), he couldn’t even hold himself up. It being a weekend we watched him overnight and carried him in and out of the house to use the bathroom. The next day again he could barely stand on his own. At one point he was whimpering on his bed for us to help him up because he soiled his bed and couldn’t get up. We again helped him outside and cleaned him up. As we sat there with him as he could barely sit and was panting and in visible pain we made the decision that we didn’t want to see him in anymore pain or have him go through anything worse than what was happening. Later that evening we decided to put him down in hopes that he would rest peacefully without anymore pain. I am now dealing with tons of guilt that we made the wrong decision after reading some of these stories. Could the medication have cause such a severe reaction? Even after lowering the dose and being on it for almost two weeks? How quickly would these symptoms show? We were never told to look out for such symptoms when taking it. I am heartbroken that we could have done the wrong thing in the moment thinking that something else was truly wrong.
Dear Marie,
I can only imagine the grief you are working through since having to say goodbye to your sweet boy. It is hard to stop thinking about the “what ifs” when you were left with more questions than answers. It sounds like you did everything you could to give your dog peace and take away his suffering. You made a difficult decision from a place of love with the advice from your vet. I probably would have done the same thing for my own pup. Please allow yourself some grace and know you did not fail him. I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. I hope with time your heart will heal and his memory will bring you joy. ♥
Hello,
My dog seems to have a rib injury, according to our vet. She prescribed gabapentin and my dog is panting, shaking, pacing, staring off into space, walking backwards, and he just seems to be having a very bad reaction from it. This has been going on for about 4 hours!! I keep hearing how safe it is for dogs but this is not normal nor does it seem safe for him. I won’t ever let him be given it again and I’m concerned that my concerns are being brushed off by his vet.
Hi Carly,
I understand you being concerned about your dog and these worrisome symptoms. I agree that some investigating needs to be done to determine the cause. Since I haven’t examined your pup myself, it is difficult to make specific conclusions and recommendations. Did the symptoms go away once the medication was discontinued? How is your dog feeling today? If the symptoms persisted even without the medication being administered, it would have me suspicious there could be something else going on that was not apparent during your dog’s previous exam. Please keep your vet up to date on how things are progressing. You may need to look into scheduling a consult with a specialist. If you can, get a video of this strange behavior. Many times, dogs will act more normal once in the veterinary clinic due to adrenaline from being nervous and a video could be the bit of information that could crack this case. Praying for some answers and a full recovery.
Mt miniature dachshund is getting more and more restless as she ages. She has kidney disease and is on a special diet, metronidazole for her bowel issues plus probiotics. She is duper hungry all the time snd has s Hard time settling down ( we feed her enough btw). Vervains I decided to try gabapentin. Super low dose. First it seemed to work but after only one day she is even more hyper! Constantly asking for something we fo not know what! We taker her out almost every other hour, She doesn’t always need to it appears. we cuddle we try! No relief. What to do?
Hi Clementine,
I understand your concerns with the restlessness and anxiety in your senior pup. I am suspicious that these behaviors may be signs of canine cognitive dysfunction/dementia. Sometimes anxiety medications can help and for other cases there may not be much to do to offer relief. Make sure your vet is aware the gabapentin does not seem to be effective in controlling the restlessness. They may want to do more testing or try a different medication. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I hope you can find what works best for your girl. Praying for a good quality of life during her senior years.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Could Your Dog Have Dementia? Find Out With This Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Checklist
3. 5 Signs of Dementia in Dogs and What to Do About Them
My 24lb American Eskimo has been on Gabapentin for about a week now. I noticed him limping on his back leg yesterday and tonight he could barely walk. Fell over twice while walking on the kitchen tile. I’m giving it to home twice a day. Could this be too much or is there another pain medicine that would better than Gabapentin?
Hi Angela,
I understand your concern with these new mobility issues you have noticed in your pup. It has me a bit worried that these symptoms started a week after giving the Gabapentin. Usually, if ataxia or wobbliness occurs as a side effect of the medication it starts within the first couple of doses given. This may be a sign of progression of a neurological condition or uncontrolled pain. I think it would be best to call your vet as soon as possible and update them on your dog’s situation.
Hi Dr. Buzby,
Boy am I glad I found this article,,, I have a 15 year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever who was exhibiting signs of bloat LAST Saturday, 9/17 (he had it before in March 2019 and had a gastrectomy/gastropexy) so I knew the signs and rushed him to the ER. Turns out this time his COLON torsioned so he had surgery on Monday, 9/19 to untwist it and after 2 days of recovery in hospital I picked him up Wed 9/21. He was prescribed Gabapentin 300mg every 8 hours. He was a little unsteady when he came home but of course he also had major abdominal surgery – he was like that after his gastrectomy, too. But then it got worse…within 72 hrs of starting Gabapentin and coming home, on Sat 9/24 he could barely walk. He was struggling to stay upright and eventually just collapsed so I took him BACK to the ER, where he spent another night and found nothing wrong with him. His blood work, xrays, etc. all great. Of course, while I was waiting, I started looking into the meds he is on, and I saw the Ataxia side effect of Gabapentin. I brought it up to the ER doc but she said it’s a very safe drug, etc and to leave him on it. They had no explanation for why all of a sudden he can’t walk. He does have some arthritis in his lower back but that is managed well with CBD and Cosequin – he has NEVER collapsed like that, with his back feet turning out and sliding around so he can’t stand up or has to walk crouched and eventually just lies down – it was a very difficult day yesterday. This morning (since he hadn’t had a dose since last night) he was walking so much better. Walked around the back yard, had a poo, ate well. He was due for his gabapentin so I gave it to him and sure enough a few hours later he is looking like he did yesterday…can barely stand, dragging his back legs around. I have 2 questions: 1. Since it comes and goes, and seems to show up after his latest dose, could it be the Gabapentin even though the ER doc said she didn’t think it was? 2. Once a dog starts on Gabapentin, how long does it take for these side effects to show up? He started it the day he was discharged Wed 9/21 and the hind leg/weakness showed up Sat 9/24 so 72 hours later…would it take that long to manifest? THANK YOU SO MUCH for any info you can provide! At his age and with what he has gone through, I don’t want him to suffer anymore and I am just looking for guidance. I may cut it down to 1x a day and give it to him at bedtime since he is also on Meloxidyl suspension for pain and he is on day 7 post-op. THANK YOU THANK YOU! – Buddy’s Mom
Hi Allison,
I completely understand your concern over these possible side effects. I am glad you have reached out for advice and applaud you for taking such quick action to get Buddy the medical attention he needed. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. But I do think this sounds like a benign side effect of the Gabapentin. Usually, I see the ataxia start after the first dose, but it is possible it took a few doses to reach therapeutic level in the body. I think your idea of cutting back to once daily dosing is a good idea. Please let your vet know you are making this change to Buddy’s medication just so they can stay up to date with how his healing is progressing. I am impressed with how strong your pup is and how he keeps overcoming these obstacles. I hope he is feeling good today and will make a full recovery. Bless you both!
Veterinary behaviorist prescribed gabapentin for severe separation anxiety my 8-year-old standard poodle developed in the last year, but I told her twice I didn’t think it was the right choice and I didn’t feel comfortable with it. I’ve never heard of gabapentin being used prn or for separation anxiety, and I told her 2 other meds that are recommended for separation anxiety that I would be comfortable with. I feel like the vet didn’t hear my concerns, so I shoved it in the back of a drawer and don’t plan to give it to him. I feel like her aim is to just drug him to get him to shut up. I think I feel safer leaving for work and he has an anxiety attack rather than him being home alone and drugged. I had to take it myself after surgery for nerve pain and experienced a severe mood shift, and I’d never take it again. It’s really frustrating. I paid her $500 for an hour appointment that didn’t resolve anything.
Hi Stevie,
I am sorry you are in this stressful situation with your senior guy. I understand your concern, especially after having had unwanted side effects from this medication yourself. Luckily dogs don’t usually respond to medications the same way as humans. Did you try giving the gabapentin to see if it worked before putting it away in the drawer? You could always try a dose of the medication around bedtime while you are at home to see if you notice any issues with your pup. With all that being said, you have to find a vet that you can feel comfortable partnering with to manage your dog’s heatlh care. Not everyone fits well with each different personality type. I’d recommend reaching out to a different vet and see if you can find the perfect match for you. Even though most vets are general practitioners and not behavior specialists, all vets should be able to prescribe anxiety medications and follow up with how things are progressing, making changes if needed. I hope you can find the right help for your sweet boy that will allow him to rest peacefully and give him the best quality of life.
I think it’s awesome you are not just taking the vets word for something. I’ve heard “it shouldn’t “ or “I don’t think so “ before. EVERY pet reacts differently. If it were me I’d take your baby off it ASAP. I suggest a consult with a neurologist. I agree these could be neurological episodes, possibly triggered by drugs or just happenstance. . I had a GSD that on two occasions did something similar regarding the walking. His legs basically locked out and he couldn’t get up. It was awful to watch him try. He also had a blank look while it happened. One time his pupils were not the same size. Try and check your dogs pupils if it happens again. Long story short we never figured out what happened and only happened twice. I also strongly urge you to seek a holistic doctor that practices traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to compliment current treatments. You’d be surprised what herbs can do. They’ve been used 1000’s of years. They are not pushed by regular vets or human doctors bc they are not FDA approved. There is no money in it so there are no studies sponsored by drug companies. They could potentially help greatly with anxiety and pain. Also consider acupuncture from your holistic vet. It can also be used for a plethora of issues. Id also consider dog training for the anxiety. Anything to relieve the stress for the dog. One thing they say is to ignore the dog for about 10 minutes when you get home bs the high pitched voice reaction. And leave and come back at shorter intervals (can start at 15 seconds or less even) to condition the dog and work your way up to longer intervals over time. That way they learn you will be back. I love the “behaviorist” just drugs your dog. However, do know that gabapentin has a lot of off label uses. I could see how it would be given prn for anxiety.
Hi Doc,
First, thank you for the reassurance this article instilled in me regarding dosing our pup.
Our (now 6 month old 40lb) pup had an accident with a TBI when she was <2 months old. (Punctured brain, broken skull, eye socket, eyeball, etc…) and has overall recovered well. She was prescribed gabapentin by a specialty hospital across the state, and our local vet(s) doesn’t seem to be very knowledgeable (small town). We were told it should alleviate some of the side effects she would have from such a traumatic injury of the brain.
She was 14lbs and was prescribed 50mg 3x a day, and now at 40 lbs taking 150mg 3x a day. It seemed like complete (math in the head) guessing on the dosage. Does this seem low, high, or right on for preventative care?
She no longer seems to be in any pain, so I would assume the seizure treatment would be the best dosage for her.
The specialty hospital won’t see her again to give a proper dosage, as they are an emergency ICU only..and our local vet has admitted to being unfamiliar with using gabapentin.
Could you advise on if this dosage could be safely increased?
She is completely blind from the trauma, and her gait has always been wobbly since the accident. I just feel as she grows the wobbliness and falling gets worse, and was hoping an increased dosage would help.
Local vet’s advice was to” play around “ with the dose to find what (we) “are comfortable with.”
We just love this little lady so much and want her as comfortable as possible.
Thank you so very much.
Constance
Hi Constance,
I understand your concern for your pup and her ongoing needs related to her previous TBI. The original dosage that was prescribed for your girl was the standard starting dose for neuropathic pain. The current dose of 150mg every 8 hours is at the high end of the recommended dosing range in the version of the veterinary drug formulary that I currently use. With that being said, your vet may be able to increase the dosage of the Gabapentin a bit, but if it is not working as expected at this level then it may be time to investigate other alternatives. Also, one common side effect of Gabapentin is ataxia (wobbling) and mild sedation. So, if your dog’s wobbling and falling is increasing around the same time the Gabapentin dosage is being adjusted, it could be side effects of the medication and not an indication that the severity of your pup’s condition is worsening. There should be a veterinary neurologist that could offer some advice even if just by phone consult. Your vet can call specialty hospitals in other cities if needed. I hope you can find the answers you need to offer your special pup the best quality of life possible. Best wishes to you and your sweet girl.
Thank you so much, doc! I’ll be purchasing some toe grips now. If she could get traction, it would be much easier for her to move about. Thank you again!
Hello! My 15 yr old chihuahua has been on gabapentin for pain for some time now and had done really well. He’s also on an NSAID once a day, Metacam. He was boarded at my vet last week, and when we picked him up, it was clear he had kennel cough. They wanted me to give him doxycycline and temeril-p. They said to take him off the NSAID for a couple of days before starting the temeril-p, but I’ve had some issues with my vet and worry that’s not enough time. Also, will temeril-p interact with gabapentin? He’s also on selegiline for dementia and Hycodan for trachea collapse. Although he take a lot of meds, he’s active and in good health for his age. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Alex,
I understand your concern for your senior pup and the addition of these new medications. In general, 2 to 3 days is a long enough washout period when discontinuing NSAIDs and starting a steroid containing medication. If you are still worried, it is fine to wait an additional day. My gut reaction was that temaril-p should be fine to give with the gabapentin. Just to be sure I looked both medications up in the veterinary drug manual and there are no contraindications or interactions listed for these medications when given together. I hope your little guy will respond favorably to his treatment and can make a full recovery from his kennel cough infection. Keep up the good work and give your sweet boy a hug for me.
Thank you so much for the advice!
I brought my 12 yo, 60 lb Chow Chow home today from an overnight stay after a surgical removal of a mass on his liver. The pain medication prescribed was 300 mg of gabapentin. The hospital gave him 1 pill at 7 AM and he is due for another at 7 PM. However, at 12:30 PM when we picked him up while he walked to the car OK, he laid down on the ground before he got into the car and had a terrible time getting back up, as if his back legs weren’t working properly. He has arthritic hips so I thought maybe that was it. He had a terrible time getting into the house and has been sleeping ever since then except for one time and moved 4 feet with great effort and help from me. Now he’s due for another one and I’m not inclined to give him one. He lifts up his head now and then but it’s as if he has vertigo. I realize sedation and wobbling are side effects, but this seems pretty severe.
(BTW: We are a new customer of your toe grips and he’s only been wearing them a week but wow what a difference!)
Hi K.A.,
I understand your concern for your big guy and this extreme sedation and wobbling. From what you describe it does sound like gabapentin side effects. I recommend you talk to your vet and see if they want to decrease the dosage or frequency of administration. Although the vertigo like symptoms can be worrisome, it is probably best your boy is somewhat sedated the day after surgery. You would rather have him wobbly than painful from his abdominal procedure. Thank you for sharing your experience with ToeGrips! I am so glad you have noticed an improvement in your dog’s mobility and quality of life. Praying he makes a full recovery and is resting comfortably at home. Best wishes to you both.