A pilot study of transdermal gabapentin in cats

[Larry and Kitties]

Our preliminary and small multistep study suggests that transdermally administered gabapentin in a Lipoderm base can permeate feline skin (cervical and ear pinna) and be detected in the serum of treated cats. These findings suggest transdermal application may be a reasonable route of administration in cats. Use of transdermally administered gabapentin at 10 mg/kg q8h decreased recorded pain scores after 5 days of treatment in our small study. Future studies evaluating the use of transdermally administered gabapentin in cats using the feline grimace scale, administration of gabapentin for a longer period of time, and comparing gabapentin concentrations using formulations from several compounding pharmacies should be performed.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvim.16137

 

[Wendy&Neko]

This is a promising pilot study. From the article:

A large cross-over study using blinded evaluation of the potential analgesic effect of gabapentin in a more homogeneous population of cats is recommended for a better understanding of gabapentin's role in the management of painful conditions in cats.

Hopefully someone will move forward with the larger study to compare against oral gabapentin and see what the long term effects are.

 

[Ann & Sister]

I read this with interest because my Monkeydo has been getting transdermal Gaba almost daily since August 2020, and although his vet says it is effective, I have not been convinced. The only report or study I could find on line seemed to say "no clinical studies have been conduced and published assessing the efficacy of gaba for the treatment of chronic pain in cats..." on some .gov website. But I continue to get it compounded and apply to his ears anyway. He is difficult to orally medicate.