Remeron for Cats

Remeron is a tricyclic antidepressant created to treat depression in humans. It stimulates the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which will induce a state of comfort and relaxation. Remeron was initially used as an ‘extra label’ drug by veterinarians in treating intestinal, stomach, kidney and liver disorders. Remeron helps cats with nausea and loss of appetite, so it is used in treating a series of diseases that manifest through these symptoms.

Remeron for Cats

The active substance of Remeron is Mirtazapine. It is mainly used in humans to control depression by stimulating the production of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These neurotransmitters induce a state of comfort, calm and relaxation.

In cats, Mirtazapine increases the level of serotonin in the brain and balances the activity of serotonin in the gastro-intestinal tract so it helps with nausea and appetite loss.

Remeron is prescribed to cats that suffer from a condition which causes nausea and loss of appetite. These symptoms can be the result of medical conditions affecting the digestive apparatus, kidney diseases or liver problems including:

  • Diabetes
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Heart disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Lower urinary tract failure
  • Chronic upper respiratory disease

Remeron can also be used to compensate for the nausea and appetite loss caused by chemotherapy in cats with cancer.

Administration of Remeron in Cats

When treating your cat with Remeron, you should adhere to your veterinarian’s prescription. Remeron is generally administered only twice a week and this is one of its major advantages over other appetite stimulating drugs.

In cats with liver or kidney diseases, a very small dose is recommended. Given that the smallest Remeron pill available on the market is too high a dose in these cases, you might need to ask a pharmacist to make smaller doses for your cat.

Overdose should be reported immediately because the cat might need gut-emptying procedures, so that the substance is released from the body as soon as possible.

Side Effects of Remeron

Remeron is generally a safe medication. However, it can cause side effects such as:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased heart activity
  • Tremors and shivering
  • Problems breathing
  • Dilated pupils
  • High blood pressure
  • High body temperature
  • Hyperactivity

The increased level of serotonin in the body is responsible for all of these side effects. If the side effects occur, you should announce your veterinarian and he can prescribe cyproheptadine as an antidote. Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine, but it also has an antagonizing effect on high serotonin levels.

Gaining weight can also be a side effect of Remeron given that it increases the appetite of the cat.

Further Warnings and Caution

Remeron does not interact with many other drugs. However, it should never be administered together with selective serotonin uptake inhibitor drugs, such as fluoxetine.

Caution should be used in administering Remeron in pregnant or lactating cats.

 

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