Gabapentin in Cattle: A Pharmacology Snapshot

Gabapentin (GBP) is an antiepileptic and analgesic drug that is derived from gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is used as an analgesic in multi-modal pain management, as well as an anticonvulsant and anxiolytic, off-label in animals. Particularly, oral GBP prescriptions for cattle are becoming increasingly popular. Since its introduction into cattle farm practices, several types of research on GBP in cattle have been published, covering pharmacokinetics and safety studies. Other studies concerning cattle dehorning and lameness have found synergism when GBP and meloxicam are co-administered. Because of the significant therapeutic effect of these medications when used together, practical veterinarians might be able to execute other surgical procedures on cattle without causing pain to the animals. This is important because pain management and the prevention of animal suffering are critical components of the animal well-being approach in veterinary medicine. Oral doses between 10 and 20 mg/kg were safe, and effective in dehorning and lameness, in combination with MEL. Such dose is preferable to be administered 8 h before any procedure, as part of the preemptive therapy. This review focuses on the clinical applications and therapeutic effects of GBP in cattle, both for farming practices and surgical interventions.