Steroid hormones: Dexamethasone for cats. Dexamethasone for cats Anaphylactic shock in cats
> Dexamethasone (injection solution)
The information posted on this page is for informational purposes only and cannot be used for self-medication!
Before using medications, consultation with a specialist is MANDATORY!
For whom: the drug is used to treat horses, pigs, various types of ruminants, cats, dogs.
Leave form: The medicine is produced in the form of a colorless or yellowish transparent solution for injection, packaged in dark glass ampoules.
Dosage: Dexamethasone is used intramuscularly, periarticularly (around the joint), locally intraarticularly (inside the joint), intrabursally (directly into the joint capsule). In case of shock, the solution is administered once. For infectious diseases, the drug is used simultaneously with antibiotics. The duration of therapy and dose are determined by the veterinarian individually. The treatment regimen depends on the diagnosis, the animal’s body weight and the severity of the pathological process.
Restrictions: Contraindications to the drug are diabetes mellitus, bone fractures, and pregnancy. For a single use for health reasons, the only contraindication is hypersensitivity to the components. If the prescribed treatment regimen is strictly followed, Dexamethasone is well tolerated by animals. However, in some cases, the development of certain side effects is possible, namely: decreased or increased appetite, gastrointestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, flatulence, steroid ulcer of the gastric mucosa, erosive esophagitis; heart rhythm disturbances, thrombosis, increased blood pressure; damage to the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure, hypocalcemia, weight gain; thinning of the skin, itching, anaphylactic shock, convulsions. When using the drug, it is necessary to monitor the animal’s blood pressure, glucose levels, and water and electrolyte balance. It is also recommended to carry out X-ray monitoring of the condition of bones and joints.
It is also known as “allergic shock”. Anaphylaxis is a severe, sudden, and life-threatening reaction to allergens.
Anaphylactic shock occurs when the body exhibits an overreaction to a perceived threat (allergen). If the body has previously had contact with an allergen that stimulated an immune response, subsequent contacts can lead to more serious consequences.
Common allergens are:
- A bite of an insect
- Medicines, in particular antibiotics
- Vaccines and serums
- Blood and plasma
- Hormones
- Plant pollen
- Food allergens
When an antigen enters the body, antibodies responsible for neutralizing the antigen are activated. This causes mast cells to release cytotoxic granules. They contain compounds including histamine and serotonin, which cause the airways to narrow, making breathing difficult, and causing a decrease in blood pressure.
Anaphylactic shock - symptoms
The reaction occurs quickly, usually within a few minutes (but sometimes hours) of exposure. Common symptoms are as follows:
- Labored breathing
- Swelling in the affected area
- Swelling of the muzzle or larynx
- Pale and even bluish gums
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as or
- Dyspnea
- Shiver
- Convulsions
- Salivation
How is the diagnosis made?
The above obvious symptoms may indicate anaphylaxis. In order to save your pet's life, immediate action must be taken. After first aid is administered, the veterinarian may perform several diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the allergic reaction (if it is unknown). Typically, a patch test is performed where a number of common allergens are applied to the cat's skin and checked for redness and swelling after 24-48 hours.
First aid for anaphylactic shock
If your cat has foamy discharge from her mouth, use a tissue to clean her mouth and nostrils. If the cat's heart has stopped, artificial respiration will need to be given to it. First, make sure that your cat's tongue is not stuck or blocking the airway. Then place your palms on her chest so that you can feel her ribs, and periodically press down, pushing the air out of the lungs. Don't press too hard to avoid damaging anything. You can use the mouth-to-mouth method: to do this, take the protruding part of the muzzle into your mouth and blow air evenly for 3 seconds, then pause for 2 seconds and repeat everything again.
It's best to take your cat to the vet right away. Call him in advance and let him wait for you.
If worn, loosen or remove it. If possible, wrap your cat in a blanket and place her on her side with her back legs slightly higher than her head.
How is anaphylactic shock treated?
This reaction of the body requires emergency medical attention and treatment should be carried out immediately. An injection of adrenaline is required. This is an intramuscular injection that counteracts the side effects. It relaxes the airways, which makes breathing easier, increases blood pressure by causing blood vessels to constrict (which dilate in anaphylaxis), and prevents further release of cytotoxic granules.
What to do next
Try to avoid allergens if possible. Therefore, it is important to undergo skin patch tests to try to identify the allergen. Avoiding medications or foods if they are the cause.
If your cat has had an allergic reaction to medications or vaccines, be sure to notify your veterinarian, even if this happened in his presence, it is still necessary to remind him about it.
____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Everyone already knows that human medicines in many cases work well on animals, and ointments purchased at veterinary pharmacies often help people better than a beautifully packaged overseas drug. You just need to know the dose and composition of this product. So dexamethasone has found its use in cats. It would seem that it belongs to glucocorticoids, steroid hormones, but they are quite effective on horses, cows, dogs and other domestic animals.
Dexamethasone for cats - indications for use
Veterinarians use this medicine in the following dangerous cases - when edematous diseases occur, shock, arthritis, bursitis, intoxication, and severe stress.
Dexamethasone dosage for cats
In case of shock, 1-1.5 ml of this medicine is usually administered per 1 kg of pet’s weight. For such a small animal as a cat, 0.1 ml to 1 ml of this drug intramuscularly is enough. If the doctor is dealing with an infection, then this substance is used in combination with antibiotics. Pharmacies sell ophthalmic suspensions, tablets, and dexamethasone injections. For cats, the last option is most suitable.
Dexamethasone for cats is an excellent treatment when other options are not suitable, but immediate treatment is needed. This is especially true for shock conditions, allergies and swelling. It is not advisable to use it during pregnancy, breastfeeding, before possible vaccination or immediately after it. This drug should be administered by an experienced veterinarian; older animals often suffer from hypertension, kidney failure, and corticosteroids may cause other reactions in them. If there are no contraindications, then injections can be given; usually the duration of the treatment course for a domestic cat is up to 7-8 days.
One of the most dangerous “diseases of the century” is allergies. We are accustomed to treating it as some kind of frivolous process, but this is far from the case. It has long been known that allergic reactions underlie almost all autoimmune processes. In addition, such conditions are deadly: the same anaphylactic shock in cats often leads to death, as it develops suddenly, and not all animal owners are aware of the signs of this pathology. To be able to help your animal, read this article. It contains the basic and most important information about anaphylaxis.
“Anaphylactic shock” is a suddenly manifested allergic reaction, accompanied by a significant increase in the diameter of blood vessels, an increase in their porosity, and the appearance of effusion into the surrounding tissues. All this leads to stagnation in the pulmonary circulation, hypovolemia (decrease in immediate blood volume), which is fraught with collapse and rapid death. Of course, such severe consequences do not occur in all cases, but still, anaphylaxis is an extremely serious condition, and therefore cannot be taken lightly.
Causes
In general, there can be a lot of reasons. Here are just their main varieties:
- Bites from bees, poisonous spiders, snakes, scorpions...
- Vaccines or medicinal serums.
- Hormones.
- Medicines.
- Blood and plasma.
- Flavorings, preservatives, other food additives.
- Plant pollen. “The hit of one season” are flowering poplars, which give an “unforgettable” experience not only to people with allergies, but also to animals.
Read also: Jacobs ulcer in cats: causes, symptoms and treatment
It should be remembered that it is not just written on all medications that using them without consulting a doctor (a veterinarian, in this case) is strictly prohibited! Medicines against fleas and ticks, anti-inflammatory drugs and vaccines - our irresponsible fellow citizens actively use all this to “treat” their cats. Often, veterinarians have to deal with the results of their “work.” Don't do this!
Types of pathology
Can be local or generalized (systemic). The latter form represents the greatest danger, as it affects all organs and systems of the body. A local manifestation of anaphylaxis is urticaria, when the skin on some part of the body suddenly becomes covered with blisters and a rash. The flow is divided into three types:
- Lightning fast, when signs of suffocation occur a few seconds after the action of the allergen. As a rule, it leads to death, since effective treatment can only be carried out in a clinic, which you simply won’t have time to get to.
- Heavy. Develops in 5-10 minutes. It is characterized by stagnation in the pulmonary circulation and the appearance of pulmonary edema. If the animal is not immediately taken to a veterinarian, death from cardiac arrest or suffocation is possible.
- Moderate severity. Appears within half an hour. Sometimes the condition will stabilize on its own, but in most cases the help of a veterinarian is necessary.
There is also angioedema, which is characterized by increased porosity and permeability of the deep vessels of the skin. Often a consequence of urticaria. Note that neither it nor angioedema most often leads to systemic anaphylaxis. This can only happen if the cat has not received any medical care at all. But even then, the usual one develops much more often. Finally, the very nature of anaphylactic shock can be immune or non-immune.
Read also: Kidney failure in cats - causes, symptoms and treatment of the syndrome
The first type occurs in 90% of cases. To clearly understand the mechanism of its occurrence, you need to have at least a little understanding of medicine, but in a simple way it happens like this: first, after initial contact with the allergen, sensitive cats develop “immunity” to this substance. The accumulation of antibodies, which are responsible for neutralizing these substances, can occur gradually. Finally, one “fine” day, another portion of the allergen enters the body, after which a massive allergic reaction occurs.
What if we are talking about a non-immune form? In this case, everything is somewhat more complicated. Firstly, activation of the same antibodies is still observed, but this can happen due to the action of some medications or similar substances. In general, the development mechanism is almost completely similar to that in the first case, everything just happens much faster. In even rarer cases, the entry of any antigen into the body causes a massive release of histamine from mast cells. A good example is the reaction to a bee sting, even if these insects have not stung your cat before. Simply put, in the end everything comes to the same immune reaction. What are the symptoms of this dangerous pathology?
Instructions for use of Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 as an anti-inflammatory,
antiallergic, decongestant and gluconeogenetic agent for animals
(developer organization: Alfasan International B.V., Netherlands)
I. General information
Trade name of the drug: Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 (Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3).
International nonproprietary name: dexamethasone.
Dosage form: solution for injection.
Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 in 1 ml contains as an active substance: dexamethasone (in the form of disodium phosphate) - 2 mg, and as excipients: sodium metabisulfite - 1 mg, methyl parahydroxybenzoate - 1 mg, propyl parahydroxybenzoate - 0.1 mg, disodium phosphate dodecahydrate - 13.5 mg and water for injection.
In appearance, Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 is a clear, colorless liquid.
The shelf life of the drug, subject to storage conditions, is 3 years from the date of production, after opening the bottle - no more than 21 days.
Dexamethasone should not be used after the expiration date.
Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 is available packaged in 50 and 100 ml glass bottles, sealed with rubber stoppers reinforced with aluminum caps. Each unit of consumer packaging is supplied with instructions for use.
The drug is stored in the manufacturer's sealed packaging, separate from food and feed, in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight, at a temperature of 4°C to 25°C, out of the reach of children.
Unused medicinal product is disposed of in accordance with legal requirements.
Conditions of release: without a veterinarian's prescription.
II. Pharmacological properties
Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 belongs to the group of synthetic glucocorticosteroids.
It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, desensitizing effect and immunosuppressive activity.
The mechanism of action of the hormone is to block the release of inflammatory mediators by eosinophils, including prostaglandins, which potentiate the inflammatory process, stimulate the biosynthesis of lipocartins, which have anti-edematous activity, reduce the number of mast cells that produce hyaluronic acid, and reduce capillary permeability. The immunosuppressive effect is due to inhibition of the release of cytokines (interleukin 1.2, interferon gamma) from lymphocytes and macrophages, inhibition of the proliferation of lymphoid tissue and cellular immunity, and disruption of the kinetics of T-lymphocytes.
The main effect of dexamethasone on metabolism is associated with protein catabolism, increased gluconeogenesis in the liver and a decrease in glucose utilization by peripheral tissues.
The maximum concentration in the blood plasma after parenteral administration of dexamethasone is detected after 60 minutes. Therapeutic concentration in blood serum lasts up to 48 hours depending on the type of animal. The bioavailability of dexamethasone when administered intramuscularly is 100%; its biotransformation occurs in the liver and partially in fibroblasts involved in the metabolic process. Dexamethasone is excreted in the form of metabolites, mainly in urine and bile.
Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 in terms of the degree of impact on the body is classified as a moderately hazardous substance (hazard class 3 according to GOST 12.1.007-76).
III. Application procedure
Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm3 is prescribed to cattle and small ruminants, pigs, sports and working horses, dogs and cats as an anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anti-edematous and gluconeogenetic agent in the treatment of post-traumatic edema, arthritis, tendovaginitis, as well as acute mastitis and ketosis in cattle livestock, allergic dermatitis and eczema in dogs and cats.
Contraindications to the use of Dexamethasone are the increased individual sensitivity of the animal to the components of the drug, hypertensive keratitis and other viral infections of the cornea and conjunctiva, infections caused by mycobacteria, glaucoma.
It is not recommended to use the drug in animals with diabetes, liver, kidney or heart failure, gastric and duodenal ulcers, bone fractures and osteoporosis, degenerative eye diseases and/or corneal ulcers, and hyperadrenocorticalism.
If it is necessary to use Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 in these cases, treatment of the animal should be carried out under the strict supervision of a veterinary specialist.
Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 is administered to animals once intramuscularly in the following doses (per animal):
- for adult cattle and horses - 5 - 15 ml;
- sheep, goats, pigs, calves and foals - 1 - 2.5 ml;
- dogs - 0.1 - 1 ml;
- cats - 0.1 - 1 ml.
A single administration of the drug is provided. If necessary, the injection is repeated at the same dose after 24 hours.
With a significant overdose and long-term use of the drug in an animal, an increase in intraocular pressure, mydriasis and slower epithelization of the cornea are possible.
No peculiarities of action were identified when taking the drug for the first time and when it was discontinued.
It is prohibited to use Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 in females in the last third of pregnancy.
When using the drug in accordance with these instructions, side effects and complications in animals, as a rule, are not observed. If side effects and complications occur, the use of Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 is stopped and symptomatic medications are prescribed to the animal.
Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 cannot be used in conjunction with other glucocorticosteroids, immunobiological drugs, barbiturates, antihistamines and antidiabetics, diuretics that remove potassium, salicylates, calcium salts, tetracyclines, macrolides, kanamycin.
Slaughter of animals for meat is permitted no earlier than 14 days after the last use of Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 .
The meat of animals forcedly killed before the expiration of the specified period can be used as feed for fur-bearing animals.
Milk from dairy animals is allowed to be used for food purposes no earlier than 48 hours after the last use of the drug. After boiling, milk obtained earlier than the established deadline can be used as animal feed.
IV. Personal prevention measures
When working with the drug, you should follow the general rules of personal hygiene and safety precautions provided for when working with medicinal products.
Smoking, drinking and eating are prohibited during work. After finishing working with the drug, wash your face and hands thoroughly with soap. Empty bottles of medicinal products must not be used for household purposes; they must be disposed of with household waste.
People with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug should avoid direct contact with the drug Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3 .
If the drug gets on the skin or mucous membranes, rinse them immediately with plenty of water. If allergic reactions occur or if the drug accidentally enters the human body, immediately contact a medical facility (have instructions for use or label with you).
With the approval of this instruction, the instructions for the use of Dexamethasone 2 mg/cm 3, approved by Rosselkhoznadzor on July 4, 2016, become invalid.
Name and address of the production site of the manufacturer of the medicinal product for veterinary use: Alfasan International B.V., Kuipersweg 9 - 3449 JA Woerden, The Netherlands / Alfasan International B.V., Kuipersweg 9 - 3449 JA Woerden, The Netherlands.