carolynandlatte
Very Active Member
I am not sure if this is the right area to post about this. I decided on health, because I know Dr. Lisa sometimes checks in. Maybe she could chime in as well???
Over the few years I have been around FDMB, I have noticed more and more people recommending the use of pepcid to people posting about their cat who is vomiting. Bear in mind, I used pepcid on Latte, daily...for years. She had multiple health issues (kidney failure, pancreatitis, FD, IBD, etc). She was prescribed this medication by her vet after the kidney failure due to excessive gastric acid. This would cause her to vomit white foam and reduced her appetite. My understanding has always been that pepcid is an antacid. It helps reduce excessive acid, which can make a cat nauseated, and in turn vomit. Reducing the excessive acid may also help them regain a bit of an appetite, depending on what else is going on.
There are many reasons a cat may be nauseated or vomit. If someone comes to the board talking about their cat who is vomiting, there are many factors to consider. Is the cat vomiting or regurgitating? Does the cat have underlying illnesses (CRF, Pancreatitis, etc)? Are they bringing up food or bile? Is this happening daily, weekly, occasionally? Chronic vomiting should ALWAYS be checked out by a veterinarian. It not only can signal a serious illness (which could be treated), but vomiting itself can cause serious issues (dehydration, further lack of appetite, lethargy, more prone to ketones if FD, weight loss, constipation, etc).
My concern revolves around the frequent suggestion of using pepcid, including dosage, often with little information about why the cat is vomiting. Maybe it is MY misconception and pepcid can help stop any cat from vomiting no matter the reason??? Many of us have had to use pepcid for various reasons, and it has helped. I just dont know if it is appropriate for us (meaning any member on FDMB) to blindly suggest going out and buying an over the counter drug and having someone dispense it to their cat w/o talking to their veterinarian first. It almost seems like it is one of those "everyone else is doing it, so it must be ok" situations, both in suggesting and using it.
Pepcid was always one of the medications I had the least concerns about when it came to adverse reactions. HOWEVER, it still carries risks and can interfere with other medications. Plus, who wants to give their cat something they may not need, especially in the form of a pill!
I think it would be in the best interest of the bean seeking help for a vomiting cat if we could ask a little more about the vomiting, make suggestions of what could be causing the problem, and educate on medications which could help. BUT, it is just as important to remind the caregiver that one should never give a medication (over the counter or not) w/o first contacting their veterinarian.
This is not meant to point fingers and have people get defensive. Im posting this for clarification on the use of pepcid, as well as making sure those posting about their cats who are vomiting are getting the best information to help their cat. If this post is in the wrong place, feel free to move it to the appropriate spot on the board.
Over the few years I have been around FDMB, I have noticed more and more people recommending the use of pepcid to people posting about their cat who is vomiting. Bear in mind, I used pepcid on Latte, daily...for years. She had multiple health issues (kidney failure, pancreatitis, FD, IBD, etc). She was prescribed this medication by her vet after the kidney failure due to excessive gastric acid. This would cause her to vomit white foam and reduced her appetite. My understanding has always been that pepcid is an antacid. It helps reduce excessive acid, which can make a cat nauseated, and in turn vomit. Reducing the excessive acid may also help them regain a bit of an appetite, depending on what else is going on.
There are many reasons a cat may be nauseated or vomit. If someone comes to the board talking about their cat who is vomiting, there are many factors to consider. Is the cat vomiting or regurgitating? Does the cat have underlying illnesses (CRF, Pancreatitis, etc)? Are they bringing up food or bile? Is this happening daily, weekly, occasionally? Chronic vomiting should ALWAYS be checked out by a veterinarian. It not only can signal a serious illness (which could be treated), but vomiting itself can cause serious issues (dehydration, further lack of appetite, lethargy, more prone to ketones if FD, weight loss, constipation, etc).
My concern revolves around the frequent suggestion of using pepcid, including dosage, often with little information about why the cat is vomiting. Maybe it is MY misconception and pepcid can help stop any cat from vomiting no matter the reason??? Many of us have had to use pepcid for various reasons, and it has helped. I just dont know if it is appropriate for us (meaning any member on FDMB) to blindly suggest going out and buying an over the counter drug and having someone dispense it to their cat w/o talking to their veterinarian first. It almost seems like it is one of those "everyone else is doing it, so it must be ok" situations, both in suggesting and using it.
Pepcid was always one of the medications I had the least concerns about when it came to adverse reactions. HOWEVER, it still carries risks and can interfere with other medications. Plus, who wants to give their cat something they may not need, especially in the form of a pill!
I think it would be in the best interest of the bean seeking help for a vomiting cat if we could ask a little more about the vomiting, make suggestions of what could be causing the problem, and educate on medications which could help. BUT, it is just as important to remind the caregiver that one should never give a medication (over the counter or not) w/o first contacting their veterinarian.
This is not meant to point fingers and have people get defensive. Im posting this for clarification on the use of pepcid, as well as making sure those posting about their cats who are vomiting are getting the best information to help their cat. If this post is in the wrong place, feel free to move it to the appropriate spot on the board.
