Zuma GSD 12 ½ yrs has just been put onto Gabapentin in addition to the Metacam he has been on for a while, I have tried to find the data sheet on NOAH site but nothing comes up and the 'Blacks' I have is 10 yrs old so nothing in that.
I tried Google but not much relevant except a mention of doseage - which worried me a bit, Zuma is 45Kg/99lb and is on 500mg tabs 3 times a day which seems high from the 1 article I found.
Any suggestions/comments please ?

We used it for my gsd with arthritis and although I am not sure how much it helped he didn't have any side effects .
It is actually a drug for epilepsy  but is also used as above and for neuropathic pain . The amounts given can go up higher than zuma is having but seems very much down to the vet and the individual dog  if u are concerned I would double check with the vet .
Have another Google as there is quite a lot out there both for dogs and humans including what to watch for on side effects.
I have just started taking it myself  for neuropathic pain ( allodynia ) but have been started very very low .  It seems cats and dogs get less side effects than potentially we do
It is also now used for cats as a kind of tranquilizer as well as the other things  as it seems to have that effect on them . Yet to try one of mine before her next stem cell therapy as she gets In such a fix being handled for her ga.

Gabapentin is a human drug which can be used in dogs when other licenced analgesics aren't particularly effective. Have a read of this vet page.

It can make dogs a bit spacey as it has a mild sedative effect.  Apparently this wears off after the first 2 weeks.  My elderly dog had some for a disc/spinal issue.  She was on Metacam, gabapentin, and tramadol - and all of it together wasn't really touching her pain so I've no idea if it's effective - I mean, maybe she would have been in even worse pain without it.  Only surgery fixed things for her.

Hi,

Have you joined the fb group called Hollys Army. Its run by Canine Arthritis Management and questions like this are often asked and you will get a response as vets and vet nurses will respond. Worth joining as there is so much helpful info on there on top of this.

Thanks all for the replies, I feel a bit easier now, especially after reading the link Jeangenie put up with the dosage.
He started it on Friday evening and does seem to be moving a bit easier now.

Thanks again - 'CD is better than Google'

I have an oldie who has been on Gabapentin for a couple of years.  I had almost made my decision to let her go as she was in so much pain, this was her last chance and she's still doing ok.  It's more of a nerve pain relief

I've been on Gabapentin for some time now, although I've been able to gradually reduce the amount I need.  I'm now on only 1 x 100 mg a day whereas I was initially on 1 x 3 per day.   Whether this is now more of a placebo than really needed now, I'm not sure but if I stop altogether, I don't feel that great.

I'd have suggested that the Tramadol might cause a dog to space out - from first-hand experience.   The Gab. I take doesn't do that with me however!!   I did have one of mine, end cancer situation, on Tramadol but it made her soooo spacey that she was taken off it fast.

My Blacks doesn't cover this medication either, it's a 21st edition (2005) unfortunately.   But it is well known in human meds.
"It is actually a drug for epilepsy  but is also used for neuropathic pain ."  Correct and I have it for neuropathic pain linked to my diabetes.

For pain relief (dogs) I used to swear by PLT tablets - we had one with spondylitis and these were the only thing that relieved him of the pain.  Whatever happened to this medication and why is it not used these days?

Link to Gabapentin for dogs...... https://dogtime.com/dog-health/53089-gabapentin-dogs-uses-dosage-side-effects