{"id":629461,"date":"2024-08-15T10:46:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T14:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629461"},"modified":"2025-05-22T11:09:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T15:09:37","slug":"ondansetron-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ondansetron-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Ondansetron for cats: Dosage and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ondansetron is an anti-nausea drug that veterinarians give to cats for severe nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron for cats is an extra-label use of the drug. It\u2019s a powerful antiemetic that works rapidly and dramatically. The drug essentially shuts down the involuntary reflex that causes vomiting. Though powerful, it has few and relatively uncommon side effects. Even so, veterinarians reserve its use for only the most severe feline nausea and vomiting cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Save up to 80% on ondansetron<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What is ondansetron used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ondansetron<\/span><\/a> is commonly used by veterinarians to treat severe or frequent vomiting and nausea in cats that can\u2019t be managed with other <\/span>antinausea<\/span><\/a> drugs. The most common reasons ondansetron is needed in cats are chemotherapy, drug treatment, and <\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/a> (inflamed pancreas).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ondansetron belongs to a small family of drugs called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists or simply <\/span>serotonin antagonists<\/span><\/a>. It blocks a nerve-signaling chemical called serotonin in the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting. This part of the brain is called the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CRZ) or simply the \u201cnausea center.\u201d Communication between the brain\u2019s nausea center and the gastrointestinal tract is blocked, so the brain can\u2019t activate the vomiting reflex.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A single dose, usually given intravenously by a veterinarian, can stop vomiting and make the cat feel more comfortable in <\/span>one to two<\/span> hours<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chemotherapy and drug-induced vomiting<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like dogs and humans, cats can get malignant cancers that require chemotherapy. Dogs get cancer at about the same rate as people, but the rate<\/span> in cats<\/span><\/a> is not as well understood. Veterinarians are also not as knowledgeable about treating feline cancer as they are about treating cancer in dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ondansetron is a mainstay drug in human medicine to control nausea caused by chemotherapy. Cats and dogs also get nauseous and vomit frequently when put on chemotherapy or other drugs that cause nausea. Veterinary guidelines recommend intravenous injections as needed to treat chemotherapy-induced vomiting. The guidelines do not specify the number of doses, so veterinarians will use the drug as needed. As in humans, doses may be given both before and after chemotherapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pancreatitis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas due to a variety of causes. Based on autopsies, veterinarians know that <\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/a> is very common among cats. However, it\u2019s not usually symptomatic. Pancreatitis can be very mild to very severe, but when it\u2019s severe, nausea and persistent vomiting are significant problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians primarily use intravenous ondansetron to treat pancreatitis-induced vomiting, but oral dosing is also possible. The drug will be used along with other drugs to treat the pancreatitis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vomiting<\/span><\/h3>\n

When cats are vomiting due to other problems, ondansetron is not always the first choice <\/span>unless the vomiting is intractable<\/span><\/a>. Doses may be given intravenously or by mouth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is ondansetron safe for cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ondansetron is only used for a few doses in severe cases. In those cases, ondansetron is a safe drug for cats that has few side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is never given to cats that:<\/span><\/p>\n