Cats & Mirtazapine (Page 2) (Top voted first)

Our 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.

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I can understand everyone's concern about this drug. All I can say is it worked for Gracie, as some drugs work for some people and not for others. We did not have much choice as other drugs did not work for Gracie at all. It was a chance shot and it work for her about 11 months. She not being in the best of health to begin with consequentley died from stroke related problems however she made it to 16 years of age. She also suffered from arthirtis and was always anxious, (from day 1), but I do believe without the drug mirtazapine she would have died months earlier. This is a choice all must make when they are faced with sure death or the chance at few more months of life. I am comformtable with the choice we made and it seemed to work out for her. We do the best we can for those we love. Every day new drugs are tested and approved, just like for humans. Be steadfast in your devotion to your animal companions and research whatever drugs you need. This we do for kindness sake and be reminded no one is perfect. We still miss George and Gracie very much. With 3 more shelter cats, Domino, Dixie, and Tara, we are being kept very busy can see we are loved very much. Good luck to all.

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After reading the posts here and on the other thread about this drug, I wonder if elderly cats are like elderly humans and can't tolerate full doses as well as younger folks do. And since this is an anti-depressant, maybe it has to be given in steps to a full dose. So I just gave a 1/16 (1/4 of the prescribed)of a 15mg tablet to my 12 yr old. He seems a little spacey, but he is eating. Will see how this goes. If he tolerates this well, Monday I'll give him an 1/8.

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Niko- thank you for the kind words. I do appreciate it. I will spoil her as much as she will allow. She has started jumping again but tends to fall when getting down off beds, but she gets up okay. I'm just thrilled to see her attempting to do things she loves. Cerenia- the med that is only approved for nausea in dogs, works pretty well. I hesitate to brag about her as things turn on a dime and usually after I brag on how well she is doing. Cerenia keeps her eating well and throwing up less frequently. She takes a half a tablet every 2.5 days. The vet requested I try to mix it up the last visit, see if I could give it to her less often as you are only allowed to give it for 4 days in a row and they should not take for 4 days after that. (thats for dogs anyway). Well, I tried 1/4 every 2 days and was not happy with the results and felt guilty for taking her out of her comfort. So we are back to 1/2 every 2.5. I am also giving her B12 shots and think that is helping her tremendously. She also takes 1/8 of a pepcid daily. Her concoction is working out for now. I really like the B12- she is very active ( for 21) after the shot and most of the week inbetween. Bents mom- see if the vet can set you up with B12. They are pretty easy to give and very reasonable, around 35 dollars for probably 2 years worth with the needles.

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My Tequila 17 1/2, began to experience weight loss and a complete lack of interest in eating. I tried ever delicious flavor of food, baked her turkey legs, used the water from tuna cans to add some interest. Fur was dull, and she was hiding in dark cubby holes. Turns out she has chronic pancreatitis and a cyst or abscess on her pancreas (she also had chronic kidney failure but it is well monitored and under control). Aside from the medications for the pancreatitis (metrodinazole) sh was started on 3mg capsul of Mirtazapine every 3 days. I was initially concerned by the "talking", and her ears feel quite warm to me, it lasts about 12 hours and she seems to settle. In the 2 weeks since she started taking it I've noticed a huge change. Glossy and soft fur again, increased activity (cat nip mice are no longer safe) and she feels very solid when I pick her up, instead of frail. I do know that she is 17 1/2 and I'm very lucky to have her, at this rate I'm hoping she'll be hassling me til she's 20! I appreciate reading others' experiences with the medication.

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Dear Elizabeth, I'm so sorry 2 hear about your cat. I've lost 2 in the last 3 years. I have 1 left and she has renal failure 2. I also found a lump bigger than a golf ball in her throat . She is 14 years old. We have 2 put her 2 sleep in a couple of days. The vet said there's nothing we can do. And , she is like my child and this is so so hard for me. Anyway , I wish u luck with your cat and I totally feel. 4 u.

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Squeak has had a turnaround ! He stopped vomiting and is eating like a champ! His coat looks better, he looks like he's gained some weight, has more energy and even cries for his meals. I don't know why , but I'll take it! Must be all the good wishes and positive thoughts from you and loving friends and family. Merry Christmas !!

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I believe the drug to counteract mirtazapine is actually another drug used off label as an appetite stimulant, cyproheptadine. It is supposed to be safer than mirtazapine. I agree with what everyone else has said here, that starting out with 1/4 tablet is WAY too much. I started out with 1/8th and that was too much, so was giving 1/16 and sometimes even just a flake. I didn't try upping the dose until it stopped working as expected.

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Hi, I'm in the UK and have a wonderful veterinary surgeon with whom I have been going to for over 30 years. I have owned cats for at least 43 years, too. One of my elderly cats (16 years old) suddenly stopped eating and was given every conceivable test, scan and x-ray available with no conclusive results. All her organs were in good condition, there were no masses or tumors to be found but she'd lost a 10th of her body weight. Her coat and eyes, however, were shiny and bright. I bought her the full range of cat foods available: dry (Royal Canin & Hills); wet - all makes known to cat and man, tuna and sardines, but nothing induced her to eat. Hand-feeding, petting, sitting up nights with her, all to no avail. And then my vet said we'd try her on Mirtazapine at the rate of 2mg every other day as a last resort. Literally within half an hour of having her first tablet, she began to eat. She managed 3 x 100gr pouches of Whiskas that day and another pouch overnight and hasn't looked back. She has absolutely no side-effects, sleeps peacefully and, when a foolhardy small spider decided to run across the floor, she was out of her bed, pounced and flattened it! I've got my dear girl back again. I watched my cat being born: I'd given her mother all the proper nutritional care whilst pregnant and since her birth, my girl has only eaten the very best of foods. She was weaned with care and diligence, and her diet has only consisted of properly balanced and veterinary approved food. She's never had any previous illnesses. It's wonderful to see her back to her old self again - admittedly a little slower than she was as a kitten, but the same alert, loving and happy little cat she grew into. I'm extremely thankful to my brilliant vet and to Mirtazapine. Why, I wonder, can't American veterinary surgeons dispense Mirtazapine in 2mg tablets? It seems an awful faff to be cutting 15mg tablets into quarters with the risk of over or under dosage. To all those cat owners who are experiencing a worrisome and difficult time, the only advice I can give is to consult a first-class veterinarian and preferably one who is a feline expert. And I wish you all the very best of luck and a successful outcome for your beloved pets.

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Hi Amey,
My little girl is fine with 2mg of Mirtazapine every other day with no need for any other medication. The tablets are bitter which can cause cats to foam at the mouth if they aren't immediately swallowed. Some owners have cited the mouth-foaming as a sign that Mirtazapine is both dangerous and possibly poisonous; IT ISN'T! Dosage MUST be kept to 2mg and administered EVERY OTHER DAY. To prevent cats reacting to the bitterness of the tablets, I suggest coating the tablet in margarine or butter which helps it slide down the cat's throat and creates a barrier against the bitterness. Another tip: to encourage a sickly cat to eat, try giving it baby food with no milk additives such as chicken casserole, chicken and vegetable and rice, etc. Jars of baby food intended for infants 4 - 7 months are fine. Administer the food on the tip of a teaspoon and initially feed just two teaspoonfuls for the first few feeds at two-hourly intervals. Be patient and if the cat turns away its head, take away the spoon then try again when the cat settles. It's a matter of perseverance; however, if the cat totally refuses the offered food, try another flavour. You can also try giving special cat milk - not the kind for feeding orphaned kittens, but that designed for adult cats and can be bought in the supermarket. The milk is especially formulated and usually contains less than 2% lactose. Lactose can upset cats' stomachs and cause diarrhea.
Good luck with your pet, Amey. With best wishes, Lyon

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My baby is 21 years old. She has never had to go to the vet other than when she was fixed and shots as a kitten. She has only had 2 short lived colds. Great genes I guess. 6 days ago, she had a problem walking because of my bad not clipping her nails, she hates it so much, well, this one grew into her paw, I had to clip it out, it started bleeding, I immediately put peroxide, it healed up. A few days later, she began to start walking again slowly her mind seems different. I took her to the vet to have her checked out, her lungs and heart are good, no infections, no fever, ears, nose or throat problems. The vet suggested blood test of course but I can not afford it until the end of the month. In the meantime she prescribed mirtazapine 1/4 15 mg pill to stimulate her appetite every 3 days but here is is 24 hours later and age is not eating or drinking. I am trying everything baby food, a high calorie boOster paste that has the taste of fish, tuna juice, she looks likes she is going to for drinking the water but then doesn't. I am sick to my stomach. I want to give her a little more of that mirax, I'm not sure if it is to soon. Any suggestions?

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I do feel for you and your kitty. Renal failure is a horrible disease. She has the serotonin-syndrome. Absolutely caused of a to high dosage of remeron. I don't know your cat weight, but I gave my 5 kg (12 pound) cat 1 mg remeron every 3 days (he had renal failure. He almost lived for 5 years with the illness). Also, if your cat will not eat despite the remeron, or if it vomits, ask your vet for Cerenia (anti-nausea medicine originally made for dogs. 1/2 a 8mg pill once a day).

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Thanks for your input. However, cats are not 'its', they are either 'he' or 'she', the same as with humans. Inanimate objects are 'it's.

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Has anyone used Transdermal martazapine? My cat will no longer take any pills but when she did just 1/8 of a 3.75mg martazapine pill was highly
Effective for appetite stimulation. When I gave her the equivalent dose Transdermally it didn't seem to do anything. I gave her a second dose per my vet and she still doesn't seem to have an appetite like she does with the oral medication. My vet said I can increase again but she has increased tremors as a side effect. Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated!!

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Oyr 16 yr old has renal failure too and gets 1/4 tablet every 3 days. We dissolve in a 3ml oral syringe. Pull the end off, drop then drop it in. Put the plunger back on and then suck up about 1/2 ml if water give or take. I pull the stopper back a bit extra so the air pushes the liquid out when we give it to him. With finger on the end I shake it to keep it mixed. Much easier to administer.

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Re: merry (# 150)

That's such a very encouraging story. My 15 year old cat , beautiful Bella Boo has heart failure. She's so frail and fragile due to her weight loss. She's on diuretics and her breathing has vastly improved but sadly not her apitite . After much deliberation I took up the vets offer and gave fer some Mirtazapine . She responded quickly and seemed to enjoy her food and she does seem brighter. She's been prescribed it alternate days. I think I will carry on giving them to her.

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Thanks so much for asking. I'm happy to report that Tazzi is hanging in there. She's had a good summer, which is one thing we had hoped to give her. Her overall condition appears to have stabilized, at least for now. We hydrate her every other day and take her to the vet for her mirtazapine 2X/week. As far as we can tell, she hasn't had any of the negative side effects from the mirtazapine that some other cats have. She vocalizes and eats a lot but that's about it.

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My cat has been prescribed this drug recently. We are giving her 1/8 of a tablet, no more than 3 days apart. so far I haven't had to give it to her more than once a week and sometimes we can go longer. In the meantime, I'm giving her cerenia for nausea and that sometimes keeps me from having to give her an appetite stimulant. I agree though, it does have some strange side effects...however, since we cut the dosage down to 1/8 tablet, she doesn't seem to get quite so hyper on it.

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I too have a maine coone, my Moose, who is 15 and just found out he has kidney failure. I give him fluids every other day and Azodyl, which does wonders, although you have to break up the HUGE capsule and mix with water and feed him with a syringe, minus the needle. The best thing to do it wrap them up real good in a towel to give them their meds. AND I just went back in to the vet and they gave me the Mirtazapine and it did MIRACLES! Within hours his energy was back and he was back and eating like crazy. I am thrilled with this drug and AMAZED at what it did for him! Also if you are trying to get your cat to eat, they always seem to go for sardines and with my boy, he will only eat organic grass fed no hormone meats! Just like his mama. But I have heard that all the gmo and hormone laden meats are what is giving all these cats kidney failure. And I mean GMO's kill RATS in lab test and that is something important because supposedly nothing hardly kills rats. So take this info I share and try it out on your babies. Mine is gonna beat all odds and stay around much longer!

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Since my last post about Grazie and appetite stimulant, I spoke to the vet about getting this drug in a transdermal gel, sure enough there was a compounding pharmasist within walking distance from the clinic. The gel is SO much easier to administer to the inside of her ear than trying to go down the throat! Still working well but sometimes must give it every other day instead of every 3 days. Thyroid med no longer working so weight gain is gone to losing weight. Possibly a few more months for her but as long as she is not in pain will do what we can for her.

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An update on Kitty...she was taking 1/8 of a tab of mirtazapine about once a week and then hit a 3 month stretch when she didn't need any. Two weeks ago I had to give her a dose and as her eating starts to slow down she gets a 1/2 a tablet of Cerenia for nausea and sometimes that helps. For me, I think the 1/8 tab seems to work the best with the least amount of side effects, at least for now. Every cat is different though.

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