What is Famotidine in Dogs and what is it for?

Famotidine is a drug that is usually administered to dogs for the treatment of various gastrointestinal ailments. Its activity lies in reducing the production of stomach acid, which is extremely helpful in treating other ailments of the digestive system. Although it is not yet approved for veterinary use, it is usually prescribed with confidence. In the following article you will learn more about the use of Famotidine in Dogs.

famotidine in dogs

Famotidine for Dogs

Famotidine is a drug that has traditionally been used in medicine for human beings, so it is quite feasible that we have it in the home medicine cabinet. But we should not be tempted to give famotidine to a dog only because we consider that its signs are consistent with those that humans usually suffer from. Only veterinarians are empowered to prescribe the use of these drugs in animals.

In the text below we will share information about what famotidine is, what it is prescribed for in dogs and what are the restrictions on its use and the side effects that must be taken into account.

What is Famotidine?

Famotidine is the active substance that is incorporated in the group of drugs that oppose the H₂ receptor or H₂ blockers. In other words, it usually acts by blocking the H₂ receptor, in such a way that it manages to prevent the excretion of gastric acid, which is usually induced by histamine. Specifically, it disrupts the binding of histamine, which is normally released by stomach cells, to its receptor.

In this way, the segregation of hydrochloric acid is significantly reduced. It is considered to be more powerful than other active substances in its group, such as cimetidine and ranitidine, and it is also long-lasting.

famotidine in dogs

In other words, its field of activity is the digestive one, and it is essentially regarded as a medicine with an anti-ulcer effect, since it reduces the amount of stomach acid that is usually produced. Famotidine for dogs has presented poor absorption as a drawback, which means that only 37% can be used when administered orally. It is usually eliminated through urine.

What is Canine Famotidine used for?

Famotidine is used to treat pathologies linked to the acid that is produced in the stomach. In such a way that it is known that famotidine for dogs is prescribed in cases of gastritis of different kinds, gastroduodenal ulcers, esophagitis due to reflux or systemic mastocytosis. Famotidine usually resolves the symptoms associated with these conditions.

All this series of diseases must be confirmed by a veterinary specialist. Therefore, even if you have famotidine at home, you should not supply it to the animal at your discretion. Treatment with this drug requires periodic evaluation by the veterinarian. It should be noted that dogs are usually very predisposed to the formation of gastroduodenal ulcers as a complementary effect to the supply of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).

Famotidine manages to mitigate the reduction in gastric flow in these cases, thereby helping to prevent these ulcers in dogs that are subjected to long-term treatment with NSAIDs, despite the fact that its efficacy has been questioned.

famotidine in dogs

Uses of Famotidine

Famotidine is used primarily for the treatment of canine gastrointestinal ulcers. The drug works by attaching to receptors in the lining of the stomach, causing the production of gastric acid to decrease. Ulcers often form when the stomach or intestines are damaged by such acid or infections, often from Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Such ulcers can cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which could prove to be very dangerous.

Decreasing gastric acid production makes it easier for these ulcers to heal and may even prevent new ulcers from forming. The power of famotidine to reduce gastric acid production is also useful in treating acid reflux, heartburn, esophagitis and gastritis. It can also be supplied to dogs suffering from kidney failure to prevent the formation of ulcers.

Dosage for Dogs

The dose of canine famotidine must only be prescribed by a professional in the area, the same happening with the period of supply and the frequency in which it must be taken. This is due to the fact that, as is often the case with any other medication, it has been subject to the clinical condition and the characteristics of the animal. That is, dose customization is required.

Indeed, the variety of the suggested dose is very extensive, since it can range, orally, from 0,1 to 1 mg of famotidine per kilogram of the animal's weight and can be given between one and two daily occasions. Additionally, once the treatment has begun, it must be maintained throughout the period indicated by the veterinarian, despite the fact that we notice some improvement before its completion.

Famotidine for dogs can usually be given in tablets and it is more convenient if they are given before meals. Said tablets have to be divided to favor their ingestion, particularly if it has to be hidden in the food so that the animal takes it without noticing it. Other presentations are injectable famotidine, which must be administered by an expert, or the oral suspension that is usually presented in powder form that must be reconstituted by adding water.

Contraindications of Famotidine

Famotidine could interact with other medications, so if our dog is taking or has just taken any medication, we must notify the veterinarian if he ignores said information. This could include food supplements. Obviously, dogs that have shown allergic reactions to famotidine at some point should not take this medicine again. In contrast, it can be supplied to bitches during pregnancy or lactation, being clear, always according to the advice of the specialist.

On the other hand, precautions must be exaggerated with dogs suffering from kidney or liver pathologies already confirmed. Famotidine is not the most appropriate drug in such situations. Caution is also suggested in the cases of dogs of legal age or with some pre-existing condition that can weaken them. If after supplying famotidine for dogs we notice any contrary effect, we must inform the veterinarian. We must do the same if it seems to us that the drug is not achieving the desired effect.

Side effects 

On certain occasions, famotidine can produce unfavorable reactions in the animal, although they are rare. Among them are the following:

  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea.
  • Dehydration in mucous membranes and skin.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Reduction of the heart rate in those cases in which it is supplied intravenously.

Additionally, although it is a very reliable medicine if it is used according to what is prescribed by the veterinarian, if an overdose occurs, symptoms such as the following are likely to arise:

  • Nausea.
  • Nervousness.
  • Increased heart rate.
  • Fainting.

We also recommend these other interesting articles:


Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Actualidad Blog
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.