FDA Approves First Medication for Dog Vomiting

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on March 2, 2007

One of the most common reasons owners take their dogs to the veterinarian is because of vomiting - an estimated 2.8 million dogs experience vomiting each year in the United States.

Dog vomiting is not only distressing to both dog and owner but also could be a sign of a serious underlying problem.

Recently, the USFDA has approved the first medication for dog vomiting: Cereniaâ„¢ (maropitant citrate), a product of Pfizer Animal Health (PAH).

According to S. Kristina Wahlstrom, VMD, MS, group director, U.S. companion animal Veterinary Operations, Pfizer Animal Health:

"In many cases it is important to treat vomiting in order to prevent further deterioration of the dog's health and to alleviate suffering. Current treatments may not be effective depending on the pathway involved, resulting in unnecessary distress to the dog and owner."

There are only two pathways that cause vomiting in dogs: central and peripheral, but there is no product developed and approved specifically to treat and prevent vomiting in dogs.

Cereniaâ„¢ works by preventing and treating canine vomiting regardless of the pathway involved, safely and quickly.

Available in both injectable and tablet formulations, Cereniaâ„¢ will be available by prescription only from veterinarians in the summer 2007.

Read the full report.