Handling or restraining noncompliant, fractious cats can make drawing blood and completing procedures difficult. Doing so may result in increased patient stress or anxiety and potential injuries for veterinary technicians and DVMs involved.
Paul DeMars, DVM, DABVP, reviews a study on the use of gabapentin sharing these key pearls:
- Gabapentin (20 mg/kg PO) given to healthy and hyperthyroid cats one hour prior to arrival at the clinic may significantly reduce stress and increase compliance with handling and examination.
- Hyperthyroid cats without significant systemic comorbidities appear to have good tolerance of premedication with gabapentin.
Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2022. Link.