Gabapentin

[AnxiousPigOwner]

Hi

My 7 year old piggie is currently on 0.5ml dog metacam twice a day. She has arthritis, glaucoma, thickened uterus and she has bladder issues.

Our vet mentioned about prescribing gabapentin alongside the metacam. I asked about side effects and he said:

"The most common side effects are initially mild sedation and ataxia, particularly during the first few doses"

Mild sedation I can live with but ataxia has scared me.

When she was younger she had a neurological response to baytril and it looked like she was almost having seizures so the use of the word ataxia is causing me a bit of distress.

I haven't agreed to the prescription yet and he did say we would start on a really low dose but wanted to see if anyone on here had experience with their piggie being on Gabapentin and what the first few days looked like and if they showed any signs of neurological issues.

Thank you!

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

Bump

 

[Lisanjake]

@furryfriends (TEAS) hopefully you can help Debbie?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

My 7 year old piggie is currently on 0.5ml dog metacam twice a day. She has arthritis, glaucoma, thickened uterus and she has bladder issues.

Our vet mentioned about prescribing gabapentin alongside the metacam. I asked about side effects and he said:

"The most common side effects are initially mild sedation and ataxia, particularly during the first few doses"

Mild sedation I can live with but ataxia has scared me.

When she was younger she had a neurological response to baytril and it looked like she was almost having seizures so the use of the word ataxia is causing me a bit of distress.

I haven't agreed to the prescription yet and he did say we would start on a really low dose but wanted to see if anyone on here had experience with their piggie being on Gabapentin and what the first few days looked like and if they showed any signs of neurological issues.

Thank you!

Hi

Sorry, we are currently somewhat stretched at the moment and I wasn't having a good day.

When I was looking after a friend's piggy at the end of his life he was put on additional gabapentin and did noticeably better for it. He didn't have any side effects. To be honest, I don't think it is one that we have encountered on this forum and it is certainly not a common one.

Gabapentin is usually better tolerated than any morphines and would be hands down my personal preference any time when upgrading painkillers past metacam.

 

[exia]

I had two pigs on Gabapentin, one of them multiple times because he didnt tolerate Metacam and because of stress from dental.

The tricky part was to find the right dosage. Before we did that with Joe he was drowsy. When we found the right dosage he started to act like himself, eating and popcorning. Next time he needed it we already knew where to start.

Djingis Kahn got it because of an tooth abscess and probably severe pain. Metacam just wasn't enough. He became euphoric, probably because of the painkilling effect.

Gaba is used as a epilepsy and a seizure medication/muscle relaxor for humans (among neuropatich painkiller and other). I guess it works the same way for animals.
If Metacam wasn't enough I would not hesitate to give it to my guinea pigs again, especially not an older piggy with multiple health issues like yours. What it comes down to I think is if you trust your vet and if you have a good teamwork with the vet. A good dialogue is always important, and to ask for alternatives if you dont feel safe with Gaba.

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

I had two pigs on Gabapentin, one of them multiple times because he didnt tolerate Metacam and because of stress from dental.

The tricky part was to find the right dosage. Before we did that with Joe he was drowsy. When we found the right dosage he started to act like himself, eating and popcorning. Next time he needed it we already knew where to start.

Djingis Kahn got it because of an tooth abscess and probably severe pain. Metacam just wasn't enough. He became euphoric, probably because of the painkilling effect.

Gaba is used as a epilepsy and a seizure medication/muscle relaxor for humans (among neuropatich painkiller and other). I guess it works the same way for animals.
If Metacam wasn't enough I would not hesitate to give it to my guinea pigs again, especially not an older piggy with multiple health issues like yours. What it comes down to I think is if you trust your vet and if you have a good teamwork with the vet. A good dialogue is always important, and to ask for alternatives if you dont feel safe with Gaba.

Hi

Thank you so much for responding.

We have a good relationship with out vet, its a bit chaotic at the moment as they had a fire in Feb, so have been renting a consult room in 2 different practices so getting appointments has been a little on the longer wait time, but we can whats app/email and the vet will come back to us.

He has recommended 5mg/kg twice a day to start with and monitor her closely. He offered liquid or tablets that we can crush - I will opt for liquid for ease.

Is that dose similar to what you had for your piggies?

I feel so stressed, I want to do right by her and alleviate any pain she may be in that the metacam isn't touching but don't want her not having a fulfilled life because shes asleep or wobbly on her feet. I think I'm too much in my head and comparing it to bupe too much- I know they are different types of drugs but I have had both a piggie and a rabbit on Bupe temporarily post surgery before and it just wipes them out to the point they dont move, eat or drink and I dont want that for her, so I'm really hoping the Gabapentin wont be as bad as that.

Thank you again

 

[fluffysal]

My rainbow boy Master Boris was on it for the last 3 months of life due to satin syndrome. He perked up immediately, I think the dosage was right for him. It definitely improved his quality of life.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

Thank you so much for responding.

We have a good relationship with out vet, its a bit chaotic at the moment as they had a fire in Feb, so have been renting a consult room in 2 different practices so getting appointments has been a little on the longer wait time, but we can whats app/email and the vet will come back to us.

He has recommended 5mg/kg twice a day to start with and monitor her closely. He offered liquid or tablets that we can crush - I will opt for liquid for ease.

Is that dose similar to what you had for your piggies?

I feel so stressed, I want to do right by her and alleviate any pain she may be in that the metacam isn't touching but don't want her not having a fulfilled life because shes asleep or wobbly on her feet. I think I'm too much in my head and comparing it to bupe too much- I know they are different types of drugs but I have had both a piggie and a rabbit on Bupe temporarily post surgery before and it just wipes them out to the point they dont move, eat or drink and I dont want that for her, so I'm really hoping the Gabapentin wont be as bad as that.

Thank you again

Gabapentin is nowhere like Bupe. Please -for your girl - take the jump. I hope that she is perking up again instead of the opposite!

 

[exia]

Hi

Thank you so much for responding.

We have a good relationship with out vet, its a bit chaotic at the moment as they had a fire in Feb, so have been renting a consult room in 2 different practices so getting appointments has been a little on the longer wait time, but we can whats app/email and the vet will come back to us.

He has recommended 5mg/kg twice a day to start with and monitor her closely. He offered liquid or tablets that we can crush - I will opt for liquid for ease.

Is that dose similar to what you had for your piggies?

I feel so stressed, I want to do right by her and alleviate any pain she may be in that the metacam isn't touching but don't want her not having a fulfilled life because shes asleep or wobbly on her feet. I think I'm too much in my head and comparing it to bupe too much- I know they are different types of drugs but I have had both a piggie and a rabbit on Bupe temporarily post surgery before and it just wipes them out to the point they dont move, eat or drink and I dont want that for her, so I'm really hoping the Gabapentin wont be as bad as that.

Thank you again

Joe was Sleepy because of the wrong dose. When we lowered the dose, he got his life back. Djingis was on a very high dose and was a bit wobbly but got his energy back. He was drunk driving around his cage like crazy.
I had the capsules everytime, open and mix the powder with 1ml water. In Sweden the capsules are alot cheaper and easier to find on the pharmacy then the drops.

Like you say its not the same drug. Bupe is a very strong opioid, and its scary to see them that tired. Joe had methadone once and my heart just cried. Joe had a sensitive tummy and soul and totally lost his happiness after a tooth trim. He was so stressed out and I'm sure he was upset because of the tummy too. He was prescribed Gaba three times during his lifetime and after that first time I never hesitate to give him, if needed for the rest of his life as long as it helped him to have a happy life.
Gaba is after Joe my "go to" and what I ask the vet for if Metacam isn't enough.

Does your vet have any other options on hand?

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

Thank you so much for everyone's replies.

I have gone ahead and asked them to dispense 0.1ml of 5mg/kg twice daily. I need to sign some paperwork and collect this evening after to work.

I am only getting 1 weeks worth initially and will monitor her over the next few days, if I am happy and dont feel we need to adjust the dose they will dispense a month's worth.

@exia the only other option mentioned was Bupe which I am against using unless in a crisis.

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

She had her first dose of gabapentin at 7am, she does seem a little bit more docile this evening, she did still manage to jump up onto my lap during her floor time. Just going to take each dose as it comes and watch her like a crazy person.

 

[Wiebke]

She had her first dose of gabapentin at 7am, she does seem a little bit more docile this evening, she did still manage to jump up onto my lap during her floor time. Just going to take each dose as it comes and watch her like a crazy person.

Hi

Your little one is not going to getting any worse and she is doing perfectly OK.

However, I do worry about you and the mind trap you seem to be currently stuck in. Please try to refrain from any anxiety hovering and projecting your own whole stress nonstop on an ill guinea pig that rather needs your soothing, gentle green healing vibes and not your whole stress dumped on her.

Have you got a support person who could take over from medicating and looking after your girl for the next 2-3 days to help snap you out of your mental fixation that you have developed about her becoming an uncoordinated zombie - she is definitely not going down that road.

If you have somebody who can get you through the initial sticky bit, please take a step back and allow your girl to settle down with her new medication until the cause of your concern has lost its relevance and - if really needed - the gabapentin has been adjusted up or down just a smidgen if really necessary. Try to focus on the gained quality of life instead.

I do genuinely care for your own wellbeing as well.
Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters

 

[Eriathwen]

If it puts your mind at ease, I have had multiple piggies on gabapentin at a dose of 30mg 2-3 times a day, from big piggies post surgery to fragile little lethal whites with neurological issues. We started them off on a low dose and gradually increased it over time until improvements plateaued. I use it quite frequently in my palliative care of pigs, it's very well tolerated. Unfortunately all medications have side effects (for example I once had a piggy develop bloody, liquid diarrhoea as a side effect of metacam after a surgery which is a very rare side effect) but generally they're the exception not the rule, given how quickly guinea pigs metabolise things, most mild side effects show quickly and pass quickly, so you'll know before you've given loads of doses and caused lasting harm.

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

Hi

Your little one is not going to getting any worse and she is doing perfectly OK.

However, I do worry about you and the mind trap you seem to be currently stuck in. Please try to refrain from any anxiety hovering and projecting your own whole stress nonstop on an ill guinea pig that rather needs your soothing, gentle green healing vibes and not your whole stress dumped on her.

Have you got a support person who could take over from medicating and looking after your girl for the next 2-3 days to help snap you out of your mental fixation that you have developed about her becoming an uncoordinated zombie - she is definitely not going down that road.

If you have somebody who can get you through the initial sticky bit, please take a step back and allow your girl to settle down with her new medication until the cause of your concern has lost its relevance and - if really needed - has been tweaked up or down just a little.

I do genuinely care for your own wellbeing as well.
Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters

Bless you thats very kind.

I really struggle in May, out of my past 6 pet loses 4 of them have been in the month of May so each year when May comes around I get a bit of PTSD.

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

She seems to be eating alot, can constantly hear munching and i have been giving some support feed and bio lapis, during the night her poops were fine, when I gave her the meds this morning they were a little bit tapered and now they are totally soft (see photo). As the vets are closed over the weekend, I will try to contact them today but don't feel comfortable continuing with the gabapentin over the weekend if the poops dont improve.

 

[Wiebke]

Bless you thats very kind.

I really struggle in May, out of my past 6 pet loses 4 of them have been in the month of May so each year when May comes around I get a bit of PTSD.

HUGS

This little one is going to break the cycle.

Focus on sending her green soothing vibes and imagine all your gone piggies as little furry guardian angels doing the same. It's just a visualisation that helps me - my gone piggies are still very much with me but it fills the mind gap that I can no longer see or touch them whenever I really need it.

You may also find this song here very soothing and calming. I know that it is cheesy but I also know from personal experience that it works for any age.
Rainbow bridge video I made, I hope it can bring some comfort to others

 

[exia]

She seems to be eating alot, can constantly hear munching and i have been giving some support feed and bio lapis, during the night her poops were fine, when I gave her the meds this morning they were a little bit tapered and now they are totally soft (see photo). As the vets are closed over the weekend, I will try to contact them today but don't feel comfortable continuing with the gabapentin over the weekend if the poops dont improve.

Easy. Critical care can make the poo a bit loose too, because of the extra water in the food. I know bio lapis is a bit probiotic, but maybe not enough? I usually dont think bio lapis not really helps for watery stool, but its good to give them to prevent dehydration. Joe got it in a combination with Alfavet Acute (the only thing that worked on his very sensitive tummy).

When Kongo had toofie-issues and only ate critical care and watery veggies, the trick was oxbow digestive support, 2-3 every day. He loved them a bit soaked! Like candy.

Alfavet is the absolutely best probiotic I think. Its alot easier to give them comparing to FibrePlex.

I hope your girl is doing okay, and you too. I know its so stressful and hard when they are poorly and its not fun to give them any medications at all. Holding you in my heart

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

The softer poos may be related to the gabapentin since the poo output typically runs one day behind. It is not to worry about as long as it doesn't wipe the appetite completely or the poos go runny because it is not your classic tummy upset.

Please weigh your piggy first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison so you can compute the level to which she needs it as she is still eating by herself and will hopefully improve in that respect.

If you have another piggy that isn't on medication like antibiotics or opioids themselves, then you can try poo soup. if done correctly, it can be more effective than any probiotics.

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

HUGS

This little one is going to break the cycle.

Focus on sending her green soothing vibes and imagine all your gone piggies as little furry guardian angels doing the same. It's just a visualisation that helps me - my gone piggies are still very much with me but it fills the mind gap that I can no longer see or touch them whenever I really need it.

You may also find this song here very soothing and calming. I know that it is cheesy but I also know from personal experience that it works for any age.
Rainbow bridge video I made, I hope it can bring some comfort to others

Thank you so much, you're so kind - didnt think people like that still existed, especially with everything you're going through! Ill grab a box of tissues and watch the video x

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

Just a little update, it seems to have just been yesterday morning that the poops were off - touch wood, they seem to have been okay since.

She has literally just had her 5th dose, it doesn't knock her out but I can see a difference but its hard to describe. Shes still eating, drinking, pooping and weeing so thats the main thing!

I was having a Google and I saw liquid gabapentin is meant to be stored in the fridge? There isn't anything on the label on the bottle and my vets are now closed until Monday. Can anyone confirm if its meant to be refrigerated? I keep it in a dark corner along with her trusopt drops (which arent meant to be stored in the sun) but I haven't been putting the gabapentin in the fridge /:

 

[Wiebke]

Just a little update, it seems to have just been yesterday morning that the poops were off - touch wood, they seem to have been okay since.

She has literally just had her 5th dose, it doesn't knock her out but I can see a difference but its hard to describe. Shes still eating, drinking, pooping and weeing so thats the main thing!

I was having a Google and I saw liquid gabapentin is meant to be stored in the fridge? There isn't anything on the label on the bottle and my vets are now closed until Monday. Can anyone confirm if its meant to be refrigerated? I keep it in a dark corner along with her trusopt drops (which arent meant to be stored in the sun) but I haven't been putting the gabapentin in the fridge /:

If it is not mentioned on the bottle or packaging or when you google the medical information, then a cool dark place should be enough. Use the fridge during heat waves if you are running short of cool places. If it was really necessary to keep any medication refrigerated (like with chloramphenicol for a bad eye infection), your vet should mention it during the prescription.

Just take a deep breath. The main thing is that she has enough comfort and relief from pain to have the will to live for longer. Focus on making every day count by creating some kind of enrichment or other and share it with her. It doesn't have to cost anything but it is those joys and the quality of the time spent that are going to make all the difference to her time left with you because it feels a lot more lived.
Enrichment can come in many different forms and you can always create your very own.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

That is how I live my second life - as long as I leave the world that little bit kinder every day, it is a day and a life well lived; even if there are days when the person I need to be kind to is myself. The last 18 months have been rather brutal but because I am not counting down but counting up my days, I have lived more and have got more quality out of my life during that time, too.

It's something I have learned from my piggies - life is in the now and the more we make of the now, the more we get out of life. I simply don't know just how long I am going to live but every day that I am living and not just existing is adding to a life well lived. Every day I celebrate with my piggies is a day that counts.
I am living with permanent damage to my body and brain and in the knowledge that I only live for as long as my body responds to my cancer meds. My life will never be the same again but at the same time I have the freedom to live up to the best I can each day so there are no regrets whenever the last comes.

Please try not to get hung up over comparatively mild side effects from some heavy duty medication and focus on celebrating every day you have together.

Turn back your frail piggies' life clock to zero and see every day with them as this wonderful gift to cherish and to treasure. It' doesn't matter whether they show the signs of their lives' wear and tear: it is the shared time that counts and that makes their life feel a lot longer in your memories because you have really lived it with them and not only with your fears for company.

There are many more people like me or the other members; but you won't necessarily find them on social media where things are sadly going from bad to worse in how people are interacting.
We have all together created this special forum, where we look after each other and support each other as a community and not just our guinea pigs. If everybody just gives a little kind word here and there, the total is impressive - and we all profit when we are at the receiving end. As a community we are here for you because you matter to us as a person as well, and not just your guinea pig. Although the happier you are, the better for your piggy.

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

If it is not mentioned on the bottle or packaging or when you google the medical information, then a cool dark place should be enough. Use the fridge during heat waves if you are running short of cool places. If it was really necessary to keep any medication refrigerated (like with chloramphenicol for a bad eye infection), your vet should mention it during the prescription.

Just take a deep breath. The main thing is that she has enough comfort and relief from pain to have the will to live for longer. Focus on making every day count by creating some kind of enrichment or other and share it with her. It doesn't have to cost anything but it is those joys and the quality of the time spent that are going to make all the difference to her time left with you because it feels a lot more lived.
Enrichment can come in many different forms and you can always create your very own.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

That is how I live my second life - as long as I leave the world that little bit kinder every day, it is a day and a life well lived; even if there are days when the person I need to be kind to is myself. The last 18 months have been rather brutal but because I am not counting down but counting up my days, I have lived more and have got more quality out of my life during that time, too.

It's something I have learned from my piggies - life is in the now and the more we make of the now, the more we get out of life. I simply don't know just how long I am going to live but every day that I am living and not just existing is adding to a life well lived. Every day I celebrate with my piggies is a day that counts.
I am living with permanent damage to my body and brain and in the knowledge that I only live for as long as my body responds to my cancer meds. My life will never be the same again but at the same time I have the freedom to live up to the best I can each day so there are no regrets whenever the last comes.

Please try not to get hung up over comparatively mild side effects from some heavy duty medication and focus on celebrating every day you have together.

Turn back your frail piggies' life clock to zero and see every day with them as this wonderful gift to cherish and to treasure. It' doesn't matter whether they show the signs of their lives' wear and tear: it is the shared time that counts and that makes their life feel a lot longer in your memories because you have really lived it with them and not only with your fears for company.

There are many more people like me or the other members; but you won't necessarily find them on social media where things are sadly going from bad to worse in how people are interacting.
We have all together created this special forum, where we look after each other and support each other as a community and not just our guinea pigs. If everybody just gives a little kind word here and there, the total is impressive - and we all profit when we are at the receiving end. As a community we are here for you because you matter to us as a person as well, and not just your guinea pig. Although the happier you are, the better for your piggy.

Thank you for this, its such a lovely comment.

I try my best to enrich her life as best I can. She likes it when shes out for floor time and I make myself into a bridge with my dressing gown hanging down, she weaves herself in and out.

I am really sorry for everything that you are going through and am in awe of how gracious you are about it.

I dont post often on this forum, I'm more of a lurker, but have always found comfort from people on here when I have asked for help x

 

[AnxiousPigOwner]

Update on piggie - I spoke to my vet earlier in the week and we decided to lower the dose slightly (by 0.02ml so not a huge amount) to see if that helps perk her up a bit.

 

[Wiebke]

Update on piggie - I spoke to my vet earlier in the week and we decided to lower the dose slightly (by 0.02ml so not a huge amount) to see if that helps perk her up a bit.

You now know that the gabapentin works. Now it is about the tweaking to get the best of it.

I am seriously hoping that you can find your happiness and balance in these precious moments and take something important from them. We can let our fears take over or we can go and focus on making the most of what we have got.

But those moments of shared love and happiness are the things that stay with you and that you can think back to in your darkest moments. They do not just work for now; they are your rocks you can cling to in the middle of an emotional storm. When all seems lost you can dig deep and keep reminding yourself that you know how love and happiness feel like and your can go back to these consciously lived moments to have something to hold onto.

Please don't feel sorry for me because I am lucky enough to be still alive - fully alive - and still able to do the things I love best and to do things that bring me a great deal of satisfaction. In the hospital, they did look rather funny at me at first when I said that I am not planning on one last big holiday or whatever buckets I can think of but that I am focusing on leaving the world a little bit kinder every day. But they are coming slowly round to see that I am making sense and that my approach does actually work.

My big last holiday could be so easily fall flat on its face for some reason or other and then - what I am left with? But by concentrating on the today and all the little perks and sensory joys, making people feel better in themselves, I live in this one day, feel good in myself and I end up with a lot more life truly lived in the best sense of the word.

Whatever gift, strength or way to create joy for yourself or express your emotions you have, please use them. I happen to have the gift to comfort others, so why should I stop using it? Whatever gift you have, please use it and use it as often as you can because it gives you those wonderful moments when you are free of anxiety or fear and you live.

I wish you all the joys with your piggy; many precious moments of pure bliss playing with her and then finding the way to store them in your heart where you can preserve them forever.

 

[Guzmoo]

Amazing Wiebke.

My little 2yo Buzby has just started on gabapentin for dental pain that’s stopped him eating hay. He’s maybe a tad drowsy but not really any different, he’s always been quite lazy! It isn’t got him eating hay fully again but it seems to be keeping him himself.
Not as tasty as meloxaid though!

 

[Wiebke]

Amazing Wiebke.

My little 2yo Buzby has just started on gabapentin for dental pain that’s stopped him eating hay. He’s maybe a tad drowsy but not really any different, he’s always been quite lazy! It isn’t got him eating hay fully again but it seems to be keeping him himself.
Not as tasty as meloxaid though!

I wish your poorly boy all the best. You can follow up the gabapentin with a little soft treat and give him plenty of praise afterwards.

Metacam contains a trace of honey because it needs to go down with animals when other medications no longer do, so it is the most widely accepted veterinary medication.
Most of the other veterinary medications are unflavoured. Baytril is by far the worst.

I am wishing you and your Buzby all the best.

PS: Thank you for your comment. You know, I am lucky to still being alive, not in pain, able to enjoy my piggies and look after them again, go out in my garden, have the love of my nearest and dearest, meet new interesting people in the local park, go to local events and have little trips out again to places I feel comfortable with, enjoy well cooked food, and above all, I have this precious forum that helps to keep me occupied, gives my life purpose and meaning and supports me in turn. I am able to be fully myself and I can be proud of myself.
I am truly blessed with all the vital, beautiful things I have around me, can still do and all the wonderful people I have still got in my life.