The nervous system of mustachioed pets is very vulnerable. Her balance can easily be shaken, thereby causing prolonged depression, a drop in immunity and other adverse consequences.
To prevent these dangerous conditions, veterinarians recommend using sedatives for cats. Despite their advantages, most sedatives have a number of contraindications and side effects, which should be familiarized with before use.
Why you need to be careful with sedatives for cats
Unlike catnip and valerian, sedatives actually relax. They are used in the form of tablets, drops, sprays and injection solutions, but only as prescribed by a veterinarian.
Self-administration of sedatives is fraught with overdose and individual intolerance. It is also not recommended to use drugs for every exciting event. This can negatively affect the psyche, which must learn to cope with stressful situations on its own.
Rules for taking medication
Do not give animals drugs that have expired or exceed the dosage. Since many products cause severe dehydration, it is necessary to ensure constant access to water. If convulsions, excessive drooling, respiratory depression, foam at the mouth, or vomiting occur, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Before moving, the pet is given medication 2-3 days in advance. Feeding is stopped 12 hours before transportation. Before a long journey, food portions are reduced, but the amount of water is not limited (boiled water is given). If the owner has experience, he can do the injections himself, but it is still recommended to consult a veterinarian.
First, the cat is immobilized by wrapping it in a towel so that it cannot pull its paws out. Then the skin on the withers is pulled back a little, a needle is quickly inserted, and the medicine is injected. If drugs are given in the form of powder or drops, then they are added to food. The tablets are pre-crushed and then mixed with food.
For cats that have been given sleeping pills, you need to create conditions for restful sleep:
- choose a loose, comfortable bed;
- the muzzle is laid on its side;
- cover with a blanket;
- provide access to fresh air (so that the cat does not vomit during sleep).
The dosage of sleeping pills must be precisely calculated. This depends on the pet’s resistance to stress, the presence of current diseases, age, and duration of transportation. Therefore, only a veterinarian should prescribe the dose of sleeping pills. It is prohibited to give cats sedatives intended for humans.
Before using medications, you need to find out the cause of agitation and aggression. Perhaps you should be more attentive to the cat, pay more attention, stroke it, play. When an animal feels love, it will be calm and affectionate. But sometimes you can’t do without sedatives.
In what situations are sedatives indicated?
Indications include hopeless situations that cannot be controlled by other means. In such cases, taking sedatives is the only possible option to solve the problem.
Stress: moving, visiting the vet, grooming
Prolonged anxiety worsens overall health and weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections. Ignoring this condition is very dangerous, so your pet should be scheduled for a consultation at the veterinary clinic and find out if he needs sedatives.
Sedatives for cats are recommended for stress associated with a change of residence, going to the veterinarian and to the grooming salon. In these cases, the dose is one-time or short-term, which eliminates addiction.
Display of aggression
Most often, aggressive behavior is explained by improper upbringing and poor maintenance. Animals should not be allowed to play with their hands and feet. It is also prohibited to apply physical punishment to them. The owner's hands should be associated only with affection.
Sedatives for cats are prescribed for unmotivated aggression. This diagnosis is made before the exact cause of the unwanted behavior is determined. After eliminating the provoking factor, the problem disappears by itself.
Long-term drug treatment is used only when mental disorders are confirmed. In this case, sessions with an animal psychologist may also be required.
Sexual arousal
During sexual heat, there is a sharp jump in hormones. It encourages the animal to aggressively defend its territory and actively seek a mating partner.
Radical methods of controlling emotional arousal include castration. But this option is not suitable for cats of breeding value. Their behavior is normalized with mild sedatives.
Deviations in mental health
This group includes obsessive-compulsive disorders, that is, various obsessive states. These include:
- pica;
- unmotivated aggression;
- constant licking or plucking of fur;
- running in circles, twitching limbs and chasing a non-existent goal.
Without correction, these abnormalities can seriously harm your pet. Their cause often remains unknown, so the only treatment option is sedatives.
When to use medications
Sedatives are prescribed when there are clear signs of disruption of the nervous system and anxious behavior. Mental disorders can manifest themselves in different ways, but this will be immediately noticeable by the animal’s unusual behavior.
Sedatives and sleeping pills are used in the following cases:
- for nervous disorders accompanied by increased nervousness, obsessive actions - overeating, hyperactivity, frequent, prolonged licking;
- during an air flight, a boat trip;
- when a new person or dog appears at home (this can provoke depression, fear, aggression);
- before surgery or examination, wound treatment, vaccination;
- if there is aggression towards guests or strangers;
- new place of residence (a sudden change in the usual environment causes severe stress in the cat);
- for mental disorders (phobias, aggression, fear, severe anxiety);
- the need to adapt to a new environment (for example, overexposure);
- before exhibitions (the cat begins to get nervous due to large crowds of people and animals);
- before salon procedures (grooming, combing, cutting);
- when moving for a long time, the cat begins to panic; it may be frightened by unfamiliar smells, sounds, even vibration;
- to prevent territory marking - while the cat is excited due to hormonal surges, strong sexual desire - all this can be reduced with the help of sedatives.
Animals should not be punished when trying to take a dominant position. Sedative herbal remedies will help relieve aggression and tension. Mental deviations manifest themselves as hunting for a ghostly target, twitching of the head, paws, sudden jumps, bouncing. Or a pet’s aggression directed at itself, constant licking, which leads to hair loss, the formation of erosions, and wounds.
Types of sedatives
In addition to the release form, dividing sedatives for cats into drops and tablets, there is another classification. It is based on the composition of the drug and the way it affects the body.
Plant based
This group includes homeopathic remedies made from natural ingredients. Their main difference is the absence of side effects. This feature is achieved due to the minimum concentration of the active substance.
Most of the drug consists of herbs that have a mild effect on the nervous system. Herbal medicines are harmless, so they are sold without a prescription. But this does not mean that they can be given uncontrollably and on every occasion.
With added chemicals
Unlike homeopathic remedies, chemical ones have an effect soon after use. When using them, it is important to strictly follow the recommended dosage and order of administration to avoid side effects.
These medications are used only as a last resort, when homeopathy is powerless. Most of them are produced in the form of injection solutions - this way the active substance spreads throughout the body faster.
Hormonal
Hormonal drugs are used to correct sexual arousal. They, like chemical ones, are used strictly as prescribed by a veterinarian and only for a short period of time.
Uncontrolled use is fraught with hormonal imbalance and the development of cancer. For this reason, it is much safer for owners of non-breeding animals to agree to neutering.
Contraindications and adverse reactions
Some (especially synthetic) medications cause allergies and intolerance to components in animals. Therefore, their uncontrolled use is prohibited.
All sedatives and sleeping pills (even herbal ones) have contraindications:
- age up to one year;
- period of pregnancy, lactation;
- liver and kidney diseases;
- low pressure;
- diabetes.
If after treatment with the chosen drug the cat does not improve within two weeks, it is necessary to replace it with another.
There is an opinion that cats calm down after valerian. But this is not true, just the opposite - it excites. Valerian contains substances similar to pheromones that the body produces during sexual desire. Also side effects of valerian are addiction, dependence. But if it is contained in medications, then in minimal doses that do not cause anxiety or agitation in animals.
After being sedated, the cat becomes lethargic and quiet. This indicates that the dosage was selected correctly and there are no side effects.
Side effects include:
- refusal to eat;
- prostration;
- diarrhea;
- decrease in pressure, temperature;
- nausea, vomiting;
- profuse salivation.
Side effects can manifest themselves in the form of atypical behavior, changes in habits, and the appearance of hallucinations. In some cats, intestinal motility is disrupted and gastritis develops. The stronger the medicine, the greater the risk of side effects.
When is sleeping pills indicated?
Another “calming” option is sleeping pills. Unlike sedatives, it does not relieve the symptoms of stress, but puts the animal into sleep. It is used to prepare for deep anesthesia, during unpleasant veterinary procedures (bronchoalveolar lavage) and during surgical operations.
Sleeping pills have many more contraindications and side effects. For this reason, before their appointment, heart function and other important indicators that can provoke respiratory arrest are checked.
What is the best allergy medicine?
In medicine there is no concept of “best” and “worst”. The drugs of each group have their own advantages, disadvantages and characteristic features. When prescribing them, many factors are taken into account, including the patient’s age, the presence or absence of concomitant diseases, as well as the degree and type of allergy. What suits one person may not only be of no benefit to another, but even harmful.
Important!
Allergic diseases can always be treated with medications. This can be taking tablets individually (monotherapy) or complex treatment. In this case, the allergy drug is part of a complex treatment that includes drugs belonging to other groups.
When is it best to stop using sedatives for cats?
Veterinarians do not recommend using sedatives if there are contraindications. You should also avoid drugs sold strictly by prescription or found in a person's medicine cabinet. Their aggressive effect on the body can be fatal.
Contraindications
Taking sedatives is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- young age (up to 1 year);
- hypotension;
- intolerance to incoming components;
- liver and kidney failure;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- malignant neoplasms;
- diabetes;
- diseases of the genitourinary system.
Please note that all of the listed contraindications are considered relative. This means that this method of treatment is allowed, but requires special precautions and consultation with a veterinarian.
Medicines that only a veterinarian can prescribe
These include powerful chemicals and sleeping pills used in veterinary clinics. Such medications are used to induce general anesthesia, for painful procedures, and to immobilize overly aggressive and restless cats. Taking them on your own can cause irreparable harm to your cat's health.
Medicines from the first aid kit that should not be given
The instructions for human medicines are aimed at their end user, that is, humans. Pets are also treated with some drugs, but completely different dosages are used.
The popular valerian is also dangerous. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a sedative, but on the contrary, it further excites the nervous system. With frequent use, valerian causes addiction, and with an overdose - epileptic seizures.
Complications of allergies in children
In the absence of competent measures, diseases and conditions that are difficult to treat may develop. Many of them significantly worsen the child’s health, reduce his quality of life and often lead to disability, these are:
- Chronic rhinitis.
- Persistent headaches.
- Deterioration of memory and concentration.
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Bronchial asthma, anaphylactic shock or asphyxia.
Allergies in children of any age require timely contact with a qualified specialist and constant monitoring. Only an experienced pediatric allergist can prescribe adequate treatment and provide competent medical supervision.
Calming for kittens
Before the start of the year, it is recommended to combat stress and unwanted behavior with the help of proper education. But affection and training do not always give the desired results.
In such situations, sedatives with pheromones from the facial glands are used in the form of fumigators, sprays and collars. They stabilize the emotional state, causing a feeling of calm even in an unfamiliar environment, and do not cause side effects.
How to choose allergy medications?
Now there are a lot of different antihistamines. We offer both expensive original medicines and their more affordable popular analogues. When purchasing, you should follow the recommendations of your doctor and do not replace your own prescribed medication with a similar drug.
Selecting a medicine for allergies is the prerogative of an allergist. A specialist is able to accurately identify the allergen, identify the type and degree of the disease, and, based on all the data, select the best option for successfully blocking histamine receptors.
The main rule to follow
- this is an appeal to a trusted drug supplier. Only in this case can you avoid counterfeiting and not overpay for goods of dubious origin. The network of social pharmacies Stolichki guarantees the authenticity of medicines and offers a wide range of medicines at affordable prices.
Side effects
Uncontrolled use of sedatives causes addiction and a number of side effects. These include:
- redness of the skin, itching and hair loss;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bloating and diarrhea;
- tachycardia and hypotension;
- runny nose and increased tearfulness;
- drowsiness.
Despite the fact that sedatives for cats have a calming effect on the body, in some cases the effect of their use may be the opposite. If treatment with sedatives only worsens anxiety and irritability, then it should be discontinued.
Rules for taking sedatives for cats at home
Chemical and hormonal agents can have a negative effect on the heart, blood vessels and nervous system, and with individual intolerance there is a risk of death. To avoid complications, be sure to follow the rules of administration, and before doing so, consult a veterinarian if any alarming symptoms occur.
Dosage
Here it is enough to follow the recommendations received from the doctor. The dosage in the instructions for use may differ from them. This is typical for human drugs, since the metabolic processes in our bodies are very different.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask for help. The veterinarian observing your pet will definitely explain all the nuances and help you choose another medicine in case of intolerance.
