The Medicine Cabinet: Meds, Tools & Supplements to Have on Hand
To download and print, please click here: The Medicine Cabinet - What to have on hand for managing sick kitties
Updated February 2019
For the Medicine Cabinet: Meds, Tools & Supplements to have on hand to manage IBD Flares (and sick kitties in general).
Meds from the vet to have on hand:
Cerenia and/or zofran (for vomiting/nausea. Please note zofran (ondansetron) can cause constipation)
Cyproheptadine (appetite stimulant)
Sub-Q fluids
Food/Supplements to have on hand:
Beech Nut Baby Food (though many do prefer Gerber) OR use a bland diet of poached meat. If you suspect a protein allergy, use a novel protein. Please see our group file, How to Use Baby Food or a Bland Diet.
(Meat-only baby foods. Ingredients In Beech Nut read “chicken, chicken broth,” “Turkey, Turkey broth,” and “Beef, beef broth.” There are no spices or seasonings. The “broth” is technically bone broth as the meat AND bone is cooked together, bone removed, so it is not meat and water). Note: Baby food or bland diet are for short-term use only.
Freeze dried chicken treats (or turkey or other novel protein your cat(s) like)
Slippery Elm Bark Powder (for nausea / prebiotic / hairballs / diarrhea or constipation)
JARROW brand S boulardii + MOS (Saccharomyces boulardii with mannan oligosaccharides) (for diarrhea). Outside of the U.S., you can order Jarrow S boulardii + MOS from iHerb.
George’s Aloe Vera Juice (to settle tummy, use with slippery elm bark powder).
Ask in group for dose / instructions. It MUST be George’s as it is distilled and contains no latex, which is toxic to cats.
OTC meds to have on hand:
Pepcid a/c (or other antacid)
Generic is famotidine. In other countries where it is not available, Zantac (ranitidine) usually is. See link to dosage information, below.
Miralax (osmotic to prevent/treat constipation). Lactulose from the vet is preferred, but this works.
Other helpful tools to keep on hand:
Vaseline (plain, no scent). This is for emergency treatment of hairballs.
Empty #3 gel caps to make pilling easier
(Can combine meds, and this prevents foaming or frothing at the mouth).
Grooming Bag. This is to restrain kitty for fluids or assist feeding.
A piller, best if with water chaser.
Glass dropper
Rescue Remedy for pets
Digital rectal thermometer with soft tip OR baby ear thermometer
Colloidal Silver – 500ppm for any external injuries to humans OR cats.
Also treats demodex, pinkeye, ringworm, abscesses. MUST be diluted for use in eyes and ears, do NOT give internally. Ask for help in group. But there is no better treatment for external wounds on us and our pets!
Other supplements to keep on hand for URIs, Herpes flares, and UTIs:
Corn Silk Tea (organic)
D-mannose
L-Lysine
Lactoferrin (Bovine)
Spirulina (brands we know are safe: Nutrex, Maju and BRI Nutrition)
Ask for information about the use of these products.
For More Information:
l Slippery Elm Bark Powder – for managing nausea.
l S Boulardii
Probiotics – brands, types, and emergency stop diarrhea instructions
Info on S boulardii, scientific studies for use in GI disease/IBD
Why Jarrow brand S boulardii + MOS: the science of mannan oligosaccharides
l Meat Baby Food
How to Use Baby Food or a Bland Diet
How to Balance Baby Food to Make it Nutritionally Complete (it is not the same as balancing cooked meat).
l Antacids: Hosted on Tanya’s CKD site: http://www.felinecrf.org/nausea_vomiting_stomach_acid.htm#step_2
l Grooming Bags. Most run small. Order a larger bag than you think you need.
l Syringes – easiest to use 15ML syringes as most adult cats need 135ML – 150ML of food per day. We recommend Four Paws Easy Feeder syringes. I keep at least three on hand. Cut the tip to the width you want.
For the Medicine Cabinet: Meds, Tools & Supplements to have on hand to manage IBD Flares (and sick kitties in general).
Meds from the vet to have on hand:
Cerenia and/or zofran (for vomiting/nausea. Please note zofran (ondansetron) can cause constipation)
Cyproheptadine (appetite stimulant)
Sub-Q fluids
Food/Supplements to have on hand:
Beech Nut Baby Food (though many do prefer Gerber) OR use a bland diet of poached meat. If you suspect a protein allergy, use a novel protein. Please see our group file, How to Use Baby Food or a Bland Diet.
(Meat-only baby foods. Ingredients In Beech Nut read “chicken, chicken broth,” “Turkey, Turkey broth,” and “Beef, beef broth.” There are no spices or seasonings. The “broth” is technically bone broth as the meat AND bone is cooked together, bone removed, so it is not meat and water). Note: Baby food or bland diet are for short-term use only.
Freeze dried chicken treats (or turkey or other novel protein your cat(s) like)
Slippery Elm Bark Powder (for nausea / prebiotic / hairballs / diarrhea or constipation)
JARROW brand S boulardii + MOS (Saccharomyces boulardii with mannan oligosaccharides) (for diarrhea). Outside of the U.S., you can order Jarrow S boulardii + MOS from iHerb.
George’s Aloe Vera Juice (to settle tummy, use with slippery elm bark powder).
Ask in group for dose / instructions. It MUST be George’s as it is distilled and contains no latex, which is toxic to cats.
OTC meds to have on hand:
Pepcid a/c (or other antacid)
Generic is famotidine. In other countries where it is not available, Zantac (ranitidine) usually is. See link to dosage information, below.
Miralax (osmotic to prevent/treat constipation). Lactulose from the vet is preferred, but this works.
Other helpful tools to keep on hand:
Vaseline (plain, no scent). This is for emergency treatment of hairballs.
Empty #3 gel caps to make pilling easier
(Can combine meds, and this prevents foaming or frothing at the mouth).
Grooming Bag. This is to restrain kitty for fluids or assist feeding.
A piller, best if with water chaser.
Glass dropper
Rescue Remedy for pets
Digital rectal thermometer with soft tip OR baby ear thermometer
Colloidal Silver – 500ppm for any external injuries to humans OR cats.
Also treats demodex, pinkeye, ringworm, abscesses. MUST be diluted for use in eyes and ears, do NOT give internally. Ask for help in group. But there is no better treatment for external wounds on us and our pets!
Other supplements to keep on hand for URIs, Herpes flares, and UTIs:
Corn Silk Tea (organic)
D-mannose
L-Lysine
Lactoferrin (Bovine)
Spirulina (brands we know are safe: Nutrex, Maju and BRI Nutrition)
Ask for information about the use of these products.
For More Information:
l Slippery Elm Bark Powder – for managing nausea.
l S Boulardii
Probiotics – brands, types, and emergency stop diarrhea instructions
Info on S boulardii, scientific studies for use in GI disease/IBD
Why Jarrow brand S boulardii + MOS: the science of mannan oligosaccharides
l Meat Baby Food
How to Use Baby Food or a Bland Diet
How to Balance Baby Food to Make it Nutritionally Complete (it is not the same as balancing cooked meat).
l Antacids: Hosted on Tanya’s CKD site: http://www.felinecrf.org/nausea_vomiting_stomach_acid.htm#step_2
l Grooming Bags. Most run small. Order a larger bag than you think you need.
l Syringes – easiest to use 15ML syringes as most adult cats need 135ML – 150ML of food per day. We recommend Four Paws Easy Feeder syringes. I keep at least three on hand. Cut the tip to the width you want.