Gabapentin reduces stress and does not affect ocular parameters in clinically normal cats

Abstract

Objective To describe the effects of gabapentin on ocular and behavioral parameters following oral administration in healthy cats. Materials and methods Masked, placebo‐controlled, randomized crossover‐design study. Ten young, healthy cats were scheduled for two veterinary visits 7 days apart and randomly assigned to receive a compounded capsule containing 100 mg of gabapentin or placebo (100 mg lactose powder) at the first visit and the opposite treatment at the second visit. Respiratory rate, heart rate, stress score, sedation score, compliance score, horizontal pupil diameter, intraocular pressure, and Schirmer tear test‐1 were measured prior to and 1.5, 3, and 6 h following capsule administration. Stress score, sedation score, and compliance score were assigned based on established behavioral scales. Results of the two treatments were statistically compared with a p‐value <0.05 considered significant. Results Respiratory rate was significantly reduced at 1.5 (p = 0.049) and 3 (p = 0.03) hours following gabapentin administration. Stress score was significantly reduced at 1.5 (p = 0.01) hours following gabapentin administration. Sedation score was significantly increased at 1.5 (p = 0.015) and 3 (p = 0.03) hours following gabapentin administration. Gabapentin had no significant effect on heart rate, compliance score, or ocular values measured in this study. Conclusions Gabapentin reduces stress and increases sedation at 1.5 h after treatment, with no significant effect on horizontal pupil diameter, intraocular pressure or Schirmer tear test‐1 results.

Effects of gabapentin on intraocular pressure, tear production and horizontal pupil diameter in New Zealand White rabbits

“…Crowe et al 16 . demonstrated a significant reduction in stress scores and a significant increase in sedation scores following the administration of gabapentin in cats.…”

“…Crowe et al 16 demonstrated a significant reduction in stress scores and a significant increase in sedation scores following the administration of gabapentin in cats. In the current study, although we did not collect sedation and/or stress scores in rabbits, it can be inferred that gabapentin administration resulted in easier handling and likely reduced stress levels in rabbits.…”

“…Similar findings were reported in previous studies involving dogs 15 and cats. 16 Nonetheless, it is conceivable that a larger sample size could have led to a noteworthy decrease in IOP after gabapentin administration in rabbits.…”

“…22 Furthermore, in the current study, no significant differences were observed in either tear production or HPD following gabapentin administration, which is consistent with the findings of previous studies conducted in dogs 15 and cats. 16 The optimal dosage of gabapentin for rabbits remains uncertain. Previous studies in rabbits have indicated that a dosage of 25 mg/kg gabapentin is associated with reduced stress levels.…”

“…Previous studies conducted on humans have demonstrated that oral administration of gabapentin reduces IOP 11–13 and increases tear production 14 . However, studies conducted on dogs 15 and cats 16 have not reported any significant effects on either IOP or tear production. Currently, there is a lack of research examining the impact of gabapentin on IOP and tear production in rabbits.…”