Serenia for cats

Serenia is an antiemetic medication successfully used in cats for vomiting of various origins. This highly effective medication was developed by American specialists from Zoetis Inc., but has also found favor among Russian veterinarians.

Pharmacological action

Serenia is intended to relieve the symptom of vomiting. It is successfully used to suppress the gag reflex, whether induced at the peripheral or central level. The drug's effectiveness is due to the active ingredient blocking the function of specific receptors.

When administered by injection, the drug begins to act almost immediately after administration. Its blood concentration reaches peak levels in just 45 minutes. When administered as tablets, peak effectiveness occurs only after 1.5-2 hours. Maropitant is almost completely bound to blood proteins, resulting in 90% bioavailability. The active substance is metabolized in the liver and then excreted primarily in the feces.

The active ingredient is classified as a moderately hazardous substance, but its concentration in the medication has been carefully calculated by specialists, taking into account the specific needs of animals. When taken at the recommended dose, the medication is completely safe for cats. The active ingredient accumulates in the body. When administered for 4-5 days, its concentration in the blood increases.

Antiemetics may be combined with antibiotics, painkillers, and other medications, but only a veterinarian can prescribe complex treatment.

Application

According to the instructions, Serenia is prescribed to cats for vomiting of any origin. The medication is successfully used in the following cases:

• in case of chemical poisoning;
• in case of food poisoning;
• for motion sickness that occurs during transportation;
• after anesthesia;
• during chemotherapy;
• in oncology;
• in pathologies of the digestive system accompanied by vomiting.

Please note! This medication can also be used for cystitis, but only as prescribed by a doctor.

Antiemetic injections are ideal for cases where an animal vomits after ingesting something. In this case, tablets are ineffective because the active ingredient doesn't have time to take effect before vomiting occurs. Therefore, they are given to cats only to prevent motion sickness, specifically before traveling. In other cases, injections are preferred.

Contraindications

Contraindications for Serenia include:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• intolerance to components.

The active ingredient may have a negative impact on the development of offspring, so it is not used during pregnancy or nursing. Intolerance can cause allergic reactions ranging from digestive problems to itching and skin rashes.

Please note: If your cat has liver or kidney problems, consult a veterinarian before use.

No overdose symptoms have been observed with Serenia injections. When using tablets, excessive salivation and diarrhea may occur if the dose is exceeded. In most cases, symptoms resolve spontaneously after discontinuing the medication. If overdose symptoms are acute, symptomatic therapy may be used.

Dosage forms

Serenia is available in two forms: an injectable solution and tablets. Each form has its own characteristics. The instructions for use state that Serenia tablets are designed for dogs, although in practice they can also be used for cats. This indication exists only because the necessary patent is missing.

Injection solution

It is a clear liquid with a characteristic yellowish tint. Glass vials are used for packaging the medicinal liquid. To maintain a hermetic seal, they are sealed with rubber stoppers, which are then sealed with aluminum caps. The injection solution is packaged in 20 ml volumes. The manufacturer does not offer other packaging sizes.

Important! A tightly sealed medication can be stored for 3 years from the date of manufacture, but once opened, the medication is only suitable for use for 90 days. The maximum duration of treatment is should not exceed 5 days!

The active substance that provides the antiemetic effect of the drug is maropitant citrateThe drug also contains:

• water that has undergone thorough purification;
• sulfobutyl ether;
• metacresol;
• sodium beta-cyclodextrin.

The active ingredient content per 1 ml of solution is 10 mg, which is a single dose for a 10 kg animal. Accordingly, for an average 5 kg cat, only 0.5 ml is required for the injection.

Injections are given once daily. Treatment continues until vomiting subsides, but no longer than 5 days. In practice, 1-2 injections are sufficient to stop vomiting, but in severe cases, longer treatment may be necessary.

Important! The antiemetic drug "Serenia" is administered subcutaneously as an injection.

Pills

The tablets are available in four different formulations. They have a similar composition but differ in weight and concentration of the active ingredient and excipients. Only the 100 and 150 mg tablets, which contain 16 and 24 mg of maropitant, respectively, are suitable for cats. This dosage form of Serenia also contains excipients.

The active ingredient content is embossed on one side of the yellow tablets. This feature is an advantage, as it makes it difficult to exceed the recommended dose, even if the original packaging is lost. The tablets are packaged in aluminum foil blisters of four. The tablets also have a score line for easy breaking.

Important! Serenia can be hidden in food, as its digestibility and effectiveness are not dependent on food intake.

Serenia tablets are used as an antiemetic at a dosage of 2 mg/kg, based on the animal's weight. For an average cat weighing 6 kg, a single dose is 1 tablet containing 16 mg of the active ingredient. For cats weighing 5 kg, it's best to give half a 24 mg tablet (then the dose is 12 mg). For smaller cats, 1/3 of a tablet is sufficient, but dividing it this way is not very convenient.

To prevent motion sickness, take a single dose of 8 mg per kilogram of body weight two hours before the intended trip. This dose can be repeated after a 24-hour interval, but not for more than two days.

Price

A 20 ml bottle of solution costs 4,600-4,800 rubles. A pack of Serenia tablets ranges from 300 to 400 rubles. Many pharmacies sell them individually (70-80 rubles). Purchasing a 20 ml bottle of solution for cats is usually impractical, as most of the medication will have to be discarded after the expiration date. Therefore, some clinics sell the medication in bulk. The required amount of medication is drawn into a sterile syringe.

Analogues

Since Serenia is intended not only for cats but also for dogs of various sizes, the injectable form of the drug is available only in large 20 ml vials, so the price of an ampoule of similar products can sometimes be more affordable.

The following analogs of the drug "Serenia" can be used for injections:

Please note that each Serenia analogue has its own characteristics, so only a veterinarian who knows how to recalculate the dosage for the animal's weight should prescribe such medications for cats.

Depending on the cause of vomiting, tablets may also be prescribed:

• Metoclopramide;
• Ondansetron;
• Prochlorpromazine.

Owner reviews

Karina, owner of two Persian cats:

"We've been prescribed Serenia for vomiting several times. We used it for both cats. They tolerated it well. One injection is enough to make vomiting go away. We bought it in syringes at the clinic. A bottle is very expensive, and I don't need that much medicine."

Olga, owner of a 5-year-old cat:

"Our cat has a very sensitive digestive system, so vomiting is a frequent occurrence. Because of this, we've had to try various antiemetic medications, but I think Serenia is the best. It always works after just one application. The main drawback is the very high price. And, unfortunately, it's not always available in pharmacies in our provincial town. Sometimes I ask friends to bring it from the capital."

Veterinarian Reviews

Vladimir, a veterinarian from the Panther clinic in Samara:

"Serenia is the best antiemetic medication. It always works 100%. I've been using this injection for cats and dogs for a long time. I've never noticed any side effects or negative reactions. It's expensive, but its effectiveness completely justifies the price."

Lyudmila, a veterinarian with 10 years of experience:

"Serenia is a proven anti-vomiting medication. I most often use it for food poisoning of any severity, but the medication also helps alleviate the animal's condition after anesthesia or chemotherapy. One or two injections are usually sufficient. I don't use the medication in tablet form. At first, it wasn't available in this form in Russia, but then I got used to the injections. Besides, injections are considered more effective in most cases."

Also see veterinarian tips for treating vomiting in cats and dogs:

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