Thank you for writing this. I had never used gabapentin until a few months ago, when it was prescribed for pain relief both pre- and post-surgery for our kitty Lovebug. I noticed after administering gabapentin and an opiate the first night post-surgery, Lovebug started having really noticeable muscle twitches. I thought it was the opiate, so I suspended that, which left an anti-inflammatory med + gabapentin. After his next gabapentin dose, he began twitching again. I immediately stopped the gabapentin. He did perfectly fine and showed no signs of pain (purring and making biscuits) on just the anti-inflammatory for three days, so I have no intention of giving anyone gabapentin again.
I noticed he still has subtle muscle twitches now. Is it possible the gabapentin caused permanent neurological damage, and is this something I should be concerned about?
Another weird thing is the gabapentin seemed to evaporate in the bottle, so even thought I was supposed to give him a dose the morning of his surgery, the bottle was empty (despite having plenty in there originally; this had happened with the first bottle, too, as it ran out before I was able to complete the recommended doses). Is that a common occurrence with gabapentin?
It interacts with the calcium channels in cell membranes, which is likely responsible for the muscle twitching. The drug should wear off without lasting effects, especially after just a couple of doses.
I have never heard of it evaporating. If it were in a liquid form, it was most likely compounded? I dont know what the carrier liquid may have been?
Thank you, and good to know! The twitches are barely noticeable tics, mainly in his face, and don't seem to bother him at all.
Yes, it was liquid, and I had to press a plunger down. At first, I just thought I was having trouble seeing it because it was clear, but then I plunged it out, and it was just air! It happened with multiple bottles so was really strange. I was glad I didn't wind up needing or wanting it, after all!
I’d never even go to a vet who would prescribe it- why I don’t go to conventional vets. That and the “Rx” diets and Flagyl for every little tummy problem- agh,just no.
I had to go to a conventional vet about 2 yrs ago, a new one as I had moved.
This vet comes here to this isolated town once a month. She wanted to give my golden this medication, plus another one, can't recall which, but Its not something I wanted to do. I told her that I would contact my holistic vet. (I was really there just for a diagnosis).
She ended up telling me to find another vet. I've had to go back to my usual conventional vet, they don't mind that I prefer a holistic approach, at least they haven't refused to see my dogs, otherwise next vet is 3 hours away.
I'm in a lot of FB groups, one being a Jack Russell breed. There's not many there that not using at least one conventional med that you've written about. Its sad, I've been following those dogs healing, Not!
How bad is this drug for cats? My cat has been on 50mg 2xday for the treatment of feline hyperesthesia. Ive tried taking him off it but after 4days i cant stand him trying to kill his tail &in constant discomfort i start giving him the drug again.
My cat has been on the gabapentin for 5+yrs now.
What health conditions is that going to cause?
He was put on a strict raw food diet after he was out of the baby kitten stages. Never any kibble he had canned food in that stage.
I have tried the acupuncture treatments with him but that was during globe lockdown so i could not see them do the treatment i had to wait outside in my car until they would bring him back and hand me the bill requesting payment. It appeared to not work if they actually did it.
I would love to hear what u have to say on this topic of feline hyperesthesia. Thank you!
that is a tough one. I would try acupuncture, a chiropractic adjustment and even red light therapy amd massage. Being on the drug for that long will require very slowly taking him off to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
When u say slowly, does that mean reducing milligram doses and/or from 2xday to 1xday to 1x every other day to 2x week etc...? Would u recommend any supplements to help calm his tail and rolling skin down while weaning him off? The only way i can reduce dosage is eyeballing how much i add to his food and this gets tricky sometimes the capsules are very tiny and sometimes they are bigger with more powder that i suspect has harmful excipients added as a filler/anti caking ingred that will harm.
My Dachshunds back went out 2 times and each time was prescribed Tramadol and Gabapentin.
If not Gabapentin what would be a option. With his spinal disc location issue it is most likely to happen again. So i need options.. Suggestions please < yipiekaya@gmail.com >
I had a friend write this to me the other day. I was floored…
“Anyone needing to travel with a pet, I've been told by a pet travel assoc. that CBD gives cats hallucinations and not recommended... But Gabapentin powder at 1/6 of a human dose can be safely given if needed in cases of distress.”
It turns cats into zombies, so that you can essentially do anything to them. The question I have, is what is their internal state during these procedures? They are not unconscious, just complacent. There is some evidence, at higher doses it may harm their kidneys.
Thank you for writing this. I had never used gabapentin until a few months ago, when it was prescribed for pain relief both pre- and post-surgery for our kitty Lovebug. I noticed after administering gabapentin and an opiate the first night post-surgery, Lovebug started having really noticeable muscle twitches. I thought it was the opiate, so I suspended that, which left an anti-inflammatory med + gabapentin. After his next gabapentin dose, he began twitching again. I immediately stopped the gabapentin. He did perfectly fine and showed no signs of pain (purring and making biscuits) on just the anti-inflammatory for three days, so I have no intention of giving anyone gabapentin again.
I noticed he still has subtle muscle twitches now. Is it possible the gabapentin caused permanent neurological damage, and is this something I should be concerned about?
Another weird thing is the gabapentin seemed to evaporate in the bottle, so even thought I was supposed to give him a dose the morning of his surgery, the bottle was empty (despite having plenty in there originally; this had happened with the first bottle, too, as it ran out before I was able to complete the recommended doses). Is that a common occurrence with gabapentin?
It interacts with the calcium channels in cell membranes, which is likely responsible for the muscle twitching. The drug should wear off without lasting effects, especially after just a couple of doses.
I have never heard of it evaporating. If it were in a liquid form, it was most likely compounded? I dont know what the carrier liquid may have been?
Thank you, and good to know! The twitches are barely noticeable tics, mainly in his face, and don't seem to bother him at all.
Yes, it was liquid, and I had to press a plunger down. At first, I just thought I was having trouble seeing it because it was clear, but then I plunged it out, and it was just air! It happened with multiple bottles so was really strange. I was glad I didn't wind up needing or wanting it, after all!
I’d never even go to a vet who would prescribe it- why I don’t go to conventional vets. That and the “Rx” diets and Flagyl for every little tummy problem- agh,just no.
I had to go to a conventional vet about 2 yrs ago, a new one as I had moved.
This vet comes here to this isolated town once a month. She wanted to give my golden this medication, plus another one, can't recall which, but Its not something I wanted to do. I told her that I would contact my holistic vet. (I was really there just for a diagnosis).
She ended up telling me to find another vet. I've had to go back to my usual conventional vet, they don't mind that I prefer a holistic approach, at least they haven't refused to see my dogs, otherwise next vet is 3 hours away.
I'm in a lot of FB groups, one being a Jack Russell breed. There's not many there that not using at least one conventional med that you've written about. Its sad, I've been following those dogs healing, Not!
Good work, thank you
How bad is this drug for cats? My cat has been on 50mg 2xday for the treatment of feline hyperesthesia. Ive tried taking him off it but after 4days i cant stand him trying to kill his tail &in constant discomfort i start giving him the drug again.
My cat has been on the gabapentin for 5+yrs now.
What health conditions is that going to cause?
He was put on a strict raw food diet after he was out of the baby kitten stages. Never any kibble he had canned food in that stage.
I have tried the acupuncture treatments with him but that was during globe lockdown so i could not see them do the treatment i had to wait outside in my car until they would bring him back and hand me the bill requesting payment. It appeared to not work if they actually did it.
I would love to hear what u have to say on this topic of feline hyperesthesia. Thank you!
that is a tough one. I would try acupuncture, a chiropractic adjustment and even red light therapy amd massage. Being on the drug for that long will require very slowly taking him off to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
When u say slowly, does that mean reducing milligram doses and/or from 2xday to 1xday to 1x every other day to 2x week etc...? Would u recommend any supplements to help calm his tail and rolling skin down while weaning him off? The only way i can reduce dosage is eyeballing how much i add to his food and this gets tricky sometimes the capsules are very tiny and sometimes they are bigger with more powder that i suspect has harmful excipients added as a filler/anti caking ingred that will harm.
those specific questions require a consultation
My Dachshunds back went out 2 times and each time was prescribed Tramadol and Gabapentin.
If not Gabapentin what would be a option. With his spinal disc location issue it is most likely to happen again. So i need options.. Suggestions please < yipiekaya@gmail.com >
I reccomend a muscle relaxer, there are somee natural ones- and an antiinflammatory to take the pressure and swelling off the spinal cord.
Is it the same for cats?
I had a friend write this to me the other day. I was floored…
“Anyone needing to travel with a pet, I've been told by a pet travel assoc. that CBD gives cats hallucinations and not recommended... But Gabapentin powder at 1/6 of a human dose can be safely given if needed in cases of distress.”
It turns cats into zombies, so that you can essentially do anything to them. The question I have, is what is their internal state during these procedures? They are not unconscious, just complacent. There is some evidence, at higher doses it may harm their kidneys.
Sometimes cats do better at home for blood draws. There is a nationwide company that goes to the home and draws blood on dogs and cats.