Heptral dosage for a cat based on the weight of the animal. Select the dosage of heptral for the cat.

The drug "Heptral" is a hepatoprotector. It is used to treat liver diseases in humans. However, recently this medicine has been used in veterinary practice. After all, very few special hepatoprotectors have been developed for animals. Therefore, doctors recommend giving pets human medications, but in a reduced dosage. "Heptral" for cats is prescribed for pathologies of the gallbladder and liver. How does this medicine affect the animal's body? And what is the correct way to give a pill to a cat? We will consider these questions in the article.

When is Heptral prescribed and dosage of the drug?

You should not prescribe Heptral to your pet on your own, since for any liver disease, consultation with a specialist is extremely important. A veterinarian may prescribe this drug for the following diagnoses :

The medicine effectively helps at any stage of the disease, even the most advanced. Heptral is well suited for complex therapy when a cat needs several medications at once.

Of course, the dosage of Heptral for a cat differs from the norm for humans. Only a veterinarian should prescribe the exact dose of the drug for a cat. In many ways, the required amount of the drug depends on the weight of the animal and its condition. If the pet is heavy and has significant liver problems, an increased dose is needed. However, only a qualified specialist will be able to determine when the situation reaches a critical point and loading the body with a large dosage is dangerous.

If a cat weighs 3 kg, as a rule, the standard dose is 0.5-0.7 ml of Heptral intramuscularly 2 times a day. If you do not inject your cat yourself, and can only visit the veterinarian once a day, you can administer 1 ml of the drug once a day. In addition to the injection solution, Heptral is available in tablets, and for an animal weighing 3 kg, 1/5 of a tablet is needed 2 times a day.

If you need instructions for using Heptral for cats and dogs, it is better to contact your veterinarian, who will explain everything in detail. On average, the course of treatment with this drug is 7-10 days, however, depending on the course of the disease, it can last 1 month.

How to use

The instructions for use of Heptral for dogs indicate that the dosage of the drug is on average 10 mg per 1 kg of weight, but can be adjusted upward by the doctor depending on the characteristics of the pathology and symptoms. Injections are usually used for several reasons. The bioavailability of the active components is several times higher, which means that the use gives a greater effect. In addition, when using a solution, you can more accurately calculate the dose. Although even if the dose is exceeded, complications and side effects do not occur.

Tablets are used only as maintenance therapy. It is important not to break the tablet, but to give it whole. To do this, the tablet must be forcibly placed on the root of the tongue, this can be done using a special device - a tablet dispenser. If the tablet is broken, its use will not be effective. The fact is that the enteric coating is a kind of protection, thanks to which the active substance is absorbed in the intestines and is not destroyed by gastric juice.

Heptral injections

The hepatoprotector can be administered intramuscularly or intravenously. The second option uses drip administration. Intramuscular injections are painful. It is recommended not to administer the drug quickly. The medicine cannot be administered subcutaneously.

To prepare the solution you need to follow simple steps:

1. Open the ampoule with the solvent.
2. Draw the liquid into a sterile syringe.
3. Pierce the rubber stopper of the bottle with lyophilisate with a needle and inject the solvent inside.
4. Shake well until the porous mass dissolves.
5. Fill the syringe with the required amount of the prepared solution.

Injections need to be given once a day. The dog should be injected in the first half of the day, as the drug can cause increased activity (one of the side effects).

Note! The prepared solution cannot be stored. Any remaining medication must be disposed of. For the next injection, you need to prepare a fresh solution.

Features of using Heptral for cats

Since Heptral is available for sale in tablets and in solution for injection, pet owners are wondering which form is more convenient for use by animals. Most veterinarians recommend giving injections, since intramuscular or intravenous administration of the drug is much more effective and quickly helps improve the pet’s well-being. In addition, using Heptral injections for a cat is much easier to calculate the dose. It is worth noting that the injection has less effect on the gastrointestinal tract than the tablet.

However, it is worth considering that the prepared solution can only be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours, so part of the drug will have to be disposed of . It is not recommended to use a solution for injection that has changed its color to a darker one. Opened tablets also need to be stored correctly so that they do not lose their properties. If the tablet has already been split, it should be wrapped tightly in foil. The unopened drug can be stored in packaging for 3 years at room temperature.

Among drugs with similar composition, Heptral is the safest and has virtually no side effects. Do not forget to consult a veterinarian before giving Heptral to your cat, however, it is worth considering that there are very few analogues of this drug. The safe and effective drug Heptral is successfully used to treat liver diseases in pets, and you can notice the first results after just 2 days of the course .

After reading this article, you will learn in what forms it is produced, how it is used, for what purposes it is used and how it is necessary to store Heptral for cats. Moreover, most often professional doctors prescribe this medication for people, but it is also suitable for animals. It is prescribed for the occurrence of various liver and gall bladder diseases in furry pets.

Content

1. General description of the product 2. Properties and characteristics 3. Principle of action 4. In what cases is it recommended to use 5. How to use the medicine correctly 6. Are there any contraindications 7. Pros and cons of the drug 8. Are there effective analogues 9. Conclusion

The drug Heptral was developed for the treatment of humans. But clinical studies have shown the possibility of using the medicine in animals, in particular dogs. The use of heptral as a prophylactic agent allows one to successfully cope with liver infection by toxic substances. The medicine is used for the main treatment of the disease

Instructions for use

The medicine can be used effectively both in the initial stages and in advanced forms of liver disease. The medication is available in the form of tablets and bottles with the active substance. Most often, veterinarians prescribe injections for cats, as they are more effective and quick-acting.

1. The tablets are thoroughly crushed and then added to food or drinking water. In order for the animal to swallow the powder, it is necessary to carefully fix it and use a syringe or teaspoon to pour the solution into the mouth. Make sure that the mixture completely enters the body.
2. The injection package additionally includes several ampoules with solvent. It is necessary to pour liquid with solvent into the container with the active substance lyophilisate and use a syringe to make an intramuscular injection. According to the instructions for use, it is applied to the thigh area. Before this, it is not necessary to disinfect the injection site.

The principle of action of the medical product

What is the medicine "Gordox"? Use in children and adults should only be carried out as prescribed by a doctor. This is due to the fact that this drug is an inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes, which has antifibrinolytic properties.

After the formation of reversible stoichiometric complexes, the active substance of the drug suppresses the work of tissue and plasma kallikrein, plasmin and trypsin. As a result of this effect, the fibrinolytic activity of the blood decreases.

In addition, aprotinin is able to activate the contact phase of blood coagulation, inhibit numerous mediators, weaken inflammatory reactions, reduce thrombin formation and fibrinolysis.

What is the drug "Gordox" used for? Indications for use include surgery. Thanks to this remedy, the volume of blood loss, as well as the need for blood transfusion, is reduced.

Purpose

Heptral can only be used for cats after visiting a qualified veterinarian.

Animal doctors prescribe medicine in cases where pets are diagnosed with diseases such as:

• hepatitis;
• cholestasis;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• cholecystitis;
• malignant tumors;
• certain viral diseases;
• if an excess of the norm of ALT, AST, bilirubin, urea and a number of other indicators is detected (in these cases, therapy is carried out using other medications).

Indications

• liver cirrhosis;
• hepatitis (including viral origin);
• cholecystitis;
• intoxications;
• stagnation of bile (cholestasis).

This drug is effective in both early and late stages of diseases. However, in advanced cases it is used as part of complex treatment along with other drugs. Taking the medication must be combined with following a diet. During this time you need to give special food (hepatics). In the chronic form of the disease, the diet is prescribed for life.

Dosage

The dosage of the drug is calculated based on the live weight of the cat.

Such calculations should only be carried out by a professional veterinarian.

If the cat weighs 2 kilograms, give him 1 tablet 2 times a day, or inject about 0.3-0.5 milliliters of solution. Animals weighing from 2 to 3 kilograms are prescribed 3 tablets per day or 0.5-0.7 milliliters of solution. If you weigh more, you need to give 4 tablets and about 0.9 milliliters of injection. On average, the course of treatment for a serious illness takes 1 month.

Pharmacokinetics

Suction

The tablets are coated with a special coating that dissolves only in the intestines, thanks to which ademetionine is released in the duodenum. After a single oral dose of 400 mg of the drug, Cmax of ademetionine in plasma is achieved after 2-6 hours and is 0.7 mg/l. The bioavailability of the drug when taken orally is 5%, when administered intramuscularly - 95%.

Distribution

Binding to serum proteins is negligible.

Penetrates through the BBB. Regardless of the route of administration, there is a significant increase in the concentration of ademetionine in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Metabolism

Biotransformed in the liver.

Removal

T1/2 - 1.5 hours. Excreted by the kidneys.

Analogs

In fact, this drug has no analogues. Heptor is similar in composition to it, but it is contraindicated if the cat has a tumor or problems in the functioning of the gallbladder. In addition, it is not effective in treating liver diseases in advanced stages and severe forms.

On average, the price of a package of 20 pills and 5 ampoules is the same and is approximately 1,700 rubles. The cost of purchasing in an online store is cheaper than in a regular veterinary pharmacy.

Price

A package of 20 Heptral tablets costs 1600-2000 rubles. A package with 5 bottles of lyophilisate and 5 ampoules of solvent will cost 1700-1900 rubles. Some pharmacies sell them individually. One set (lyophilisate + solvent) costs about 350 rubles. You can buy the medicine at any pharmacy.

The drug "Heptral" is a hepatoprotector. It is used to treat liver diseases in humans. However, recently this medicine has been used in veterinary practice. After all, very few special hepatoprotectors have been developed for animals. Therefore, doctors recommend giving pets human medications, but in a reduced dosage. "Heptral" for cats is prescribed for pathologies of the gallbladder and liver. How does this medicine affect the animal's body? And what is the correct way to give a pill to a cat? We will consider these questions in the article.

Reviews

On the Internet you can find quite a lot of reviews about Heptral for cats and almost all of them are positive. According to them, animals begin to feel satisfactory already on the second day of treatment. Usually within a month the development of the disease stops. In addition, tablets are often used for prevention; it is enough to add them to food or water for 1 week.

Liver diseases in cats are not so common, but can lead to a number of serious complications. With such problems, the drug Heptral comes to the rescue, which is intended for humans, but has recently been actively used to treat pets. Before starting therapy, it is important to read the instructions and carefully study the contraindications.

Characteristics of the drug Heptral

Heptral belongs to the group of hepatoprotectors, that is, drugs intended to restore liver function. The drug also has an antidepressant effect. The medication promotes the excretion of bile, preventing stagnation. Eliminates the harmful effects of toxins by neutralizing them. The medicine is able to regenerate damaged liver cells, due to which its structure is restored. In addition, the body has an antioxidant effect, which improves the pet’s condition and makes it more active.

Heptral restores the functional activity of liver cells

The drug prevents fibrosis processes in liver tissue and also prevents damage to neurons. Due to the complex effect, the pet’s body quickly recovers from various diseases of the biliary system. In addition, the condition of the coat and skin improves.

The medication is effective even in cases of serious liver problems in pets. It helps eliminate pain and improve digestion.

Composition and release form

The medicine is available in the form of tablets and lyophilisate. The active component for both varieties is ademetionine 1,4-butane disulfonate. Additionally, the tablets include:

• colloidal silicon dioxide;
• microcrystalline cellulose;
• sodium carboxymethyl starch (type A);
• magnesium stearate.

Causes of liver disease in dogs

The liver is a unique organ not only in dogs, but also in humans. Since it takes on most of the harmful substances that have accumulated in the body. But even after an organ is damaged by 80%, it recovers over time. But during this time, the dog needs to receive medical attention. The causes of liver damage may be the following:

The active substance is ademetionine 1,4-butane disulfonate. The drug for dogs is available in several versions.

Tablet form. Film-coated capsules (400 mg and 500 mg). When it enters the intestines, the capsule dissolves. One plate (blister) contains up to 10 tablets. Two records in one cardboard package.

400 mg tablet (500 mg) contains 760 mg. (949 mg.) active substance. The additional components are:

• Silicon dioxide (4.4 mg.) (5.5 mg.);
• Microcrystalline cellulose (93.6 mg.) (118 mg.);
• Sodium starch glycolate (A) (17.6 mg.) (22 mg.);
• Magnesium stearate (4.4 mg.) (5.5 mg.).

Capsule shell:

• Methacrylic acid (27.6 mg.);
• Ethyl acrylate copolymer (27.6 mg);
• Macrogol-6000 (8.07 mg.) (9.56 mg.);
• Polysorbate-80 (0.44 mg.) (0.52 mg.);
• Simethicone (30% solution) (0.13 mg.) (0.4 mg.);
• Sodium hydroxide (0.36 mg.) (0.44 mg.);
• Talc (18.4 mg.) (21.77 mg.).

The injection form consists of two elements. Lyophilized powder and solvent.

Powder form (400 mg.) (500 mg.) is packaged in clear glass bottles with a rubber stopper (chlorobutyl) with a plastic cap, which are sealed with aluminum film.

The solvent is available in elongated transparent bottles of 5 ml. with a special point so that it can be easily broken. Composition for 400 mg bottles. and 500 mg. is different.

One bottle of the powdered form of the medicine contains 760 mg. (949 mg.) active substance.

The solvent ampoule contains:

• L-lysine (342.4 mg.) (428 mg.);
• Sodium hydroxide (11.5 mg.) (14.4 mg.);
• Purified water (5 ml.).

Effect of the drug

The active substance in any form of medication is ademetionine. After introducing the drug into the dog’s body, it has the following effects:

• Removes heavy metal toxins from the body;
• Restores damaged tissues;
• Favors metabolism;
• Normalizes liver function in general;
• Improves bile production.

The absorption of tablets by the dog’s body is only 5%. Therefore, for severe forms of poisoning, an injection form of the drug is used. But your veterinarian may prescribe them as maintenance therapy.

As soon as the active substance enters the body, it provokes the production of a component that restores liver cells. As a result, damaged tissues begin to regenerate, receiving sufficient amounts of nutrients. The entire process forms new protein compounds, produces hormones and creates new membranes.

In addition to its restorative functions, ademetionine is involved in other body processes. For example, improving urine quality or accelerating the removal of toxins from the body.

Bile plays a special role during liver function. It removes all toxins from the body. Therefore, taking Heptral improves the production of this substance, thereby accelerating the animal’s healing process.

Poisons and toxins are eliminated within 2 – 3 days. But, if the drug Heptral is involved in the treatment, its effect lasts up to three months. During this time, the dog's body is protected from the effects of toxins.

When is the drug prescribed to cats?

The medication is prescribed to pets most often for inflammatory diseases of the liver and gall bladder, such as hepatitis and cholecystitis. This product prevents the formation of stones. The medicine is also effective for congestion in the gallbladder, which can be caused by improper feeding or congenital abnormalities of organ development. The drug is used for malignant tumors and fatty liver. This remedy can be used for a number of viral diseases.

Heptral helps cats recover faster from a number of liver diseases

The medication improves the condition of the liver in cases of severe impairment of its functions, restoring the integrity of damaged cells.

Required dosage and drug interactions

The dosage of tablets and solution depends on the weight of the animal. However, the exact amount of the drug should be discussed with your doctor. If the cat has a body weight of up to 2 kg, then the daily dosage should be about two tablets, which should be given in 2 divided doses. The amount of solution in this case is 0.3 – 0.5 ml.

If the pet weighs from 2 to 3 kg, then the dosage should be 3 tablets per day. The amount of solution for such animals varies from 0.5 to 0.7 ml. For a large cat (5 kg or more) 4 tablets per day are provided. The solution should be used in a dose of 0.9 ml. The course of treatment varies from several weeks to 1 month.

The tablets can be mixed with food or given to the cat by force after first crushing and dissolving with a small amount of water. This can be done either using a miniature syringe without a needle or using a teaspoon. The main thing is to hold the pet properly so that it does not break free and the medicine does not accidentally spill.

It is most convenient to use insulin syringes without a needle to give your pet a pill.

An ampoule with a solvent must first be poured into the lyophilisate. Then shake and apply intramuscularly. In this case, it is most convenient to make the injection in the thigh area. To do this, you need to first feel the muscle; it should roll under your finger. Then insert the needle 1 cm at a right angle and very slowly press on the syringe plunger. It is not necessary to disinfect the injection site.

The easiest way to inject a cat in the thigh is

When treating with Heptral, it is advisable not to give your pet any more medications unless the doctor recommends otherwise. The drug does not combine well with plant extracts and hormonal agents, including glucocorticosteroids.

Attention! It is not recommended to choose the form of the drug yourself. What to use in a particular case: lyophilisate or tablets, only the doctor decides.

How to give an injection to a cat and avoid mistakes - video

Cautions and Adverse Reactions

The drug has virtually no contraindications, however, if your pet has genetic diseases, then it should be used for treatment with caution. You should not give tablets or inject lyophilisate into an animal if you are intolerant to the active component. The medicine is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating females. Therapy for kittens can only be carried out with the permission of a doctor. The medication can provoke the appearance of such undesirable reactions from the cat’s body, such as:

• nausea and vomiting;
• stomach ache;
• diarrhea;
• digestive disorders;
• dry mouth;
• increased gas formation;
• hepatic colic;
• bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
• convulsive conditions;
• joint pain;
• loss of sensation in the limbs;
• sleep disorders;
• difficulty urinating;
• skin rashes and itching.

Sometimes during treatment with Heptral there is a lack of activity in the pet

In rare cases, when treated with tablets and lyophilisate, serious allergic reactions occur, causing swelling of the larynx.

An inflammatory focus may form at the injection site, and in some cases tissue necrosis develops. Occasionally, the drug causes a loss of strength and an increase in body temperature in pets. At the same time, the animal loses its appetite and its condition becomes unsatisfactory. In this case, you need to urgently inform your veterinarian about such undesirable reactions.

Precautionary measures

What you need to consider when treating a cat with lyophilisate and tablets:

1. Do not under any circumstances exceed the dosage of the drug. In addition, it should be remembered that the amount of medicine is determined only by the doctor, depending on the pathology of the liver and biliary tract. The dosages indicated are approximate.
2. Do not inject quickly, otherwise intense pain will occur in the muscle. It is also not recommended to inject with a long needle, which can injure the nerve endings.
3. Do not use the same syringe for injections and always wear gloves before starting the procedure.
4. Always secure your pet properly. The most convenient way to do this is with the help of another person. This is especially important when administering an injection, since if the cat resists, the needle may enter a vessel or nerve ending.
5. If seizures occur in your pet, treatment should be stopped immediately.
6. To prevent a hematoma from forming at the injection site and an inflammatory infiltrate from occurring, it is necessary to inject each limb in turn.
7. Without preliminary diagnosis and clarification of the cause of the disease, it is prohibited to give Heptral to animals.
8. During treatment, coordination of movements may be impaired in cats, so it is important to provide your pet with peace and keep an eye on him.
9. When treating with the drug, it is important to provide the animal with access to boiled water.
10. If the cat’s condition worsens during treatment, then it is necessary to cancel the course and contact a veterinarian.

For injections at home, it is best to give preference to short needles

Heptral should be used with caution when treating elderly and weakened animals, as the risk of negative reactions increases.

special instructions

Since the product has tonic characteristics, it is better not to drink it before bed. When using the drug for patients with cirrhosis, the nitrogen content in the blood should be monitored. With long-term therapy, it is necessary to monitor the level of creatinine and urea in the blood. It is better not to prescribe the medicine to patients with bipolar disorder.

There is information indicating a risk of transition from a depressive state to hypomania or mania in people who have used this medication. In patients who suffer from depression, the threat of suicide and other undesirable consequences increases. Therefore, during the period of using the drug, people must be under the strict supervision of a doctor who can adequately assess and eliminate the symptoms of depression.

If these manifestations do not decrease and even increase, this should definitely be reported to a specialist. There is also information regarding the sudden onset or increase in anxiety in people who use this remedy. As a rule, the medicine should not be discontinued. In some cases, the anxiety disappeared after reducing the dosage or stopping the medication.

Since a lack of cyanocobalamin and folic acid can lead to a decrease in ademetionine levels in people at risk, it is necessary to control the amount of these components in the blood plasma. If a deficiency is detected, the doctor may prescribe the use of cyanocobalamin and folic acid. When performing an immunological test, the use of the drug may lead to an incorrect determination of the level of homocysteine ​​in the blood.

What can replace Heptral - table

Drugs with similar effects - photo gallery

Storage conditions

The drug should be kept at room temperature, which should not exceed 25 degrees. Lyophilisate and tablets can be used for treatment for 3 years from the date of release. It is important to ensure that the medication is not exposed to sunlight. If the packaging is torn, it is not recommended to use the medicine.

Heptral helps your pet recover from a number of liver diseases. Thanks to the complex effect on the body, the animal quickly recovers, becomes more active and cheerful. Despite a number of positive aspects, we cannot exclude the fact that the medication can provoke adverse reactions, so you should consult your doctor before starting therapy.

Contraindications

To prevent negative health consequences, it is important to consider that this drug has a number of serious contraindications. These include the following:. Heptral in capsules

Heptral in capsules

1. Genetic disorders that affect the methionine cycle and can lead to homocystinuria or hyperhomocysteinemia. These include problems with the metabolism of vitamin B12 and a lack of cystathionine beta synthase.
2. Age less than 18 years. Currently, there is not enough medical experience using the drug in children.
3. Hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug.

The drug is prescribed with great caution in the case of bipolar disorders. It is also quite dangerous to combine it with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Doctors are cautious about prescribing the drug to elderly patients and people with kidney failure

It is also not recommended to combine the medicine with herbal remedies that include tryptophan.