Faecal incontinence after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 122 reports of faecal incontinence in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

122Reports

72%Marked serious

6.6%Recovered

33%Died or euthanised

31 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 7.5%

1–2 days

10 11%

3–7 days

9 9.7%

1–4 weeks

20 22%

Over a month

47 51%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 5.7%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.8%

Still unwell when reported

64 52%

Died

3 2.5%

Euthanised

37 30%

Not known

10 8.2%

Problems reported at the same time

46 38%

40 33%

37 30%

34 28%

28 23%

23 19%

18 15%

18 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Gabapentin used for pain and to reduce stress or anxiety.

Questions owners ask

Can Gabapentin cause faecal incontinence in dogs?: 122 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 31 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).

All reported side effects of Gabapentin in dogs · Medicines most reported with faecal incontinence