In what cases can sleeping pills be used?
Cats need to be not just calmed down, but put into forced sleep at special moments when complete immobility is required of them. It is not always possible to fix active and capricious predators in one position for a long time.
Their restlessness interferes with:
- when visiting a veterinary clinic. Some tests, long-term instrumental studies, manipulations, including those preparatory to surgical interventions, can be carried out only if the cat is completely motionless;
- rehabilitation after complex operations, as well as serious mental problems require the use of sleeping pills. They are included in complex therapy for critical behavioral disorders: aggression, hyperexcitability, marking of territory until the causes of the disorders are eliminated;
- grooming: for grooming, a particularly difficult, aggressive and nervous cat will need sleeping pills;
- transportation. It is quite difficult for a cat to travel long distances. To prevent a nervous breakdown and make transportation easier for accompanying people, it is easier if the cat takes sleeping pills on the road.
Reasons for euthanasia
Don’t think that putting a suffering animal to sleep is a crime. No more humane methods of helping hopeless patients have been invented. There are several basic reasons why doctors decide to euthanize a cat.
Rabies
A dangerous viral pathology that threatens the life of not only the animal, but also its owner.
It is impossible to cure rabies - after pathogens enter the bloodstream, they quickly multiply, the pet loses clarity of consciousness and begins to attack people close to it. If the bite is successful, the owner will face the same fate: a long and painful death from dehydration and damage to the nervous system.
Important! When a diagnosis of rabies is made, the domestic cat must be euthanized. The veterinary hospital does not provide treatment due to the high risk of infection of medical personnel.
Oncology
Malignant neoplasms quickly increase in size, gradually spreading throughout the body through metastasis. Advanced forms of therapy are not subject to treatment - in other cases, the cat is prescribed surgical excision of the tumor.
For older cats or those with terminal cancer, euthanasia is recommended. Attempts to cure a pet are useless - veterinarians do not advise prolonging the death throes of a furry pet.
Important! An animal can be euthanized only with the consent of the owner - the veterinary hospital does not have the right to carry out the procedure without filling out the appropriate documents.
Injuries incompatible with life
Complex fractures and ruptures of internal organs are almost impossible to restore. For some time, observation tactics are established for the furry patient - some animals manage to survive even after being hit by a heavy truck.
If no improvement is observed, the veterinarian issues a conclusion that the injuries caused by a fall or collision are incompatible with life. Medical killing is the best way to stop the prolonged agony and stop tormenting your pet.
Making a final diagnosis
Respiratory failure
The pathological condition is divided into four large subgroups:
- Hyperventilation of the lungs or general disturbance of the breathing process. The problem is caused by traumatic brain injuries, hydrothorax (fluid accumulation in the lungs), and strong blows to the chest area. As a result, the cat practically cannot breathe and suffers from pain.
- Trauma and impaired functionality of the lungs themselves are associated with tissue swelling, bronchospasms, and an advanced form of pneumonia (pneumonia).
- Parasitic damage - inflammatory processes in the lung tissues are provoked by the migration of roundworm larvae from the area of the digestive tract.
- Malignant and benign tumors are typical for older cats.
The above pathologies lead to the development of respiratory failure. The animal gradually dies from lack of oxygen and necrosis (death) of brain tissue.
Incurable disease
Diseases that cannot be treated or treated surgically also include:
- stopping the functioning of the digestive and urinary system;
- leptospirosis and infectious peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity with suppuration);
- inflammatory processes in the spinal cord or its ruptures - as a consequence of previously developed renal failure.
How does a sleeping pill affect a cat's body?
To choose a sleeping pill for a cat, you need to contact a veterinarian. Due to the fact that modern pharmaceuticals offer a huge number of products, only a professional will understand the nuances and make an adequate prescription.
According to the duration of the effect, sleeping pills are:
- short-term action (2-3 hours). Suitable for preparing for travel with the prospect of long-term transportation, for relieving stress, and for veterinary procedures;
- medium-term (4-5 hours) will be needed to prepare for anesthesia, in the treatment of seizures and severe mental disorders. The compounds in the composition provide muscle relaxation, analgesia, and sedation. Rapid addiction is noted;
- long-term (8-10 hours). Often prescription drugs only. Used for complex surgical interventions or veterinary procedures. In addition to sleeping pills, they exhibit analgesic activity. Relaxes muscles. On the road or for a haircut - this is not the most humane option. The most important thing is to follow the dosage, otherwise the animal will not wake up. Although, it is unlikely that they will give it to you without a prescription.
Serious tranquilizers are produced primarily from artificially synthesized chemicals. Herbal or homeopathic options have a milder effect and create a more sedative effect.
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Want to know more about haircut:
Why is your presence and active assistance to the groomer required when grooming cats?
— Grooming cats is the most traumatic type of grooming. Based on their structure, cats have very elastic skin, and to ensure accurate hair cutting, the cat must be carefully fixed on the table, stretching some areas of the skin. Also, cats are rarely accustomed to procedures and even calm and adequate cats constantly try to sneak away. Cats cannot stand being held in place by a collar, so there is nothing better than the hands of a familiar owner! Also, in the presence of the owner, the cat worries less.
How to prepare a cat for grooming? Can you give me something? Sedatives?
We recommend that a week before the procedure and 3 days before the ambassador start giving the cat sedatives of herbal origin "TRINORM" "CAT BOYUN"
Why can you cut a cat's hair only to a length of 2 mm along the body?
— This length is optimal for cutting tangles and soft wool and is safe from cuts. Cats are not cut to a centimeter length, since such a length will not relieve you of shedding hair and it is not possible to carefully perform such a haircut on cats’ fur without first washing and combing your pet.
Are there special cosmetics for cats?
— Special cosmetics are used for cats, for example, degreasing paste or gels to cleanse greasy tails and shampoos special for cats.
In what cases can you do without drugs?
— It is possible to do without the use of “Injections” in 90% of cases when cats come to us for grooming. It depends on your mood to help the groomer, on the adequacy of the cat and, of course, on the professionalism of the groomer. An experienced groomer knows which areas to trim correctly in order to do it quickly and accurately. And have time to finish the procedure before the cat gets tired of it!
Contraindications
In fact, tranquilizers have many contraindications. In addition to individual intolerance, the chemicals in the composition can cause problems with the respiratory tract, kidneys, and heart. Especially if there are prerequisites for their occurrence in the anamnesis. Therefore, on the road or for a haircut, it is better to buy your cat a regular sedative, for example Stop-stress, Kot Bayun, Antistress, Fospasim.
For pregnant cats, kittens or lactating females, sleeping pills are often toxic and must be monitored by a veterinarian.
Which sleeping pill is better
For a cat that is waiting for a long journey, an X-ray, an ultrasound, a tomograph or a difficult haircut before an exhibition, the veterinarian will inject Xylanite, Vetranquil, Intraval, Rometar. They are used to quickly relax and calm the animal.
More serious tranquilizers with medium-term effects, as well as potent long-term drugs that are used for premedication, should be prescribed in the clinic in emergency cases; they are not suitable for haircuts or on the road.
Systematic use of sleeping pills is possible only for serious mental disorders. In this case, it is strictly forbidden to use human medicines.
Strong drugs
There are also a number of drugs for dogs that have a long effect time. These are Carbomal, Barbamil, Etaminal sodium and Chloral hydrate. These medications act as both sleeping pills and sedatives.
But they must be used extremely carefully, since the slightest overdose can lead to disruption of the dog’s vital reflexes.
Chloral hydrate is considered, according to veterinarians, to be an excellent remedy that simultaneously soothes pain and reduces the emotional stress of the animal.
This medicine should be preferred if the dog suffers from constant severe attacks of pain due to some serious illness. But you just need to have your pet examined by a veterinarian in advance in order to exclude the possibility of the dog’s condition worsening after taking sleeping pills.
Etaminal sodium is available for animals in the form of tablets, injection solutions and suppositories. This is a very strong sleeping pill for dogs. Therefore, it should be treated with extreme caution and used strictly as prescribed by a veterinarian only in emergency cases. After all, the animal’s body quickly gets used to this drug.
So, what sedative or sleeping pill to give your dog has now become clear.
In any case, you must first consult your doctor and carefully study the instructions for use. This is the only way to avoid unwanted consequences.
In this article I will talk about sleeping pills in dogs. I will describe the main types and popular medicines. I'll tell you about the indications for use and contraindications.
Sleeping pills are a group of medications that promote the onset and maintenance of sleep of the required duration and depth.
Side effects from using sleeping pills
The most common problem is that animals become accustomed to the components of sleeping pills. Therefore, you need to very carefully follow the prescribed dosage and not abuse the long-term use of medications for cats. Remember, exceeding the dose has a narcotic effect or carries a fatal risk for the cat.
Among the side effects when it is better to refuse further use of sleeping pills: vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, unusual behavior of the cat, refusal to feed.
