In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, is joined by Rebecca Reader, DVM, DACVAA, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Top 5 Uses for Gabapentin in Dogs & Cats.” Dr. Reader sorts through the evidence to help us differentiate between all the ways gabapentin can be used and all the ways it should be used, which are far fewer. She also shares useful dosing details. Finally, Dr. Reader discusses the potential for tighter restrictions, as gabapentin abuse by humans needs to be on everyone’s radar.
Key Takeaways
In spite of its name, gabapentin’s mechanism of action does not involve GABA; it likely blocks presynaptic calcium channels and reduces excitatory neurotransmitter release.
Current data supports 10 mg/kg as the analgesic dose, but rapid metabolism warrants q8 hour dosing in dogs and up to q6 hour dosing in cats.
Gabapentin can be beneficial in complicated or neuropathic pain states, but don’t rely on it as a sole agent.
Cats seem to be more responsive to single-agent gabapentin as a pre-visit medication than dogs.
Human abuse of gabapentin has become a problem—prescribe accordingly.
About Our Guest
Rebecca Reader, DVM, DACVAA, is an assistant professor of anesthesia and analgesia at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and a staff anesthesiologist at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Reader earned her DVM from Tufts University, where she also completed an internship in anesthesia and emergency/critical care and a residency in anesthesia and analgesia. She is certified in veterinary medical acupuncture through the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association/Curacore Integrative Medicine. Dr. Reader’s clinical interests include critical care anesthesia; management of perioperative pain, stress, and anxiety in hospitalized patients; perioperative risk assessment; and strategies to improve patient outcomes, particularly in exotic animals.
Contact us:
Podcast@briefmedia.com
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Twitter: @cliniciansbrief
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The Team:
Alyssa Watson, DVM - Host
Alexis Ussery - Producer & Multimedia Specialist