If your dog suffers from seizures or anxiety, your vet may prescribe gabapentin. Gabapentin is a prescription medication that treats pain, seizures, and anxiety in pets. Because it has different uses, it’s crucial to understand gabapentin for dogs’ dosage by weight to ensure you’re giving them the proper amount based on their current needs.
So what is the gabapentin for dogs dosage by weight? It depends on what your vet is using it to treat and your dog’s weight and overall health. Keep reading to learn more about how vets determine the correct gabapentin dosage for your dog.
What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant commonly prescribed to treat seizures, pain, and anxiety in dogs. This medication works by modifying the neurotransmitter activity in the brain and is used as an extra-label prescription for pets.
Gabapentin is given by mouth, but the set schedule for your dog will depend on the condition your vet is trying to treat. Ultimately, the gabapentin for dogs dosage by weight will depend on several other factors. For example, the gabapentin for dogs dosage by weight for anxiety may be different from the dosage for treating seizures.
Uses
Gabapentin boasts a broad spectrum of applications, which encompass the treatment of various conditions such as nerve pain, seizures, and anxiety. It is frequently prescribed in conjunction with other pain relief medications, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to alleviate neuropathic pain. Gabapentin achieves this by obstructing calcium channels in the central nervous system, thereby preventing specific neurons from being triggered by pain. Moreover, there is potential for gabapentin to effectively reduce chronic joint pain associated with conditions like arthritis and other ailments. However, additional research is warranted to conclusively establish its efficacy in managing pain in dogs.
Originally designed for seizure management, gabapentin falls under the category of anticonvulsants. Although the precise mechanism through which gabapentin controls seizures remains unclear, its demonstrated effectiveness in reducing both the duration and severity of seizures is well-established.
Another noteworthy application of gabapentin in canines is its role in anxiety management. When combined with other anxiety medications, it exhibits the potential to substantially alleviate anxiety-related symptoms in dogs. Regrettably, limited research has been conducted on the efficacy of gabapentin for canine anxiety. Nevertheless, a recent study investigating the effects of a single oral dose of gabapentin in alleviating storm phobias in dogs showed a significant reduction in fear responses. Dogs administered doses of gabapentin ranging from 25 to 30 mg/kg exhibited this noteworthy improvement.
Side Effects
While gabapentin is tolerated well by most dogs, no medication is perfect. However, the side effects associated with gabapentin are generally mild since vets usually prescribe low trial doses to determine the medication’s effectiveness and safety. The most common side effects of gabapentin for dogs are tiredness (sedation) and loss of coordination. Other side effects include:
- GI upset
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Increased appetite
Drug Interactions
Gabapentin is commonly prescribed alongside other medications. For example, your dog might take fluoxetine daily and gabapentin before stressful events like going to the vet. However, it may interact with some drugs, so it’s crucial to let your vet know if your dog is taking any medication, vitamins, or supplements. Potential drug interactions include:
- Antacids
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
What Is The Recommended Gabapentin Dosage For Dogs By Weight
The standard method veterinarians employ to determine the appropriate dosage of gabapentin for dogs is by their weight. This medication is available in various strengths, such as 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg. However, the specific prescription for your dog depends on the condition being addressed. For instance, when treating seizures, the recommended starting dose for gabapentin in dogs is 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, administered twice daily, and can be increased to 30-60 mg per kilogram twice daily. As a general guideline, the recommended gabapentin dosage for dogs based on their weight is 5 mg per kilogram every 12 hours.
Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that every dog and medical condition is unique. The appropriate dosage may significantly differ for anxiety compared to pain, despite being based on weight. Consequently, veterinarians commonly initiate treatment with a low initial dose and request pet owners to monitor their pets for any signs of adverse reactions or changes in their behavior or perceived pain levels.
Given the considerable variation in gabapentin dosage for dogs based on their weight, it is imperative to closely adhere to your vet’s guidance to attain the desired outcomes. Some dogs may necessitate notably higher doses than others.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that gabapentin may take up to two hours to exhibit clinical improvements. However, when employed as an anti-seizure medication, it may take several weeks to achieve the desired results. As such, if your veterinarian prescribes gabapentin to manage your dog’s storm phobia, administering it at least two hours prior to the anticipated storm is advised. As a short-acting medication, its effects are typically no longer evident within 24 hours.
What Happens If You Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose of gabapentin, you should wait and give them the next scheduled dose.6 Doubling your dog’s dosages could increase their risk of an overdose.
Gabapentin Safety
When it comes to administering gabapentin to your dog, there are several critical considerations. First and foremost, it’s essential to be aware that an overdose of gabapentin can be detrimental to your dog’s health if they ingest an excessive amount. Moreover, some liquid forms of gabapentin may contain xylitol, a well-known toxin for dogs. An overdose can lead to life-threatening drops in blood sugar levels and liver damage.
If, by accident, your dog has been given an excessive dosage of gabapentin or has ingested more than prescribed, it is imperative to promptly reach out to your veterinarian or visit the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Alternatively, you can contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855-764-7661) for guidance on the next steps.
It’s crucial to understand that overdoses are entirely preventable. Your veterinarian will typically initiate the gabapentin treatment with a low dosage to assess its effectiveness in treating your dog’s specific condition. Subsequently, the dosage can be adjusted, either increased or decreased, based on your dog’s individual requirements.
Furthermore, you have the option to acquire a pill organizer for your dog, which can serve as an effective tool to prevent accidental double dosing. Properly storing your dog’s medication is equally vital, requiring you to consistently keep the child-proof lid securely in place and store the medication in a location that your dog cannot access, such as a medicine cabinet.
Always seek guidance from your veterinarian before administering gabapentin to your dog. Even if you have gabapentin intended for human use or other pets in your household, it is essential to exclusively provide your dog with medications prescribed specifically for their needs. Under no circumstances should you offer your dog gabapentin intended for humans or other animals, as the appropriate dosage can vary between species. Additionally, gabapentin may not be suitable for every dog, particularly those with conditions like liver or kidney disease.
Moreover, if your dog is prescribed gabapentin for daily use, it is crucial not to discontinue its administration abruptly. This abrupt cessation can elevate the risk of adverse side effects, potentially triggering seizures. Instead, it is advisable to gradually reduce your dog’s gabapentin dosage over a period of two to three weeks under the guidance of your veterinarian.
FAQs
How quickly does gabapentin work in dogs?
Gabapentin typically starts working in two hours or less. However, if your dog is taking gabapentin daily to treat seizures, pain, or anxiety, it may take a few weeks for you to notice any significant improvements. Gabapentin is considered a fast-acting medication, so if you’re using it for situational anxiety, you can give it to your dog two hours before a triggering event. For example, if your dog is afraid of the vet, you can give them gabapentin beforehand to help them stay calm.
Does gabapentin make dogs sleepy?
One of the side effects of gabapentin is sedation, which is why it makes such a good anxiety medication for dogs. However, the level of sleepiness varies from dog to dog. Some dogs may not feel tired on gabapentin, while others may nap more frequently until the medication wears off.
That said, gabapentin shouldn’t overly sedate your dog. Your vet will give your pet a low starting dose, and you should report back with any side effects, including sedation, to help your vet determine whether they should increase or decrease the dose. In some instances, your vet may suggest increasing the dosage on an as-needed basis.
For example, if your dog takes 50 mg of gabapentin every 12 hours to manage their daily anxiety, your vet might recommend they take an additional amount of the medication for triggering events. In this case, they might suggest giving your dog an extra 25 mg of gabapentin two hours before stressful events like vet visits, thunderstorms, or fireworks.
If gabapentin overly sedates your dog, your vet will likely decrease the dose and have your report back to see if there are any improvements in your dog’s condition and overall sleepiness.
Is gabapentin a strong painkiller for dogs?
Gabapentin is an analgesic that’s well-tolerated by most healthy dogs and can help relieve pain associated with neuropathy and arthritis. It’s typically used with other pain medications for dogs, such as NSAIDs or opioids, to further reduce inflammation and pain associated with a wide range of conditions.
Final Notes
Gabapentin for dogs has a variety of clinical uses that can improve your dog’s quality of life. Unfortunately, more research is still needed to determine its effectiveness in treating certain conditions like anxiety. However, numerous studies have been done on the effects of gabapentin in treating seizures and pain.