Gabapentin dosage

[Bubble and Squeak]

Bubble had two bladder stones removed in June. A few weeks ago he started to do squeaky wees again.....not all of the time, some days seemingly not at all, and other days quite a few times. When we went to the vet a few weeks ago, they couldn't feel any stones, and at the time Bubble had an empty bladder. They said to monitor him and to give him Metacam when needed, and to bring him back if he didn't improve. We have got both cat and dog metcam. The cat Metacam was the 2kg dose (x 1 daily) and didn't seem to keep him pain free enough until the next dose was due. The dog Metacam 3kg dose (x 1 daily), mostly keeps his pain at bay until the next dose and so he has been having this more recently.
On Friday, I took Bubble back to the vet for them to do an x-ray. They also did an ultrasound, with a view to if their was another stone)s) that they would keep him in for the day to carry out another operation. Thankfully there were no signs of any more stones, but the vet did say they could see what was probably scar tissue from his op in June. We will take him back in 3 weeks for another x-ray and/or ultrasound to make sure that that is what it is and not a tumour. In the meantime they have prescribed him Gabapentin to take along with the Metacam, as another probability is that he has Sterile Cystitis. Having just collected the medication late this afternoon (as the vet wanted to check the dosage before dispensing it), and then looked at the bottle on arriving home, it seems quite a high dose.
I will call the vet once they are open again tomorrow, but wanted to check in the meantime if anyone please knows what a "normal" dose range is.
The bottle says Gabapentin 60mg/ml Oral Sol 50ml (per ml) (Bova) x 20.0. and to give 0.5ml every 8 hours. They want to see how Bubble gets on with this for the next 10 days, and report back to them. Bubble's weight averages around the 1076-1092g mark.

 

[Heather B]

My girl passed a stone a couple of months ago and the vet has had her on high levels of pain relief ever since. A lower dose of gabapentin than you’ve been given but still a lot overall.
0.8 dog metacalm
0.48 child strength paracetamol
0.14 gabapentin
All twice a day
ETA she weighs around 1.25kg

 

[RescueBoyMum]

My girl passed a stone a couple of months ago and the vet has had her on high levels of pain relief ever since. A lower dose of gabapentin than you’ve been given but still a lot overall.
0.8 dog metacalm
0.48 child strength paracetamol
0.14 gabapentin
All twice a day
ETA she weighs around 1.25kg

I am similar with high doses of dog Metacam twice a day for 3 pigs (2 arthritis, 1 with previous bladder stone) and a much lower dose of gabapentin ranging from .13 to .22. All twice a day.

 

[Bubble and Squeak]

Thank you for letting me know what your piggies are on.....that puts my mind at rest!

 

[RescueBoyMum]

Thank you for letting me know what your piggies are on.....that puts my mind at rest!

I think having the meds twice a day rather than once is very helpful to manage pain. I’d be asking your vet about giving the Metacam twice a day.

 

[Bubble and Squeak]

I think having the meds twice a day rather than once is very helpful to manage pain. I’d be asking your vet about giving the Metacam twice a day.

Thank you, I will do. Twice a day certainly sounds better (and more manageable than x 3 doses, 8 hours apart).....I will call the vet in the morning and run it past them.

 

[Bubble and Squeak]

The vet has said I can give 2 doses of Gabapentin a day, as what Bubble has been prescribed is at the higher end dosage wise. This will make it easier than trying to fit in a middle of the day dose on the days that I am working. They did say on the days I am able to, that I could do 3 doses, but I would rather keep it all the same. For now they have said to keep the Metacam to once a day, and they will review everything in 10 days time, when we have a better judge as to how Bubble is doing. We are now thinking that some of his pain could be stress related, as his squeaking had increased since his brother Squeak passed away just over a week ago, bless him. Since bonding him with a friend (Truffle) yesterday, we have only noticed a couple of squeaky wees, and that is before starting the Gabapentin this morning, which is really good. The vet said that a lot of people underestimate how social Guinea Pigs and Rabbits are, and that it can make such a difference to them.