Paresis after Gabapentin in dogs

The FDA has received 48 reports of paresis in dogs after Gabapentin. That is 0.5% 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.

48Reports

98%Marked serious

8.3%Recovered

40%Died or euthanised

20 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 13%

1–2 days

5 13%

3–7 days

8 21%

1–4 weeks

4 11%

Over a month

16 42%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 8.3%

Still unwell when reported

21 44%

Died

6 13%

Euthanised

13 27%

Not known

4 8.3%

Problems reported at the same time

19 40%

19 40%

18 38%

14 29%

11 23%

Proprioception deficit

10 21%

Urinary incontinence

9 19%

Recumbency

8 17%

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 paresis in dogs?: 48 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 20 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 paresis