A Report of Novel Post-Laparotomy Gabapentin-Related Mucositis in a Feline

A 1-year-old male neutered domestic short-hair feline presented with acute onset anorexia, vomiting, constipation, anuria, and hypodipsia. The patient was not diagnosed at the primary presenting veterinary clinic and was referred to a higher level of care. An exploratory laparotomy exposed a non-linear foreign body obstruction of the proximal small intestine which was removed. The patient’s post-surgical medications included a single dose of robenacoxib with 14 days of amoxicillin/clavulanate and gabapentin. The owner noticed signs of mucositis one day after administration of the antibiotic and gabapentin. Administration trauma was discounted as the cause due to the extension of mucositis around the mouth beyond the area of administration. Discontinuation of the gabapentin suspension resulted in the resolution of the symptoms. The antibiotic liquid was continued without incident. The treatment for this adverse effect was discontinuation of gabapentin which resulted in a full recovery within 24 hours. No further treatment of the mucositis was required. Gabapentin is commonly used in veterinary practice for its sedating and analgesic effects. Its common side effects are usually limited to ataxia and sedation with possible vomiting in felines. However, in this case of post-operative care for extraction of a non-linear foreign body obstruction, gabapentin incited an acute inflammatory response in the mucosa. This is the first report of a feline mucositis or cheilitis adverse reaction to gabapentin in the literature.