Many of you have been following Rocky’s story. To quickly catch up those that haven’t, Rocky is my 14 (almost 15!) year old brother and has been having health issues for a few months that started out with constipation and lead to some serious weight loss. After an ultrasound, numerous blood tests, and many trips to the doctor, MomFOD doesn’t have a conclusive diagnosis for Rocky. The ultrasound showed some growths in his intestine but the needle biopsy showed no signs of cancer. He did, however, have signs of sepsis and inflammation in his intestines.
Rocky was put on a course of strong antibiotics that are specifically targeted to his digestive system. After fourteen days and a change in diet (we went from raw food to a more digestible and palatable grain-free cooked diet), Rocky is doing well! He hasn’t gained any weight back, unfortunately, but he’s acting like himself again. MomFOD is also administering fluids under the skin twice a week as well as a healthy dose of probiotics and transfer factor each morning. Rocky also gets 1/4 tablet of famotidine, also known as Pepcid, each morning before breakfast, and he eats multiple small meals each day instead of two larger ones. He has only vomited one time in the last 30 days (down from daily) and seems to be enjoying life!
Now, I bring up the Pepcid because, as MomFOD is wont to do, she researched any possible side effects of the drug and we wanted to share our findings with you, since we know quite a few kitties with IBD end up on Pepcid. Here’s what we learned:
- Famotidine is effective at reducing the histamine levels in the stomach. It does not cure ulcers or other problems but helps alleviate symptoms that may be causing your cat to lose his/her appetite or to vomit chronically.
- Famotidine can cause lethargy and lack of appetite.
- It is not ideal for cats with kidney problems or CRF. The drug takes some time to clear from the system and cats with kidney problems may have issues, leading to a buildup of the drug in their system. It is still used in cats with CRF but should be used with extreme caution and veterinary supervision.
- You should avoid using Famotidine if your cat has heart problems, liver disorders, or is pregnant.
- Famotidine can interfere with other medications like ketoconazole, antacids, and others.
- It may reduce the absorption of b12 from food.
- Famotidine comes in pills but can also be made into a liquid for easier administration.
- If your cat does not tolerate famotidine, other options, like ranitidine, are available. Ask your veterinarian.
Sources and Further reading:
PetCareRx – Famotidine for Pet Stomach Ulcers
felineCRF.org – list of medications, side effects, and treatments for stomach acid and ulcers
PetMD – Pepcid
We hope this information helps some of you who may be using or considering using Famotidine/Pepcid. As always, lots of purrs for Rocky would be appreciated. We’re hoping for some fattening up by spring!
Love,
Crepes.
PS. I, Crepes, am not a doctor or veterinarian. My posting is for information only. If you have questions about the health of your pet, please call your doctor. Do not call me. I hate phones.
We are really glad to hear that Rocky is feeling better and that the new diet and regime is working better for him. Sending continued purrs his way.
Thanks Crepes, this is really good information. Love, Cali, Andy, Tater and Shelly (C.A.T.S)
Rocky..ooh la la..you are QUITE handsome. I felt the need to write (sorta) something to you:
Rising up..back on the street
Took my chances..took my Pepcid
Went the distance and Im back on my paws
Just a cat and his will to survive
Risin up..straight to the top
had the gut problem..now the glory
went the distance and Im not going to stop
Just a Cat and his wlil to survive
Its the eye of the tabby..the thrill of the fight
risin up to the challenge of our bowels
and the last know survior stalks his prey in the night
and hes watching us with the eye of the tabby
The eye of the tabby..keep on healing Rocky!!
Luv, Pixie xx00xx
Pixie! First of all, we love the original song. Second of all, we love this version even better. Thanks for the awesome laugh!!
So happy to hear that Rocky is feeling more like himself 🙂
Thank you for telling us how Rocky is doing. Sending prayers and hugs for him. Thanks for the information. Will come in handy if we ever need to use it.
Sue B
This is very interesting and helpful for us, thank you for sharing! So glad Rocky is feeling better!
This is very interesting information. We have had CRF kitties on it under a vet’s supervision in the past, and we weren’t aware of the cautions regarding CRF cats. Thanks for sharing your research. We’re sharing this on FB so others can benefit, too.
I am glad Rocky is improving. That was good info about the Pepcid.
Glad to read that Rocky gets better ! Thank you very much for sharing your experience and your mom’s research. Purrs
Yes, our vet advised limited use, breaking off for a while, then regrouping. We haven’t thought about famotidine in over 4 years, but our human likes to geek out on all the details, too, just like yours. Tell her we think that’s way cool that she does that – and give her four paws way up for her research!
dood.tell yur momfod ta chek in two gnc’s mega calorie boost…ina toob..itz burd flavored unlike nutri cal. it mite help put sum weight on ya…they haz one in a liquid form two but ya gotta drink it quik after openin…az all ways, de blessings oh St Francis ~~~~~~~
N crepes…we see ewe anda fone in a catrasphoozeez videe oh!! well, in R mind coz ya haznt made de videe oh…yet….! just due knot call mizturr lafurr….
It’s very good to do research on the stuff we take. Eat up, Rocky!
Wonderful information and we are so happy Rocky is feeling better.
PS: We hate phones too!!!
our boy Maestro was taking it for a while there too….and it helped 🙂
I did not know that Pepcid isn’t recommended for cats with CRF. Pepcid was the first thing our vet suggested for Jewel’s nausea/vomiting. The vet then suggested Reglan instead, so that’s what she takes now when her tummy is upset.
We were a little confused too, at first, because it does seem to be recommended for cats with CRF and nausea. However, my research indicates it should be used with great caution in those kitties because of the issues with buildup in the system. Best a subject broached with your veterinarian to make sure they’re aware. That issue came up in almost all of the sources we consulted.
I’m so glad to hear that Rocky is doing better. And thanks to you, Crepes, for posting this information. I think you are one cool cat!
Thanks for this info. The mom has used pepcid in the past…the vet has said it’s okay to use. We didn’t know that it should be used with caution with CRF kitties…because it is one of the things used with them to help vomiting.
We hope Rocky feels better.
Oh I do hope Rocky just gets better and better (and fatter) with time. I’m 14 and so far no big health problems but I’m getting on in years and I know sooner or later SOMETHING is bound to go wonky on me! Good to know there’s help for almost ANY problem we kitties develop…..Please give Rocky a high six (I’m a polydactyl) for me will ya?
Hugs, Sammy
Great information. Hope you are feeling better Rocky xxxoxxx Pe-ez I dont’z like phone either 🙂
Mollie and Alfie
Thanks for this information! I’m on a daily quarter tab of Pecid, and I bet my human is going to ask the vet to put me back on B12 shots next time I have to go down there.
Glad to hear Rocky is feeling better. Sending purrrrrrs.
Glad to hear Rocky is doing better on Pepcid. Great info. Lots of things we didn’t know.
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.
XOXO
All VERY important stuff to know. Thank you for sharin’.
I sure do hope Rocky is back to his ol’ self, very soon.
Purrs,
Nissy