The pharmaceutical drug "Phosphalugel" for cats is used in cases where it is necessary to solve various problems in the digestive system. This medication belongs to the group of antacids and is suitable for use by both humans and animals. Before giving Phosphalugel to cats, you must consult a veterinarian and read the instructions for use, which describe in detail all the features of the therapeutic course.
Composition and properties of Phosphalugel for cats
This drug is produced in the form of a gel with the scent of orange. It is used for therapy in both humans and animals. The main active component of the drug is aluminum phosphate. In addition, the preparation includes agar-agar, pectin and sorbitol. These substances perform an auxiliary function and enhance the effect of the antacid.
In addition, the auxiliary components present have an enveloping effect, reducing the irritating effect of hydrochloric acid on the inflamed membranes of the stomach and esophagus. The medication also gives a slight anesthetic effect.
The use of Phosphalugel helps eliminate bloating, excessive gas formation, diarrhea and a number of other manifestations of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Main characteristics
Phosphalugel is a medication that belongs to the group of antacids. It was initially developed for the treatment of humans, but later its effectiveness in treating animals was also proven. It is often prescribed to reduce the acidity of the stomach contents, which helps restore the normal state of the animal in a number of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
This remedy removes toxins from the body and destroys pathogenic microflora. At the same time, Phosphalugel is not able to change the color of animal feces. This is extremely important because... Based on the color and consistency of feces, a veterinarian can determine the cause of intestinal symptoms in a cat.
How does the drug "Phosphalugel" work?
The drug "Phosphalugel" is a member of a group of drugs called antacids. This category of medicines works as follows: it is responsible for neutralizing the acid that is produced inside the stomach, originally human, but also canine, for which it is excellent.
Antacids are available on the market in various forms:
They are most often used in veterinary medicine to:
- alleviate the condition of an animal suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in which excessive acidity of the gastric environment causes the release of secretions into other organs, causing heartburn and chest pain;
- cure gastrointestinal diseases that arise or progress due to excessive stomach acidity by neutralizing gastric acid.
Phosphalugel is available in the form of a gel for oral administration; the dosage, of course, is prepared for humans, so the drug is released in sachets. Unfortunately, dogs must take this medication according to the instructions developed for them by their attending veterinarian. Let's see what doses we are talking about.
Instructions for use of the drug
Operating principle
Phosphalugel helps neutralize hydrochloric acid and reduces the activity of gastric juice. In addition, the active components of the drug slow down the protealic activity of pepsin, i.e. the process of breaking down protein into simple amino acids that can be absorbed in the intestines. It helps eliminate toxins. At the same time, the components of the drug are not absorbed into the blood and do not have a complex effect on the pet’s body.
Reviews
Review from the owner of a Yorkshire terrier about the drug Phosphalugel: “My Yorkies ate potato peelings, I didn’t notice. They began to vomit and feel sick, but were active as usual. I started giving phosphalugel three times a day with water and another day after the vomiting stopped. Everything worked out, the drug helped us.”
Feedback from a Spitz owner : “I give my dog phosphalugel from time to time if his stomach is grumbling, and it also helps with diarrhea.”
Review from a veterinarian : “We recommend that patients keep Phosphalugel in the refrigerator to help dogs at home. It works well for vomiting, in the complex treatment of gastritis and for allergies to food.”
Most often, veterinarians speak well of Phosphalugel and often prescribe it for vomiting, poisoning, and gastritis in dogs. The drug does not cause side effects.
Dosage and instructions for use
This medication can be used to treat cats only on the recommendation of a doctor and following the instructions on the package. Phosphalugel therapy should continue for 4 days. If symptoms persist, it can be increased to 7 days. The dose is selected taking into account the weight of the pet. For 1 kg, 0.5 ml of gel is enough. The product should be given to the cat every 8-12 hours, depending on the severity of the symptomatic manifestations of the disease.
Phosphalugel can be used to treat kittens. They can inject it into the animal's mouth with a syringe without a needle. The dosage is also selected for adult animals based on weight. To enhance the effect of Phosphalugel during treatment, in the presence of severe diarrhea and vomiting, it is recommended to give this drug with a remedy such as Lactofiltrum. This will contribute to the rapid elimination of existing manifestations of the disease.
If the symptoms are caused by damage to the liver or pancreas, a gel is possible, but the pet should not be fed, even if the cat does not refuse food. At the same time, the animal must have access to water. This will have a positive effect on the process of removing accumulated harmful substances.
Effective Substitutes
The following medications have a similar therapeutic effect with Phosphalugel:
However, whether they can be used in cats should be checked with your veterinarian. Indeed, despite the similar therapeutic effect, each analogue has its own application characteristics, which should be taken into account before deciding to treat your pet with one medicine or another. By self-medicating, you can only harm the animal and significantly worsen its health.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Giving cats expired or improperly stored medications is strictly contraindicated. "Phosphalugel" should be stored in a dry, dark place where the air temperature does not rise above 25 degrees Celsius. The shelf life is 3 years, after which the gel must be disposed of.
Some of the most common problems faced by pet cat owners are bowel problems, abdominal pain and similar problems affecting the pet's gastrointestinal tract. Let's get acquainted with the drug Phosphalugel for cats, the features of its use, dosage, indications and contraindications.
Indications for use
Phosphalugel appears to be effective in the treatment of a number of pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.
These include:
- gastritis;
- stomach ulcers;
- reflux esophagitis;
- diaphragmatic hernia;
- liver pathology;
- diseases of the biliary tract.
Before using Phosphalugel, you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis to identify the characteristics of the current pathology. So, this remedy can only treat gastritis with high acidity.
In the treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis, Phosphalugel is recommended to be used only as part of complex therapy. This drug helps neutralize the negative effect of hydrochloric acid on the pancreas. In addition, the product helps restore acid balance and relieves the cat from pain associated with this disease.
Phosphalugel is recommended for use in complex treatment of poisoning.
This remedy can be used for intoxication in animals caused by:
- some mushrooms;
- acids;
- household chemicals;
- household poisons;
- plant poisons;
- spoiled products;
- salts of heavy metals, etc.
In addition, this drug is prescribed to eliminate side effects in animals undergoing treatment for malignant tumors with toxic drugs. In some cases, Phosphalugel is used to eliminate the effects of therapy with anthelmintic medications.
What can be replaced
There are many drugs on sale that contain the same active substance and have a similar therapeutic effect.
The following Phosphalugel analogues are most often used for the treatment of cats:
- Maalox.
- Almagel.
- Omeprazole.
- Smecta.
- Alpha gel.
- Enterosgel.
At the same time, you cannot independently decide on the possibility of replacing one drug with another. This can harm your pet's body. It is better to consult a specialist, because... Some breeds have intolerance to the auxiliary and active components present in analogues. In addition, when using a substitute, the dosage of the medication will need to be adjusted.
Analogs
There is no exact copy, but you can find drugs on sale that have the same positive effects. Here are some of them:
- Almagel and alphagel.
- Omeprazole.
- Maalox.
- Enterosgel.
- Smecta.
smecta packaging
We strongly do not recommend using substitutes to treat cats. But if you decide to take it, you should consult your doctor before using it. Remember that if you self-medicate, you will only harm your cat.
Watch your pet's diet, and then everything will be fine with his health. Good luck to you!
Contraindications for use
Phosphalugel is not recommended for the treatment of cats with kidney pathologies. At the same time, it can provoke the course of both acute and chronic diseases of this paired organ. The drug should not be used if there are signs of bladder stones. A relative contraindication is inflammatory pathologies of the genitourinary system in cats.
Heart disease is a contraindication for the use of Phosphalugel. Before using the medication to treat old animals, a targeted examination is required to identify pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
The drug should not be given to animals that are intolerant to certain components included in its composition. This may cause a severe allergic reaction. If your pet has increased diarrhea or vomiting after using the medication, you should stop treatment and consult a veterinarian.
Cats tolerate Phosphalugel therapy well. Adverse reactions when using it to treat pets have not been described. In this case, improper use of the drug can cause undesirable effects. With prolonged use, as well as with regular excess of the dose, there is a high probability of constipation. Often a similar problem occurs when a cat refuses to drink.
Let's sum it up
The drug "Phosphalugel" is one of the best antacids invented by man today. However, its use in veterinary medicine should only be done under the supervision of a veterinarian. You won’t be able to determine the dose of the drug on your own, and it’s better not to even try, since by giving an insufficient dose or too much, you can not only pointlessly give your dog the medicine, but also aggravate its condition. Remember this and don’t risk your pet’s health; after all, it is the most important thing for us.
