Canine Zantac

Although there's officially no such thing as canine Zantac, vets and owners have been using regular Zantac to help treat their dogs. Find out more about it.

Does your dog suffer from digestive upset?

Perhaps you're already familiar with the drug commercially known as Zantac? There are plenty of advertisements for it on television and radio. You may even have a prescription for it in your own medicine cabinet.

Zantac is actually the commercial name for a drug called Ranitidine. Ranitidine belongs to a group of drugs known as H2 receptor antagonists. Although this medication is primarily used to treat people, it has occasionally been used to treat dogs as well.

As an H2 receptor antagonist, Zantac is traditionally used to treat stomach ulcers by reducing the amount of acid produced in the chamber. This can help heal active ulcers as well as prevent new lesions from forming. The drug is also used to treat cases of aid reflux, gastritis and other inflammations of the esophagus and digestive tract.

There is virtually no difference between canine Zantac and regular Zantac. It's all Ranitidine, and it's used to treat the same kind of stomach and esophageal problems in dogs as in people.

Some owners are interested in using Zantac as a preventative measure to guard against a bout of bloat. Bloat, otherwise known as torsion, is a highly painful and life threatening condition that is very prevalent in breeds such as German Shepherds and Poodles.

Although the exact cause of torsion is not yet known, the condition produces abnormal muscle movement of the stomach during digestion. The stomach actually twists, closing itself off at its entry and exit points. This traps swallowed air, digestive acids and food particles in an enclosed environment where they begin to ferment. The stomach then begins to "bloat" from the accumulation of gases produced.

It's not yet clear whether using canine Zantac in this way would do more harm than good, so vets are cautious about the drug's use. They do occasionally prescribe it to settle the stomach long enough for irritation to subside.

A recent dental study has also suggested that using Ranitidine in an oral rinse or tablet form may also provide significant relief of gum inflammation associated with canine gingivitis.

When giving your dog canine Zantac, it's important to understand that people and dogs do not share the same dosage rates. Typically, dogs will need a smaller dosage administered less often, unless the dog is exceptionally large.

If you are considering sharing your Zantac with your dog, then it's worth it to schedule an appointment with your vet to get his/her professional opinion. Allow your vet to make a diagnosis of your pet's abdominal discomfort, and then decide on the right course of treatment. If your vet agrees that Zantac would be useful as well as safe, then he/she will calculate the correct dosage for your pet, as well as how often to give your dog the medication.

As with nearly any type of medication, canine Zantac use can produce unfavorable side-effects if the dog receives too much medication or is on the drug for a prolonged period of time.

Typical side-effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Irregular heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Muscle spasms

Ranitidine/Zantac has also been known to cause an allergic reaction in some dogs. Signs include:

• Itching and scratching
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pale gums related to shock
• Heat loss in legs and paws
• Unconsciousness

Zantac usage is not recommended for dogs previously diagnosed with kidney, liver or heart disease. Additionally, any dog receiving this medication for a prolonged time should be monitored for possible liver damage throughout the course of treatment.

Like many of the medications we give our dogs, Zantac was developed mainly for human usage. However, resourceful veterinarians often adapt human medications for use in dogs, such as found with the medication Paxil.

Here lies the heart of the matter. A veterinarian has the extensive training and medical knowledge to form an educated opinion about the effect a particular medication might have on your pet. If you do ever consider sharing your own medications with your pet, be sure to check with your vet first.

• Beagle Dog Christmas Ornaments
• Funny Halloween Dog Pictures
• Miniature Teacup Chihuahuas
• Name That Dog Breed Quiz
• Choosing a Puppy Quiz

• Signs Of Dog Pregnancy
• Dog Anal Glands
• Sick Dog Symptoms
• Female Dog Heat Cycle
• Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding

• Category:Dog Health
• Dog Has Acid Reflux
• Pet Medications
• Canine Paroxetine
• If a Dog Got Sick Would it be Able to Use Human Medicine