How is the human medicine Dexamethasone used in treating cats?

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Dexamethasone is a medicine of a number of steroid hormones, intended for the treatment of people, but it is often prescribed to dogs and other animals, and the instructions for using the drug Dexamethasone for cats must be strictly followed. Since this drug is hormonal and replaces cortisol in the body, its use has a significant impact on the functioning of the endocrine system, which means that it is unacceptable to use it uncontrollably or “preemptively”, this causes harm to the animal’s body. However, the wide spectrum of action of the drug makes it indispensable in the treatment of eczema, conjunctivitis, otitis media, allergies and other diseases. Sold in veterinary and medical pharmacies.

Dosage forms and features

The hormonal product is produced for animals and humans. Veterinary Dexamethasone is available as an injection solution and is most often used to treat cats. Usually packaged in 100 ml bottles or glass ampoules. In pharmacies for people, the drug is available in the following dosage forms:

• solution for injections;
• eye drops;
• pills.

The injection solution for animals and humans differs in the concentration of the active substance dexamethasone - 2 and 4 mg in each milliliter, respectively. All medication options can be used for cats, but the dosage and regimen of use must be calculated by a doctor. Otherwise, the risk of overdose and side effects increases.

The clear liquid usually has a yellowish tint. In addition to the active substance of the same name, it contains glycerin, water for injection, propylene glycol and other auxiliary components.

Small tablets, which have a division groove on one side, are packaged in blisters of 10 pieces. They include a number of auxiliary components:

• magnesium stearate;
• lactose;
• croscarmellose sodium;
• colloidal silicon dioxide, etc.

One tablet contains 0.5 mg of active substance. This dosage form is rarely used to treat cats, as it is inferior in speed and effectiveness to the injection solution.

Eye drops are a 0.1% solution of dexamethasone. The outwardly transparent liquid is packaged in polymer bottles. They are equipped with a pipette for ease of use.

Note! Drops are used for cats only for severe eye pathologies, when other drugs are not effective enough. A doctor must prescribe the medicine.

What can be replaced

Dexafort Prednivet Metypred Maxidex
Analogues of Dexamethasone in veterinary medicine are:

1. Dexafort . The active ingredient is the same. The price is around 900 rubles.
2. Maxidex . Containing dexamethasone, this drug in the form of eye drops can replace the same form of medication.
3. Prednivet based on prednisolone. Its cost is 180 rubles for 1 bottle.
4. Metipred . The active ingredient is methylprednisolone. It costs about 350 rubles in pharmacies.

Action

The active substance of the drug is a synthetic hormone, which is an analogue of the hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex. It takes part in many physiological processes and is capable of influencing the endocrine and nervous systems, the functioning of muscle tissue and joints.

The drug has the following effects on the animal’s body:

• anti-inflammatory;
• anti-shock;
• antiallergic;
• immunosuppressive;
• antitoxic, etc.

The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is due to the fact that when the synthetic hormone penetrates the body, it suppresses the production of a substance involved in inflammatory processes. A special feature of the drug is its ability to suppress certain types of receptors. Due to this, the antiallergic effect is ensured - the body stops reacting to the irritant. In addition, the functioning of the immune system is suppressed.

Hormonal injections are often used to eliminate shock conditions due to allergies or injuries, since they act quickly. The active component fully “works” for the body, but when using tablets, the bioavailability (absorption) of the active substance does not exceed 50-60%.

When to use

According to the instructions for use, Dexamethasone for cats is usually used in the following cases:

• for arthritis, bursitis, intervertebral hernia and other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
• for eczema, allergic dermatitis;
• for bronchial asthma;
• with lupus erythematosus;
• in case of an allergic reaction to medications;
• for leukemia and other oncological diseases;
• for swelling and inflammation that develops as a result of injury;
• for allergies in any form, etc.

Note! A couple of ampoules of this drug should always be kept in the veterinary medicine cabinet, since it can be used to provide first aid for angioedema or anaphylactic shock. You should consult your doctor in advance regarding the dose.

The hormonal remedy is also used if the adrenal cortex does not secrete the necessary hormone. In this case, the treatment regimen and dosage of the medication should be carefully calculated by the doctor. Dexamethasone is also suitable for helping with shock and various injuries, including those received as a result of accidents or falls from a height. In this case, the drug has a complex effect - it has an anti-shock effect and prevents the development of symptoms (inflammation, swelling, etc.).

Eye drops are used for cats with the following pathologies of the organs of vision:

• with conjunctivitis;
• with keratitis;
• with blepharitis;
• with keratoconjunctivitis;
• for other eye diseases of non-infectious origin.

Drops can also be used for otitis media.

Analogs

If your pet has contraindications or is intolerant to the components, then the medicine should be replaced with one similar in its principle of action. However, all this must be agreed upon with a veterinarian.

Comparison table

One of the analogues is Maxidex

How to use

Features and dosage of the drug depend on several factors:

• pathologies;
• general health;
• symptoms, etc.

The instructions for use indicate that Dexamethasone injections for cats should be given intramuscularly. If you give injections, you must follow a few simple rules:

1. The injection site does not need to be treated with an antiseptic, but the epidermis in this area should be healthy and without obvious damage.
2. For cats, it is better to use insulin syringes. They make it easier to correctly measure the required amount of medicine. In addition, they have a thin needle.
3. For each injection, you must use a new sterile syringe.
4. Never mix the drug with other medications in the same syringe.

The dosage is 0.1-0.5 ml per animal, depending on the weight and condition of the pet. The doctor must determine the exact dose of the hormonal drug.

In case of shock, injury or an allergic reaction to food, medicine or other irritants, the injection is given once. If the pathology is chronic, a course may be required, the duration of which is calculated by the veterinarian. Sometimes injections are replaced with tablets for long-term treatment. They usually need to be given forcibly. The dosage is calculated depending on weight - for every kilogram 0.1 mg of the active substance.

Important! Long-term use of Dexamethasone is not allowed, since the adrenal cortex may atrophy, that is, it will stop producing the natural hormone. The dose must be gradually reduced so that the animal’s body begins to synthesize hormones in the required quantities.

According to the instructions, cats need Dexamethasone eye drops, one drop at a time. The procedure is done 1-2 times a day depending on the condition of the animal. The duration of treatment is usually 3-5 days, depending on the severity of the pathology.

Where to buy Dexamethasone

The drug can be purchased either at a regular pharmacy or found in veterinary departments. Since Dexamethasone is a hormonal drug, it should only be purchased on the recommendation of a veterinarian. The cost of the drug depends on the form of release, but in most cases you can find inexpensive drugs. For example, twenty-five ampoules of 1 ml each will cost approximately 200 rubles. The price of the drops is approximately 40 rubles per 5 ml bottle. Tablets (10 pieces of 0.5 mg each) cost about 45 rubles.

Information about whether a drug is a prescription drug or not varies widely. Therefore, I specifically went to several regular pharmacies and one veterinary department to find out this information. In most cases, the medicine was given without a prescription. It turned out to be much more difficult to purchase injections without a prescription. Only one pharmacy out of three agreed to sell the drug without recommendations from a specialist.

Restrictions

Cats should not take tablets or give Dexamethasone injections in the following cases:

• for diabetes mellitus;
• with hypersensitivity to components;
• during pregnancy;
• during lactation;
• for osteoporosis.

You should not use a hormonal drug for kittens during the formation of the bone skeleton. The fact is that when it is used, calcium is washed out of the body, so the bones become fragile. For the same reason, you should not inject the drug for fractures.

If the animal has heart, kidney or liver disease, consult a veterinarian. In most cases, it is better to stop using the product, otherwise complications may develop. In addition, the medication cannot be combined with certain types of antibiotics, antiallergic and painkillers, and other medications. Complex therapy should be selected by a doctor.

General description of the drug

The production of Dexamethasone is carried out by several pharmaceutical companies (Belarus), KRKA (Slovenia), Alfasan International (Netherlands) and others. The drug is a transparent yellowish or colorless solution with a slight specific odor. The medicine is packaged in glass ampoules of 1 or 2 ml. It goes on sale in blister packs or cardboard packs. Each of them contains from 5 to 25 ampoules with Dexamethasone for cats and instructions for their use.

The manufacturer recommends storing the drug away from feed and food, in a place where animals and small children cannot reach. The packaging should not be heated to a temperature of 25 °C or higher. If these conditions are met, the medicine retains its pharmaceutical properties for 3 years. After this period, unused remains of the solution must be disposed of.

"Dexamethasone" is sold not only in veterinary, but also in regular pharmacies. The price of the solution depends on the volume of the medicine in the package and varies from 150 to 340 rubles. To purchase medication, you need a prescription form filled out by a veterinarian.

Side effects

The hormonal drug has a strong effect on the body, and therefore, with prolonged use or exceeding the dose, the following side effects may occur:

• depression and depression;
• itching;
• weight gain;
• skin depletion;
• bone fragility;
• problems with the digestive system;
• increase or decrease in appetite;
• behavioral disorders (eating inedible things, aggressiveness, etc.);
• increased glucose levels;
• heart rhythm disturbance and increased arterial pressure.

If long-term use of Dexamethasone is required, it is necessary to regularly visit the veterinarian and conduct clinical blood and urine tests. If test results worsen, the dosage of the drug is adjusted or discontinued altogether.

Owner reviews

Ksenia, owner of a 6-year-old cat:

“We had to test the effectiveness of Dexamethasone under sad circumstances - the cat was hit by a car. The blow hit him on the head. The animal's condition was terrible - Mirochka was convulsing, foam was coming out of her mouth. We immediately rushed to the clinic, fortunately it is located nearby. The doctor immediately injected me with a hormonal drug. It was he who helped us save our beloved cat. Of course, it would not have been possible without long-term and complex treatment. Now I have 2 ampoules of this product in my medicine cabinet, just in case.”

Regina, owner of the Scottish Fold cat:

“We were prescribed Dexamethasone for cystitis to relieve the inflammatory process. Because of the pain, the cat could not go to the toilet; a catheter had to be inserted. They injected it for several days, there were no side effects. The veterinarian warned that you should not use the drug yourself.”