Does metronidazole cause diarrhea in cats?

Possible Side Effects

Side effects include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, anemia, blood in the urine, head tilt, seizures, disorientation, and stumbling. It may also cause liver disease, which can result in yellowing of the gums, skin, and eyes.

Herein, what are the side effects of metronidazole in cats?

Metronidazole Side Effects Dogs and cats: excessive salivation, gagging, regurgitation, pawing at the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite are the most frequent complaints.

Likewise, how long can a cat take metronidazole? Ideally, at least several months of metronidazole therapy is given once it is started. In some cats with severe disease long term consecutive use or one to two month cycles of treatment may be required. Side effects to metronidazole at this low dose are uncommon in cats.

One may also ask, how long does it take for metronidazole to work for diarrhea in cats?

This medication should take effect within 1 to 2 hours, and while effects may not be visibly noticed immediately, but gradual improvements are usually noticable after a few days.

Can you give a cat metronidazole?

Metronidazole is not FDA-approved for use in veterinary medicine; however, it is a commonly accepted practice for veterinarians to use this medication in dogs and cats. The usual dose in cats is 3-20 mg/kg of your pet's body weight, by mouth, in divided doses depending on condition of the individual pet being treated.

34 Related Question Answers Found

Does metronidazole stop diarrhea in cats?

Metronidazole is an oral antibiotic used in dogs and cats to kill some intestinal parasites, especially Giardia spp. It is also used to treat diarrhea and infections caused by anerobic bacteria. This medication has a bitter taste. Disguising it with food may help you administer this drug successfully.

How long does metronidazole take to work?

With serious swelling (including dental infections), the medicine will start working within a few days but it may take longer before your symptoms start to get better. For some of the infections that metronidazole is used for, you may only begin to notice an improvement after a week.

Should metronidazole be given with food?

Don't take more or less metronidazole than is recommended. Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. The tablets can be taken with food or a glass of milk to prevent upset stomach. You should take the extended-release tablet on an empty stomach at least one hour before, or two hours after, a meal.

What bacteria does metronidazole kill?

Metronidazole is bactericidal (kills bacteria) and is used to treat ominous sounding organisms such as Bacteriodes fragilis, Helicobacter pylori, and Giardia lamblia. Flagyl is an important drug, but is linked with many difficult side effects.

How do you stop diarrhea in cats?

Here are five options, with pointers on when to use each.

Change Your Cat's Food. There is no need to withhold food from cats who have diarrhea.
Fiber. Some types of cat diarrhea get better with a low-fiber (highly digestible) diet.
Encourage Water and Electrolyte Intake.
Probiotics.
Anti-Diarrheal Medications.

What causes diarrhea in cats?

Other health conditions that can cause diarrhea in cats include bacterial infections, viral infections, and infections with protozoal organisms such as Giardia. Dietary sensitivities and dietary imbalances may cause diarrhea. Inflammatory bowel disease and a lack of digestive enzymes can lead to diarrhea in cats.

What is metronidazole good for?

Metronidazole is an antibiotic that is used to treat a wide variety of infections. It works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria and parasites. This antibiotic treats only certain bacterial and parasitic infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu).

What are the symptoms of giardia in cats?

The clinical signs of giardia are gastrointestinal and include:

Diarrhea.
Excess gas.
Mucus in the feces.
Nausea and vomiting.

How long do side effects of metronidazole last?

These problems may last for at least one day after you stop using metronidazole. This medicine may also cause alcoholic beverages to taste different. You should not drink alcoholic beverages or take other alcohol-containing preparations while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 days after stopping it.

Does metronidazole kill good gut bacteria?

The Effect of Flagyl on IBD Diarrhea

Therefore, with some antibiotics, "good" bacteria in the colon may be killed along with the "bad," resulting in diarrhea. However, Flagyl doesn't tend to cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea—in fact, it may be a treatment for it.

Should metronidazole be refrigerated?

Due to the absence of water in the compound, metronidazole suspension (compounded) does not require refrigeration and should be stored at room temperature.

How do you deal with the side effects of Flagyl?

Do not drink alcohol or consume food or medicines that contain propylene glycol while you are taking Flagyl. You may have unpleasant side effects such as headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

What type of antibiotic is metronidazole?

USES: Metronidazole is used to treat a variety of infections. It belongs to a class of antibiotics known as nitroimidazoles. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria and protozoa. This antibiotic only treats bacterial and protozoal infections.

Does Flagyl stop diarrhea?

Flagyl is used to treat parasitic infections including Giardia infections of the small intestine, amebic liver abscess, and amebic dysentery (infection of the colon causing bloody diarrhea), bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginal infections, and carriers of trichomonas (both sexual partners) who do not have symptoms

Can I stop taking metronidazole early?

It is important to take all of your antibiotics, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Not finishing your antibiotic medication as directed can contribute to bacterial resistance and make the drug less effective. For this reason, you also shouldn't stop taking this antibiotic early so that you can drink.

What is cat Giardia?

Giardiasis in Cats. Giardiasis is a medical condition that refers to an intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite giardia, and this parasite can also infect animals, including cats. Treatment for this infection is usually performed on an outpatient basis with a good prognosis.

Is PET metronidazole the same as human?

Metronidazole is a prescription-only medication that can be taken orally or externally, depending on the illness being treated. It is not yet approved by the FDA for veterinary use (it is approved for human use), but metronidazole is commonly prescribed by veterinarians for their canine patients.