Abnormal ultrasound finding after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 260 reports of abnormal ultrasound finding in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 2.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

260Reports

88%Marked serious

6.9%Recovered

38%Died or euthanised

17 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

27 14%

1–2 days

30 15%

3–7 days

17 8.8%

1–4 weeks

46 24%

Over a month

74 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 6.9%

Still unwell when reported

108 42%

Died

24 9.2%

Euthanised

74 28%

Not known

36 14%

Problems reported at the same time

166 64%

142 55%

128 49%

121 47%

103 40%

98 38%

75 29%

Abnormal radiograph finding

66 25%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

106

12+ years

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause abnormal ultrasound finding in dogs?: 260 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 17 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Abnormal ultrasound finding with similar medicines

Abnormal ultrasound finding after Trazodone 69 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Abnormal ultrasound finding after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 31 reports · 2.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in dogs · Medicines most reported with abnormal ultrasound finding