A random, blinded crossover study was conducted to determine whether a single 100-mg oral dose of gabapentin would be effective in reducing signs of stress and aggression during travel and improving cooperation during physical examination. Twenty clinically healthy cats with a history of fractious behavior or signs of stress during veterinary examination were included. Cats were randomly assigned to receive 100-mg gabapentin (13-29.4 mg/kg PO) or placebo prior to a veterinary visit; the opposite treatment was given prior to a second visit one week later. The assigned capsule was orally administered by owners 90 minutes prior to placing the cat in a carrier and transporting it to the veterinary clinic.
Owner-assessed cat stress scores during transportation and veterinary examination, as well as veterinarian-assessed cooperation (compliance) scores, were significantly lower in cats that received gabapentin as compared with cats that received placebo. Owner-perceived peak effect of gabapentin occured approximately 2 to 3 hours postadministration. Adverse effects occurred in 6 cats and included vomiting (n = 2), hypersalivation (n = 1), muscle fasciculation (n = 2), and anisocoria (n = 1). Follow-up with owners regarding their continued observations upon returning home was available for 15 cats; sedation was reported in 12 (80%) and ataxia (concurrent with sedation) in 6 (40%). All effects resolved within 8 hours of gabapentin administration.
The authors concluded that oral administration of 100-mg gabapentin to cats 90 minutes before travel led to a significant reduction in stress-related behaviors during transportation and examination and in attenuated aggression, thereby increasing cooperation during examination. The study authors further recommended that gabapentin at 20 mg/kg PO (vs 100 mg/cat) be given approximately 2 to 3 hours before transportation to the clinic for short-term anxiolysis. Owners should be warned about the potential for ataxia, and cats should be confined indoors until the effects resolve.