Zyrtec (Cetirizine) for Stomatitis

[susank521]

My stomatitis kitty, Simon, had been symptom-free from last August until 3 weeks ago, when spring made it's first timid promise. This is the same time of year that his problem first presented last year. I am not fortunate enough to have a feline specialist close by (or even a vet where cats are anywhere near being 50% of their practice), so I rely heavily on the information I can gather myself (thanks TCS for making this possible!!).

I'm thinking of suggesting to the vet that we try Zyrtec, or the generic Cetirizine, but first wanted to ask if anyone has experience using Zyrtec (length of use, dosage, frequency, etc.). I can not find anything negative regarding Zyrtec treatment in cats. If anyone knows of info, yeah or nay, please share it. 

 

[stephenq]

Hi there!

I found this article on zyrtec use in cats with Stomatitis and hopefully you will find it useful.  http://www.petmd.com/blogs/dailyvet/2010/february/zyrtec_for_cats-5403

This next article talks about the disease in general and the various treatment options.

http://stomatitisincats.com/treatment-for-stomatitis

 

[cprcheetah]

I use Zyrtec on 2 of my kitties, they have asthma and allergies, they each get 1/2 tablet once daily.   They have been on it for over a year. 

 

[red top rescue]

Thanks for the information about dosage.  I think I will try it.  I have two stomatitis kitties and they get steroids about once a month to control the pain.  It sounds like it might help and wouldn't hurt.

 

[susank521]

Thank you @StephenQ and @cprcheetah for the info. I plan to start Simon on a 1/2 tablet of Cetirizine per day beginning this evening. Coincidentally (?) his nose was running yesterday evening, so, if nothing else, it should help him with that. Like you said Red Top Rescue, what's it going to hurt to try.

 

[stephenq]

I hope it helps

 

[susank521]

On Monday morning, 4/21/14, Simon was still drooling. I started him on on .5mg (1/2 tablet) Cetrizine that evening. He drooled while he ate. The next morning, no drooling. And no drooling while he ate! And wow what an appetite he had.

All went well until Friday (4/25/14) pm when he refused to eat the pill (cheeseball). Don't know if any of you are aware that Simon is a semi-feral, so monitoring and treating him can be difficult. He may not have many teeth left, but all of his claws work just fine!

Saturday (4/26/14) mid-day Simon had heavy, slightly-bloody drool. I ran back to the house, wrapped his Zyrtec dosage in chicken flavored pill-pocket stuff (along with a couple of Temptations, and a drizzle of Turkey in Gravy gravy; my go-to concoction). Yay, he ate the pill! Evening - he drooled some while he ate.

This  morning - no sign of drool. The Zyrtec may not cure the problem, but so far it sure seems to be helping with the symptoms. 

 

[stephenq]

Excellent news, thank you!

 

[red top rescue]

Thanks for the update.  I have gone as far as buying the pills but have not attempted to administer them yet.  The one guy has 7 toes with claws on each front foot and does not like his mouth messed with at all.  The other is a tiny old black girl who would probably swallow the pill if I quickly chased it with a syringe full of half and half but she hates anything touching her throat, for good reason.  She is currently on a course of clavamox which I crush and mix with the half and half because it has no taste.  I bet the cetrizine tastes bitter but I haven't tasted it yet.  If bitter, it can't be crushed into her cream so that will make it more difficult.  I'll start with her because if I make even the slightest mistake with him, even though his claws are clipped he will bet me up.

 

[susank521]

Simon is having some rough days, there's no doubt of that, but  I am still of the opinion that the cetirizine is of some benefit. He was doing pretty well on his daily dose, but then I had to be out of town for a few days, so no medicine for Simon for 3 days (Simon is a semi-feral who won't let anyone else near him). When I returned his mouth was much worse and we've been trying to regain lost ground ever since. Beginning yesterday, it looks like we may have gotten back to where he was before I left; no signs of bloody drool, he's active and alert. 

I am so fortunate that throughout his ordeal Simon's appetite has remained good. 

  Simon just swallows the 1/2 tablet (wrapped in the pill pocket stuff) whole. He gums it around a little bit, but as long as I have enough "gravy" on it, down it goes. It would be mission impossible if I had to pill him. 

 The guy only has his fangs and lower teeth between the fangs, yet somehow he managed to bite the vet and bring blood!