Ranitidine for dogs - Dosage, uses and side effects

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we are going to talk about a use drug habitual in veterinary medicine.Specifically, we will explain how ranitidine for dogs is used, what are its effects and the precautions that we must observe in its administration, since, like all medicines, it can cause problems.

As we always insist, all medications that we use with our dog must be prescribed by the veterinarian and we must respect their recommendations to avoid complications.

What is ranitidine for?

Ranitidine for dogs is a drug that works at digestive level , regulating gastric acidity and minimizing the risk of occurrence ofululors.It is also used in cases of reflux or when the The dog should be treated with corticosteroids for a long time, as they can cause ulcers.

In summary, ranitidine reduces the damage that hydrochloric acid can produce on the gastric mucosa.The veterinarian can prescribe it when our dog suffers from any pathology that affects the digestive system, which usually causes vomiting or diarrhea.

The dose should be prescribed by the doctor, since each dog will have variations that will help the veterinarian to opt for the most appropriate dosage.Ranitidine can be administered by orally, intramuscularly or intravenously , which is the most common mode of use in dogs that are admitted and submitted to fluid therapy.They are dogs that they are dehydrated because they have lost fluids through vomiting and diarrhea and cannot replace them because they vomit everything they ingest.

In these cases, as they also vomit the medication, they are usually admitted to administer them intravenous fluids and drugs .Once they get better, ranitidine can be given orally, already at home, along with other prescribed drugs. It can be taken with food without that affects its absorption.

Contraindications of ranitidine

Ranitidine in dogs is commonly used to treat clinical gastrointestinal conditions or situations such as those we have described, but we must be careful when giving it to dogs suffering from kidney disease , since part of the drug is eliminated by the kidney , to puppies or pregnant or lactating bitches, since ranitidine is excreted in the breast milk .dogs with liver failure .

In these cases the veterinarian will assess the risks and benefits of their administration and make a decision.We should never medicate the animals on our own.

Side effects of ranitidine for dogs

Although ranitidine does not usually cause adverse effects, like any medication, it can cause some problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), drowsiness, thrombocytopenia (decreased the number of platelets), rapid breathing or trembling.

If our dog is taking ranitidine and has any of these signs, we must tell the veterinarian .Also, if you are taking any other drug We must also inform the veterinarian in case there is any incompatibility between medications.

Some dogs, although not common, could be allergic to ranitidine, suffering from anaphylactic shock when consumed, what a veterinary emergency supposes.Obviously, these dogs do not have to be re-prescribed ranitidine and it will be necessary to replace it with another drug of similar effects.In any case, there are usually no adverse effects as long as we follow the prescribed administration protocol.

Ranitidine overdose in dogs

An excess of ranitidine in dogs can occur if we make a mistake when administering the drug and give more than the amount indicated by our veterinarian or if the dog accidentally swallows all the medication.can produce a overdose with symptoms such as tremors, vomiting or tachypnea (rapid breathing).

If our dog has swallowed a large amount of ranitidine or given a higher dose, we should immediately inform him of our veterinarian .This may prescribe a product that neutralizes the drug or decreases its absorption or even perform a gastric lavage .

This article is purely informative, at ExpertAnimal.com we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Ranitidine for dogs-Dosage, uses and side effects , we recommend that you enter our Medicines section.