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Smecta is rightfully considered one of the most effective drugs that helps a person cope with diarrhea. However, for the felines he became an equally loyal friend. The main thing is to learn how to correctly calculate the dosage. Moreover, you can understand how to give Smecta to a cat by carefully reading just one article. Intestinal upset is not a rare disease for your beloved pet. There is always a reason for diarrhea. It could be something unsuitable for food, obtained on the street, or a stolen piece from the table. In any case, Smecta will be the salvation.
Contraindications
Expert opinion
Dubas Andrey Leonidovich
Leading physician therapist at the veterinary clinic of Dr. Bugaev
Smecta for cats against diarrhea is a fairly harmless drug. It has a minimum number of contraindications, which include:
- increased sensitivity to smectite, as well as auxiliary components and flavorings;
- constipation and intestinal obstruction;
- Glucose-galactose malabsorption is a syndrome of genetic genesis characterized by impaired absorption of monosaccharides in the gastrointestinal tract;
- sucrase-isomaltase deficiency is a malabsorption syndrome in which the absorption of disaccharides is impaired, develops with insufficiency of invertase, an enzyme of the digestive tract, and is hereditary.
Side effects of smecta for cats
Usually smecta does not cause any problems. Occasionally there may be individual intolerance or constipation from it. If your cat has an allergic reaction (which is unlikely), then stop giving the drug. And if constipation occurs, then reduce the dose by half.
Smecta contraindications for cats
Contraindications for the use of smecta for cats can only be hypersensitivity to the components of the drug or intestinal obstruction.
Form of medication that is suitable for cats
In most cases, the drug is prescribed in the form of grayish-yellow granules with a faint vanilla aroma. The active component is diosmectite.
Among the additional substances that are present in the composition:
- dextrose monohydrate;
- sodium saccharinate;
- flavoring
Whether other forms can be used is determined only by the doctor.
Is it possible to give Smecta to cats?
Digestive upset in an adult cat or kitten is a common occurrence.
In this case, Smecta can and even should be used: the animal’s unpleasant symptoms go away within a few hours, and it feels much better.
The owner needs to make sure that the cat swallows the medicine. If this fails, the animal is given the drug again.
In some cases, you cannot do without outside help: you may need to restrain the animal so that it does not twitch and the medicine gets directly into the mouth.
If the cat does not feel better, the drug is repeated after 3-4 hours. To prevent dehydration, it is recommended to give plenty of fluids.
It is prohibited to feed your pet during treatment until the digestive tract organs are completely restored.
If there is no positive dynamics, you should consult a doctor and not self-medicate. The veterinarian will select another drug based on the general condition and characteristics of the development of the primary disease,
Dosage of solution used
The required dosage of medication for diarrhea in an animal is determined by a veterinarian. It differs for adult cats and kittens.
If the drug is used as first aid, when it is not possible to visit a doctor, it is recommended to give the medicine in a general dosage, diluting 0.5 packets with warm water until a liquid consistency is formed (like sour cream).
If severe distress is observed, it is recommended that the medication be administered to the affected animal every 60 minutes. For ordinary diarrhea, re-use of Smecta is necessary after a few hours.
For a kitten, a single dosage of 0.5-2 ml. For an adult cat (cat) – up to 5 ml at a time. If diarrhea persists for 6 hours, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor.
Treatment of cats and kittens for diarrhea at home
First of all, don't panic. You should especially not start worrying if the animal is vaccinated and has not come into contact with dubious feline personalities. We remember that the main thing is to assess the condition and find out the causes of diarrhea in the cat.
You should be aware that home treatment with proper nutrition may not be effective in serious cases. Such severe ailments require medical intervention. However, there are a number of medications that are effective in treating the symptoms of bowel disorders, some of which are used in human treatment.
Medicines and dosage for diarrhea in cats
Despite the extensive list of drugs that can help a meowing sufferer with an intestinal disorder, not all of them are recommended by specialists. Any medicine is not a panacea, and in difficult cases, eliminating symptoms is simply dangerous for the cat’s life.
Here is an approximate list of effective remedies for diarrhea in cats:
Enterofuril is an effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug. The medication does not disturb the intestinal flora, so the rapid effect of enterofuril does not carry with it any side effects for the intestines. The medicine is excellent in treating feline diarrhea if the cause is bacterial infections, but viral stool disorders can also be treated. The price for enterofuril varies from 270 to 350 rubles; The dosage of the suspension for adult cats is 100 milligrams. For kittens 5 times less; Give 2-3 times a day, 12 or 8 hours apart; If over the last 10-12 hours the signs of diarrhea disappear, then the drug is stopped;
Diarcan is a medicine that is dissolved in water and offered to the pet to drink or added to the food. If the situation does not improve within 5 days, the drug is discontinued, since the diarrhea is not due to infection. The dosage is strictly observed, half a cube for cats up to 5 kg and a cube over. There is an 8-hour break between doses. The drug costs about 500 rubles; Furazolidone is an antimicrobial drug that is effective due to the fact that bacteria develop resistance to it poorly. Treatment of loose stools with this remedy should be prescribed by a doctor who will select the correct dosage regimen. Typically, the daily dose is divided into three parts, each third mixed with food. Furazolidone can be bought for an average of 100 rubles; Bifidumbacterin is a probiotic that normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The product is sold in the form of tablets, powder and suppositories. Bifidumbacterin is indicated for long-term viral diseases of the cat and during a course of treatment with antibiotics. The cost of the probiotic depends on the dosage, but for cats the price will be approximately 100-200 rubles; Smecta and activated carbon are enterosorbents that remove toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. If the bowel disorder does not last long, then the cat can be given smecta to drink. The price for smecta enterosorbent is 130-150 rubles; Enterosgel - the drug actively cleanses the cat’s body of toxins, helps with poisoning, intestinal infections and after antiparasitic treatment
It would be better if a specialist prescribes such a remedy for your pet, because it is important not only to relieve the symptoms of the disease, but also to find the cause. Phthalazole is an antimicrobial medicine. Even salmonella is repelled from this medication
The remedy has been proven for weakening the intestines by more than one generation of mustaches. The tablet must be crushed, mixed with water and offered to the animal in a syringe. There are contraindications for use. The price of tablets is 30-40 rubles; Loperamide - a tablet is a savior, but not a cure. The symptoms of diarrhea will disappear, but the cause will remain. Loperamide is excellent at removing bacteria and parasites from the body, but it is worth consulting with a qualified specialist. Loperamide costs 15-30 rubles; Levomycetin is a strong drug that neither gram-positive nor gram-negative microorganisms can resist. Side effects will not appear if you follow the instructions and dosage. Otherwise, skin rashes, flatulence, and dermatitis may appear. The drug is contraindicated for pregnant cats or animals with kidney and liver diseases.
Now it’s clear what can be given to a cat for diarrhea, but you shouldn’t blindly hope for miraculous remedies, since the cause is sometimes difficult to establish. The cause of the disease is the main thing worth fighting. The veterinarian will not only help you find the cause of the bowel disorder, but will also prescribe a competent course of treatment.
Price and analogues
The average cost of a package containing 10 sachets of 3 grams of powder for preparing a suspension is 155-160 rubles.
Neosmectin is one of the analogues of smectin
If necessary, Smecta can be replaced with other drugs that have similar pharmacological effects. Popular analogues:
- Dioctahedral smectite;
- Diosmectite;
- Neosmectin.
The unique properties of Smecta to absorb everything unnecessary in the gastrointestinal tract and cleanse the body of toxins have made the drug popular not only in traditional medicine, but also in veterinary medicine.
Cat breeders and specialists share on forums successful experiences in treating their pets for viruses, infections and simple diarrhea.
Giving Smect to a cat is important in cases where the pet shows signs of intestinal disorder. In medicine, this drug is considered one of the best, because along with its high efficiency, it is as safe as possible for the pet’s body. But the main thing is to correctly calculate the dosage and first familiarize yourself with all the features of Smecta treatment. And the attached instructions for use will help with this and, of course, a veterinarian, with whom you should consult before starting purring therapy.
Is it possible to give Smecta to cats?
The sensitive digestive system of cats often suffers from the consumption of foods such as milk and liver. Diarrhea can be caused by fatty foods, a change in diet, switching to a different type of food, or overeating. Symptoms of digestive disorders occur in pets as a result of allergies and stress. Loose stools are often observed in kittens when they begin to get used to adult food.
In such cases, Smecta is one of the best assistants. It has all the necessary properties to stop diarrhea and rid the cat of toxins. Considering the safety of the product, it is recommended to give it to both adult animals and kittens
It is important to correctly calculate the dose of powder
If indigestion is caused by an infection, the animal experiences frequent vomiting, fever, complete refusal of food and water, Smecta will not have the desired effect until the veterinarian prescribes medications to destroy the causative agent of the disease. Pathologies of internal organs can also be a source of problems. In this case, the pet needs examination, and Smecta can be included in complex therapy.
When to consult a veterinarian
Diarrhea in a cat is indicated by symptoms such as loose stools, frequent visits to the toilet, and the presence of mucus or mucous inclusions in the stool.
It is recommended to contact a veterinarian if secondary manifestations are observed, including:
- decreased or complete loss of interest in food;
- weight loss;
- vomiting syndrome;
- elevated temperature;
- decreased physical activity of the animal;
- general malaise.
If any of these symptoms are present, urgent medical attention is needed.
What does the owner need to know when treating a cat with Smecta?
The result of the treatment will not take long to arrive: literally in 2-3 hours the pet will feel much better. During the procedure for administering the drug to an animal, the owner needs to make sure that the kitten has swallowed the drug. If an attempt to administer the prepared emulsion is unsuccessful, you should start treatment again. It is possible that outside help may be needed to achieve the goal.
If there is no improvement, the procedure must be performed again after 3-4 hours.
It is equally important to provide the cat with sufficient fluid intake to avoid dehydration. At the same time, you can wait to eat until the functioning of the digestive organs is completely restored.
In the absence of positive dynamics in the treatment of the animal, it is advisable not to neglect the advice of specialists. By contacting a veterinarian, who will give additional recommendations for treatment or prescribe another medicine, the owner will help rid his pet of diarrhea much faster.
How to give correctly?
Since the drug is intended for humans, many cat owners worry about the dosage and correct use. Many years of experience of veterinarians have shown that Smecta helps in the treatment of diarrhea in cats and dogs. Even without a doctor’s prescription, based on the instructions and the weight of the animal, the dosage is easy to calculate.
So, Smecta is a powder that is packaged in 3 grams. When acting without a doctor’s prescription, you need to dilute 1.5 grams (half a sachet) of the drug in 50–60 milliliters of clean, slightly warm water. The powder must be diluted so that the liquid is homogeneous and slightly cloudy. If the suspension sits for a while, you will observe a precipitate - this is normal.
Some tips on how to give a cat a slurry. If you are lucky, your pet will turn out to be one of those cats who love and drink Smecta with pleasure. In this case, the suspension is diluted to 50 ml and simply make sure that the patient drinks everything. If the cat refuses to take the medicine on its own, proceed as follows:
- Take a syringe of the required volume and remove the needle. You can use children's syrup dispensers and similar accessories. We draw the drug into a syringe and let the cat sniff it.
- We calm and pet the cat, play and talk with him. We take a large towel and wrap the ward so that the paws are under the fabric. There is no need to swaddle or squeeze the animal; your goal is to protect yourself from scratches, and not to scare the pet.
- We lift the upper lip and pour the suspension into the side where there are no teeth. With frontal infusion, the cat may choke and escape from your hands. Make sure that your pet has time to swallow the medicine and that it does not leak out.
After injecting the entire volume of the drug, you need to gently lift the cat's head and make sure that she swallows the last portion of the emulsion. Stroking the animal's chin and neck will help speed up this process. If the cat is very nervous and resists, then you need to control each swallow, that is, pour in 1-2 ml and raise your head.
The first improvements are usually observed 1.5–3 hours after drinking the drug. Depending on the severity of the condition, the cat is given Smecta 2–4 times a day for 1–3 days, even if the pet’s well-being has significantly improved. If you do not observe positive dynamics 3 hours after drinking the drug, repeat the procedure and observe for another 1 hour. No improvements? Without delay, let's see a doctor!
The problem is that Smecta does not save you from dehydration, and this is the most dangerous condition with diarrhea. If you don’t have the opportunity to see a veterinarian, do a dehydration test - pull back the skin on the withers and watch how quickly it returns to shape.
Did the process take more than 2 seconds? You can be sure that your pet is dehydrated and needs help. The condition is eliminated by subcutaneous injection of ringer's solution, saline and glucose. The dosage is calculated from the ratio of 5 ml per 1 kilogram of body weight. If the cat categorically refuses water, you need to consult a doctor; in this case, self-medication is a waste of time and aggravates the problem.
Effect of the drug
Smecta is available in powder form with a creme brulee color and a sweetish odor. The drug cannot be used in dry form; it must be diluted in water. Smecta is packaged in individual sachets, the volume of which implies an optimal single dose for a person.
It is much easier for a cat to drink the drug in the form of a suspension, so the basic instructions must be followed.
The main effect of Smecta is in the intestines. The drug is intended for general improvement of the condition of the intestinal walls, by:
- Protection - enveloping the walls with a protective layer to reduce irritation.
- Absorption – elimination of toxins that accumulate in the intestines during diarrhea.
It is worth understanding that with any type of diarrhea, the volume of mucus in the cat’s intestines sharply increases and pathogenic microflora develops. Simply put, in response to the active proliferation of harmful bacteria, the mucous membrane works more actively. In this state, the cat should not receive food; otherwise, the situation worsens and there are even more toxins. In addition, food literally scratches and irritates the walls of the already swollen intestines.
Since the sorbent acts like a sponge, that is, it absorbs toxins, it is quickly eliminated from the body through the genitourinary system. Treatment of diarrhea in cats with Smecta involves eliminating another risk - stopping or inhibiting peristalsis.
For example, the well-known Loperamide literally stops intestinal contractions and there is a risk of digestion stopping. Smecta is practically harmless, so it is prescribed at the slightest suspicion of intestinal problems; the drug is also actively used to treat all types of diarrhea, including chronic.
As a rule, the medicine is prescribed in the event of the development of pathological processes in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which manifest themselves as diarrhea in acute or chronic form.
Side effects that occur in very rare cases are constipation and indigestion. The doctor cannot predict the manifestations of these troubles, so if Smecta was prescribed by a veterinarian, you need to keep in mind the possible consequences. Having noticed that the cat cannot go to the toilet, Smecta is not canceled completely, but the dosage is reduced by 50%.
Smecta begins to act after entering the intestines or stomach. The main effect of the drug has two directions:
- Enveloping the walls of the irritable intestine, which will reduce the production of mucus and fluid consumption in the body.
- Elimination of toxins based on the principle of absorption - the powder absorbs liquid that contains molecules of poisons.
After taking Smecta, it acts for 2–3 hours, after which it is eliminated from the body naturally, without accumulating in the internal organs. Note that Smecta helps stimulate intestinal motility, which is especially important if the kitten is weakened and there is a risk of developing atony (loss of tissue contraction).
A very important point needs to be noted here. There is an opinion that intestinal motility responds well to stimulation. That is, even if the stomach or intestines have stopped working, its function can be easily restored. In fact, this is far from the truth; stopping peristalsis, even for a short time, is dangerous due to intoxication. That is, if the veterinarian manages to start the gastrointestinal tract, the poisoning may reach such a level that the baby cannot be saved.
Dosage and method of administration
To prepare a suspension for the treatment of diarrhea in cats, you need to mix Smecta with water to a creamy consistency. Doses for diarrhea depend on the age of the pet and the severity of symptoms of intoxication:
- dilute 1/3 of a sachet once for a kitten to obtain 2 ml of the finished suspension;
- An adult cat is given a single dose of 1.5 g (0.5 sachet) or 5 ml of the finished drug.
The frequency of administration in the treatment of diarrhea depends on the severity of the clinical picture and varies from 4 to 10 times a day in the acute period of up to 3 days. Starting from day 4, the number of injections is reduced to 3-4 per day for 2-7 days.
How to dilute the product to give to a kitten?
Before giving Smecta to your pet, you need to accurately calculate the dosage, taking into account its age. The proportions of powder and water when preparing a solution for kittens and cats are no different. For the suspension you need to take boiled water at room temperature. Pour 1.5 g of powder into 50 ml of water. This is about half a bag. You can dilute the entire sachet in 100 ml of water. When the powder has completely dissolved, you need to give the suspension to the kitten.
If about 4–6 ml is administered once to adult cats, then 0.5–2 ml of solution will be sufficient for children and adolescents. Veterinarians recommend administering the suspension in small portions, but at least 4 times a day.
The active component of the medicine is excreted through the kidneys, so it is important that the kitten goes to the toilet periodically. If your pet does not urinate, this may indicate a problem with the urinary system.
The procedure for introducing the drug into the cat's mouth
To help a cat cope with the disease, the breeder will need 1 sachet of Smecta, boiled and cooled water in advance, a clean towel and a syringe without a needle. Despite the malaise, not every animal completes the course of treatment prescribed by the veterinarian or the breeder himself with great pleasure. To give Smecta to a cat, the owner will have to show miracles of ingenuity and simple admonitions; kind words will not help here. It is much easier to adhere to certain rules.
- Place the contents of the sachet into the prepared container. For an adult cat, 1.5 grams of Smecta is enough. The powder should be diluted to a pasty consistency. This will require 50-100 ml of water.
- To inject the prepared suspension into the cat's mouth, a regular 2-cc syringe is suitable. It must be filled in advance so as not to irritate the sick animal.
- Immediately before administering Smecta, you should wrap your beloved pet in a thick cloth or towel. In this case, it is necessary to fix his legs and body, but do not overdo it. Do not forget that the unfortunate mug is most likely suffering at the moment from severe pain in the tummy.
- The syringe is inserted into the cat's mouth from the side where the teeth are missing. You don't have to make any special efforts. There is no point in carefully opening the mouths of Murka or Barsik. It is enough to lift the upper lip by 1-2 mm and gradually squeeze out the contents of the syringe.
© shutterstock
How many times a day to give a cat Smecta depends solely on the condition of the animal. For the most severe disorders, veterinarians recommend repeating the procedure for administering the drug every hour. Particular attention should be paid when treating kittens. If after 6-8 hours the furry little one’s condition does not improve, you should immediately seek help from a qualified veterinary clinic specialist. In such cases, there is always a risk of having diseases not only of the gastrointestinal tract.
Dosage and method of administration for cats and kittens
It is advisable to start treatment on the first day of the appearance of dangerous symptoms. After 20 hours, Smecta will no longer help; if you become dehydrated, intensive therapy will be required.
General breeding recommendations for animals:
- For cats from 8 months of age, dissolve half a sachet in boiled water (50-80 g) - the consistency should be sour cream.
- For kittens up to 4 months, 1/4 of the package is enough, from 4 to 8 - 1/3.
The medicine is drawn into a syringe without a needle and injected into the throat, in one procedure half a cube or 5 ml of solution for an adult cat and 2 ml for a kitten. Which method to choose for fixation, so as not to injure the animal and not get scratched by the claws, depends on the condition of the “patient”. Until an adult cat is weakened, it is difficult to cope with him. It is best to wrap your pet in a thick cloth - just do not tighten it, so as not to cause unnecessary pain - turn it back to you and, without pressing too hard, insert the syringe into the mouth from the side, inserting the tip deeper.
You can do without swaddling. In this case, the cat is held firmly across the body by hand, positioned so that the head is under the neck. By lowering the chin, fix the animal’s head and inject the medicine
It is important to position the animal so that it cannot reach the person’s hands with its hind legs
There is another way to give Smecta to a kitten or an adult cat, which is more convenient for the owners. The suspension is diluted thicker and the contents of the syringe are squeezed into the mouth under the lip. Even if it gets outside, the animal will still lick it off.
The interval between infusions is 1-2 hours until the dangerous symptoms disappear. If the condition does not return to normal within 8-10 hours, you should contact your veterinarian.
Lactation and pregnancy of cats are not contraindications for the use of Smecta. No dosage adjustment is required.
A course of treatment
In most cases, a single use of the medication is sufficient to eliminate gastrointestinal upset. In exceptional cases, the drug is re-administered after a few hours.
The duration and specifics of treatment are determined by the veterinarian.
How to give the drug
Rarely does the administration of the drug occur without problems. More often, assistance is required to hold the animal in a certain position.
Oral administration of Smecta at home is carried out in several stages:
- Half a sachet of medicine is diluted with warm boiled water to the required consistency.
- After thoroughly mixing the drug, pour it into the syringe, then remove the needle.
- If difficulties arise with administering the solution because the cat resists, then the head and paws are fixed by wrapping them in a piece of cloth (for example, a towel).
- It is necessary to give the cat water by inserting a syringe into the side of the mouth, where the small teeth are located.
- After administering the drug, the oral cavity is lightly clamped so that the animal swallows the drug.
No more than 5 ml of solution is allowed to be administered at a time.
Purpose
Smecta is used as veterinary first aid for the first symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. The drug is used as an enterosorbent for digestive disorders associated with poisoning from poor-quality food or a change in feed. The drug is safe for pets, including kittens.
The indication for prescribing Smecta as a medicine is diarrhea of various etiologies:
- with individual intolerance to certain foods;
- an excess of proteins in the diet (diarrhea is often accompanied by itchy skin and hair loss);
- transferring an animal from natural food to industrial feed and vice versa;
- transferring kittens after weaning from a cat to adult food;
- long-term treatment with antibiotics;
- infectious diseases.
Smecta will help against vomiting that accompanies infectious diseases or is caused by overeating (often in kittens that do not feel full), or the accumulation of hairballs in the gastrointestinal tract.
Important!
When vomiting, the composition of the vomit should be taken into account. If there is blood in them, you should immediately show your pet to a veterinarian, since this symptom indicates internal bleeding.
Causes of diarrhea in cats
Almost every owner has had to deal with intestinal upset in pets. Even a seemingly insignificant event such as moving to a new apartment can cause stress in cats, causing diarrhea. In small kittens, intestinal upset can be caused by overeating. After transferring a kitten to “adult” food, its body needs to readjust: to digest wet and dry food, different enzymes are needed than to digest mother’s milk. In addition, kittens do not feel full - they will eat until there is no food in the bowl.
Much more serious problems are caused by dangerous pathologies:
- poisoning;
- viral infections;
- imbalance of intestinal microflora - including after antibiotic therapy;
- helminthic infestations.
The biggest danger with prolonged diarrhea is the risk of dehydration. A large amount of fluid is washed out of the body with feces. A life-threatening condition occurs if the body loses 15-20% of water. Kidneys can fail due to dehydration, and then the pet will die.
Therefore, it is important to consult a veterinarian for intestinal disorders and not self-medicate.
Important!
Prolonged diarrhea (more than 3 days) leads to weight loss, dehydration, loss of protein, and impaired tissue trophism. The result may be chronic renal failure, hypothermia, convulsions, and cerebral hypoxia.
Diarrhea may be accompanied by vomiting, and these are not always signs of poisoning. More often this is a systemic disorder, the causes of which can be different - from intestinal obstruction to oncology.
If you have diarrhea, you should pay attention to the color of the stool: it can indicate in which organ the pathology is developing:
- Unformed yellow stool may indicate diseases of the liver parenchyma. You should contact your veterinarian immediately;
- Green diarrhea can be observed due to putrefactive processes in the intestines, poisoning with low-quality feed, stale food;
- White feces are the most dangerous symptom of bile duct blockage and require immediate contact with a veterinarian.
Mucus in the stool is a sign of intestinal inflammation, an imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. It can be a sign of a deadly disease - viral peritonitis, and therefore requires complex treatment, and Smecta is used as a means of symptomatic therapy - to improve the condition of the animal.
Important!
Other dangerous viral diseases accompanied by diarrhea include enteritis and panleukopenia (feline distemper).
Diarrhea with blood is a reason to immediately contact a veterinary clinic. It may be a symptom:
- poisoning with pesticides, household chemicals;
- rectal trauma, intestinal rupture;
- acute pancreatitis;
- helminthic infestations (infection with coccidia, Giardia);
- viral diseases, in particular coronavirus, panleukopenia;
- oncology.
Dangerous dose
If the dog does not have individual intolerance to the components and the animal does not suffer from constipation, fecal impaction or intestinal obstruction, there is no reason to worry. Stick to the dosage prescribed by your veterinarian, observe the intervals between watering and other rules in general treatment.
Overdose
You can tell that you have significantly exceeded the permissible limit by the dog's constipation. This is the opposite extreme of diarrhea, which requires mandatory intervention.
What to do?
For a healthy dog, the frequency of bowel movements 2 times in 3 days is considered constipation. If she leads an extremely sedentary lifestyle or is over the age of 7 years, the animal falls into a separate risk group.
Advanced forms of constipation lead to intoxication of the entire body and a high probability of rupture of the intestinal walls.
To restore defecation activity disrupted by smecta, you will have to take a number of necessary measures:
Pour warm Vaseline oil into the dog’s cheek from a syringe based on the amount: large - 2 tbsp. spoons, medium - 1 tbsp. l., small - 1 teaspoon
Please note that the oil is not absorbed and may drip from the tail. This is completely normal, just protect carpets, beds and chairs
The method is quite effective, do not neglect it. Increase the number of walks to 4-5 per day. When walking, provoke her to run, jump and do any other activity. This greatly stimulates the intestines. Completely remove meat, eggs, rice, and hard cheeses from your diet. Actively offer your dog fresh kefir and raw beets. Boiled vegetables are required: pumpkin, broccoli, carrots.
Important! A sincere desire to help a pet and give an enema can result in serious consequences if it turns out that stool retention is non-functional. If your dog has not had a bowel movement within 48 hours, seek professional help from a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Do not forget that you can use smecta at home only as an emergency aid. There are many causes for diarrhea and vomiting in dogs, including deadly viral infections.
For example, with enteritis, the time limit is literally hours, and the slightest delay can cost the dog his life. Therefore, if diarrhea or vomiting occurs, the animal must in any case be taken to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible.
How to give correctly?
Since the drug is intended for humans, many cat owners worry about the dosage and correct use. Many years of experience of veterinarians have shown that Smecta helps in the treatment of diarrhea in cats and dogs. Even without a doctor’s prescription, based on the instructions and the weight of the animal, the dosage is easy to calculate.
So, Smecta is a powder that is packaged in 3 grams. When acting without a doctor’s prescription, you need to dilute 1.5 grams (half a sachet) of the drug in 50–60 milliliters of clean, slightly warm water. The powder must be diluted so that the liquid is homogeneous and slightly cloudy. If the suspension sits for a while, you will observe a precipitate - this is normal.
Some tips on how to give a cat a slurry. If you are lucky, your pet will turn out to be one of those cats who love and drink Smecta with pleasure. In this case, the suspension is diluted to 50 ml and simply make sure that the patient drinks everything. If the cat refuses to take the medicine on its own, proceed as follows:
- Take a syringe of the required volume and remove the needle. You can use children's syrup dispensers and similar accessories. We draw the drug into a syringe and let the cat sniff it.
- We calm and pet the cat, play and talk with him. We take a large towel and wrap the ward so that the paws are under the fabric. There is no need to swaddle or squeeze the animal; your goal is to protect yourself from scratches, and not to scare the pet.
- We lift the upper lip and pour the suspension into the side where there are no teeth. With frontal infusion, the cat may choke and escape from your hands. Make sure that your pet has time to swallow the medicine and that it does not leak out.
After injecting the entire volume of the drug, you need to gently lift the cat's head and make sure that she swallows the last portion of the emulsion. Stroking the animal's chin and neck will help speed up this process. If the cat is very nervous and resists, then you need to control each swallow, that is, pour in 1-2 ml and raise your head.
The first improvements are usually observed 1.5–3 hours after drinking the drug. Depending on the severity of the condition, the cat is given Smecta 2–4 times a day for 1–3 days, even if the pet’s well-being has significantly improved. If you do not observe positive dynamics 3 hours after drinking the drug, repeat the procedure and observe for another 1 hour. No improvements? Without delay, let's see a doctor!
The problem is that Smecta does not save you from dehydration, and this is the most dangerous condition with diarrhea. If you don’t have the opportunity to see a veterinarian, do a dehydration test - pull back the skin on the withers and watch how quickly it returns to shape.
Did the process take more than 2 seconds? You can be sure that your pet is dehydrated and needs help. The condition is eliminated by subcutaneous injection of ringer's solution, saline and glucose. The dosage is calculated from the ratio of 5 ml per 1 kilogram of body weight. If the cat categorically refuses water, you need to consult a doctor; in this case, self-medication is a waste of time and aggravates the problem.
Indications for use and mechanism of action
Smecta is an antidiarrheal drug with an absorbent effect. The active component is of natural origin, which makes the use of the product safe for health. The suspension does not have a negative effect on intestinal motility. The medicine is completely eliminated from the body unchanged in a natural way.
The drug is prescribed for stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea due to poisoning in order to reduce the absorption of toxins into the animal’s blood, as well as to relieve irritation of the mucous membrane.
- allergies;
- violation of diet;
- using poor quality food;
- medicinal genesis
- infection.
The effectiveness of Smecta in the treatment of diarrhea is due to the properties of natural sorbents, which have a binding effect and the ability to remove toxins and pathogenic microflora from the body. The whole process is accompanied by the creation of a protective layer of mucous membranes, which eliminates the formation of irritation and the development of further intoxication.
Operating principle
The drug for intestinal upset in an animal acts immediately after penetration into the stomach and intestinal environment.
The principles of operation of the medicine in powder form are as follows:
- the active components of the powder envelop the intestinal walls, reducing mucus production and fluid loss;
- the product helps fight pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract by absorbing liquids containing toxic substances.
The removal of the active components of the powder occurs naturally, while their accumulation in the cavity of the internal organs does not occur.
Treatment with Smecta suspension stimulates intestinal peristalsis, which is necessary for a weakened animal when there is a risk of developing atony (decreased intestinal muscle tone). Therapy is carried out in combination with fasting .
If your cat is in good physical shape, you can restrict food for 10-12 hours.
In what cases should you use smecta?
Smecta is used to treat diarrhea in kittens, as well as bloating, which is accompanied by pain and discomfort.
One of the reasons for diarrhea in a kitten may be the transition to unusual adult food after mother's milk. Babies begin to be accustomed to adult food at the age of one month. This may be accompanied by loose stools and bloating. Usually after 3-4 weeks, digestion returns to normal. If new food causes diarrhea, you can give smecta. After 4-5 hours, the diarrhea should stop.
Other causes of indigestion can be overeating, eating fatty foods, cow's milk, or an allergic reaction to food.
Severe diarrhea can occur due to poisoning from poor-quality food or an infectious disease. This condition is dangerous because the baby can quickly become dehydrated before the owner has time to seek help from a veterinarian. In this case, you need to give a sorbent to alleviate the pet’s condition, and then take it to the clinic.
Features of digestion in kittens
Every kitten's digestive system faces two major tests. The fact is that a baby is born with a sterile microflora and one of its main tasks is to travel to the mother’s nipple.
As the kitten takes its first sips of rich colostrum, it ingests bacteria that colonize its intestines and help digest its mother's milk. After giving birth, the cat feeds the kittens colostrum for 1–3 days, after which its composition changes.
A kitten separated from its mother, if it survives on artificial feeding, has a distorted intestinal microflora, which leads to frequent digestive problems - constipation and diarrhea.
When the baby turns 1 month old, his digestive system faces a new test - getting used to adult food. Regardless of whether the mother of the kittens eats natural or industrial food, this food is new for the kittens, one might say, unnatural. The microflora intended for digesting milk begins to be partially replaced, and the intestines become irritated. The kitten begins to have looser stools or diarrhea, indicating that the intestines are protecting themselves by producing more mucus. If the kitten is healthy, then in 2 months (plus or minus a week) its digestion will return to normal.
There is also a risk. Diarrhea quickly leads to dehydration, and when it comes to a kitten, the period is reduced to 20–30 hours. If the cause of diarrhea is not a change in diet, and the baby is not helped, then his condition will greatly worsen. Dehydration leads to blood thickening, which has a detrimental effect on all vital systems.
Instructions for use of Smecta for a small cat
In order to treat a kitten with Smecta, you will need a terry towel and a disposable syringe without a needle, Smecta powder and boiled water. The purpose of Smecta for humans is to eliminate diarrhea, normalize the functioning of the stomach and intestines. This drug is non-toxic. It is easily excreted from the animal's body. The medicine is produced in the form of a powder, which is packaged in three-gram sachets. The powder must be used according to the following rules:
- If your veterinarian has prescribed Smecta to your kitten, then you need to dilute it with boiled water, turning it into a liquid emulsion. To do this, thoroughly stir half a packet of Smecta in a quarter glass (50 grams) of warm water. The solution should be of uniform consistency.
- Liquid medicine is given to kittens using a disposable syringe. You don't need a needle for this. Take a two-piece syringe and fill it with Smecta solution.
- Release the air from the syringe. The instrument for administering the medicine is ready.
- Take your kitten and try to wrap it in a terry towel so that only the head remains outside. The animal, of course, will resist. But try to fix the body so that the administration of the medicine is high-quality.
- Insert the syringe with the nose into the animal's mouth from the side, in a place where there are no longer any teeth. You won't have to force your kitten's mouth open. You just need to twist his upper lip.
- Gently press the plunger of the syringe and thus inject the medicine into it. Two milliliters of the drug can be given to a sick animal at one time. Be sure to wait until the kitten swallows the medicine.
- If your first attempt at introducing Smecta was unsuccessful, then it needs to be repeated. You may need the help of another person: one holds the kitten, the other administers the medicine.
- Repeat the treatment procedure every two or three hours.
Typically, animal treatment is combined with diet. You don’t have to feed the kitten for a day, but you need to make sure that it gets enough water. As a rule, after two procedures of administering Smecta, the animal’s condition improves. If such improvement is not observed, then you should contact your veterinarian. You may need to prescribe a different drug.
Indigestion is not only a human disease; kittens often experience digestive dysfunction. The body of a small animal is very sensitive, so intestinal disorders should be treated with safe, non-toxic medications. Veterinarians prescribe the drug Smecta for kittens for the treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal pathologies.
Smecta: composition, indications, dosage, side effects
The active ingredient of Smecta is dioctahedral smectite. The drug also contains excipients: sodium saccharinate, dextrose monohydrate, orange/vanilla flavoring.
Available in powder form, from which a suspension is prepared for oral administration. The drug has two flavors: orange and orange.
Indications
Smecta is an antidiarrheal medicine (for the treatment of diarrhea).
The active ingredient of this drug is able to improve and stabilize the mucous barrier of the stomach and intestinal tract by increasing the amount of mucus, while the intestinal mucosa becomes denser, its ability to resist harmful and irritating substances increases, and signs of poisoning quickly subside.
The drug also reduces the negative effects of toxins (poisonous substances) and pathogens. The drug, entering the intestines, binds the toxic compounds present in it and removes them with human feces.
Thanks to this specific pharmacological effect, Smecta acts only on those bacteria, viruses and toxins that are located in the lumen of the digestive tube.
The active substance of the taken suspension is not absorbed by the body and does not enter the bloodstream, but leaves the intestines along with harmful microbes and chemicals. Taking Smecta in prescribed doses does not cause disturbances in intestinal motility (motility).
Dioctahedral smectite does not stain feces and is radiolucent; the aluminum in its composition is not absorbed in the intestine even if its wall is damaged (progressive colitis, colonopathy, other diseases of the stomach and intestines).
The main feature of this drug is that it is safe for the body and can be used in children from a very early age (almost from birth).
Main indications for use of Smecta:
- chronic, drug-induced, allergic diarrhea (frequent and loose stools);
-food poisoning;
-diarrhea caused by eating low-quality foods or poor nutrition;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are characterized by diarrhea (cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, gastritis, colitis and others) - in this case, the drug helps get rid of flatulence (bloating), discomfort in the intestinal area, heartburn;
-diarrhea resulting from long-term treatment with antibacterial drugs (due to dysbacteriosis, proliferation of opportunistic bacteria);
-acute infectious intestinal diseases - eschechiriosis, clostridiosis, cholera, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, stomach flu (norovirus).
Smecta acts not only as an enterosorbent (a substance that binds toxins in the stomach and intestines), but also has a therapeutic effect in case of deficiency of magnesium, sodium and potassium in the body (which is often a complication of diarrhea), stabilizing the balance of water and minerals.
Contraindications
Smecta should not be taken in case of intestinal obstruction - partial/complete disruption of the movement of contents through the intestines, caused by a disturbance in the motor activity of the intestines or a mechanical obstacle (adhesive disease, tumors of the intestine or neighboring organs, hernias, foreign bodies, gallstones, paresis, etc.). Also, this medicine should not be used by people with fructose intolerance, impaired absorption of glucose-galactose in the intestine, or deficiency of sucrase-isomaltase enzymes. Taking the suspension under these conditions can cause constipation due to weakening of intestinal motility.
This antidiarrheal drug contains flavorings that can cause allergic reactions in humans, so it is better not to use it for people who have already had allergies to such substances.
The suspension should be used with caution in patients with chronic and severe constipation. In this case, it is prescribed in combination with rehydration (replenishment of fluid balance).
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
The use of the suspension is acceptable for a woman who is lactation or pregnant, since studies have not revealed any negative effects of the active substance of this antidiarrheal drug on intrauterine development or the condition of a breastfed newborn. A pregnant woman can use Smecta for bloating (flatulence) and heartburn, but she must take into account that it can cause constipation, so it is recommended to limit the medication to 3 days.
No dose adjustment is required during lactation.
Directions for use and doses
For older children and infants, add the contents of one sachet to a quarter glass (50 ml) of warm water and mix well until completely dissolved. For a small child, the powder can be added to baby formula, meat and vegetable purees, and grated fruit.
If the child is not able to consume 50 ml of the suspension at one time, you can dilute the powder in a smaller amount of warm water or give it to the baby in several doses.
Parents should take into account that it is necessary to prepare the suspension immediately before taking it, since storing the solution in a bottle is strictly prohibited.
For an adult, the powder of one sachet is added to 100 ml (half a glass) of warm water, adding it to the liquid gradually, stirring thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous suspension.
Smecta should be consumed three times a day in a dose that corresponds to the severity of diarrhea. The treatment course should be no less than 3, no more than 7 days. Since Smecta is an enterosorbent, the greatest therapeutic effect is achieved when taking the suspension between meals (with the exception of cases of heartburn treatment, when it is better to drink the suspension immediately after eating food).
The dosage and duration of treatment do not depend on the age or weight of the patient. Only the severity of poisoning and the severity of diarrhea are taken into account.
For acute diarrhea, the dosage is as follows: newborn children, infants up to one year old are prescribed two sachets per day for three days, then one sachet per day (until normal stool); children over one year of age - four sachets per day during the first 3 days of illness, then two sachets per day until complete recovery and cessation of diarrhea; adult patients - the maximum number of sachets per day is six pieces.
For other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the following dosages are recommended: newborns, babies up to one year old - one sachet per day; children 1–2 years old – one or two sachets per day; children over 2 years old - two to three sachets per day; adults – three sachets per day.
Since this drug has pronounced adsorbing properties, it should not be taken simultaneously with any other medications, so as not to reduce their absorption in the intestines. The interval between taking Smecta and other medications should be at least an hour.
Overdose
With prolonged overdose, severe constipation may develop and a bezoar stone (a lump of densely matted plant fibers) may form.
In this case, you need to consult a doctor.
Side effects
Possible disorders of the digestive system (mild constipation, which goes away after reducing the dose), allergic reactions (urticaria, rashes, itching, swelling).
Storage conditions and periods
The drug is stored at temperatures up to 25°C. The shelf life of Smecta is 3 years.
Source: https://www.obozrevatel.com/health/lekarstva/smekta.htm