Advice Needed: How to Administer a Dose of Gabapentin

[Critter Mom]

Hi all,

Lúnasa, my civvie, is due at the vets in the morning for a blood draw and (hopefully) a cysto.

The Noodle is a tad difficult (ahem!) at the vets and she has had to be sedated in the past for blood draws, etc. The vet hopes that giving her gabapentin prior to the visit will calm her enough to allow the procedures to take place without the need for sedation.

My problem: the gapapentin capsule is really big. Can any of you give me any tips on how to administer this med, please? She's not allowed to eat anything and she's only allowed 15ml of fluid with which to wash it down. Wondering whether it could be mixed into the fluids but I don't know whether it tastes bad. It's really difficult to get her to accept fluids via syringe. (I have the scars to prove it... )

Any ideas?


Mogs
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[Nan & Amber (GA)]

I used to open the capsule and mix it with extra-yummy food. Amber never seemed to mind (and she was much easier to deal with at the vet, too-- sometimes, they didn't even need to use the giant oven mitts to handle her!). I have heard that gaba is bitter, though, so Amber may not be typical.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Gabapentin tastes terrible. I just administer the human 100mg gabapentin (they should be #3 gelcaps) with a pill popper. I tried hiding the capsule in a pill pocked but that did not work. If I opened the capsule and mixed it with either food or the pill pocket it would not be eaten.

 

[JaxBenji]

Hi Mogs - Good luck with the gaba! Have you seen this article - https://fearfreepets.com/study-gabapentin-reduces-stress-cats-veterinary-visits/

I just started using it for Jax (also historically sedated for vet visits...his chart notes say "feisty kitty" ) - at his dental consult last month (so no blood draw), they were able to examine him with only minimal hissing and teeth showing We did 100mg the night before and another 100mg two hours before his visit. I opened the capsule and mixed it with a little food and water - tbh, he was suspicious but since it was the only food option, he ate it ...not sure how it is in liquid...FWIW, Jax is going in for his actual dental surgery tomorrow and he was okayed by his doctor for 2 teaspoons of food to get the gaba in him.

Also, my vet gave us extra pills incase he didn't eat it and I needed to try pilling. Gaba is pretty cheap here in the US.

And, you may know this, but keep an eye on Lunasa as a side affect is ataxia. I keep Jax in a room with nothing to jump on.

Paws crossed it works for her

 

[Teetee (UK)]

Mogs, we use this method with Duke when he has his twice daily milk thistle tablet plus when he used to have his Synoquin and they were big capsules.
We took him of the Synoquin because of the glucosomine in it.

Good luck

 

[Diana&Tom]

Sorry I can’t really help, Mogs, don’t know about the capsules but my vet gives me tiny little pills of gabapentin, 25mg each, that I manage to hide into treats before get visits... I use the Natures Menu treats which are quite soft so you can mould it around the pill. Maybe ask for that next time?
Good luck at the vet, let us know how it goes,

 

[Critter Mom]

we use this method with Duke

Ta for the vid, Tee. That's the same method I use and it works really well for us, but all of the Noodle's other med doses are tiny. I'm scared of the capsule getting stuck ... (Heaven forbid!). It's good to know that you've had success using this method with larger lumps of medical goodness. Makes me a little less frit.




Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

they didn't even need to use the giant oven mitts to handle her!

I've got a pair of those somewhere. I bought them in anticipation of her being really difficult to pill but, anti-jinx, she pleasantly surprised me in that direction - well, most of the time. I have had the odd occasion where she managed to hook her claws into my cuticles. (Ow.)

I have heard that gaba is bitter

Gabapentin tastes terrible.

That's what I feared. She doesn't even like slippery elm, so I reckon mixing the capsule with fluids is going to be a non-starter.

I've only got the one capsule so no chance for a take 2 either.


Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

Hi Susanne,

I just started using it for Jax (also historically sedated for vet visits...his chart notes say "feisty kitty" )

I reckon the Noodle's notes probably read 'psychotic cow'.

Thank you for the link and the tip about ataxia. I'll put up the kitty penthouse ready for the quare one's return home.

Jax is going in for his actual dental surgery tomorrow and he was okayed by his doctor for 2 teaspoons of food to get the gaba in him.

You did well. It was all I could do to negotiate our vet up from 10ml to 15ml of fluid to help get the capsule down. It's a worry because I suspect that Lúnasa has an issue with acid reflux and I want to protect her little oesophagus. (((Noodle)))

Sending lots of positive vibes for Jax's dental.

(((Jax)))




Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

Hi Diana,

Sorry I can’t really help, Mogs, don’t know about the capsules but my vet gives me tiny little pills of gabapentin, 25g each, that I manage to hide into treats before get visits...

That's actually a massive help, Diana. It's good to know that there is an alternative to the jumbo capsule. I'll be sure to ask our vets about the small pills for the future: they'd be a much more straightforward option for the Noodle, and therefore much less of a worry for her bewildered mammy.


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

Hi Diana,


That's actually a massive help, Diana. It's good to know that there is an alternative to the jumbo capsule. I'll be sure to ask our vets about the small pills for the future: they'd be a much more straightforward option for the Noodle, and therefore much less of a worry for her bewildered mammy.


Mogs
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Yes do ask Mogs. They’re pretty little pink pills, very girly

 

[Teetee (UK)]

Ta for the vid, Tee. That's the same method I use and it works really well for us, but all of the Noodle's other med doses are tiny. I'm scared of the capsule getting stuck ... (Heaven forbid!). It's good to know that you've had success using this method with larger lumps of medical goodness. Makes me a little less frit.




Mogs
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You could try rubbing a little butter on the capsule first Mogs to make it a little slippery and easier for her to swallow.
I have just measured the Synoquin capsules and they are 22mm x 8.5mm, so pretty big and Duke had no problem swallowing them.

 

[Critter Mom]

They’re pretty little pink pills, very girly

I hate pink. I don't do girly.




Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

I have just measured the Synoquin capsules and they are 22mm x 8.5mm,

Horse pills!


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

I hate pink. I don't do girly.




Mogs
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Haha why did I think you’d say that...

 

[Critter Mom]

Haha why did I think you’d say that...

You know me far too well, Diana. (I'm not sure if that's a good thing...)




Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

You could try rubbing a little butter on the capsule first Mogs to make it a little slippery and easier for her to swallow.

Going to try this. I just hope I get it into the cat rather than torpedo it across the kitchen.


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

You know me far too well, Diana. (I'm not sure if that's a good thing...)




Mogs
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Love you Mogs!

 

[Critter Mom]

Love you Mogs!

Right back atcha, Diana.




Mogs
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[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I used to get the regular100mg capsules, open them, and split them up into smaller capsules. I’d wrap it in a pill pocket and Minnie would eat it up. I hope you managed. For the future, there’s also a liquid form you can get compounded. It may be easier than the capsules for ya!

good luck!!!

 

[Critter Mom]

For the future, there’s also a liquid form you can get compounded. It may be easier than the capsules for ya!

Thanks for the tip about the liquid formulation, Ale. I hope I manage to administer the jumbo capsule OK in the morning.


Mogs
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[Teetee (UK)]

Going to try this. I just hope I get it into the cat rather than torpedo it across the kitchen.


Mogs
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Lol.

 

[Critter Mom]

It's down! Very nearly wasn't...

To paraphrase Ol' Blue Eyes:

♫ I did it sideways... ♫


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

It's down! Very nearly wasn't...

To paraphrase Ol' Blue Eyes:

♫ I did it sideways... ♫


Mogs
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Knew you had it in you Mogs! Or should I say, knew you would get it in the Noodle
Good luck today xx

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Yay atta girls!!!

And now you have options for next time. The liquid version may be your best bet.

 

[Critter Mom]

How long does it normally take for the side effects of the dose to wear off? Quite worried at the moment. Dose was administered over 10 hours ago and the Noodle still can't walk properly.


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

How long does it normally take for the side effects of the dose to wear off? Quite worried at the moment. Dose was administered over 10 hours ago and the Noodle still can't walk properly.


Mogs
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What was the dose Mogs? With the 4 x 25mg tablets I find the effect wears off after about six hours.

 

[Critter Mom]

It was a 100mg capsule.


Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

How severe were the side effects, Diana? Lúnasa's looked like a cat with severe neuropathy most of the day. Her hind legs are still weak.


Mogs
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[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Amber used to get pretty zonked out for the rest of the day from 100mg (can't say about apparent neuropathy because, uh, she never did move much), but was fine the next day. She was a big cat, though, over 16lbs. How big is Lúnasa?

If you're concerned about what you're seeing, I'd definitely call the vet to discuss.

 

[Diana&Tom]

How severe were the side effects, Diana? Lúnasa's looked like a cat with severe neuropathy most of the day. Her hind legs are still weak.


Mogs
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My Sapphire was really just a bit groggy and wobbly for a few hours until the med wore off almost imperceptibly, really. Maybe the effects vary depending on the weight of the cat? Saff is fairly big. I’m sure you’ll find the effects wear off in the next few hours... let is know.

 

[Critter Mom]

She was a big cat, though, over 16lbs. How big is Lúnasa?

She's currently 9.7lb | 4.4kg (just a smidge under her ideal weight).

If you're concerned about what you're seeing, I'd definitely call the vet to discuss.

Ahead of you, Nan. Called the vets (again) and they told me it could take up to 24 hours for her to return to normal. Earlier today they told me she would be fine in a couple of hours. When she's had the regular injected sedative in the past she's fully recovered by about 3pm. Right now she's so groggy I can't feed her (unsafe to do so), can't give her her BP med. She's had real difficulty trying to use the litter box.

If they'd told me in the first instance that gabapentin could affect the Noodle like this I would never have given it to her. She has been a complete mess all day. It was pitched to me as a gentler and shorter-acting alternative to the injected sedative.

I am not a happy camper.


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

She's currently 9.7lb | 4.4kg (just a smidge under her ideal weight).


Ahead of you, Nan. Called the vets (again) and they told me it could take up to 24 hours for her to return to normal. Earlier today they told me she would be fine in a couple of hours. When she's had the regular injected sedative in the past she's fully recovered by about 3pm. Right now she's so groggy I can't feed her (unsafe to do so), can't give her her BP med. She's had real difficulty trying to use the litter box.

If they'd told me in the first instance that gabapentin could affect the Noodle like this I would never have given it to her. She has been a complete mess all day. It was pitched to me as a gentler and shorter-acting alternative to the injected sedative.

I am not a happy camper.


Mogs
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Sorry to hear this Mogs. I guess we all - all living things - metabolise things in a different way. I also wonder if in this case it’s due to no food being on board when it was given - might have meant it hit harder? Just a thought.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Sorry to hear this Mogs. I guess we all - all living things - metabolise things in a different way. I also wonder if in this case it’s due to no food being on board when it was given - might have meant it hit harder? Just a thought.

Or it might mean that a lower dose is appropriate for her. I wouldn't necessarily give up on the gaba as an alternative to full-on sedation, assuming it worked as hoped for the appointment. I worry about sedation, too...

Hoping she bounces back soon .

 

[Critter Mom]

I also wonder if in this case it’s due to no food being on board when it was given -

Instructions from the vet:

- No food after midnight.
- Administer gabapentin capsule 1 hour prior to appointment time.
- At a push, give a maximum of 15ml oral fluids to wash down the capsule. Absolutely no food.

I fed Lúnasa just before midnight so that her fast would be as short as possible.

I wouldn't necessarily give up on the gaba as an alternative to full-on sedation,

At one stage today, Lúnasa looked like she might be having a CKD crash. When I took her up to the bathroom to use the facilities she crawled into a corner and looked worse than this:

Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

So sorry for your worry, Mogs. Obvs I’m no vet but I’ve not been told to give gaba on an empty stomach before... only guessing that that could be part of the issue. All paws crossed that your little baby will shake off her side effects soon ...

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Your poor little girl.... I hope she comes out of it soon...

 

[Critter Mom]

Or it might mean that a lower dose is appropriate for her. I wouldn't necessarily give up on the gaba as an alternative to full-on sedation, assuming it worked as hoped for the appointment. I worry about sedation, too...

I just had a gander at the gabapentin listing at marvistavet.com. From the listing:

Gabapentin is removed from the body via the kidneys. If it is to be used in a patient with kidney insufficiency the dose will need to be modified or another product should be selected.​

Not a whisper about this from the vet. Lúnasa has IRIS stage III renal insufficiency.

Note to self: Must always do own research. (Shame on me: I really do know better. )


Mogs
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[Nan & Amber (GA)]

gah! I didn't know that either...

 

[Diana&Tom]

I just had a gander at the gabapentin listing at marvistavet.com. From the listing:

Gabapentin is removed from the body via the kidneys. If it is to be used in a patient with kidney insufficiency the dose will need to be modified or another product should be selected.​

Not a whisper about this from the vet. Lúnasa has IRIS stage III renal insufficiency.

Note to self: Must always do own research. (Shame on me: I really do know better. )


Mogs
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Vets.... grrrr... even the best ones don’t get everything right

 

[Critter Mom]

Obvs I’m no vet but I’ve not been told to give gaba on an empty stomach before

The Noodle needed to be fasted prior to the blood draw, Diana, hence the dose admin on an empty tum.


Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

gah! I didn't know that either...

Also, according to the marvistavet.com listing, gabapetin can give rise to false positives for urine protein. My cat has CKD. Her blood and urine tests today were specifically to check her CKD status, and urine protein is an ever so slightly important value. I don't know how much of the drug might have found its way into her urine in the space of 2 hours but now there'll be a a question mark over the validity of her urine protein result.


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

Also, according to the marvistavet.com listing, gabapetin can give rise to false positives for urine protein. My cat has CKD. Her blood and urine tests today were specifically to check her CKD status, and urine protein is an ever so slightly important value. I don't know how much of the drug might have found its way into her urine in the space of 2 hours but now there'll be a a question mark over the validity of her urine protein result.


Mogs
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Are you going to challenge the vet about this Mogs?

 

[Critter Mom]

Are you going to challenge the vet about this Mogs?

I will discuss it with the vet. It's possible he may be able to give me additional information as to how likely it is that the test result may have been adversely affected. If not, the issue's flagged for the next time.

The quare one's pupils are still like dinner plates, and her little body still feels leaden when I pick her up.


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

I will discuss it with the vet. It's possible he may be able to give me additional information as to how likely it is that the test result may have been adversely affected. If not, the issue's flagged for the next time.

The quare one's pupils are still like dinner plates, and her little body still feels leaden when I pick her up.


Mogs
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Poor baby. Has she eaten anything?

 

[Critter Mom]

I can't feed her until she's more with it, Diana. Try to feed her any sooner and there's a risk of choking.


Mogs
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[Diana&Tom]

I can't feed her until she's more with it, Diana. Try to feed her any sooner and there's a risk of choking.


Mogs
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Ok yes sure. Really hope she’ll come out of this soon.

 

[Tom & Thomas (GA)]

Just as another data point...

My Becca's pre-vet mood adjustment routine is 50mg of gabapentin, half the capsule, sprinkled over food two hours before the appointment. This leaves her mellow but not zorked out.

When she recently had to go in for fasting labs, the vet said it would be OK to give her just enough food to get the gabapentin down. To be on the safe side, I decided to tough it out and skip the gaba. I only bled for ten or fifteen minutes.

 

[Diana&Tom]

How are things today, Mogs?

 

[Teetee (UK)]

How is she Mogs?