Can you give ranitidine to dogs?
Dogs are man’s best friend, but let’s face it; they can be quite moody and temperamental like that ex who still hasn’t returned the DVDs you lent them. As a responsible dog owner, one of your primary responsibilities is ensuring that your furry friend is always in good health. However, when your pet falls sick or experiences acid reflux — often indicated by excessive vomiting, flatulence and loose bowel movements — things can get tricky.
One over-the-counter medication commonly used to treat excessive stomach acid production is ranitidine (also known as Zantac). While this drug has been recommended for human use for years now with impressive results and commercials featuring adults thriving after taking the medication, giving it to dogs may not necessarily follow suit.
So should you give ranitidine to dogs?
What Is Ranitidine?
Ranitidine belongs to a group of drugs known as histamine H2-receptor antagonists which help prevent and reduce excess acid production within the stomach lining. The drug blocks certain hormones produced in the gut which stimulate gastric secretion; these include gastrin and acetylcholine [1].
In humans, medicating on 75 mg twice daily usually works in reducing GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) symptoms such as heartburn[2]. But seeing how different dogs come in varying shapes and sizes while also presenting unique complications just like people do – including differences in metabolism – veterinarians must consider several factors before prescribing histamine blockers such as ranitidine- including dosage amount, administration time frames alongside other medications given that require vet approval[3][4].
Can You Give Ranitidine To Your Dog?
Yes! Giving small amounts of this over-the-counter medication stands among many other actions you could take at home first before tugging along with Fido down another day trip to the vet. It is important to know, however, that administering ranitidine to your dog should come after strictly consulting your veterinarian.
After all we can’t just accommodate and give our furry friends whatever they want like Santa’s elves— umm dogs have needs beyond treats ya’ll!
Considerations Before Giving Ranitidine To Your Dog
Before going ahead with any medical treatment or prescription of ranitidine for pet use, it would be best if you consulted an expert in the field(we call them veterinarians). There are specific considerations one should make before giving ranitidine (or any other medication) to their dog:
Weight Factors
Because every dog has its unique weight which affects dosage recommendations from vets as compared to humans dosage recommendation which remains static based on an adult. Veterinarians mostly recommend doses between .25-1 mg per kg bodyweight depending on the severity symptoms experienced.[5]
Age Of The Dog
Age is also essential when determining whether medications such as ranitidine are fit for consumption by dogs. Aged pets require a smaller dose than younger ones; these amounts may vary alongside gender.”[5]
Health Conditions & Medications Already-Prescribed
Other health conditions present within your pet could affect how this medication works within their system- or interact with medicaments already being consumed leading to severe side effects so it’s crucial never-recommend things for yourself lookalike Bob Ross always said “happy accidents” don’t happen here… only fuggedaboudits’ okay? [6]
Some prescribed treatments may have adverse side effects in cases where both given alongside histamine blockers leading a worsening condition that was trying corrected initially – including central nervous system depression respiratory distress etc.[7]
If you’re unsure about how certain medications might react with any prescriptions your pooch is currently taking – trust us fellows go see Dr.Vet first because we care for both you and your furry friend!
Quality Of the Dog Food Consumed
Diet goes beyond just regular walks or daily feeding but can also help in reducing symptoms of GERDs experienced by dogs; according to ASPCA determining the type, quantity timing consistency of meals served a dog can vastly improve their digestive process [8].
Benefits of Ranitidine For Dogs:
In humans, ranitidine has proven effective at treating acid reflux disease. Similarly, in dogs – this H2 blocker could be beneficial for relieving symptoms associated with excessive acid production ranging from stomach inflammation to plain puking [9].
Below are four significant benefits associated with administering ranitidine treatments straight from the horse’s veterinary mouth — yep it doesn’t work on them but they still recommend it! :
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Ranitidine is available over-the-counter (OTC) which means owners quickly obtain relief when required without having to make an appointment.
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Unlike other medications that need ingestion alongside food dishes so as not illicit vomiting response due to bitter taste(try asking pizza-delivery guy out before actually paying him or her!) –most pets seem comfortable swallowing ranitidine tablets.
3.Side effects are minimal plus well-researched meaning pet-owners don’t have much worry about while countersigns owing to consumption
4.The drug becomes active fairly rapidly leading GI distress improvement almost immediately with continued medicaments total abatement bloating soreness leads thanks mama nature![10]
As helpful as ranitidine may appear there exist several noticeable negatives one needs consider regarding their usage…
Drawbacks To Administering Ranitidine
As is common knowledge nearly everything-there-is comes along with downsides and histamine blockers such as Ranitidone do not get any less attention.
Let’s observe five significant drawbacks concerning giving pet dogs histamine blockers:
Incorrect Dose:
The fact that ranitidine is available over the counter does not mean we can just dispense them in portions calculated using; “a pinch of this” or a “swigify that”-figures don’t play along sweetie. The administration of an incorrect dose could have detrimental consequences leading to major complications.
Inadequate Monitoring:
Owners should continuously monitor their pets during medication usage to ensure effectiveness and timely detection for any allergy symptoms, metabolic effects amongst others which will enable a vet offer alternative adjustments when/if needed [11]
False Sense Of Assessment Using Symptomatic Changes :
Administering ranitidine only conceals signs instead of eliminating it’s underlying causes after all history proves once buried- skeletons stay…but so do gastrointestinal issues if left unchecked
Frequent & Long-standing Use :
Exceedingly regular consumption invites unneeded medical health hazards – including digestive-system interactions with prescribed treatments for owners who give these meds long-term without prior vet approval.
Substance Interaction:
Ranitidine should never be given concurrently with antacids like sodium bicarbonate since they nullify its action thereby rendering it inactive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, histamine blockers such as ranitidine serve generally as excellent acidity-reducing agents ideal for short-term animal use at best. However, caution must always prevail especially where administering home-made medication such as furnishing parts from OTC-drugs meant solely for human-use.
Before anything else consult vet authorities before making decisions that may affect your furry friend – just because he looks cute wagging his tail should never translate to taking charge speaking medic..hears!
So Yeah – while there isn’t really much to worry about in terms of administering this stomach-acid reducing drug there are several factors that require consideration accompanying dispensation . Therefore dog-owners looking towards providing relief should evaluate based on comprehensive analysis by qualified veterinarians alongside practicing routine Fido maintenance protocols rather than bring out the vacuum cleaners spraying instantly available bedroom solutions like there’s no tomorrow.
Now, stroke your furry friend’s head and doze off knowing he or she will continue keeping you sane through these times of ‘new normal’.