Intervertebral disc disease after Gabapentin in dogs

49 reports to the FDA describe intervertebral disc disease in dogs given Gabapentin. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

49Reports

88%Marked serious

4.1%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

24 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 12%

1–2 days

3 7.3%

3–7 days

4 9.8%

1–4 weeks

13 32%

Over a month

16 39%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 4.1%

Still unwell when reported

27 55%

Died

4 8.2%

Euthanised

11 22%

Not known

5 10%

Problems reported at the same time

16 33%

16 33%

15 31%

15 31%

14 29%

Proprioception deficit

11 22%

Weakness

11 22%

Kidney problems

10 20%

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 intervertebral disc disease in dogs?: 49 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 24 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 intervertebral disc disease