Dogs vomit. They vomit up grass, they vomit up bile, and they vomit up food. They vomit in the car, they vomit on your rug. They often vomit more than people do. But occasional vomiting of grass or bile is one thing. Continued vomiting is another. So how do you make your dog stop?
First, withhold food and water for at least 6 to 12 hours. Next, offer your dog a small amount of water. In different scenarios, you’ll want to call your veterinarian. If they accept the water, but can’t hold it down and vomit again, you should call your vet. Similarly, if they continue to vomit, or refuse food and water, call your vet. If they accept the water and keep it down, offer them small amounts of food and water and keep monitoring them.
But sometimes simply withholding food and water isn’t enough. That’s when your veterinarian may prescribe drugs to control vomiting.
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Veterinarians have traditionally favored anti-vomiting drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), ondansetron (Zofran), dolasetron (Anzemet) and metoclopramide (Reglan). While these are all effective choices, many veterinarians now instead prefer to prescribe maropitant (Cerenia) for vomiting control in dogs. It’s considered the first choice for prevention of motion sickness vomiting, a common problem in dogs. It’s also useful for reducing perioperative vomiting, or vomiting that often occurs when recovering from surgery or anesthesia.
Cerenia can be given by injection or pill form. When injected, it needs only be given once a day, and its effects usually start within an hour or two. Effects can even start within minutes, if given intravenously.
Owners can use the tablet form at home, making it especially convenient for motion sickness. It should be given two hours before a car ride for optimal results. The tablet form is given at a dose of 0.9 milligrams per pound of body weight for prevention of acute vomiting, and 3.6 milligrams per pound for prevention of motion sickness.
Cerenia has been shown in laboratory studies to be highly (but not 100%) effective in preventing acute vomiting and motion sickness. Cerenia has a couple of other advantages, according to AKC Chief Veterinarian Jerry Klein, D.V.M. “It may also act as a mild pain control medication and is often used as an anesthetic pre-medication.”
“Cerenia is usually the first drug chosen for dogs and cats to prevent or stop vomiting and nausea,” says Klein. “Its effects can last approximately 24 hours, and it’s dosed as a once a day drug.” But it’s not always the drug of choice. “Stronger drugs, such as Zofran, can then be chosen if needed in severe cases, such as for chemo patients.”
Nonetheless, Cerenia is also used for chemotherapy patients, although in that case it may prevent vomiting but not nausea. “Sometimes Cerenia is given to prevent vomited that is associated with chemotherapy,” says Dr. Klein. “If given for this, administer Cerenia before adminstering the chemotherapeutic agent.”
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Cerenia differs from most anti-emetic drugs in that it was developed specifically for dogs, rather than being developed for people and then transferred to dogs. It’s been in use since 2007.
Cerenia is effective in a variety of situations because it acts by blocking a chemical (called substance P) in the central nervous system. Substance P is a key chemical involved in vomiting. By blocking Substance P, vomiting is blocked no matter what’s causing the vomiting. Cerenia is equally effective whether the vomiting is caused by motion sickness or systemic illness. In fact, it’s now the drug of choice for motion sickness in dogs.
As with any drug, side effects can occur. “The most common side effects are vomiting and hypersalivation at the higher doses required for motion sickness,” cautions Klein. “When using the injectable form, there can be pain or swelling at the site of injection.”
“Rarer side effects include lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea, allergic reactions, uncoordinated walking, and convulsions.” adds Klein. “This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.”
Cerenia should not be used in certain cases. If your dog has ingested toxins, has intestinal blockage, or is under 8 weeks old, Dr. Klein warns that Cerenia should not be used. “It should be used with caution in pets that have heart or liver disease, or pets that are pregnant and/or nursing.” Dr. Klein also advises that even in slightly older puppies, Cerenia should be used cautiously in puppies under 16 weeks when used for higher, motion-sickness dosage. In some of these cases, bone marrow supression has happened in dogs.
Tell your veterinarian of any pre-existing conditions as well as other medications. Cerenia’s use alongside other protein-bound drugs, which include NSAIDs, cardiac, anticonvulsant, and behavioral medications, has not been studied, nor has its use alongside drugs that could inhibit its metabolism.
“Chloramphenicol, phenobarbital, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and NSAIDs should be used with caution when given with Cerenia,” says Klein.
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The injectable form should not be given to puppies younger than 8 weeks of age. In puppies 2 to 4 months of age, it should be given subcutaneously. Dogs 4 months old and older should receive the injectable solution in the same manner as young puppies, or intravenously over 1 to 2 minutes. Cerenia can sting when injected, but that problem is less likely if the drug is refrigerated and then immediately administered without warming.
A dog suspected of having an obstruction or foreign body should receive anti-vomiting therapy conservatively while continuing to test for any possible obstruction.
Some dogs may vomit immediately after being given oral Cerenia. This can be prevented by giving Cerenia with a small amount of food. However, don’t wrap the pill tightly in a fatty food such as cheese or meat, which can delay or prevent the drug from dissolving.
Klein adds one more cautionary note: “In some cases, people can experience an allergic reaction when touching the medication. Wash with soap and water if this occurs.”
Cerenia may not be your first choice for dogs with mild motion sickness simply because it tends to be more expensive than other motion sickness pills. However, anyone who has been nauseous knows they’d pay just about anything to feel better. Chances are, if you knew how your dog felt, you would pay anything for your pet to feel better as well. In addition, dogs tend to associate travel with feeling nauseous, and can get sick even before the ride begins. Cerenia allows them to ride comfortably and adjust to the situation, eventually lessening the likelihood of motion sickness in the future.
In addition, for non-motion sickness vomiting, you should realize that vomiting evolved as a self-protection mechanism to rid the body of toxins. If your dog eats a toxic or rancid substance, expelling it from the body could save your dog from feeling even worse eventually, or possibly becoming poisoned. If you have reason to believe your dog is vomiting because of something it ate, you may be best to let it be. If vomiting continues, however, you should contact your veterinarian, who can treat the cause as well as administer fluids to make sure your dog doesn’t become dehydrated.
The same is true for any vomiting that continues for unknown reasons, especially if accompanied by fever, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, seizures, or if there is blood or coffee-ground like substances in the vomit. Vomiting can signal a number of systemic illnesses, organ failures, or gastrointestinal blockages. Though Cerenia or other drugs may stop vomiting, it’s essential to not just treat the symptom of chronic or severe vomiting, but also find out what’s causing it.
The post Cerenia (Maropitant) for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Alternatives appeared first on American Kennel Club.
Read more...
First, withhold food and water for at least 6 to 12 hours. Next, offer your dog a small amount of water. In different scenarios, you’ll want to call your veterinarian. If they accept the water, but can’t hold it down and vomit again, you should call your vet. Similarly, if they continue to vomit, or refuse food and water, call your vet. If they accept the water and keep it down, offer them small amounts of food and water and keep monitoring them.
But sometimes simply withholding food and water isn’t enough. That’s when your veterinarian may prescribe drugs to control vomiting.
©sap - stock.adobe.com
What Is Cerenia Used for in Dogs?
Veterinarians have traditionally favored anti-vomiting drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), ondansetron (Zofran), dolasetron (Anzemet) and metoclopramide (Reglan). While these are all effective choices, many veterinarians now instead prefer to prescribe maropitant (Cerenia) for vomiting control in dogs. It’s considered the first choice for prevention of motion sickness vomiting, a common problem in dogs. It’s also useful for reducing perioperative vomiting, or vomiting that often occurs when recovering from surgery or anesthesia.
Cerenia can be given by injection or pill form. When injected, it needs only be given once a day, and its effects usually start within an hour or two. Effects can even start within minutes, if given intravenously.
Owners can use the tablet form at home, making it especially convenient for motion sickness. It should be given two hours before a car ride for optimal results. The tablet form is given at a dose of 0.9 milligrams per pound of body weight for prevention of acute vomiting, and 3.6 milligrams per pound for prevention of motion sickness.
Cerenia has been shown in laboratory studies to be highly (but not 100%) effective in preventing acute vomiting and motion sickness. Cerenia has a couple of other advantages, according to AKC Chief Veterinarian Jerry Klein, D.V.M. “It may also act as a mild pain control medication and is often used as an anesthetic pre-medication.”
“Cerenia is usually the first drug chosen for dogs and cats to prevent or stop vomiting and nausea,” says Klein. “Its effects can last approximately 24 hours, and it’s dosed as a once a day drug.” But it’s not always the drug of choice. “Stronger drugs, such as Zofran, can then be chosen if needed in severe cases, such as for chemo patients.”
Nonetheless, Cerenia is also used for chemotherapy patients, although in that case it may prevent vomiting but not nausea. “Sometimes Cerenia is given to prevent vomited that is associated with chemotherapy,” says Dr. Klein. “If given for this, administer Cerenia before adminstering the chemotherapeutic agent.”
©Katarzyna Bialasiewicz - stock.adobe.com
How Cerenia Works in a Dog’s System
Cerenia differs from most anti-emetic drugs in that it was developed specifically for dogs, rather than being developed for people and then transferred to dogs. It’s been in use since 2007.
Cerenia is effective in a variety of situations because it acts by blocking a chemical (called substance P) in the central nervous system. Substance P is a key chemical involved in vomiting. By blocking Substance P, vomiting is blocked no matter what’s causing the vomiting. Cerenia is equally effective whether the vomiting is caused by motion sickness or systemic illness. In fact, it’s now the drug of choice for motion sickness in dogs.
Side Effects and Alternative Medications
As with any drug, side effects can occur. “The most common side effects are vomiting and hypersalivation at the higher doses required for motion sickness,” cautions Klein. “When using the injectable form, there can be pain or swelling at the site of injection.”
“Rarer side effects include lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea, allergic reactions, uncoordinated walking, and convulsions.” adds Klein. “This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.”
Cerenia should not be used in certain cases. If your dog has ingested toxins, has intestinal blockage, or is under 8 weeks old, Dr. Klein warns that Cerenia should not be used. “It should be used with caution in pets that have heart or liver disease, or pets that are pregnant and/or nursing.” Dr. Klein also advises that even in slightly older puppies, Cerenia should be used cautiously in puppies under 16 weeks when used for higher, motion-sickness dosage. In some of these cases, bone marrow supression has happened in dogs.
Tell your veterinarian of any pre-existing conditions as well as other medications. Cerenia’s use alongside other protein-bound drugs, which include NSAIDs, cardiac, anticonvulsant, and behavioral medications, has not been studied, nor has its use alongside drugs that could inhibit its metabolism.
“Chloramphenicol, phenobarbital, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and NSAIDs should be used with caution when given with Cerenia,” says Klein.
animalinfo/Getty Images Plus
The injectable form should not be given to puppies younger than 8 weeks of age. In puppies 2 to 4 months of age, it should be given subcutaneously. Dogs 4 months old and older should receive the injectable solution in the same manner as young puppies, or intravenously over 1 to 2 minutes. Cerenia can sting when injected, but that problem is less likely if the drug is refrigerated and then immediately administered without warming.
A dog suspected of having an obstruction or foreign body should receive anti-vomiting therapy conservatively while continuing to test for any possible obstruction.
Some dogs may vomit immediately after being given oral Cerenia. This can be prevented by giving Cerenia with a small amount of food. However, don’t wrap the pill tightly in a fatty food such as cheese or meat, which can delay or prevent the drug from dissolving.
Klein adds one more cautionary note: “In some cases, people can experience an allergic reaction when touching the medication. Wash with soap and water if this occurs.”
Pros and Cons of Utilizing Anti-Vomiting Medications
Cerenia may not be your first choice for dogs with mild motion sickness simply because it tends to be more expensive than other motion sickness pills. However, anyone who has been nauseous knows they’d pay just about anything to feel better. Chances are, if you knew how your dog felt, you would pay anything for your pet to feel better as well. In addition, dogs tend to associate travel with feeling nauseous, and can get sick even before the ride begins. Cerenia allows them to ride comfortably and adjust to the situation, eventually lessening the likelihood of motion sickness in the future.
In addition, for non-motion sickness vomiting, you should realize that vomiting evolved as a self-protection mechanism to rid the body of toxins. If your dog eats a toxic or rancid substance, expelling it from the body could save your dog from feeling even worse eventually, or possibly becoming poisoned. If you have reason to believe your dog is vomiting because of something it ate, you may be best to let it be. If vomiting continues, however, you should contact your veterinarian, who can treat the cause as well as administer fluids to make sure your dog doesn’t become dehydrated.
The same is true for any vomiting that continues for unknown reasons, especially if accompanied by fever, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, seizures, or if there is blood or coffee-ground like substances in the vomit. Vomiting can signal a number of systemic illnesses, organ failures, or gastrointestinal blockages. Though Cerenia or other drugs may stop vomiting, it’s essential to not just treat the symptom of chronic or severe vomiting, but also find out what’s causing it.
The post Cerenia (Maropitant) for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Alternatives appeared first on American Kennel Club.
Read more...
