Famotidine helps to treat and prevent ulcers and other damage to your cat's stomach. Because feline stomach ulcers are relatively common side effects and symptoms of more serious conditions, and because these sores can make eating and maintaining proper nutrition difficult for your pet, famotidine is a drug that is very helpful in restoring your pet's stomach health and overall stability. Known by the common brand name Pepcid, this drug is approved and designed for use in humans only, although it can legally be prescribed under the watchful care of a veterinarian as well.
Famotidine Overview
Famotidine works by helping to restore the stomach acid stability in your pet's stomach. Highly acidic stomach pH levels can lead to ulcers and make it much more difficult for these sores to heal. Unfortunately, the presence of ulcers and many other conditions stimulates the histamine H-2, causing it to be produced in your pet's body. When this histamine bonds with receptors in your cat's stomach lining, the result is that those cells begin to produce additional stomach acid. By neutralizing the stimulation of H-2 and the production of excess acid, famotidine works to help make your pet's stomach a better place to restore normal health and eliminate ulcers.
Using Famotidine for Your Pet
Famotidine will need to be prescribed specifically for use in your pet by a veterinarian. Although the medicine is available in human form over the counter and without a veterinarian's prescription, it's essential that you work closely with a vet in order to make sure that your pet gets the proper dose of the medicine. Famotidine is available in both tablet form and as an oral suspension, although most pet owners find that grinding up the tablet and mixing it with the pet's food is the best way to deliver the proper dosage of the drug.
The specific dose of famotidine that you'll need to give to your pet will be dependent upon your cat's weight, size and the severity and cause of his stomach ulcers. Typically, the medicine is provided once or twice per day for the duration of the ulcer or until the ulcer symptoms are reduced.
Risks and Side Effects of Famotidine
Famotidine is typically considered safe for use in both cats and dogs. However, it nonetheless requires a veterinarian's prescription and guidance because of the potential side effects of the drug. This medicine may interact with others in your pet's system, so it's important that you inform your vet if your cat is on any other medicines before you begin the treatment. Additionally, beware of using famotidine if your pet has liver or kidney damage, as the drug may exacerbate these problems.
The most common side effects of famotidine include:
- Change of appetite
- Excessive thirst
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
If you notice these or any other side effects, speak with your veterinarian immediately. They may be signs of an allergic reaction to the medicine and can potentially be serious.