Rimadyl reduces pain and inflammation. Gabapentin reduces pain, but doesn't help with inflammation. My understanding is that rimadyl has more side effects and that gabapentin is less toxic (it just makes you drowsy). The reason they have you taper the gabapentin off gradually is that if you stop it cold turkey, the pain will come back with a vengeance before it tapers off again. I know this from personal, not canine experience. I knew right away when I missed a dose of gabapentin. I would ask the vet more questions about the use of rimadyl vs. gabapentin for treating your dog--if it's just pain and not inflammation, maybe gabapentin is the way to go. If inflammation is involved, the vet might consider rimadyl or other arthritis medications. |