Maropitant citrate is a prescription medication indicated for motion sickness and vomiting in dogs. This medication works by interfering with the action of a specific brain chemical--called substance P--which is involved in signaling the body to vomit. Maropitant citrate can be administered orally or by injection and should be used only as directed by a veterinarian. Dog owners should discuss the side effects of maropitant citrate with a veterinarian before giving this medication to their dog.
Excessive Drooling
Following treatment with maropitant citrate, a dog can begin to drool excessively as a side effect of this medication, explain Doctors Foster and Smith, a pharmacy located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Increased drooling can be messy and may cause a dog to leave small pools of drool throughout the house or in the car. These side effects are temporary and will subside within a few hours of treatment.
Lethargy
After giving a dog a dose of maropitant citrate, dog owners may notice that their dog appears unusually tired or lethargic. He may not be as playful as usual or may fall asleep shortly after treatment. These temporary side effects are typically mild and resolve within a day of treatment.
Diarrhea
Dogs treated with maropitant citrate can experience diarrhea as a side effect. In clinical trials for this medication, approximately 8 percent of dogs experienced diarrhea following treatment with maropitant citrate, explains Drugs.com, a medical information website for consumers. Dog owners may notice that their dog needs to go outside more frequently than usual due to this side effect. Dog owners can help limit the severity of these maropitant citrate side effects by feeding their dog a small snack or meal before administering this medication.
Decreased Appetite
Maropitant citrate can cause treated dogs to experience a temporary decrease in appetite. A dog owner may have a difficult time getting her dog to eat at mealtime. A poor appetite may also contribute to side effects of fatigue or lethargy in certain dogs. If these side effects persist or become worse following treatment with this medication, the affected dog should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Injection Site Reaction
Dogs who receive maropitant citrate by injection can experience injection site reactions as a side effect, explains Drugs.com. These injection site side effects can include redness, pain or swelling. Injection site reaction side effects are temporary and will subside within a day following treatment. Persistent or severe swelling or pain following maropitant citrate should be reported to a veterinarian immediately.
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