Miralax is a human medicine usually used for the therapy of constipation in cats. It is available in a tasteless, powder type, which is straightforward to present to cats and is available over-the-counter.
On this article, find out how Miralax works, the dosage and the best way to administer this to your cat, together with some widespread unwanted effects.
Miralax For Cats Overview
Medicine Kind:
Osmotic laxative
Medicine Kind:
Powder type
Widespread Names:
Polyethylene glycol 3350
Results:
Softens stools and treats constipation
Out there Dosages:
Powder obtainable in numerous sized bottles
Potential Facet Results:
Diarrhea, flatulence, dehydration
Precautions:
Use with warning in cats with dehydration, kidney illness, or delicate stomaches
Contraindications:
Keep away from utilizing in cats which might be unwell
About Miralax For Cats
Earlier than we begin discussing the usage of Miralax in cats, we should always know slightly bit about Miralax. What’s it? Miralax is a typical over-the-counter medicine used for the short-term therapy of constipation in people. It incorporates the energetic ingredient polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) and is classed as an osmotic laxative.
By the method of osmosis, these laxatives draw water into the intestines and retain it there. In consequence, the intestines swell with water and this softens the impacted, onerous, dry feces caught within the intestines. On this means, it acts as a stool softener.
Elevated water within the intestines additionally helps to improve hydration and intestine motility (prokinetic), which prevents additional constipation. These strategies of motion will assist to supply bowel actions in mild-moderate circumstances of constipation.
As with people, Miralax is used for a similar goal in cats to deal with constipation. Constipation is a typical difficulty in cats, explicit in older cats.
Widespread underlying causes of constipation in cats embody eating regimen change, kidney illness, fur ingestion, drugs, or ache (e.g., arthritis or joint points). Your vet might want to examine the underlying explanation for your cat’s constipation to take away the inflicting issue if potential and to deal with it.
Miralax gives a delicate and straightforward solution to deal with your cat in the event that they’re affected by constipation. The tasteless powder is straightforward to manage and is quickly available in shops. It’d relieve constipation and keep away from your cat needing extra intrusive procedures, corresponding to an enema. All the time use Miralax beneath the recommendation and advice of your veterinarian.
Dose For Cats
Miralax is a human medicine. Subsequently, there is no such thing as a official Miralax dosage. I like to recommend discussing the right dosage together with your veterinarian. They know your cat’s case and medical historical past one of the best and are in a greater place to advise on the dosage for them. The dosage of Miralax would possibly change based mostly in your cat’s age and underlying well being circumstances, and the severity of their constipation.
Nonetheless, a common guideline for the dose in cats is to manage one-quarter teaspoon as soon as to twice every day per cat.
This can be a tough guideline for the dosage of Miralax, however as I’ve talked about, I strongly advocate discussing this together with your veterinarian first. Constipation is usually a very critical situation and you want to get your vet’s recommendation first earlier than trying to deal with this at residence. This medicine received’t be appropriate for each case of constipation.
How To Administer Miralax To Cats
As a result of Miralax is a tasteless powder, it will probably simply be combined into moist cat meals.
Fortunately for cat homeowners, Miralax is available in a tasteless powdered type. This makes it simpler to manage to cats in comparison with different drugs. Be sure that your cat is nicely hydrated previous to taking Miralax. Present loads of water bowls and water fountains to encourage ingesting. To present your cat Miralax, merely combine their dose (based mostly in your vet’s advice) into a few of their favourite moist meals.
Decide a moist meals that they actually like and blend the powder nicely to disguise it. Click on right here for some recommendations on one of the best meals to cover medicine in.
Additionally Learn: Greatest Cat Meals For Constipation
Facet Results Of Miralax For Cats
Miralax is usually a really protected medicine to present to your cat, beneath the advice and recommendation of your vet. Unintended effects of this drug are minimal, however there are just a few to contemplate.
As Miralax is an osmotic laxative, it attracts water into the intestines. This would possibly trigger dehydration within the physique, significantly in cats which have underlying circumstances, corresponding to kidney illness, or cats which might be unwell and already dehydrated.
For that reason, Miralax ought to solely be used in case your cat is affected by gentle constipation and in case your vet has suggested it. Cats which might be affected by extreme constipation are/or are very unwell will doubtless want veterinary therapy, which could embody intravenous fluid remedy, x-rays to examine for gastrointestinal obstruction, an enema to alleviate the obstipation, and drugs (e.g., cisapride). Extreme constipation would possibly trigger an irreversible enlargement of the colon, referred to as megacolon, which wants pressing veterinary care.
Laxatives have the flexibility to trigger diarrhea or flatulence, significantly if an excessive amount of is given. If this happens, contact your veterinarian as they could must prescribe a particular eating regimen, fiber, or medicine to deal with this. Use Miralax with care in cats that are inclined to have delicate tummies, and preserve a detailed eye on their litter field in the event that they’re utilizing Miralax.
Overdose And Emergencies
Miralax is a protected, over-the-counter medicine and points with overdoses are uncommon. Normally, giving an excessive amount of Miralax to your cat would possibly trigger diarrhea and fuel. Nonetheless, overdoses are potential with any drug and you probably have any concern that your cat has overdosed, name your emergency veterinarian immediately. You may as well name the ASPCA Animal Poison Management Heart (1-888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) for extra info.
Potential Drug Interactions With Miralax
Miralax is a human drug and has been proven to be protected to make use of within the majority of circumstances, with doubtlessly fewer unwanted effects than different laxatives. In accordance with human information, the medicine beneath are normally prevented with Miralax use in folks until suggested in any other case by their physician:
- Bisacodyl
- Licorice
- Senna
- Sodium picosulfate
In veterinary medication, potential drug interactions with Miralax aren’t well-known, however it’s a comparatively protected medicine to make use of. All the time talk about Miralax together with your veterinarian earlier than giving it to your cat. That is significantly necessary in case your cat has any underlying well being circumstances or is on medicine.
Your vet will assess your cat’s particular person case and see if it’s acceptable to make use of this medicine. They may examine if it interacts with another medicine your cat would possibly already be on (e.g., for diabetes or hyperthyroidism).
How To Retailer Miralax
Retailer Miralax in a child-proof container, away from excessive warmth, moisture daylight, or chilly. Keep away from freezing temperatures and preserve it out of attain of youngsters.
Don’t use medicine that’s old-fashioned—discard it.
Ultimate Ideas
Miralax can be utilized beneath the steering of your veterinarian to alleviate constipation in most cats.
Miralax is a human medicine that can be utilized to deal with gentle to reasonable circumstances of constipation in cats. It’s comparatively protected with few unwanted effects and is straightforward to present to cats because it is available in a tasteless powder type.
Cats ought to cross feces of their litter field inside eight to 12 hours after Miralax medicine. Be cautious giving it to cats that may be dehydrated or affected by kidney illness. All the time search the recommendation of your veterinarian earlier than giving Miralax to your cat.
Steadily Requested Questions
Is Miralax protected for cats?
Sure, Miralax is a comparatively protected and easy-to-administer medicine for cats to deal with constipation. It’s available over-the-counter and is available in a tasteless powder type. Focus on the usage of Miralax together with your vet earlier than utilizing it in your cat.
What if I miss a dose of Miralax?
Miralax is a protected drug used to deal with constipation. It may be given a few times every day relying in your vet’s recommendation. In case you miss a dose and your cat nonetheless has indicators of constipation, name your vet for recommendation. They may advise you to present a dose of Miralax.
How lengthy can cats take Miralax?
Miralax is used short-term for therapy of constipation. It may be used for something from just a few days period to a couple weeks.
How lengthy does it take for Miralax to work in cats?
Miralax normally works inside eight to 12 hours in cats. Feces must be produced inside 24 hours.
Ought to cats take Miralax with meals?
Sure, Miralax must be administered to your cat in moist meals. Be sure that your cat has loads of water to forestall dehydration.
