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!
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
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.
Great. What's it called.