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Gabapentin for Idiopathic Epilepsy AND Neuropathic Pain Management

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper
Has anyone had any experience with the use of Gabapentin in Rabbits. Either as a treatment for Epilepsy and/or to manage chronic neuropathic pain ?

If so I'd be very grateful to hear of your experiences, I have only read the negatives about it. It has been suggested by an Exotics Specialist Vet.

If you would prefer not to respond in public then perhaps you may have time to PM me. We are desperately trying to help Lord H who now has neuropathic pain on top of all of his other neurological problems :cry: We may be coming to the end of the road :cry:

TIA xx
 
I'm so very sorry to hear about Lord H's new health worries, Jane. :( First, (((((((hugs)))))))

I used gabapentin as a secondary remedy to the metacam I gave both Mimzy and Fiver over the course of a month or so before moving from Alaska. In that short amount of time, I did feel it helped them both a wee bit with their chronic pain, but Mimzy wasn't fond of the taste and all it seemed to do otherwise was make him sleep more. Fiver fought it outright at first. I think it did Fiver a bit more good on pain, but I'm not certain it did much for what I thought at the time were seizures. My guess is that even back then, whatever was leading to the rear leg paralysis thay took him in the end was more the problem than anything like epilepsy.

I would give it a thumbs up for breakthrough pain management but we had to be very particular about where we had this suspension prepared as some pharmacies would mix xylitol in to flavour it, which is of course a big no-no.

In the end I discontinued using it because of supply lack and not being able to refrigerate it during travel more than lack of benefit. I hope this helps.

All my most heartfelt vibes and prayers for you and Lord H. I really hope some help can be found so he can have a bit more comfy time with you and Roisin. xxxxxxx

ETA: I'm sure your vet has mentioned that if used longterm and you want to stop giving it then a weaning period is preferrable. I just remembered this bit. xx
 
Thank you, it seems that dose rates are critical when it comes to minimising the risks of adverse side effects. The Specialist suggests starting at a sub therapeutic dose and gradually increasing it. I think we are at the stage now whereby we have nothing to lose. He cannot go on as he is :cry:
 
I have experience of gabapentin on myself, but not on rabbits. I hope that Lord H can find some therapeutic benefit from it.
 
I have not tried it on the buns but it was suggested possibly for Cassie due to her incontinence maybe being pain related to spine misalignment. We did not go any further with it as she improved without it.
I hope it helps if you decide to take a chance with it x
 
I've no experience of its use in rabbits but sending lots of love for Lord H and yourself . I've no doubt you'll make the right choice for him

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
 
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