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Forum DIET & CARE Gabapentin =loss of appetite?

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    • OliverBun
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        Took Olive off metacam due to loss of appetite. He’s now on gabapentin for arthritis pain. The pharmacist at the pet pharmacy said it would cause loss of appetite for 2 weeks. My vet said she had never heard of that and we couldn’t find anything about it in her huge vet medication manual.
        Does anyone have experience with gabapentin and how it relates to appetite? Just seems so weird, the pharmacist was so sure.


      • Kokaneeandkahlua
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          You must have purchased it at a human pharmacist, based on your post? I got some medication for my dog, as prescribed by a vet for car anxiety. The pharmacist looked at the dose, made huge eyes and asked if my dog was more than 100lbs, and kept telling me the dose was too big. She was pretty dramatic.
          Medications act very differently in animals than people-the dose was big for a person but suitable for my dog. My vet knew what to prescribe but the pharmacist didn’t -as she’s a human pharmacist.
          Many medications work very differently in different animals-I was doing reading on ‘revolution’ and rabbits can and should have a dose that is massive in comparison to what dogs or cats get. They just metabolize it differently.

          I suspect you had a similar experience. If your vet doesn’t expect appetite loss, I say go for it, and just watch closely. It may very well cause appetite loss in people but it will likely work much differently in your bunny.


        • OliverBun
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            No it was a pet pharmacist. I get all my meds made there cause they can customize everything and Olive is very sensitive.
            He’s had 3 doses and I’ve noticed he’s definitely much less excited about his food but so far has finished all his meals.
            Thanks for the input!


          • Stickerbunny
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              I only have experience with it in humans – which it causes loss of energy / some drowsiness in us. I would imagine it probably has a similar effect on bunnies, which could be what is causing his being less excited about his food.


            • Bam
              Moderator
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                I only have experience with it in a dog. She was on gabapentin for 5 years or so. It made her regain her energy and playfulness, probably because it freed her from her arthritic pain. She really was the most playful and alert little dog. (She passed at 15, so she had a good long life.) She didn’t have a weight- or appetite problem.

                Looking up side-effects in humans I find equal frequency of loss of appetite as increased appetite (1/10 pts so common side-effects).

                Your vet seems very good and thoriough though, and if she’s looked into it and found nothing, I’d trust her. You will have to keep an eye of course, but I know you do anyway.


              • vanessa
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                  I wouldn’t be suprised at all. Gabapentin is a serious drug. It was prescribed for me, and I told the doctor I didn’t want to take it anymore. It was quite sucky.

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              Forum DIET & CARE Gabapentin =loss of appetite?