Gabapentin and Congestive Heart Failure

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April & Quincy

April & Quincy

Member Since 2019
I took my civvie with Congestive Heart Failure to the vet for his bi-annual check-up and he was a total a-hole. He was hissing and trying to attack the vet so she told me to bring him back once he's had some gabapentin. Is this safe for his heart issues? I did some researched, and granted it's on humans, but it looks like there is potential that it is NOT safe and could cause heart failure in humans! I know he's a cat but I also don't want to risk giving him gabapentin when already has heart failure as it is. I also found this: https://vcs.vetmed.wsu.edu/research...oral medication,to cats with heart conditions.

What do you guys know about it? Is it safe to give him for the trip to the vet with his current problems? It doesn't seem so. The vet insisted it was safe.Thanks so much.
 
I work with CHF patients (humans) most of which are severely ill. There are any number of people who are prescribed both gabapentin and a boat load of cardiac medications. While it's anxiety reducing effects may also lower heart rate, gabapentin wouldn't be a problem unless your cat's heart rate is abnormally low already or if blood pressure is low. That's rarely the case in CHF.
 
To be fair to the vet I have seen animals that just cannot be examined properly. We had a cat named Andrew who was very sick and we needed a blood sample. Against the vet's insurance policy I was called into the exam room to be one of the five people it took to pin Andrew to the table and this was after he was "hooded". Andrew once sent a tech to the hospital, his file labeled him as a 'known biter'.
You'll have to clear this with a vet but we used to give Valium to a dog that was more than terrified of thunder and fireworks. That might be an option but that was one case and I'm by no means medically qualified to advise you on that point. Maybe you're right and the vet chose the wrong profession, either way do what's best for the your cat and worry about what kind of person he is later. Best of luck.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
I work with CHF patients (humans) most of which are severely ill. There are any number of people who are prescribed both gabapentin and a boat load of cardiac medications. While it's anxiety reducing effects may also lower heart rate, gabapentin wouldn't be a problem unless your cat's heart rate is abnormally low already or if blood pressure is low. That's rarely the case in CHF.
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The vet took his blood pressure (she was able to do that) and it was 120 which she said was good. So thank you! I'll try not to worry...
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
To be fair to the vet I have seen animals that just cannot be examined properly. We had a cat named Andrew who was very sick and we needed a blood sample. Against the vet's insurance policy I was called into the exam room to be one of the five people it took to pin Andrew to the table and this was after he was "hooded". Andrew once sent a tech to the hospital, his file labeled him as a 'known biter'.
You'll have to clear this with a vet but we used to give Valium to a dog that was more than terrified of thunder and fireworks. That might be an option but that was one case and I'm by no means medically qualified to advise you on that point. Maybe you're right and the vet chose the wrong profession, either way do what's best for the your cat and worry about what kind of person he is later. Best of luck.
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Oh, I didn't mean the VET was an a-hole!! I meant my cat! He was horrible; I've never seen him that way. No, the vet was very kind and gentle with him. She handled it perfectly and I can't blame her that she wants him to come back with a sedative. I would want that too.
 
Then we have the same cat. I feed him and he chomps the tip of my nose. Let me know if you have any sedatives left over. o_O
Seriously, good luck with everything. We've all been where you are now. :bighug:
 
Don't mean to clog up the thread. We had a family of six that all had cardiomyopathy so I do know what you're dealing with.
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
Don't mean to clog up the thread. We had a family of six that all had cardiomyopathy so I do know what you're dealing with.
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Oh my gosh, SIX!!! That is insane. How did you handle it? It was so hard at first. I cried and cried. Now I am worried any little stress will send him over the edge. It's been a year since his diagnosis. I am used to all the meds now but at the beginning it was so hard. I know we don't have much time left together and I try to cherish every moment I can. He is 14 so he has lived a good life. When he was diagnosed, he was so doing so bad that the vet actually suggested euthanasia but I couldn't do it and he seems to be much better since then. Anyways, I digress. How did you handle six cats with cardiomyopathy? How long did they survive after their diagnosis? It is so nice to have someone who can relate.
 
Okay, this is kind of sad and after this I need to go. My advice would be to keep doing what you're doing, cherish the time you have left, know that you gave him 14 good years and that he loves you for doing that.
Of the six only Noah lived past eight. There was nothing we could do so we just gave them normal lives. Not putting them through a bunch of tests, poking and prodding is what saved our sanity and made them feel like normal cats. Please don't feel bad you asked me this, this is about you and your cat and I don't do the guilt trip thing. It's a normal question to ask. Don't make yourself crazy with guilt over 'what if' and 'if only I had known', it won't help. We can talk more later if you need to.
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
Okay, this is kind of sad and after this I need to go. My advice would be to keep doing what you're doing, cherish the time you have left, know that you gave him 14 good years and that he loves you for doing that.
Of the six only Noah lived past eight. There was nothing we could do so we just gave them normal lives. Not putting them through a bunch of tests, poking and prodding is what saved our sanity and made them feel like normal cats. Please don't feel bad you asked me this, this is about you and your cat and I don't do the guilt trip thing. It's a normal question to ask. Don't make yourself crazy with guilt over 'what if' and 'if only I had known', it won't help. We can talk more later if you need to.
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Thank you so much for your answer. I completely understand what you're saying. The vet wants to run more tests and check his kidneys because of the meds he's on but I almost don't want to do that. I know his time is limited and I don't want to have more poking and prodding as you say and I don't want yet another medication. He's on enough as it is, not to mention, my funds aren't unlimited. I just love and care for him so much and want the best quality of life for him yet, as you say, the what if's...they make me crazy.

Thank you again for talking to me about this and for being there in the future. I might need it. Enjoy your day. :)
 
My Neko had cardiomyopathy and went into CHF a couple times. She also had bradycardia (slow heart rate), blood pressure was normal. Her primary vet was, in the vet's words "not her favourite person". :p:p Towels and once a muzzle went into the exam room for blood draws at that vet. She was much better behaved at her acupuncture vet where I once helped hold her for the blood draw (standard practice there) or at the specialty hospital. Though I do remember the cardiologist being concerned once when she wasn't her usual "feisty" self. Anyway, Neko got Rescue Remedy for Pets before we left for the vet's office and Feliway spray in her carrier. It seemed to help. I don't know if something like a Thundershirt would help? Neko also had a harness (Kitty Holster) that fitted similarly and seemed to help calm her down.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
My Neko had cardiomyopathy and went into CHF a couple times. She also had bradycardia (slow heart rate), blood pressure was normal. Her primary vet was, in the vet's words "not her favourite person". :p:p Towels and once a muzzle went into the exam room for blood draws at that vet. She was much better behaved at her acupuncture vet where I once helped hold her for the blood draw (standard practice there) or at the specialty hospital. Though I do remember the cardiologist being concerned once when she wasn't her usual "feisty" self. Anyway, Neko got Rescue Remedy for Pets before we left for the vet's office and Feliway spray in her carrier. It seemed to help. I don't know if something like a Thundershirt would help? Neko also had a harness (Kitty Holster) that fitted similarly and seemed to help calm her down.
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Hmmm... A muzzle is an interesting thing that might need to happen. He was hissing quite a bit but his claws were what ended the exam this time. I'm not too thrilled with the gabapentin option but I think I'll have to do that for his next exam... In a week and a half. I mean, he's been seeing the vet for 14 years so this is a rather new occurrence. Then again his exam was after his brother's so maybe he was just sick of waiting? I don't know. When he first got the diagnosis I had to use towels to wrap him when I gave his medicine but now I don't need to. Thanks for your advice. I might have to try it!
 
April, I've made a big mistake. Without knowing all the medical details I've been writing as if the end was near, that's more than shortsighted on my part. I've seen a lot of cats who were blessed with little miracles that went way beyond their 'best before' date. Maybe it's your turn.
The "Well known member" below my avatar only means I've been here for a while and nothing more. Sorry for that.
 
One other option - is there a chance a vet tech could come to your house to do a blood draw? Often the bad behaviour is saved for the vet's office.
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
April, I've made a big mistake. Without knowing all the medical details I've been writing as if the end was near, that's more than shortsighted on my part. I've seen a lot of cats who were blessed with little miracles that went way beyond their 'best before' date. Maybe it's your turn.
The "Well known member" below my avatar only means I've been here for a while and nothing more. Sorry for that.
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Oh no. You've done nothing wrong. I've read the statistics and I know he doesn't have long. I hope he does but I know with everything I've read it's unlikely. I hope he's a special one but I know it may not happen. I just am thankful to talk to someone who has experience in this area. :)
 
Wendy&Neko said:
One other option - is there a chance a vet tech could come to your house to do a blood draw? Often the bad behaviour is saved for the vet's office.
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I wish. They don't do that at the clinic I go to unfortunately. It looks like the gabapentin is the way this will be happening. :(
 
Are you taking him to a cardiologist? Neko managed to get out of CHF for a while. For her it was a balance of fluids needed for kidneys vs the heart not able to handle them. The cardio and IM vet got the balance right for a while, along with meds.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Are you taking him to a cardiologist? Neko managed to get out of CHF for a while. For her it was a balance of fluids needed for kidneys vs the heart not able to handle them. The cardio and IM vet got the balance right for a while, along with meds.
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No, just the normal vet. I'm unable to afford a specialist. The vet is going to check kidney function at his next appt but I'm worried that will be one more expensive med.
 
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