Olive has a recurring, anti-biotic resistant upper respiratory infection. We were able to clear up his pink eye, and he’s back on treatment for his arthritis, but his URI came back while he was on this round of doxycycline. The fastest return yet. He’s been off it for a couple days now and just not doing well.

He’s a lot like me when he’s not doing well: whiny and clingy. He started causing some real trouble in the living room and after trying everything to calm him down to no avail, I gave him a small dose of gabapentin (prescribed for arthritis pain, but also useful for anxiety). He calmed down and fell asleep immediately. The med takes probably at least an hour to start hitting. Did he think I gave him the doxy? He’s smart enough to know that the doxy makes him feel better. Was he asking me to give him medication? Did I placebo my cat into thinking he got doxy by giving him gaba? He knows they taste different, but what if that doesn’t matter?

My wife suggested maybe I give him a small amount of water next time instead. Feels like I’m playing weird medication mind games with my cat just to get him to relax.

I can’t even begin to describe how impossibly quickly he calmed down after I gave him the gaba. It hasn’t even taken effect yet. I’m shocked. I just want him to relax, he’s always happier when he’s calm (and so am I).

We will be taking him back to the vet for the URI, but they cannot do a PCR test until ten days after the last anti-biotic dose, so we’re just kinda waiting for a bit. I’ll probably schedule it with his next solensia (arthritis med) dose.