BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a medication to reduce anxiety and fear in cats during transportation and veterinary visits. The drug, Bonqat, is a nerve pain medication and is the first FDA-approved animal drug containing pregabalin. The medication is available through Zoetis and is a 50mg/mL solution to be administered orally or in food. 

The drug is given orally and dosed at 5mg/kg to be given 1.5 hours before traveling or a veterinary visit. The FDA states it can be given consecutively for 2 days. The drug is Schedule Class V under the Controlled Substances Act with potential for human abuse. 

In a field study conducted by Orion Corp of client-owned cats with anxiety, slightly more than half of the cats had good to excellent response during transportation and veterinary visit compared to one-third given a placebo. Adverse reactions include sedation, ataxia, and lethargy. 

The FDA warns that precautions should be taken when handling Bonqat. Avid contact with a person’s skin, eyes and other mucus membranes. People that have been exposed may have dizziness, sleepiness, weakness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating.