Could gabapentin cause my cat's dry, flaky skin and hair loss?

I have never hear of gabapentin (neurontin) causing this type of side effect however, I have learned to "never say never" in this profession. So, is it possible? Sure. Is it likely? I don't think so. Here is a link to an article about gabapentin and side effects in dogs. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2764 All of that being said, are you talking about excessive shedding or actual alopecia (bald spots)? If it is just excessive shedding with no bald patches or other clinical signs I would not worry about it. If she seems to have other clinical signs then I would suggest you take her back to your vet for a recheck exam. Hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to post again.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Skye. Gabapentin can cause some sedation and potentially appetite changes when first started. Mist of the time the effects wear off in several days. If her appetite does not return to normal soon, then I recommend contacting her veterinarian. I hope this information helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This can due to discomfort so if that is the case now that she is on gabapentin she may do better. Unexpected aggression is a classic sign of pain or discomfort. Hopefully she improves on the gabapentin. If she does not, it is very important to let your veterinarian know so they can keep checking what may be wrong with her. The same underlying condition may be what is causing her weight loss which is important though not that significant. I hope she gets better soon!

I'm wondering if Portifoy is on aripiprazole or Abilify, and if this is causing adverse signs due to serotonin syndrome. I can't find any information on dosing in cats, but I would imagine that like most antidepressants hyperexcitability might be a symptom. Amitriptyline is another common medication that is used as an antidepressant in situations like this that can cause odd behavior. I'd recommend talking to your vet about whether or not you should continue the medications. While gabapentin can cause sedation I think it would be less likely to cause these symptoms.

Gabapentin will not have any effect on this type of pain, it's a special medication for very specific types of pains, usually chronic neurological pain, it won't have any pain relief effect in this case.

Hi there. It’s common for cats to be a bit wobbly when they have taken a sedative or anti-anxiety medication like gabapentin, so this would not normally be cause for concern. This medication can last for up to 8 hours or so, so I normally tell my clients to expect that their kitty may seem a bit drowsy or off-balance for the rest of the day.

The gabapentin administration has nothing to do with these lesions. This is from her scratching at the ears/face. I suggest you have her to the vet for an exam. Using the Neosporin is fine for now - just be sure you don't get it in her eyes.