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Gastrointestinal
Side Effects of Behavioral Medications
Standard
Recommendations
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Seek
Medical Attention
for
any of the following
symptoms
-
Blood in vomit or stool
-
The pet is wobbly or has the
inability to stand
- The
pet is lethargic or reluctant
to come when called
-
Progression of any symptoms
General
Dietary Suggestions
for
pets acting normal otherwise
- Discontinue
any behavior prescribed medication
until symptoms such as vomiting
or diarrhea resolve.
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Fast the pet for 12 hours.
Allow water free choice if
diarrhea. If vomiting within
5 minutes of drinking, offer
a bowl of ice cubes to slow
the water intake.
-
If the symptoms persist for
more than 24 hours, blood
appears in the vomit or stool,
or symptoms worsen SEEK MEDICAL
ATTENTION.
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If the pet is apparently
healthy otherwise, begin
small meals of a bland diet
after the fast. The bland
diet should consist of rice
or potato (carbohydrate) and
cottage cheese, or boiled
hamburger (protein) in equal
portions. Feed 1 Tbsp per 10 lbs.
-
Continue small meals 2-4 times
per day until no vomiting
or if diarrhea is the concern,
until the pet has had a normal
stool.
-
After 3 days total, if the
pet seems normal, but GI symptoms
have not resolved contact
your DVM or offer 1 50:50
transition meal of a high
fiber diet such as canned
W/D Prescription Diet (or
equivalent) mixed with the
bland diet.
-
Then feed W/D (½ can
per 20 lbs) 2-3 times per
day for 3 days or until stools
return to normal.
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Once symptoms have subsided
(no vomiting and normal stool)
for 48 hours then resume medication
as if starting from the beginning.
Commonly, this means to begin
at ½ of the standard
behavior drug dose for 1 week
and then increase to the full
dose.
-
If the symptoms return, contact
the veterinarian, or veterinary
behaviorist overseeing the
case.
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Record the episode in the
pet's Ethogram history,
if it is concluded that the
GI symptom was due to use
of a behavioral drug.
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