Cats & Mirtazapine (Page 7) (Top voted first)
UpdatedOur 13 year old Maine Coon mix is in the last stages of renal failure. We didn't know anything was wrong until about a month ago when she stopped eating. It's been up and down ever since her diagnosis. Our vet prescribed Mirtazapine but, after reading the many negative comments, we put off giving it to her as long as we could. We finally had to because the effects of not eating in cats are liver shutdown and death. She's had no serious adverse reaction to Mirtazapine, and it has definitely helped her appetite. It is buying her a little more quality time with us.
I certainly wouldn't use or give this drug lightly, but as some posters have noted, in the end it's a risk v.s benefit judgment call.
This is true that there is a drug that can be used to lower serotonin levels if there is a reaction to Mirtazapine but when I researched it, that drug also can have side effects like elevated heart rate, etc.
There was someone else on here that posted had they not rushed their cat to ER he would have died . There were actually 2 different meds given to counteract the reaction . I'm sure if you checks the posts you will c what this guy said about his ordeal .
Reading about your experiences is really eye opening about what my vet hasn't told me,which really makes me mad . Nothing about side effects or that my 14 year old kitty Squeaky is probably in liver or renal failure. He stopped eating but was vomiting every day. Took him in, his blood work is perfect but he'd obviously lost weight and his pupils are always dilated. She gave him this drug and it does make him eat for 3 days but the minute it wears off he's vomiting again. It's hard to let go because he really doesn't seem sick except for that. Anyway, thanks for your comments about your experiences because it's been very helpful .
If his blood work is normal then it can't be renal or liver issues . So there has to be another cause of the vomiting , has vet tried to find out what's wrong ?? Thyroid issue? Diabetes ? I'd work on finding out what is wrong ?
Thanks for your ideas etc. Squeak did have blood and U/A's just 4 weeks ago and vet. doesn't see signs of hyperthyroidism, diabetes or cancer.. I guess we just wait to see how this plays out but I don't want to keep him on this drug very long either. It's always tough. We just lost kitty Gregson in August and our other 2 cats are also 14. So much for being a "foster fail". ??
Keep us posted , hope squeaky will be k ,
Thanks Cheryl.
So glad to hear this good news !
Yes Niko, I totally agree with what you have said here. That's the drug that I read about to counteract Mirtazapine if there are problems, but that is not without side effect either. I later wondered if 1/8 of a tablet would have been better, but look, you have stated that it was too much - I believe it - I bet that Smoky would have been affected by that also. I would give anything in the world to be able to take back giving my cat that pill - I really believe that that lead to her death. I would never even think about giving that pill to another cat if I get another cat and I surely won't be going to that vet again - not ever.
Can so embody help me? I've just been prescribed Mertazipine for my 14 year old Persoan Gustavo. He received it yesterday and the script calls for a tiny pice if pill every 24 hours for 8 days. Well, this is day two and he just received his second dose. I guess I'm asking how long before I start noticing his appetite improving? He has no appetite or thirst and I'm growing increasingly worried. Help please?
Wow this dose is way way too much !!!! I would Not give this med unless it is a last option !!! N I would give less than 1/4, usually given every other day , that dosage u were given may kill ur cat !!
How long did it take your cat to react/increase in appetite to the mirtazapine.
Hi there
I wonder if you could help as I see you live in the UK too.
We took our indoor cat who is 17 years old to the vets last week as we had concerns she may not be able to see. On examination of her eyes, she was found to have detached retinas and veins see in the eyes so we were right and she had blood pressure taken several times and her BP was very high so we know that is probably the cause.
My question for you is that we had blood work and U/A's and the results have shown her thyroid function and red and white blood cells are fine but her potassium is very low and there is protein in her urine etc. We have been told by the vet that Crystal had chronic renal failure stage 2. On asking how many stages there are, we have been told there are 4 and that it is imperative that she starts taking potassium. It smells awful and we hope she will take it :( The vet has also prescribed famotidine (antiacid) but he has also prescribed Mirtazapine 2mg - 1 to be taken every 3 days. My question is, as you live in the UK, how much does your vet charge per tablet please?
Hello again, Barbara,
I hope your little cat is much better. I note your vet prescribed famotidine which is bitter. May I suggest you obtain some empty gelatine capsules and put the meds in one of them? Capsules are available on-line and cost - for size 5 (the smallest) around £3.50. I use them for my cat and it's a doddle to give her the tablets.
With best wishes.
Dear Laurel,
You don't say WHO is charging you this much for tablets. Is it your vet? I take it you're in the UK,too. If it IS your vet's charges which are too much, ask him/her to write you a private prescription and either take it to a chemist or go to a BRITISH on-line veterinary medicine website and follow the instructions for sending in a prescription. This is a good company: VetMeds Direct (look it up on line), Pet Prescription Ltd., PO BOX 1007, Ipswich IP1 9WF. They typically charge half the usual price for medication that a vet will charge. Good luck.
That is an antidepressant im taking it for depression its knowing as zispin it gives you a strong appetite im happy your cat is doing well,she will sleep a lot better as it contains a sedative taking at night
My cat has died since my last post. It wasn't the chronic kidney disease, but cancer that got him.
Sorry,in my last post I meant 1/2 of a 16 mg pill of Cerenia, not a 8 mg pill
Thank you for sharing. I wish you and your fur baby good health!!
Hi I'm based in the London and my vet prescribed 2x 2mg mirtazapine tablets for £7.60.1 tablet every 48 hrs.
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