If your pet suffers from a condition that affects his liver and his biliary system is compromised or not able to function as it should, supplementary ursodiol may be a good way to help manage his health. Ursodiol is a naturally occurring bile acid that is produced by your pet's liver and which helps with the process of creating and breaking down certain components and items that pass through this organ. Without proper ursodiol levels, your pet will not be able to process cholesterol and may end up with a number of different health problems.
Ursodiol Overview
Ursodiol is an important component of the biliary system. This system is responsible for aiding in digestion and processing the cholesterol that is present in foods. If your pet's liver or biliary system is compromised to some degree and he cannot produce enough ursodiol naturally, he may have too much cholesterol build up in his body and develop gallbladder stones or other problems.
Supplementary ursodiol can be used to artificially restore stability to this system and also to help prevent the other liver acids from inadvertently working to break down the liver itself. If your pet suffers from liver failure or another liver problem, speak with your vet about the possibility of using this medicine to help address his issue.
Using Ursodiol for Your Cat
Ursodiol is available as the brand name drugs Actigall and Urso. Both of these medicines have been specifically formulated for humans and are not approved for use in cats. However, a vet can prescribe these medicines, as well as their generic equivalents, for feline use in certain cases. You'll need to keep your pet under the watchful care of a vet while he's taking this medicine in order to ensure that his health remains viable.
Ursodiol is available in either capsule or tablet form. For cats, the dose ranges from about 5 to 7 milligrams per pound and is given once per day. Mixing the capsule or tablet in with your cat's food is a good way to provide him with this medicine. The dosage that you give to your pet will be dependent upon his weight and a number of other factors, including his normal ursodiol production levels and his overall health. Your vet will work to regularly monitor these levels in order to adjust the dose to the proper levels.
Risks and Side Effects of Ursodiol
The most common side effect of ursodiol is mild diarrhea. However, cats can also experience more severe allergic reactions to the medicine. If you suspect that your cat is having a reaction to the drug, take him to a veterinarian for emergency treatment immediately.
It's also important that you divulge all preexisting health conditions and other medicines that your pet may have in his system before you begin ursodiol. This drug can interact with other medicines and may also exacerbate certain other conditions too.