Gabapentin is a medication that is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to treat pain relief, anxiety, or seizures in dogs. It was originally developed as an anticonvulsant medication for humans, but it has been found to be effective in treating dogs as well. Gabapentin works by blocking calcium channels in the brain to suppress overly stimulated neurons that cause anxiety, nerve pain, and seizures.

Here are some key points about gabapentin use in dogs:

• Gabapentin is commonly used to treat seizures, anxiety, and nerve pain in dogs.
• Gabapentin is available in several forms that are human-labeled products: 100 mg (capsules and tablets), 300 mg (capsules and tablets), and 400 mg (tablets) .
• Gabapentin is an oral medication that can be given with or without food.
• Gabapentin is commonly used with a cocktail of other anti-seizure drugs to control seizures.
• Gabapentin is also commonly combined with tramadol or NSAIDs such as carprofen or gapriprant for pain relief.
• Gabapentin is a human medication, and its use in veterinary medicine is “off-label,” meaning it is not FDA-approved for pets.
• Gabapentin should be used with caution in animals with liver or kidney disease, as it will take longer to metabolize.
• Gabapentin should not be used in pets that are allergic to it.
• Some liquid oral formulations of gabapentin contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs, so it is important to read the label before administering it to your dog.

If your veterinarian has prescribed gabapentin for your dog, either by itself or in combination with another drug, it is probably because it is the best drug for your dog’s situation.