Mirtazapine is a drug used in cats as appetite stimulant in diseases that cause loss of appetite (anorexia) and for the symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting. Thus, it is commonly used in chronic diseases that affect the digestive system and some infectious diseases. Its use has also been studied for behavioral problems. It is a safe and effective drug, and can be used in two types of administration form.
Continue reading to know all the information about mirtazapine for cats, its uses, dosage and side effects.
What is mirtazapine?
Mirtazapine is a drug or active ingredient that belongs to the group of antidepressants and can be used in catsas an appetite stimulant , since it produces an increase in the concentration of norepinephrine (norepinephrine) in the blood serum. Norepinephrine is a compound that can function as a neurotransmitter when it is released by neurons of the sympathetic nervous system and increases the rate of heart contractions, or as a stress hormone when, together with adrenaline, it is responsible for activating and alerting the body to enter "fight or flight" mode, increasing heart rate, glucose release, blood flow to muscles, and oxygen delivery to the brain.
The drug mirtazapine has a tetracyclic structure, and is an antidepressant that promotes the release of norepinephrine and adrenaline because it blocks receptors called presynaptic α-2 and has an action against serotonin, since it acts antagonizing its 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors. Serotonin is a compound that has functions on emotions, mood, digestion and appetite.
It also exhibits antihistamine activities by blocking H1 receptors that can cause sedative effects. Cats treated with mirtazapine may also gain weight because this drug causes changes in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and leptin.
Mirtazapine uses in cats
Mirtazapine offers several therapeutic uses in cats, and can be used for the following purposes:
- Anorexia treatment: certain chronic diseases in cats such as liver disease, feline triaditis, chronic kidney disease, intestinal diseases and tumors can present with loss or reduction of appetite. Chemotherapy treatments against neoplasms and infectious diseases can also cause anorexia, especially those that affect the upper respiratory tract (feline rhinotracheitis due to feline herpesvirus type 1, feline calicivirus and opportunistic bacteria) by producing increased nasal secretions and nasal packing, something with which cats suffer a lot when breathing through the nose and lose their appetite. The increase in norepinephrine produced by mirtazapine stimulates the appetite of cats affected by these diseases.
- Treatment of nausea: It can control nausea by acting on the gastric and intestinal neuroreceptors that are connected to the vomiting center of the brain, which is responsible for nausea.
- Weight loss treatment: due to its action on leptin and TNF, it can stimulate weight gain in cats, also secondary to appetite stimulation and nausea control.
- Treatment of behavior problems: The use of mirtazapine has been studied in cats with anxiety, stress, compulsive disorders and phobias. In these cases, the results obtained are also promising due to the addition of stimulating the appetite, especially desirable in stressed cats that tend to stop eating.
Mirtazapine Dosage for Cats
Mirtazapine in cats is used at doses of 1.88 or 3.75 mg orally every 24/48 hours s as an appetite stimulant and to control nausea. The lower dose of 1.88 mg is generally used because of fewer side effects.
Recently, a new preparation has been released for cats between 2 and 7 kg in ointment format for application through the skin of the inner surface of the ear. The required dose of mirtazapine in cats by this route is 2 mg mirtazapine. To achieve this dose, you must put an amount of 0.1 g of ointment, which is equivalent to a line of 3.8 cm, once a day for 14 days.
Mirtazapine contraindications in cats
Mirtazapine in tablets should not be used in the following cases:
- Cats with Heart disease.
- Cats with Blood pressure problems.
- Cats with alterations in white or red blood cells or platelets.
- Use with caution in pregnant or lactating cats.
In transdermal form, mirtazapine should not be used in the following cases:
- Cats weighing less than 2.1 kg or more than 7.0 kg because their efficacy and safety have not been studied.
- Cats in heat, pregnant or lactating.
- Kittens under 7, 5 months.
- Cats treated with other drugs such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), cyproheptadine, or tramadol.
- Not studied in cats with malignancies and very advanced kidney disease.
Mirtazapine side effects in cats
Side effects that may occur with mirtazapine therapy in cats include the following:
- Behavior changes.
- Low blood pressure.
- Agitation.
- Sedation.
- Hepatic enzymes increased.
- Tachycardia.
- Vocalization.
- Salivation.
- Tremors.
On the other hand, the side effects of transdermal mirtazapine application are as follows:
- Reactions at the site of application of the ointment such as peeling, redness, crusting, dryness, dermatitis, alopecia and itching. It can manifest with scratching and shaking of the head.
- Lethargy.
- Hyperactivity.
- Ataxia.
- Increased care-seeking.
- Aggressiveness.
- Polyuria, increased urea and dehydration.
- Vomiting.
