When you think about your dog's vital organs, which ones come to mind? Many pet owners name the heart, brain, and lungs, for good reason.

However, have you ever considered your dog's liver? The liver is another vital organ that is often overlooked but shouldn't be. 

The liver plays vital roles in the dog's body. If it doesn't function properly, many health conditions can develop.

Therefore, dog owners must know how to recognize signs of liver problems. Early detection of liver disease is critical for your four-legged companion’s health and well-being.

In this article, we'll cover lots of things related to liver disease in dogs, including how the liver functions and ways to keep the liver healthy. Let's get started!

What is Liver Disease

Liver disease is relatively common in dogs. It can develop for many reasons, which we will discuss. Let's first take a look at the organ itself.

Where is the Liver Located

The liver is located on the right side of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm.

What Does the Liver Do

The liver is the second-largest organ. It performs approximately 1,500 functions.

Therefore, it's a bit worrisome that the liver is constantly overlooked regarding our dogs’ health and well-being.

Here are just a few of the incredibly important functions of the liver:

• Blood detoxification 
• Activating vitamin D
• Metabolizing medications
• Metabolizing sources of energy
• Eliminating harmful toxins and waste
• Producing bile acids to help digestion
• Storing and releasing vitamins and minerals 
• Regulating hormones (e.g., thyroid hormone)
• Creating plasma proteins and blood clotting factors

Clearly, proper liver function is essential. Don’t forget this!

Types of Liver Disease

Liver disease is classified as acute or chronic.

Acute Liver Disease

Acute liver disease develops suddenly. Toxicity is the primary cause of acute liver disease in dogs.

Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease in dogs develops gradually. Its symptoms are often difficult to detect early on.

Diseases such as diabetes and liver cancer are two possible causes of chronic liver disease.

Symptoms of Liver Damage

Early detection of liver disease is paramount. Therefore, pet owners must be familiar with liver disease symptoms.  

Knowing the early signs of liver damage can help dog owners be proactive with getting treatment to repair the liver, or at least slow the progression of liver disease. 

Below are symptoms of early-stage liver damage:

Like people, our four-legged friends can also suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Being able to recognize that your beloved furry companion is suffering from a condition like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is paramount in getting them the treatment they need to make a full recovery. 

In this article, we'll cover everything you should know about IBD in dogs, including clinical signs, potential causes, and available treatment options. Luckily, there are several all-natural ways to not only alleviate IBD in dogs, but also help prevent it from developing in the first place. Let's get started! 

What is IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) 

Interestingly enough, IBD is not one disease but rather a collection of gastrointestinal diseases. These diseases result in the inflammation of cells in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the stomach and intestines. When such a degree of inflammation occurs, the cells cause a change within the lining of the digestive tract, thus inhibiting proper food absorption and digestion. Furthermore, IBD also causes a slew of unpleasant side effects that you'll want to relieve your pup of as soon as possible. 

What Are Inflamed Intestines 

Let's first cover the concept of inflammation. Many people may not realize the magnitude of trouble that inflammation causes. Yet many diseases in people and our pets have one major thing in common: they start with inflammation. Inflammation is responsible for many health conditions, ranging from mild allergies to aggressive cancer. 

IBD is no different, and more often than not begins with intestinal inflammation. The inflammation of the cells lining the intestines is typically a result of either injury or infection. 

This inflammation weakens the intestinal lining, causing it to become increasingly permeable. A permeable intestinal lining (think of it as little holes throughout the lining) allows toxins to leak from the gut into the bloodstream, leading to a number of serious issues. 

Intestinal Diseases in Dogs 

There are many intestinal diseases found in both people and dogs, two of the most common being irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBD. Some people may use the two terms interchangeably. However, it is important to realize that IBS and IBD are two different conditions, although their symptoms are often quite similar. IBS is commonly diagnosed in people, but rarely in dogs. IBD, on the other hand, is commonly diagnosed in people and in dogs. The main difference between IBD and IBS is that IBD, as its name suggests, involves inflammation and IBS does not.

Colitis in Dogs 

Colitis in dogs is a commonly diagnosed form of IBD. The condition develops from inflammation of the large intestine, also known as the colon. A frequent urge to defecate, straining while defecating, and the presence of loose or semi-formed stools are the most prevalent symptoms of the disease. 

Gastritis in Dogs 

Gastritis is another type of IBD. It is caused by long-term, chronic inflammation of the stomach. The most prevalent symptoms of canine gastritis are acute vomiting, decreased appetite, and in some cases, weight loss. 

Again, the central feature of all forms of IBD is inflammation. 

Causes of IBD in Dogs 

The exact cause of IBD in dogs has yet to be pinpointed, even with extensive research on the topic. However, many experts believe that IBD results from the body's defense response to protect the immune system from potential harm. 

Additionally, there is speculation that the following factors may also cause IBD in dogs. 

• Genetics 
• Food allergies*
• Chronic stress 
• Immune system abnormalities
• Bacterial or parasitic infections

* Experts have linked the following food sources as those most often resulting in IBD: 

• Additives
• Milk proteins
• Preservatives
• Meat proteins
• Wheat (gluten)
• Artificial coloring

Dog Breeds at Higher Risk of IBD 

Interestingly enough, certain dog breeds have a higher risk of developing IBD. These breeds include: 

• Boxers
• Basenjis
• Lundehunds
• Irish setters
• French bulldog

Additionally, veterinarians diagnose IBD more frequently in middle-aged and older dogs than younger dogs. With that being said, IBD can develop in dogs of any breed and of any age. 

IBD Symptoms 

The number one way to ensure your dog receives a proper diagnosis and treatment for IBD is to recognize the telltale signs of its development. 

Symptoms of canine IBD include: 

• Gas
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite 
• Poor-quality coat
• Bright red blood in stool
• Chronic, intermittent vomiting
• Audible, gurgling abdominal sounds
• Abdominal pain, often sensitive to the touch

These symptoms are also found in a number of other gastrointestinal diseases in dogs. As we previously mentioned, colitis will cause diarrhea and abdominal sensitivities. 

Inflammation of the small intestine (enteritis) often results in vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy. Again, these conditions fall under the IBD "umbrella," largely because inflammation is heavily involved. 

Diagnosing IBD in Dogs

To accurately diagnose IBD in your dog, your veterinarian will have to perform several tests, including a complete blood count and a fecal examination. The presence of intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms), along with the potential for bacterial infections, may warrant more testing. 

Endoscopic Biopsy 

Finally, a procedure called an endoscopic biopsy may be necessary to make a final diagnosis. The endoscopic biopsy involves using a small tube with a camera and small forceps to visualize and take samples of gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissue. The camera allows the veterinarian to see where the inflammation is located, and the biopsy helps the veterinarian analyze the inflamed tissue more closely. 

Treating IBD in Dogs

To start off, IBD in dogs is not curable. However, it can be managed. Conventional treatment for IBD in dogs will often begin with an antiparasitic drug like fenbendazole to kill intestinal parasites. Other medications, including  those listed below, will be given next. 

• Antispasmodic drugs
• Antidiarrheal medications
• Antibiotics (e.g., metronidazole)
• Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)
• Immunosuppressive agents (e.g., azathioprine)

Additionally, if chronic diarrhea and vomiting have led to a significant fluid loss, intravenous fluids may be necessary to restore adequate hydration and stabilize the dog's system. 

Warning About Conventional IBD Medications 

As always, we want our readers to have a full understanding of what is at stake when it comes to treating their beloved four-legged friends. For IBD treatment, many conventional medications provide relief. However, all conventional medications come with a risk of potential adverse side effects. It is imperative that pet owners understand the associated side effects of certain medications before administering them to their dogs. In some cases, the side effects may be significantly worse than the disease they are treating. 

Natural Treatment for IBD in Dogs 

Thankfully, there are all-natural treatment options available for dogs suffering from IBD. Some of these treatments may need to be given long-term to prevent IBD from returning. 

Diet Diet Diet!

Countless experts agree that the most effective way to treat IBD is through diet. In many cases, IBD is thought to develop due to a food sensitivity. Therefore, pinpointing what is causing the sensitivity and then eliminating it is the most effective way to not only alleviate intestinal inflammation, but also prevent it from recurring. 

If your veterinarian determines that your dog has IBD, they may recommend a hypoallergenic food source. For example, if your dog has a gluten sensitivity, a gluten-free diet would be a good choice. Making the necessary dietary changes may be all that a pet parents has to do to relieve their dog's IBD symptoms. 

Furthermore, many dogs have sensitivities to certain proteins. Let's say that your dog is sensitive to beef. Over time, constantly feeding them beef-based meals can inflame the GI tract and lead to IBD. In this case, it would be good to switch your dog to a diet with an alternative high-quality protein, such as chicken (or even kangaroo!).

Diarrhea and vomiting should never be considered "normal." It is important for pet owners to recognize when something isn't right with their dog and actively work to address it. Although diarrhea here and there may not seem like a big deal, it can very well be a sign of a food allergy that needs to be resolved. 

Veterinarians may also recommend feeding your dog two smaller meals a day instead of one big meal, at least until the inflammation subsides.

If your dog has IBD, talk to your veterinarian regarding a dietary change that may help. 

Probiotics

Unfortunately, being a pet parent isn't always a walk in the park. Watching your beloved four-legged friend suffer can be impossibly hard for a pet parent and we are so sorry that you're having to go through it. We wish that our pets could live forever and have a life free of any sickness, but, sadly, that's not reality. Many times, diseases develop and leave dog owners wondering how to proceed. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is one of those diseases. 

In this article, we will cover everything that dog owners should know regarding DM, including clinical signs of the disease in its varying stages. Additionally, we'll discuss several all natural anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements that you may want to consider implementing into your dog's life. Let's get started. 

What is DM?

DM, is a comprehensive medical term that veterinarians use to describe a slowly progressive disease that affects the spinal cord or bone marrow. Many experts compare DM in dogs to Lou Gehrig’s Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in humans. It's a destructive disease and one that is difficult to watch develop in a loved one of any species. Spinal cord degeneration ultimately leads to a loss of a number of bodily functions and can greatly affect a dog's quality of life. 

How is the Spinal Cord Affected By DM 

DM affects the white matter of the spinal cord. The white matter is responsible for sending movement commands from the brain to the limbs and carrying sensory information from the limbs to the brain. The degeneration, taking anywhere from six months to three years, ultimately causes paraplegia (paralysis) in dogs, as the brain cannot transmit the necessary signals to the hind limbs.  

As you can imagine, the disease can be devastating for a pet parent to witness. With that said, there are ways to ensure that your dog stays healthy and happy for as long as possible. More on that in a moment!

Define Degenerate | Degenerative Definition  

When referring to DM, the term “degenerate” means “to decline or deteriorate physically."

Define Myelopathy 

“Myelopathy” is defined as “a disease of the spinal cord.”

Therefore, the medical term DM specifically refers to a spinal cord disease that causes progressive spinal cord degeneration. 

DM Meaning  

The medical abbreviation for degenerative myelopathy is DM. You may hear your vet refer to your dog's condition as DM. 

Symptoms of DM According to Stage 

There are three stages of DM: early, intermediate, and advanced. 

It is important for dog owners to understand that the initial onset of DM is often very slow and can be extremely difficult to detect. On its own, DM doesn't cause the dog any pain. Therefore, pain-related symptoms aren't present until further degeneration develops. 

Early Stages of DM   

Early-stage DM typically lasts between three and six months. The associated symptoms typically affect the hind limbs and may start with something as simple as mild difficulty jumping onto the couch. DM can develop in one limb at first, then affect other limbs. 

Symptoms of early stage DM include: 

• Hind limb tremors
• Knuckling of the toes when walking
• Loss of hind limb coordination (ataxia)
• Wobbling or uneasy movement when walking
• Swaying hindlimbs when dog is standing still
• Dragging of the rear legs and feet, causing their toenails to wear down
• Mild hind limb weakness and difficulty in movements (dog owners will notice this sign when the dog squats to the bathroom or attempts to jump into the car)

At one point or another, most of us have experienced the uncomfortable reality of constipation. When it comes to gastrointestinal (GI) upset, our cats are no different. It is entirely possible for your feline friend to be constipated, and it's not something that should be ignored.

In this article, we'll cover the tough (pun intended) reality of cat constipation, including what causes it, what it may mean, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from happening again. Let's get to it!

Feeling Constipated... What Exactly Is It?

A cat’s constipation can often be overlooked. You may not initially realize that your beloved feline can’t poop. Constipation is difficult or infrequent bowel movements. Typically, cats should have at least one bowel movement each day. Bowel movements remove toxins from the body and help maintain optimal overall health. However, when constipation hits, a cat will often go for days without a bowel movement. As you can imagine, constipation can cause a lot of GI upset and lead to serious conditions, which we’ll get to.

What is Obstipation 

If the GI issues don’t resolve on their own ( they usually don't), your veterinarian may describe your cat's constipation as obstipation. Obstipation is severe, intractable constipation that occurs when a cat cannot clear the mass of dry, hard feces that has been accumulating in the colon. Obstipation can lead to a complete blockage of the colon with feces, ultimately resulting in loss of colonic motility.

Symptoms of Constipation: The Signs To Know!

Constipation has many clinical signs of which cat owners should be aware. The sooner your recognize your cat’s constipation, the quicker you can get your cat some relief.

Straining to Defecate

A telltale sign of constipation is straining to defecate. If your constipated cat can push any feces out, the amount is very small. Pooping should never be a challenge for your feline friend, so take note when pooping becomes a challenge.

Crying Out in Pain

Crying out in pain often accompanies straining to defecate. Like dogs, cats are notorious for hiding pain. Therefore, if your cat vocalizes when trying to use the bathroom, you can be sure that something is very wrong.

Characteristics of Stool

If your cat is straining to defecate or crying out in pain when using the bathroom, investigate further and determine whether they are passing any fecal matter. Typically, constipated cats will have small, hard, and dry stools that may also be covered in blood or mucous.

Frequent Trips to the Litter Box Without Defecating

Constipated cats make frequent trips to the litter box but cannot relieve themselves. If your cat is going to the litter box more frequently than usual, determine whether they are actually defecating.

Signs of Abdominal Pain

Cat constipation often causes severe abdominal pain. Even the friendliest of cats may hide when company comes over for fear that any additional touching or playing may cause more pain.

Appetite Loss

A constipated cat will likely skip out on meals because of their moderate to severe stomach pain. Keep a close eye on your cat’s food consumption. 

Weight Loss

In a constipated cat, weight loss may be caused by reduced appetite, reduced water intake, or both. Dehydration can quickly make a cat quite ill, so pay close attention to how much water your cat is drinking. 

Lethargy or Excessive Laziness

If you’re constipated, you probably don’t want to move around much. The same goes for constipated cats. Lethargy and laziness are tricky symptoms for pet parents to notice, though, because cats can be couch potatoes and love their naps. However, if your typically playful cat has recently been retreating to their bed more often than usual, they may be constipated.

Vomiting

Constipation can also cause vomiting, particularly if the constipation is severe. 

Lack of Grooming

Finally, if your cat is spending less time grooming themselves, they may be constipated. Cats are known to be quite the cleaners. A lack of grooming indicates that a cat isn’t feeling their best.

Non-Specific Symptoms

Many cat constipation symptoms are nonspecific, meaning that they can also be found with other health conditions. For example, changes in cat stool can also be a sign of a food allergy and intestinal parasites. Weight loss is also a sign of depression and cancer. Therefore, cat owners must seek accurate answers from their veterinarian for any symptoms their cat is experiencing.

What Causes Constipation

After recognizing that your cat is constipated, you’ll need to figure out why. Determining the ‘why’ will help you treat the constipation and prevent it from recurring.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a symptom and cause of constipation. This is a fairly easy fix. Pet owners should make sure that their furbaby always has free access to a fresh, clean water source. Again, untreated dehydration can make cats very ill very quickly.

Low-Fiber Diet

Too little dietary fiber can also cause cat constipation. Take a look at the fiber content in your cat’s food and talk with your veterinarian about how much fiber your cat needs. Dietary fiber is especially beneficial for cats who are prone to chronic constipation. Pet owners can easily incorporate fiber into their feline's diet by adding cat-approved fruits and veggies into their cat’s food.  

Ingestion of Foreign Objects

If your cat accidentally swallows a foreign object like cloth or string, the object can obstruct the small intestine and colon. This blockage causes constipation because the object prevents feces from passing through.

Obstruction of the Colon

Colonic obstruction may result from ingesting a foreign object, or have other causes like a hernia, tumor, or primary intestinal obstruction. As you can imagine, these other causes of constipation are quite complicated.

Ingesting Hairballs

Most cats are known for keeping their fur in pristine condition. However, excessive grooming can result in ingesting large amounts of fur, quickly leading to constipation. 

Side Effect of Medication

For people, certain medications, like opioids, can cause constipation; this can happen in cats, too. Sometimes, particularly in emergency situations, medication must be administered without much time to prepare. However, if your cat has a planned surgery or you know that they need a specific medication that causes constipation, you can plan ahead to prevent the constipation, for example by adding in a fiber supplement. (More on supplements in a moment!)

Prostate Inflammation and Abscessation

In male cats, prostate problems like inflammation or an abscess (pus-filled sac) can cause constipation. An enlarged prostate caused by inflammation or an abscess can press against the intestines, preventing feces from passing through, thus causing constipation. Your veterinarian would be able to examine your cat’s prostate to determine if it’s enlarged and causing GI problems. 

Painful Defecation

Painful defecation, while a symptom of constipation, may also be a symptom of other pain conditions like arthritis or a pelvic fracture. Painful defecation can make a cat avoid using the bathroom, resulting in constipation or worsening GI issues.

Orthopedic Problems or Neurologic Disorders

Orthopedic problems (e.g.,arthritis) and neurological disorders (e.g., spinal nerve dysfunction) can also cause cat constipation. This is another example of how constipation may be a telltale sign of a serious health condition.

Obesity

Obesity, quite honestly, makes everything more difficult. Obese cats have trouble squatting to defecate, increasing the risk of constipation.

Feline Megacolon

Finally, feline megacolon can either be a cause or result of constipation. Sometimes, a neurological problem causes the colon to stop contracting, causing feces to accumulate, leading to constipation. Other times, constipation from another cause (like those listed above), causes the colon to distend with feces; too much distension literally stretches the colon and keeps it from contracting to push the feces through. Megacolon often requires surgical treatment.  

Home Remedies for Constipation

Before we dive into at-home remedies for cat constipation, we want to reiterate that determining constipation’s cause must come first. Simply treating the constipation is like putting a band-aid on an open wound: if the underlying cause isn't addressed, the wound won’t get better and will probably worsen.

Consult with your veterinarian before trying these remedies. If your cat has swallowed a foreign object that’s gotten lodged in the intestines, some of these remedies may not work, or may make matters worse, without the foreign object being removed.

Increase in Water Consumption

Correcting dehydration is one of the easiest at-home remedies but must be managed appropriately. Cat owners should ensure that their feline friend has plenty of clean water and encourage them to drink whenever possible. However, do not force your cat to drink when it doesn’t want to; forcing a cat to drink could lead to an aversion to the water bowl, making dehydration that much harder to correct.

Work with your veterinarian to come up with a rehydration plan. Your veterinarian can assess your cat’s dehydration and determine how much water your cat needs to drink to become rehydrated.

Be aware that severely dehydrated cats need veterinary treatment with intravenous fluids to correct the dehydration. 

Stool Softener

Your vet may recommend purchasing a cat-specific stool softener to help get things moving. Ask your vet for a list of appropriate stool softeners and the recommended dose for your cat's needs.

Laxative

Like humans, cats sometimes need a laxative to relieve constipation. Many pet parents have found success with Miralax, a supplement you may already have in your cabinet. Mix 1/4 tsp of Miralax with your cat’s wet or dry food. Again, consult with your vet for the appropriate dosage for your cat.

Pumpkin 

If you're reading this article, you're likely dealing with quite a mess. Diarrhea is no fun for anyone. Unfortunately, it can also affect your feline companion.

Although cat diarrhea can be a nightmare for a pet parent to have to constantly clean up, it can also be a telltale sign that your kitty may be a little unwell or have a more severe condition needing medical attention.

In this article, we will cover reasons why your cat may be suffering from diarrhea, and how to treat and prevent it. Don't panic, there is hope. Let's get started!

What is Diarrhea

You've likely experienced a bout of diarrhea at some point in your life. Diarrhea is characterized as unformed or loose stools. It can occur suddenly and end quickly (acute diarrhea), or last weeks to months and occur intermittently (chronic diarrhea). These two types of diarrhea have different causes and treatments.

Cat owners should understand that diarrhea is not a disease but rather a symptom of many different diseases. It is a non-specific symptom, meaning that it is common and typically accompanied by other clinical signs that vets use to make an accurate diagnosis.

It is unusual for diarrhea to be the sole symptom.

Typically, one episode of diarrhea isn't a cause for alarm. However, if diarrhea occurs regularly, it's not something that should be ignored.

What Causes Diarrhea

People typically associate diarrhea with a stomach bug or food poisoning. However, there are many causes of diarrhea.

Identifying what’s causing your cat’s diarrhea is the first step in figuring out how to stop it.

Understanding the reason for diarrhea will also help pet parents prevent it from happening again.

Dietary Changes

A common reason for diarrhea is a change in diet. Many pet owners know what it's like to have a picky eater on their hands. Your furry companion may absolutely adore their food for a handful of months, then suddenly begin turning their noses up at dinnertime.

As a doting cat parent, you want your feline to enjoy delicious and nutritious food, so you make a quick switch to a new food option. Boom. Diarrhea.

Consider switching up your cat's food. This may help reduce gastrointestinal (GI) tract inflammation and help prevent diarrhea, cat vomiting, and many other unpleasant symptoms.

However, it is imperative to go slowly when transitioning to a new food. Gradually replace small portions of the existing food with the new food. The last thing you want to do is make the switch to great, new food at the expense of upsetting your cat's fragile stomach in the process.

Low-Quality Food

A lot of commercial pet foods are rendered ingredients, which are ingredients that don’t enter the human food chain. This makes sense to some pet owners until you begin to consider what these ingredients actually are.

Cat food can contain rendered ingredients like bird feathers and beaks, animal skin, hooves, eyes, and heads. These ingredients, which are protein sources, are processed to remove harmful bacteria before they are added to pet food. However, they may upset a cat’s stomach.

We recommend looking into human-grade cat food, which is, at least by definition, edible for humans. It is especially good if your feline friend has a weak stomach or is having digestive issues. Be aware, though, that human-grade cat foods are not necessarily nutritionally complete or balanced. Look for a human-grade cat food that has the AAFCO label that verifies that the food meets minimal nutritional requirements for cats.

Additionally, many holistic vets recommend feeding a raw food diet when possible. Talk to your vet and make sure that you are feeding your cat the best food you can that meets your cat’s nutritional needs. It can truly make a world of a difference for your furry friend.

Food Intolerances & Food Allergies

Food intolerances and food allergies can also cause diarrhea in cats. Pet parents may not realize that, like people, their feline can develop allergies.

In many cases, food intolerances and food allergies is at the root of chronic diarrhea, which occurs intermittently over long periods of time.

Interestingly, allergies in cats can develop when the cat is fed the same food for too long.

Feeding your feline the same protein every day (even if it is high-quality) may, over time, cause gut inflammation and lead to food allergies. Finding new ways to switch up your cat's food is a wonderful way to prevent GI inflammation, thus preventing allergies and cat diarrhea.

A telltale sign that your cat may have allergies is overall good health, except for the allergy.

Are your cat's energy levels normal? Is your cat at a healthy weight? Does diarrhea occur intermittently without a major life change?

You may want to consider the possibility of food allergies and switch their food. Again, make this change gradually!

Milk - A Common Misconception

We have all seen the adorable photos and videos of tiny kittens lapping up every last drop of milk from their bowls. In fact, most mammals love a heaping of milk when offered.

However, the milk must be from the same species. Cats don't have the enzymes necessary to break down the milk sugars found in cow's milk. Feeding cats the milk of other animals puts them at a high risk of developing secondary GI issues like vomiting and diarrhea.

Eating Spoiled Food

Some cats (and many dogs) will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. If your cat gets into the trash and feasts on spoiled food, you'll likely find diarrhea and vomiting shortly thereafter.

Luckily, this acute diarrhea typically resolves fairly quickly and is easily preventable. Keeping spoiled food and other inedible items out of your cat's reach is an easy way to ensure that your kitty's digestive system stays healthy.

Bacterial or Viral Infection

Food aside, there are many reasons why your cat may be suffering from diarrhea, including bacterial and viral infections. People often refer to these infections as a simple stomach bug. In cats, though, the infections can potentially be far from simple.

Bacterial and viral infections of the GI tract can cause your cat to experience severe diarrhea and vomiting, both of which can lead to extreme weight loss and dehydration.

Acute diarrhea is often an indicator of bacterial overload in a cat's small intestine.

Although some bacterial infections may clear up on their own in about a week's time, you must keep a close eye on your cat and seek veterinary treatment if necessary. Other GI infections will resolve only with appropriate medication, such as antibiotics. 

Furthermore, preventing the underlying cause of the bacterial or viral infection is essential. Again, remember that diarrhea is merely a symptom. The root of the problem must be treated appropriately to ensure the infection doesn't resurface.

Internal Parasites

Cat diarrhea is also a symptom of intestinal parasites, which enter a cat's body and intestinal tract through infected feces and contaminated water and food sources.

Although diarrhea due to intestinal parasites is typically acute and short-lasting, the damage can be quite severe if the diarrhea is inappropriately treated. 

Unfortunately, the symptoms of an internal parasite infection, including vomiting, anemia, and diarrhea, can make cats more susceptible to other infections. Kittens are especially susceptible to intestinal parasites, making prevention paramount. 

Here’s a troubling fact: some intestinal parasites, like Toxoplasma, can be passed from a cat to their owner.

A veterinarian diagnoses an intestinal parasite infection by looking for the parasites in a fecal sample. If your cat has intestinal parasites, proper medical attention is need to clear the infection.

Internal parasites include:

• Giardia
• Coccidia
• Hookworms
• Tapeworms
• Whipworms

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

When you track most ailments back to the root of the condition, you will likely find one thing in common: inflammation. IBD is no different.

IBD includes conditions such as gastritis, pancreatitis, enteritis, and colitis. These conditions also affect people, with similar symptoms.

Chronic inflammation and diarrhea are much more serious than they may sound. The conditions included under the IBD "umbrella" have potential links to severe disease. 

It is critical for pet parents to receive an accurate, timely diagnosis if their cat is experiencing chronic diarrhea.

Chronic diarrhea may subside initially but come back later down the road, with the potential to develop into something much more serious.

Kidney or Liver Disease

You probably already know the importance of the liver and kidneys. These detoxifying organs are essential for your cat’s health.

When there’s something wrong with the liver or kidneys, diarrhea may be one of the first symptoms that develop. However, your vet will not be able to diagnose liver or kidney dysfunction only on the presence of diarrhea.

Other tests will have to be administered to check liver and kidney function. With kidney or liver disease, a timely diagnosis is of utmost importance to slow down, or even stop, disease progression.

Conventional Medications

Knowing your cat isn't feeling well, whatever the reason, can be heart wrenching for a pet owner. Many times, a quick trip to the vet's office will leave you with a handful of medications to treat whatever is ailing your cat.

Unfortunately, conventional medications can have many potential side effects, including diarrhea.

If the medical condition for which the medication is prescribed is chronic, speak with your vet regarding alternative treatments that don't cause diarrhea. Again, chronic diarrhea comes with its own share of possible side effects that you'll want to avoid.

Addison's Disease

Addison's disease, which is characterized by deficient adrenal gland hormones, is rare in cats. When it does develop in cats, though, it can cause diarrhea.

The disease is treatable but only when properly diagnosed.

Chemicals and Toxins

Finally, ingesting chemicals or toxins can cause diarrhea in cats. This diarrhea can be either chronic or acute, depending on what type of poisoning the cat is experiencing.

Acute Diarrhea From Poisoning

For example, acute diarrhea will often occur when the cat ingests something poisonous, like a toxic houseplant. Cats can be very curious creatures. If you have a cat, you must know which plants are poisonous and avoid bringing them into the house.

Even plants that aren't specifically known to be poisonous can still do a substantial amount of damage to your cat's stomach.

If your feline friend enjoys getting into your plants, consider purchasing wheatgrass (cat grass), which is not only safe but also very nutritious. 

Additionally, the chemicals in herbicides, pesticides, and many household cleaners can cause acute diarrhea and vomiting if consumed. Your cat doesn't need to ingest a lot of these chemically-based substances to become gravely ill.

If, for any reason, you think that your cat may have consumed these products, we urge you to call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435. Follow their guidelines for what to do next.

A vet visit will likely be necessary to ensure your cat’s body is cleared of the poisonous substance.

Chronic Diarrhea from Poisoning

Your cat may have chronic diarrhea that is caused by an ongoing poisoning, such as lead toxicosis.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to identify the underlying cause of chronic diarrhea. In cases of lead poisoning, it's likely that the pet owner and other family members are also be affected, perhaps unknowingly.

Diarrhea Symptoms

You probably have a good idea of whether your cat has diarrhea. Cat owners can look for other symptoms if they are unsure.

Diarrhea symptoms include:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Depression
• Weight loss
• Watery feces
• Abdominal pain
• Bathroom accidents
• Straining to defecate
• Increased fecal amount
• Blood or mucus in feces

Monitor your cat for these clinical signs. Be sure to write down any irregularities and report them to your vet.

The more information you provide your veterinarian, the faster and more accurately they will be able to diagnose why your cat is experiencing diarrhea.

When to Go to the Vet

There are a few things that pet owners should consider when deciding if it's time for a vet visit.

First, what is the general condition of your cat's health? Is your cat very young or old? Do they have any preexisting health conditions that will make them more susceptible to dehydration or other illnesses?

Next, is your cat experiencing any other worrisome symptoms, such as vomiting, lethargy, depression, or pain?

Additionally, how often are the bouts of diarrhea? Is the diarrhea extremely watery? 

Finally, what does your cat's diarrhea look like? Is it the color of normal, healthy feces or is it black and tarry? Black and tarry feces often points to internal bleeding, which must be treated immediately. If your cat is experiencing black, tarry stools, seek veterinary medical care right away. 

It’s okay if you don’t have the answer to all of these questions. If your cat is looking unwell overall and their feces look abnormal, take your cat to be examined by your veterinarian. 

Diagnosing Cat Diarrhea

Your veterinarian will perform several tests to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your cat's diarrhea. These tests include:

• Abdominal X-ray
• GI tract endoscopy
• Complete blood count
• Stool and rectal swab samples (to look for intestinal parasites)

Your vet will likely ask for you to bring in a sample of diarrhea so that they can examine that too.

Again, provide the vet with as much information as you can about any health changes in your cat. This information will help your veterinarian rule out certain illnesses and consider others more closely.

Diarrhea Treatment: Home Remedies for Diarrhea

Although it is paramount to diagnose and treat the diarrhea’s underlying cause, you'll also want to stop the diarrhea.

Pet parents have tried and found success with several methods for relieving cat diarrhea.

Switch Up the Food

Unlike vomiting, diarrhea doesn't require the cat owner to withhold food for an extended period of time. In fact, withholding food during this time can actually do more harm than good and can put your cat at risk of developing a fatal type of liver disease known as hepatic lipidosis.

Simplify your cat's food and make sure they are not receiving any treats or table scraps.

Additionally, consider whether your cat's diarrhea may be due to recent dietary changes. Your cat may have an intolerance to the new food source, so you may want to go back to their original food until the specific allergy is determined. Consult with your veterinarian on this.

Finally, it is entirely possible that your cat developed an allergy to the food that they have been eating for years.

If so, gradually switching to a new food may do the trick in relieving diarrhea.

Fiber

Some cats who suffer from diarrhea benefit from a low-fiber diet. Look for brands that are labeled as highly digestible or ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs.

On the other hand, some cats who experience bouts of diarrhea may benefit from a fiber supplement, such as canned pumpkin.

Water and Electrolytes

Cats with diarrhea must stay hydrated to prevent dehydration. Make sure your cat has unlimited access to fresh water.

Cat owners may also want to consider switching from dry cat food to canned food to boost the moisture intake from the food.

Probiotics

Probiotic supplements are highly effective at maintaining a healthy amount of bacteria in a cat's gut. A healthy amount of bacteria in the intestinal tract is necessary for normal digestion.

Purchase a probiotic specifically formulated for cats from a reputable company.

Kaopectate

Finally, many cat owners wonder if they can give their cat anti-diarrhea supplements that are formulated for humans. We strongly advise against doing this. 

Some human anti-diarrhea medications can be fatal for a cat. Others, such as kaolin-pectin medications, are considered to be safe in some instances. However, some products (such as Kaopectate) that used to contain kaolin-pectin are now made with other ingredients that cat owners should avoid.

We firmly believe it's better to be safe than sorry. Never use a medication designed for people without the supervision of your veterinarian.

CBD Oil For Cats

Your four-legged friend means the world to you. Trust us, we get it.

We also understand that you would do just about anything to ensure your cat's health and happiness.

That's why it can be worrying when your beloved fur baby starts vomiting out of nowhere.

You feed them the best food available, monitor their health, and do everything you can to keep them out of harm's way... so why are they throwing up?

In this article, we'll explain the multitude of reasons why your cat may be vomiting and let you know when it's time to take your feline friend to the vet.

Not all vomiting should be cause for total panic. However, it's important for pet owners to know when they should act quickly, as vomiting is often a sign that something more serious needs to be addressed.

Let's get started!

Types of Vomiting

First, there are two types of vomiting that will help your veterinarian determine the underlying cause and best way to treat the problem.

These two types are acute vomiting and chronic vomiting.

Acute vomiting refers to a sudden episode of vomiting and lasts for 1 to 2 days. Cats with acute vomiting usually don’t have other symptoms.

Chronic vomiting refers to ongoing vomiting. Cats with chronic vomiting will vomit more than 1 or 2 times/day and have other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and depression.

Causes of Acute Cat Vomiting

The underlying causes of acute vomiting range from minor to severe.

Therefore, it is important for pet owners to know these causes and act accordingly.

Dietary Reasons for Cat Vomiting

One of the most common reasons behind vomiting is diet. Many cat foods contain rendered animal byproducts, such as bone and various organs, that do not enter the human chain.

You may be wondering why your cat is eating food that isn't safe for humans. As it turns out, these animal byproducts can add important nutrients and healthy proteins to a cat’s diet.

However, if your cat may vomit if they have trouble digesting these byproducts. 

Additionally, a sudden dietary change can cause cat vomiting, along with diarrhea. When switching your cat's food, it is important to go slowly. It helps to start by mixing a small amount of the new food into the old food, then slowly increasing the amount of new food until your cat is eating only the new food.

Overall, feeding your feline friend a high quality diet with easily digestible ingredients is key, along with making gradual changes in diet, to avoid upsetting your cat’s stomach. 

Treats & Milk

Many cat owners go above and beyond when it comes to feeding their feline friends high quality, well-balanced meals (and we applaud you for it).

However, it is important to recognize that cat treats are equally important for maintaining a high quality cat diet.

Take a look at the bag of cat treats you have in your cabinet. Read off the ingredients. Emulsifiers, surfactants, dyes, propylene glycol, FDC red #4 (and more) are additives and preservatives that can lead to gastrointestinal tract inflammation and, subsequently, vomiting.

Finally, milk. Most pets will gobble up milk if it's placed in front of them. For cats, though, it's important that it's cat’s milk.

Your cat doesn't have the necessary enzymes needed for breaking down the milk sugars in cow's milk. Therefore, secondary gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting are likely to develop if a cat drinks cow’s milk.

Eating Too Fast

Cats that eat as if it's their last meal on earth are much more prone to vomiting. As a quadruped (walking on four legs), your cat has a horizontally-positioned esophagus.

If your cat has eaten too quickly, they may regurgitate whole, undigested food, even after several minutes have passed. This is because the swallowed food can get backed up in the esophagus instead of passing through a little sphincter to the stomach. 

Help your cat slow down when they eat. For example, give your cat only small portions of food at a time to keep them from consuming their whole meal in one bite.

Additionally, if you have multiple cats, watch them at mealtime to make sure that one cat isn't eating for four cats. If this is the case, you will be better off feeding your felines in separate rooms.

Allowing each cat to have around 20 minutes of relaxed eating will also help slow their habits because they won't feel that if they don't eat their food, someone else will.

Portion control will also help prevent obesity, which in turn helps prevent additional health issues from developing.

Consuming Foreign Bodies

If cats aren't able to digest milk from a different species, then you can be sure that they aren't able to digest foreign bodies like toys and hairballs that enter their system.

Luckily, most cats aren't like dogs, who will eat just about anything in sight (although some still do). However, cats are known to constantly clean themselves.

If your kitty has beautiful long fur, you'll need to step in and help out with the grooming. Daily grooming is recommended for long-haired cats, while short-haired cats can get by with weekly grooming.

Additionally, if you have a multi-cat household, make sure that one cat isn't grooming everyone else.

The constant hair licking results in hairballs. Your feline's gastrointestinal tract isn't equipped to handle all the fur. Thus, vomiting occurs. As pet owners ourselves, we know that you do not want to come home to a vomited hairball on the floor.

If you're unsure if your cat is vomiting from hairballs, check the vomit for cylindrical plugs. If you see these plugs, you can be pretty sure that hairballs are causing the vomiting.

Pet parents can help prevent hairballs by adding a bit of fiber (canned pumpkin, unflavored psyllium) to the cat's diet. This will help move consumed hair through the GI tract more swiftly.

Toxins or Chemicals

Ingestion of toxins or chemicals can also cause vomiting. Poisoning commonly leads to sudden, severe vomiting in cats.

Many felines vomit from time to time, some more than others. However, if your cat doesn't typically throw up often and is suddenly vomiting, consider the possibility that they ingested something poisonous. 

Pet owners may not realize that many common household plants are extremely toxic for cats. If your cat is particularly fond of getting into your plants, consider purchasing wheatgrass (cat grass), which can provide your kitty with great nutritional benefits.

Take some time to research which plants are poisonous for cats and be sure to remove them from your home.

The chemicals found in herbicides, pesticides, and household cleaners can cause immediate, acute vomiting if ingested.

If your cat has consumed any of these products, no matter how small, it is imperative that you call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

A representative will be able to help you through the next steps.

Intestinal Parasites

Acute vomiting can also be a sign of an intestinal parasite. Intestinal parasites can be transmitted through contaminated water or a contaminated food source.

Intestinal parasites are common in cats, with some cat populations having as high as a 45% prevalence rate.

The parasitic infestation will also cause diarrhea, anemia, and weakness, increasing the likelihood of other infections. Intestinal parasites also rob the body of important nutrients. For example, kittens with intestinal parasites will have trouble gaining weight because they don’t have enough nutrients to support healthy weight gain. 

Finally, some GI parasites found in cats, such as roundworms, can also affect humans. Therefore, a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is extremely important to prevent these parasites from being transmitted to the cat owner.

Intestinal parasites include:

• Tapeworms
• Hookworms
• Whipworms
• Toxoplasma
• Roundworms
• Isospora sp. (coccidia)

Again, a timely diagnosis and appropriate medication are paramount for effectively treating intestinal parasites.

Acute Kidney Failure & Acute Liver Failure

Dysfunction of the organs responsible for detoxification—the liver and kidneys—can cause vomiting in cats. In these cases, vomiting is often considered a non-specific symptom, meaning that the vomiting is not directly linked to kidney or liver failure.

However, due to the severity of such failure, it is important for your veterinarian to test for organ function to rule out any potential problems.

Gastrointestinal Inflammation

When you look at the root cause of many diseases, you'll find one major thing in common: inflammation. Inflammation of major organs, including the gallbladder, small intestine, and colon, can lead to vomiting.

However, vomiting and diarrhea are typically only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to inflammation. Inflammation is directly linked to diseases such as cancer.

To prevent the development of more severe health issues, it is important for a cat owner to have their veterinarian figure out the underlying cause of the gastrointestinal inflammation.

Bacterial Infection of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Another potential reason for acute vomiting is a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Like people, cats have normal, healthy bacteria that live in their gut and help with digestion and nutrient absorption. 

However, if there’s an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria due to an infection, the normal intestinal functions are greatly affected, leading to diarrhea and vomiting.

While many bacterial gastrointestinal tract infections clear up in about a week's time, we recommend seeking veterinary treatment for the underlying cause of the infection, as it may likely resurface if not handled appropriately.

Also, it is important to monitor your cat's weight and hydration as the infection clears.

Cat Vomiting Bile

The yellow, foamy vomit that you may find is called bile. Cats vomit bile when bile enters the stomach and causes inflammation. Bilious vomiting commonly occurs on empty stomach in the early morning or late at night.

If bilious vomiting occurs once, it's likely not a cause for alarm. However, if your cat's vomit continues continues to be yellow and foamy, take your cat to your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

Pancreatitis

Acute cat vomiting is also a symptom of inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can often progress quite rapidly and make cats extremely ill. If caught early, though, it can be treated without any permanent damage to the organ.

Again, an accurate diagnosis for why the vomiting is occurring is very important.

Post-Operative Nausea

After surgery, many cats will experience nausea and acute vomiting. In these cases, both symptoms will subside as the medications and anesthesia in your cat's system flush out.

Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-nausea medications to help your cat heal faster and maintain a healthy appetite. There are also holistic ways to ease postoperative nausea and vomiting. More on that in a minute!

Certain Medications

Finally, certain medications can consequently cause acute vomiting.

If the medication that is causing the vomiting is for a chronic condition, you may want to speak to your vet regarding possible alternatives.

Continued vomiting can lead to the development of other conditions, such as inflammation of the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract.

Causes of Chronic Cat Vomiting

We want to make sure our readers understand that no kind of vomiting is considered to be normal, despite what you may have heard. Some reasons behind the vomiting are less severe than others, but no vomiting should be overlooked entirely.

In cases of chronic vomiting, pet owners should be on high alert, as continued vomiting can signal an unresolved medical condition. 

Dietary Causes

Food intolerance and food allergies can cause chronic vomiting. Pet owners may not realize that their beloved cats and dogs can develop allergies just like people.

In fact, food allergies are often the underlying cause of cat vomiting that occurs intermittently over a long period of time.

If your cat has normal energy levels, is a healthy weight, and doesn't appear ill but throws up from time to time, you may want to look into whether they have developed a food allergy.  

Over time, a cat’s digestive system can become sensitive to an ingredient (usually a protein) and actually mount an immune response against that ingredient. This response can inflame the digestive tract and possibly lead to the development of food allergies.

Removing the offending protein from the diet is the best way to prevent vomiting due to food allergies. A food elimination trial, which is a lengthy and sometimes expensive process, will help your veterinarian determine which protein is causing your cat’s food allergies.

Finally, many holistic experts on the topic recommend a species-appropriate raw food diet, if possible. We recommend talking to your vet regarding your individual cat's needs.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes chronic vomiting in cats. IBD includes conditions like gastritis, pancreatitis, enteritis, and colitis.

IBD can have much more serious consequences if not treated appropriately. The aforementioned conditions are directly linked to chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

On a side note, chronic vomiting in cats is also a symptom of gastrointestinal cancer. You can see why it is so important to pinpoint the exact cause of chronic vomiting. Early recognition and diagnosis can save your cat's life.

Chronic Toxicity Poisoning

Like acute vomiting, chronic vomiting can also be caused by poisoning. However, with chronic vomiting, the underlying cause can be more difficult to pinpoint.

With acute vomiting from toxicity, the toxic element is consumed only a short time before the vomiting ensues. With chronic vomiting from toxicity, the toxic element is consumed (or inhaled) in small amounts over an extended time.

A common cause of chronic poisoning comes from lead, which affects humans and pets alike.

Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction results from the accumulation of ingested solids and fluids in the intestinal tract. To relieve the accumulation, your cat may intermittently vomit over an extended period of time.

Intestinal obstruction can occur for several reasons, ranging from foreign body ingestion to more severe causes like a tumor or hernias.

Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders in cats can develop due to such reasons as injury and infection. Neurological disorders often have one main symptom in common: chronic vomiting.

Cats with neurological disorders have the potential to live long lives, but only if a proper diagnosis is made and a treatment plan is developed.

Parasites

A long-standing intestinal parasite infestation that is not promptly diagnosed and treated can lead to chronic vomiting.

Parasites must be diagnosed and treated by your vet. If left untreated, chronic vomiting may be the least of your worries.

Additional Symptoms to Look For

In many cases, vomiting is considered to be a non-specific symptom, making it challenging to diagnose a disorder solely on the presence of vomiting.

Thankfully, there are other clinical signs to look for in conjunction with cat vomiting:

• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
• Bloody vomit
• Bloody diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Fluctuation in water intake

Furthermore, pet owners should monitor the frequency of the vomit and when it occurs (e.g., after eating, being outdoors)

When to Make a Vet Appointment

If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, there are a few things you should consider.

How old is your cat? How is your cat's overall health? Is there any chance they may have ingested something poisonous? How long has your cat been vomiting (several weeks, just once, etc.)?

We firmly believe that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your beloved four-legged companion. Again, no vomiting should be considered "normal."

If you have any reason to believe that your cat's vomiting is a sign of something more severe, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Treatment for Cat Vomiting

Typically, treatment for cat vomiting will involve withholding food and water until the vomiting has stopped. Then, pet parents will be advised to slowly reintroduce water and then a bland diet.

This treatment, however, is solely for vomiting. It is imperative that pet owners get to the bottom of what is causing the vomit so that the primary issue can be treated as well.

Preventing Cat Vomiting

In many cases, cat vomiting can be prevented. Simple changes, such as feeding a high quality cat food that doesn’t contain an allergy-producing protein and making sure that any poisonous plants and chemicals are removed from your home, are great ways to start.

Again, preventing the vomiting will depend on the underlying cause.

CBD Oil for Cats

Speaking of prevention, there is one supplement we highly recommend: CBD oil. CBD oil is a digestive aid that helps support proper digestion and bowel health. It can aid in occasional gastric distress and support a healthy gut and normal stomach pH. 

Although CBD oil certainly can't undo poisoning, it's a great supplement to consider to boost overall wellness in your kitty and potentially avoid a mess on the carpet.

We recommend our all-natural, non-GMO, soy-free, lab-tested CBD oil for cats!

Cat Vomiting: The Bottom Line

We know that your feline companion means the world to you and realizing that something isn't quite right can be extremely nerve-wracking for a doting pet parent.

The first step is recognizing any change as soon as possible. The sooner a symptom like vomiting is noticed, the sooner a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan can begin. We sincerely hope your four-legged friend feels better soon!

Sources

Have you noticed your joints getting a little creakier with each passing year? Does the friendly phrase "sit down and take the weight off" bring you a deeper sense of relief than it did in your younger years? Welcome to the joys of aging and joint pain. However, you are not alone in this journey. You pet owners may notice that your cat may be dealing with joint pain right alongside you. 

Experiencing joint pain first-hand is almost as painful as seeing your cat suffer from the same predicament. Worry not! A trip to the vet will surely get your cat back on track in no time, right? Well, you may leave your vet’s office with one of the more popular joint supplements, Cosequin for cats. In this article, we will discuss what causes feline joint pain, how to prevent it, and how Cosequin help manages the pain.

Cosequin for Cats? What is that?

Cosequin is used to improve joint function in cats, as well as dogs and horses. Available over-the-counter, Cosequin battles the breakdown of cartilage that causes joint pain.

Cartilage, particularly articular cartilage, is the "glue" that hold the bones together at the joints. Aging, infection, and trauma can weaken the cartilage. Cosequin helps to preserve existing cartilage and promote the growth of new, healthy cartilage.

Be aware that Cosequin does not cure joint issues. Rather, it helps with managing the pain and discomfort associated with joint conditions. More advanced joint disease may require more powerful medicine or even corrective surgery.

Cosequin Side Effects

Cosequin is not without side effects, but these side effects are rare. Diarrhea is the most common side effect, but cats can also experience other forms of GI upset, like vomiting.

Sometimes, medications and supplements can worsen pre-existing conditions. Consult with your vet before starting your cat on Cosequin. 

Cosequin Ingredients

Like most medications and supplements, Cosequin is made up of several ingredients. The two primary ingredients are:

• 125 mg of Glucosamine hydrochloride - Derived from crustacean shells, glucosamine is a powerful agent of cartilage regeneration.
• 120 mg of Sodium chondroitin sulfate (SCS) - Derived from cow cartilage, SCS is also a common ingredient in human joint pain relief supplements.

The ingredient list rounds out with smaller amounts of manganese ascorbate, gelatin, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, and FD & C Blue #1 and #3.

Know Where Ingredients Come From

Cosequin is a popular choice for joint pain in cats. Although SCS is derived from cow cartilage, its sourcing can be questionable.

If you ever see ingredients derived from animal products in your cat's food or supplements, find out where that company gets their meat and animal by-products. In the world of animal products, manufacturers commonly use animal ingredients that are not suitable for human consumption. Animals that may be used to make these products are considered “4D”: 

1. Dead 
2. Dying
3. Disabled
4. Diseased

In a process called rendering, potentially harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the animal carcasses are killed, the fat is removed, and the water is separated out. So, although cartilage from “4D” cows may not make your cat sick, it’s certainly unpleasant to think about your cat taking joint supplements containing an ingredient that came from a sickly animal.

Is Your Cat in Pain?

Before you start giving your cat Cosequin, you be sure that your cat is actually in pain.

For better or for worse, cats have earned a reputation for being proud and fiercely independent. They are also masters of disguise when it comes to hiding their pain. Thus, it’s not always easy to tell when a cat is in pain. Fortunately, there are some tell-tail (pun definitely intended) signs indicating your cat is experiencing joint discomfort.

Altered Grooming Regime

Unlike your dog, your cat has probably never been to the groomers, right? Well, that’s because cats are natural experts in personal grooming. However, when cats are in pain, they may over groom or stop grooming entirely.

Over-Grooming

In the case of over-grooming, you may notice your cat licking a specific area more than usual. This may leave skin red and irritated, or even create bald patches. When cats are kittens, they are licked and groomed by their mothers; this is both practical and comforting. Therefore, a cat that’s in pain may resort to licking to feel a sense of comfort and safety.

Lack of Grooming

While grooming, cats can contort themselves into Olympic-level gymnastics positions. Well, joint pain makes these positions harder and more uncomfortable for cats. If your cat's coat is dirtier and more matted than usual, they may be unable to properly groom themselves.

Biting and Scratching

Even the friendliest of felines may turn aggressive when in pain. If you suspect your cat is hurting, exercise caution when scanning their bodies for tender places. Ailing cats may bite or scratch simply in anticipation of you touching painful areas.

If your cat’s in pain, be especially wary of their interactions with children and guests. Children tend to try and pick up or play rough with cats. If your cat is hurting, they may turn the child in question into a dog person. On a serious note, your cat may inflict serious damage with their claws or teeth, possibly injuring a child or guest in your home.

Look into their Eyes

Cats are naturally regal creatures. In fact, they were worshiped as gods in ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures. Of the many notable feline features, the eyes are arguably the most iconic. Eyes express all sorts of feelings and emotions. Cat eyes can portray signs of pain in the body. Dilated pupils can indicate body pain. Smaller than usual pupils may indicate actual eye pain.

Also, bloodshot or constantly squinty eyes are something to look out for when monitoring your cat's condition.

Changes in Habits

Cats are the original creatures of habit. Any sudden changes in their regular routine are worth investigating. Establishing a baseline idea of your cat's "healthy" self helps you notice and take appropriate action when something is off about your cat’s routine. 

Sleeping

Cats typically spend more time sleeping than anything else. Domesticated cats can sleep up to twenty hours a day! For people and cats, sleep is when the body's natural healing factory works at optimal levels. Cats in pain tend to sleep even more, in part because sleeping is often the best escape from joint pain.

Indoor cats tend to have several go-to sleeping spots. More often than not, these snuggly spots are up high. A healthy cat will have no problem taking the leap to the top shelf of your closet where your fluffy sweaters live. A cat with joint pain, however, will likely opt for lower sleeping spots because they are easier to get to.

Eating

Bodily aches and pains often leave your cat eating or drinking less than usual for two big reasons: (1) pain suppresses appetite, and (2) it may simply hurt too much to walk to the food bowl. If you notice your cat leaving leftovers at dinnertime, look for more signs of discomfort.

Potty Time

Joint pain also makes it difficult for cats to make it to the litter box. If your potty trained cat suddenly starts leaving unexpected "gifts" around your home, they may be in pain.

Cats with back pain may physically have trouble assuming the position, so to speak. Therefore, constipation may occur secondary to joint pain.

Playtime

Unsurprisingly, a cat having trouble strutting to the litter box may also be less prone to playfulness. Pay attention to your cat's interest level at playtime. Even the most playful kitties may suddenly lose all interest in their feather on a stick.

Some cats may try to run and play, but end up limping or having trouble moving around. Remember, cats are stubborn and shy about revealing that they are hurting.

Joint Pain Prevention

Joint pain is among the many ailments that your cat can experience during its lifetime. Keep reading to learn about how you can prevent joint pain in your cat. 

Well-Balanced Nutrition

By far, a well-balanced diet is the most effective promoter of optimal feline health. If your cat’s body were an exclusive nightclub (let’s call it “Dance Right Meow”), their diet would be the bouncer checking the diseases at the door. A poor diet is like hiring a mousy bouncer who takes smoke breaks every five minutes, leaving the door open to all kinds of unsavory diseases to walk right on in. A perfectly balanced diet gives your cat’s door guy the tall stature and big scary biceps every good bouncer needs. 

Important Dietary Elements

So how exactly do you get the ideal "hulk" of a bouncer? Feed your cat the perfect balance of must-have nutritional elements! Your cat needs: 

1. Water
2. Proteins 
3. Carbohydrates
4. Vitamins and minerals
5. Essential amino acids (e.g., taurine)
6. Essential fatty acids (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids)

Like their jungle cat ancestors (lions, leopards, cheetahs, etc.), domestic cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they must eat meat to survive. Meat-based proteins are ideal for cats.

A cat’s carbohydrate requirements are small, but essential. Carbohydrates for cats must be easily digestible. Unfortunately, many pre-made dry cat foods contain carbohydrates that cats can’t digest very well. In addition, feeding too many carbohydrates to a cat can lead to excessive weight gain. 

Obesity in Cats, A BIG Problem

You have likely seen a comically chubby cat before, with their bloated bellies practically dragging on the floor. This may seem adorably funny at first glance, but obesity is no joking matter. Did you know that a more than half of America’s domesticated cats are overweight or obese? 

What an embarrassing statistic! Many pet parents grossly overfeed their cats. Did you know cats need an average of only 200-300 calories per day? To put that in perspective, a single cup of dry cat food clocks in at about 300 calories. Pet parents may unknowingly feed their cat way more than that. 

How to Curb Obesity

Many cat owners do free choice feeding, leaving out large bowls of food for their cat to munch on for one day or several days, reducing the daily chore of structured feeding schedules. However, this leaves cats with an all-you-can-eat buffet. We all know what happens at buffets… you overeat! 

To curb obesity, establish a feeding schedule and feed your cat according to the label instructions. Leave the food out for a designated amount of time (e.g., 15 minutes), then pick the food up so your cat doesn’t snack all day.

Choosing the right food can be daunting, in part because pet food labels are hard to read and understand. Take a stab at reading the ingredients of any food you are considering. If you don't know what something is, look it up! Your cat's food shouldn't have more scientific words than your high school chemistry book. If you’re still not sure if a particular food is good for your cat, talk with your vet for guidance on choosing the diet that best suits your cat’s nutritional needs.

You may also want to consider a raw cat food diet. This approach is increasingly popular and can improve digestion, enhance energy levels, manage weight, and improve skin and coat quality. If not prepared properly, though, raw wet food diets can leave out important nutrients or have the wrong balance of nutrients. If you want to feed your cat a raw food diet, work with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the diet is nutritionally complete and healthy for your cat.

Play Time!

You know that nagging feeling you have in the back of your head telling you that you should take a trip to the gym? Well, just like you, cats need exercise. Cats are wild animals that have been domesticated over centuries to be lazy and snuggle with you indoors. However, this goes against their natural instinct to hunt and run freely.

Healthy physical activity increases blood flow and circulation, which improves joint health. Even better, regular exercise can help repair damaged joints. Healthy movement releases substances that promote cartilage growth. So, pick up that mouse toy and take your cat on a trip around the living room!

A Natural Approach to Joint Health

Not only are natural remedies increasingly popular for humans, they’re also good for our feline friends as well!

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

As previously mentioned, essential fatty acids are a key component of a healthy cat diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are popular and effective essential fatty acids. Omega-3’s have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can work wonders on ailing joints. Better yet, essential fatty acids have several other benefits, including those listed below:

• Reducing allergies
• Reducing shedding
• Suppressing cancer growth 
• Promoting healthy eyes and brain (especially in kittens)
• Reducing inflammation (e.g., joints, kidneys, skin, heart)

When effectively administered in your cat's diet, essential fatty acids can gradually improve your cat’s joint health and overall health. 

Acupuncture

You may have received acupuncture therapy. Dating back to ancient Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves strategically inserting tiny needles  in pressure points around the body. Among its many benefits, acupuncture increases circulation and reduces inflammation, which helps treat joint pain. 

You may think acupuncture for cats is totally insane, but it’s actually quite therapeutic. Visit a licensed veterinarian who has received formal training in veterinary acupuncture. 

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is as an ingredient in Cosequin but can be quite effective at treating joint pain on its own. Derived from crustacean shells, glucosamine promotes the growth of healthy cartilage. Fun fact: glucosamine is already in your cat's body. However, when trauma or age intervenes, glucosamine production goes way down. Fortunately, regular glucosamine supplementation can reduce your cat’s joint pain.

Cosequin for Cats: The Bottom Line

Joint pain frequently affects our beloved cats. Joint issues can be caused by age, disease, or physical trauma. No matter the cause, a smart, healthy treatment plan is necessary to get the spring back in a cat’s step. Because prescription drugs and supplements can contain some unsavory chemicals or ingredients, we recommend that you talk to your vet about a natural, holistic approach to joint pain relief. From out pet-loving family to yours, we wish you and your cat a lifetime of happiness. 

Sources 

Undoubtedly, one of the scariest moments for a pet owner is witnessing their beloved four-legged friend experience a seizure. Seconds can feel like hours as you watch your dog convulse on the floor. You feel helpless and uncertain about what to do next. 

Once your dog stops convulsing and you take them to your veterinarian, your vet will likely recommend a conventional anticonvulsant medication. Dog owners should understand these medications, including their side effects, before administering them.

In this article, we'll cover everything you should know about potassium bromide for dogs (KBr). We'll discuss the risks, how the medication works, and alternatives that we recommend. Additionally, we will shed light on the wonders of holistic remedies that can greatly reduce your dog's seizure severity and frequency. Let's begin.

Dog Seizures: What Exactly Are They?

Before we dive into KBr for dogs, let's first discuss why it’s used: dog seizures. Up to 5% of all dogs experience seizures, making them the most commonly diagnosed neurological condition in dogs. Often referred to as 'fits' or convulsions, seizures are temporary and are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.  

Seizures symptoms include:

• Jerking
• Drooling
• Twitching
• Stiffening
• Chomping
• Collapsing
• Tongue chewing
• Paddling of the legs
• Foaming of the mouth
• Involuntary urination or defecation

As you can imagine, witnessing a dog’s seizure can be terrifying for a dog owner.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs

Seizures in dogs have many causes. Identifying a seizure’s underlying cause is key to diagnosing the condition because some medications should not be given to dogs with certain health conditions, like liver disease.

In other cases, the underlying cause of seizures is unknown. Many of these cases are diagnosed as canine idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsy is at least two unprovoked seizures.  

What is Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy

Canine idiopathic epilepsy, an inherited disorder, is the most common type of seizures in dogs. Veterinarians often prescribe KBr for dogs with canine idiopathic epilepsy.

Health Conditions that Cause Seizures

The following ailments are often associated with seizures:

Irritated eyes. Runny noses. Constant itching. Allergies plague millions of people every year. Unfortunately for our four-legged friends, allergies don't discriminate. Dog allergies can be a constant nuisance and cause quite a bit of agitation and distress, particularly during spring and summer. Knowing that (wo)man's best friend is suffering just as much as we are makes pet owners wonder what they can do to help.

Recently, many pet owners have begun questioning whether the same human-made allergy medications are safe and effective for their dogs. In this article, we will cover what you need to know about Claritin for dogs. Although it is among the most popular allergy medications for people, pet owners should know about a few things about Claritin before giving it to their dog.

What is Claritin for Dogs

In people, Claritin (scientific name, Loratadine) alleviates allergy symptoms and mild to moderate allergic reactions that often result in hives. In many cases, veterinarians prescribe Claritin for dogs for the same reasons that the drug is prescribed for people.

Be aware that Claritin does not cure allergies; allergies are only manageable, not treatable. Your dog will still suffer from the unpleasant symptoms when not taking the medication. Claritin temporarily relieves the symptoms and helps make the seasonal changes more bearable for Fido.

How Does Claritin Work

When histamines attach to the H-1 receptors on the smooth muscles and small blood vessels, they trigger an allergic reaction that includes sneezing, itching, irritated and watery eyes, and a runny nose. Claritin is an antihistamine. Antihistamines prevent histamines from attaching to the H-1 receptors, therefore preventing an allergic reaction.

What is Claritin Used For

Allergy Relief 

Just like people, dogs with allergies suffer from itchy, red eyes and runny noses. Affected dogs can also suffer from extremely irritated and itchy skin, which can cause uncontrollable fits of scratching to relieve the agitation. This constant itching, biting, and scratching can lead to many skin issues, including deep scarring and bacterial infections from open wounds. 

Your four-legged family member means the world to you. Trust us, we get it. Here at Honest Paws, we are all dog owners. Therefore, we understand how heart-wrenching it can be to witness your dog getting older and experiencing the aches and pains associated with aging.

Unfortunately, dogs are notorious for hiding their pain. When your dog can no longer their pain, oftentimes the pain has progressed quite a bit. Therefore, pet owners must know the clinical signs of pain to be able to recognize when their dog is in pain and needs help.

Furthermore, pet owners need to know what to do after recognizing their dog’s pain. A trip to your vet's office will likely leave you with a canine anti-inflammatory medication that relieves the pain but has many potential negative side effects.

In this article, we'll cover a relatively new medication called Galliprant. We'll also discuss alternative treatment options that are available and why you should strongly consider them.

Pet owners should understand the pros and cons of any new medicine prior to giving it to their furry friend. 

Let's begin!

What is Galliprant for Dogs

Galliprant (scientific name, grapiprant) for dogs is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that treats pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, also known as oa pain. It requires a prescription and should only be administered under veterinary supervision. 

• How Does Galliprant Work

  Many NSAIDs manage oa pain by inhibiting the COX enzyme, which produces inflammatory substances called prostaglandins. Thus, by inhibiting the COX enzyme, NSAIDs inhibit inflammation. However, these anti-inflammatory medications target the entire COX pathway, including its protective functions. Therefore, many adverse reactions may develop.

  Galliprant is different. Rather than targeting the COX enzyme, it inhibits the EP4 receptor, the main contributor of oa pain and inflammation. Galliprant does this without involving the COX pathway.

  In fact, due to its safety margins, Galliprant is one of the only NSAIDs that doesn't require regular monitoring of the vital organs that is often necessary for other NSAIDs. Additionally, studies have found that many dogs who weren't able to tolerate other conventional NSAIDs could tolerate Galliprant without any issues.

  What is Galliprant Used For

  Veterinarians prescribe Galliprant for the control of pain and inflammation associated with canine osteoarthritis. Arthritis is a general term used to describe joint inflammation. There are many different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common type in dogs. Osteoarthritis affects approximately 20 to 25% dogs.

  What is Canine Osteoarthritis 

  Osteoarthritis is typically a chronic, progressive disease. It often develops as the joint cartilage break down from years of constant activity, resulting in accumulated wear and tear on the joints. 

  It can also develop early on or very rapidly. For example, canine osteoarthritis can develop before a dog is one years old. Galliprant could be a good choice in this case it is safe to use in dogs as young as nine months old. However, even with Galliprant, long term use requires regular monitoring to ensure that vital organs like the kidneys and liver are still functioning properly.

  Signs of Osteoarthritis in Dogs

  Because osteoarthritis can develop at any age, dog owners should be able to recognize its signs.

  One sign, which is subtle and can occur early, is a reluctance to do certain activities that were once enjoyable. Osteoarthritis pain can make even the simplest things more challenging. For example, your dog may shy away from going on walks or find little interest in playing catch. 

  Other signs include: 

  • Lethargy 
  • General stiffness
  • Decreased mobility
  • Reluctance to stand 
  • Difficulty laying down 
  • Sleeping excessively 
  • Intermittent lameness
  • Moving slowly with caution 
  • Limping or dragging the limbs
  • Weight gain (from lack of movement)
  • Visible joint deformities, including swelling
  • Personality changes (e.g., irritability, depression)
  • Aggression, especially if arthritic joints are touched

Many of these signs are non-specific, meaning that they can also be associated with other conditions. For this reason, your veterinarian must accurately diagnose your dog’s osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian can also identify underlying health issues, such as obesity, that may need to be addressed before or during osteoarthritis treatment. 

What Are NSAIDs for Dogs

Dog owners should have a solid understanding of what NSAIDs are. Even though studies report that Galliprant has markedly fewer negative side effects than those of other NSAIDs, it is still very much an NSAID. 

Being a pet parent is a rewarding experience. Nonstop love and affection. A cuddle buddy. The best partner in crime that anyone could ask for. Dogs are so special and we are so lucky to have them. However, no one said that being responsible for your four-legged companion's complete and total wellbeing was going to be easy. Most pet parents realize that pet ownership isn't always rainbows and butterflies.

It is difficult to watch your once bumbling little pup get older and experience age-related pain. Moreover, most pet parents know that dogs are notorious for hiding their distress and pain. Therefore, if your dog is showing signs of pain, they’re likely suffering a lot. It's heart-wrenching to think about.

If you recognize that your beloved dog isn't doing well, the next step is to consider what you can do to fix it. The question, "what can I give my dog for pain" is one of the highest-searched queries on Google on pet care. We hope to answer that question (spoiler alert, it may not be what you think).

In this article, you’ll learn all about carprofen, a commonly prescribed pain medication for dogs. Although we understand that you'll do just about anything to lessen your dog's pain, pet parents must understand carprofen’s risks, which you shouldn't take lightly. Let's get to it.

What is Carprofen

Carprofen is a non-narcotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). As a veterinarian-prescribed medication, carprofen helps alleviate post-surgical and arthritic pain and inflammation.

Other Names for Carprofen

Carprofen for dogs also goes by many different brand names, listed below. Be aware that they are the same medication and therefore will have the same potential adverse effects.

• Acticarp
• Austiofen
• Bomazeal
• Canidryl
• Carporal
• Carprieve
• Carprocow
• Carprodolor
• Carprodyl
• Carprofelican
• Carprofen
• Carprofène
• Carprofeno
• Carprofenum
• Carprogesic
• Carprosol
• Carprotab
• Carprox
• Comforion
• Dolagis
• Dolocarp
• Dolox
• Eurofen
• Kelaprofen
• Librevia
• Norocarp
• Norodyl
• Novocox
• Prolet
• Reproval
• Rimadyl
• Rimifin
• Rofeniflex
• Rycarfa
• Scanodyl
• Tergive
• Vetprofen
• Xelcor

The carprofen brand that your veterinarian prescribes will mostly depend on the country in which you live, although many countries have nearly all of the drugs available.

What Are NSAIDs for Dogs

Common NSAIDs for human consumption include aspirin and Advil. They provide short-term pain relief. For example, we’ll take them for the occasional headache or minor ache. Chronic use of NSAIDs in people (especially older people), though, can cause negative side effects like intestinal damage. Yet, some NSAIDs for dogs may be prescribed for long-term use to reduce arthritic pain, among other ailments. Doesn't make much sense... does it?

Some of the most commonly prescribed NSAID drugs for dogs include:

• Rimadyl 
• Deramaxx
• Previcox
• Metacam
• Zubrin

These medications have many potential adverse reactions that could make your head spin. This article will focus on carprofen.

How Does Carprofen Work

The precise chemical mechanism of carprofen is unknown. Many experts believe that carprofen inhibits the COX enzyme, keeping inflammation from developing and spreading. Thus, carprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug.

What is Carprofen Used For

Veterinarians typically prescribe carprofen to either:

1. Treat osteoarthritis-related pain and discomfort 
2. Treat post-surgical pain and inflammation

Treating Osteoarthritis with Carprofen

One of the most terrifying, heart-wrenching moments in a dog owner's life is witnessing their beloved dog have a seizure. Seconds feel like hours as you watch your pup convulse uncontrollably. No pet parent ever wants their dog to have seizures and will do just about anything to help stop them.

If your dog has recently had their first seizure, there’s a lot to learn before beginning medication. Most anticonvulsant drugs have potential adverse effects and necessary precautions that all dog owners should know about.

In this article, we will cover one of the newer anticonvulsant drugs called levetiracetam and the important details that you need to know before beginning treatment. Let's get started!

What are Seizures in Dogs

Before we jump into talking about levetiracetam, we want to briefly discuss seizures and why dogs have them.

Up to 5% of all dogs suffer from seizures, but what exactly are they? Seizures are uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. This abnormal electrical activity often produces a physical convulsion, thought disturbances, secondary physical signs, or, at times, a combination of symptoms. Epilepsy describes repeated episodes of seizures.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs

Most seizure disorders in dogs are classified as idiopathic epilepsy, which is an inherited condition with an unknown cause.

In other cases, seizures may be caused by the following conditions:

• Brain tumor
• Brain trauma
• Liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Toxic poisoning

Seizures in Dogs: What Provokes Them?

Seizure episodes occur during changes in brain activity. For example, excitement or stress can trigger a seizure. If your dog suffers from seizures and anxiety, you’ll need to learn how to appropriately manage both. (More on that in a moment!)

Breeds At Risk of Seizures

Many dog breeds are prone to seizures and epilepsy.

These breeds include:

• Vizsla
• Beagle
• Keeshond
• Belgian Tervuren
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Shetland Sheepdog

That being said, any dog can have seizures.

What is Levetiracetam for Dogs

Now, back to the topic at hand.

Levetiracetam is the generic name for Keppra. Your vet may use the names interchangeably. It is a newer prescription medication that treats seizures and epilepsy in dogs.

Levetiracetam tablets can be used alone or in combination with other anticonvulsant medications. Combination therapy with levetiracetam lowers the required dosage of the other anticonvulsant medication, helping to reduce the negative side effects. Because the side effects of traditional anticonvulsant medications can be severe, many pet owners are actively seeking drugs like levetiracetam to lessen and prevent such adverse effects. 

Traditional Anticonvulsant Medications

Traditional anticonvulsant medications for dogs are phenobarbital and potassium bromide (KBr). Unfortunately, many dogs cannot tolerate these mediciations; pet owners want to avoid the potential adverse effects associated with both. 

On their own, phenobarbital and KBr cannot always reduce a dog’s seizure frequency or severity. Therefore, a dog may experience the harsh side effects of these drugs with no improvement in their seizures. In these cases, a vet may add another drug like levetiracetam to the treatment regimen to help reduce seizure frequency and severity.

Dangers of Phenobarbital

• Short-term: lethargy, fatigue, nervousness, ataxia (a lack of coordination)
• Long-term: anemia and liver damage (including scarring of the liver tissue, which can lead to serious liver dysfunction)

Dangers of KBr

• Short-term: irritability, vomiting, ataxia, hind limb instability 
• Long-term: bromide toxicity, which damages vital organs

Benefits of Levetiracetam for Dogs

Levetiracetam’s main benefit for dogs is its ability to treat seizures and lessen the need for drugs that can cause serious organ damage.

If you are actively seeking an alternative to phenobarbital and KBr, consider asking your veterinarian about whether levetiracetam might be an appropriate solution. Even in cases that require phenobarbital or KBr, adding levetiracetam can significantly decrease the dosage of these potentially harmful medications.

Disadvantages of Levetiracetam for Dogs

Levetiracetam’s main disadvantage is its dosing regimen: in most cases, it must be given three times a day, which is quite inconvenient for many pet owners.

Until recently, another disadvantage of levetiracetam was its high cost. Fortunately, the availability of the generic version of the drug resolved this issue.

Levetiracetam Dosage

Levetiracetam is available in 500-mg and 750-mg extended-release tablets and 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, and 1000 mg regular tablets. It is also available as an oral liquid.

In many cases, the drug must be administered three times a day. In some cases, the extended-release tablets can be administered twice daily. Frequent dosing is necessary because the body rapidly metabolizes levetiracetam, which helps minimize liver and kidney damage. 

Levetiracetam Side Effects 

Although side effects are less frequent with levetiracetam than traditional anticonvulsant medications for dogs, it is not entirely safe. Pet owners should know about levetiracetam’s common side effects, listed below: 

• Behavioral changes
• Lethargy and drowsiness 
• Gastrointestinal upset (e.g., vomiting or diarrhea)

Precautions for Levetiracetam for Dogs

Levetiracetam has several precautions, described below.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Levetiracetam should not be given to dogs who are pregnant because it can cause embryonal and fetal loss. However, if your dog is pregnant and having seizures, your vet may still prescribe the drug if they believe it’s necessary to control the seizures.

Kidney Function

Levetiracetam should be used with caution in dogs with poor kidney function. Although it is certainly safer than other anticonvulsants, levetiracetam can negatively affect kidney function, particularly if kidney function is already impaired.

Stopping Levetiracetam

Finally, levetiracetam should never be stopped suddenly. Doing so can cause erratic seizure activity. Always follow your vet’s instructions for gradually stopping a medication, especially anticonvulsant medications.

Dangers of Conventional Anticonvulsant Medications

With improved diagnostic tools, veterinarians are diagnosing seizures more frequently, leaving pet owners in a tough spot: what to do next. Of course, we do not advocate against the use of conventional medications; many pets benefit greatly from them. However, we want pet parents to know about these medications and their potential dangers.

For instance, conventional anticonvulsant medications can negatively affect liver and kidney function. Thus, a veterinarian must routinely monitor kidney and liver function when a dog is taking one of these medications. Because anticonvulsant medications are given lifelong, the expense of this routine monitoring can really add up, not even counting the cost of the medication. Pet parents may wonder if reducing seizure frequency and severity is worth the risk of serious organ damage (and the cost of monitoring).

Additionally, even when the conventional anti-seizure medications are administered correctly, there are several forms of drug-resistant epilepsy which cause the drugs not to work. Sadly, you read that correctly. Pet parents are inadvertently flooding their dog's body with chemicals and toxins for no reason. This often results in the development of a slew of other conditions without any change in the severity of frequency of seizure activity.

Other Anticonvulsant medications

Finally, we want to briefly mention other anticonvulsant medications—primidone and zonisamide—that are available for dogs. Being aware of all medications will help you make an educated decision to manage your dog’s seizures.

Primidone

Primidone can help dogs for whom phenobarbital was not effective at seizure control.

• Short-term effects: weight loss, lethargy, ataxia 
• Long-term effects: hepatic necrosis, hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis 

Zonisamide

Zonisamide helps prevent the spread of seizures in the brain.

• Short-term effects: ataxia, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting
• Long-term effects: hyperthermia, skin reactions, blood disorders

As you can see, the short-term and long-term effects of nearly every conventional anticonvulsant are worrisome.

Levetiracetam Alternatives

Every day, more parents are turning to holistic alternatives to treat and prevent their dogs' ailments. It's no surprise why. The laundry list of the potential adverse effects - not to mention, a possible allergic reaction - of conventional medications can be mind-boggling. Luckily, there are safe and effective natural to help our pets.

Food Therapy

Pet owners may not fully understand food’s incredible power on managing seizures. A specifically formulated diet can truly be a game-changer when it comes to treating seizures. Ketogenic diets, which are low in carbohydrates and high in fats, can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of seizure activity.

Furthermore, diet affects your dog’s overall health and well-being. For example, dogs suffering from kidney damage associated with many anticonvulsants can benefit from a diet that doesn’t overwork the kidneys.