Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant with analgesic properties that may be primarily derived by down-regulating calcium channels.⁶¹ Because of its efficacy and tolerability, gabapentin is widely used in humans with neuropathic and other maladaptive painconditions. ⁶² Along with published clinical case reports in animals, the data suggest a strong rationale for using gabapentin in dogs and cats with similar conditions.^63,64 One canine study suggested a disease-modifying effect in experimental DJD, but clinical studies are lacking.⁶⁵ In cats, one unpublished study demonstrated a benefit of gabapentin in naturally-occurring DJD (E. Troncy, personal communication 2013), and one case series of chronic musculoskeletal pain has also been published.⁶⁶ The evidence for gabapentin in human postsurgical pain is encouraging, but not yet in dogs and cats.^67–72 An 8–12 hr dosing interval has been suggested based on one publication.⁷³ The primary adverse effect in dogs appears to be somnolence (also the case in humans), which usually resolves with patient acclimationover several days, allowing for a tapering-up schedule.