Famotidine is one of the more effective medications used to treat feline gastritis. Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining becomes inflamed due to some other condition or occurrence. When the stomach lining becomes inflamed, it can set off a variety of other issues in your cat and thus needs to be treated.
Effects of Gastritis
There are two types of gastritis: acute and chronic. When gastritis is acute, it is usually due to a simplified cause which has led to inflammation of the mucous in the stomach lining. However, when gastritis is chronic, it is usually set off by an underlying condition which has progressed over time.
In cases of acute gastritis, causes may include eating too much, ingestion of indigestible foods and ingestion of toxic items or plants. This can lead to lethargy in your dog, abdominal pain and vomiting. It is natural for your dog to vomit if he has eaten too much or eaten something that his digestive system cannot tolerate. However, if these symptoms are occurring due to the ingestion of a poisonous object, medical help should be sought immediately.
In cases of chronic gastritis, causes may include ulcers and cancer of the stomach. Conditions such as these can cause the same symptoms as acute gastritis but on a more pronounced level. In cases of ulcers, your dog will probably experience extreme abdominal pain, loss of interest in his normal activities and have blood in his feces and vomit. When this happens, it indicates that the ulcer is bleeding and has led to a very serious condition. Cancer of the stomach will present similar symptoms as well, except that you will notice more fatigue and a general disinterest in anything that requires his strength.
Diagnosing Feline Gastritis
Gastritis can be difficult to diagnose based on the symptoms alone. A review of the symptoms will usually point to an obvious conclusion; however the only sure way to diagnose gastritis is through abdominal x-rays. X-rays of the abdomen will show the presence of any tumors or ulcers, as well as the inflamed lining of the stomach. Additionally, blood and urine testing may also be examined to check for the presence of any other serious ailments.
Treatment of Acute Gastritis
Treatment of acute gastritis usually consists of a bland diet and monitoring of the condition. If the cause is simply due to overeating, there is no medication that can be given to alleviate the symptoms. The condition simply has to run its course.
Treatment of Chronic Gastritis with Famotidine
Famotidine is used to treat cases of chronic gastritis that cannot be resolved on their own. Famotidine works by blocking the release of acids in the stomach. When these acids are blocked from entrance into the stomach, the ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining can be allowed to heal effectively.
Although cancer is a condition which needs to be treated separately, Famotidine can be effective at blocking the ability of the tumor to produce acid and thus allowing gastritis to heal properly.
Famotidine is given daily in pill format and dosage varies on the severity of your dog's condition. Although most dogs do not encounter any side effects with the medication, it can sometimes inhibit the ability of other medications to act effectively.