Modern animals suffer from the same diseases as humans. Their joints hurt and bronchial asthma develops. Especially often in domestic animals there are various allergic reactions. Therefore, recently, veterinarians began to use hormonal drugs to treat them. Although they have many contraindications and side effects, they are used quite often. It’s hard to watch how the pet suffers from itching or mastitis, from which nothing else helps. And in such cases, Dexafort is most often used. It is recommended that these injections be used only as prescribed by the doctor after examining the animal. And although many owners are afraid to use hormonal drugs, but most of them respond positively to Dexafort.
Drug description
This hormonal anti-inflammatory drug belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids. Its main active ingredient is an analogue of the hormone cortisol - dexamethasone in the form of sodium phosphate and phenylpropionate. In addition, it contains various auxiliary components: chloride and sodium citrate, benzyl alcohol, hydrochloric acid and others. It is a white suspension medicine for injection. Dexafort is available in 50 ml bottles. The drug is quite expensive - from 700 to 1000 rubles, and for pets you need a dose of no more than 2 ml.
After opening the bottle, the medicine can be stored for no more than a month, so the owners of animals usually do not purchase the medicine for home use, but make an injection in a veterinary clinic. The effectiveness of this treatment is explained by the speed of absorption of dexamethasone and its long-term effect. The active substance is excreted through the kidneys and liver. And its digestibility by the animal’s body is almost 100%.
What effect does the drug have?
Dexamethasone, which is part of the drug, is an analogue of cortisol, a very important hormone of the adrenal cortex. It is very potent, and it is with this that its anti-inflammatory, decongestant and anti-allergic effect are associated. How does dexamethasone work?
- First of all, it blocks the release of prostaglandins and other mediators of the inflammation process.
- Increases the resistance of the cell membrane to external damaging factors.
- It also stimulates the formation of lipocortins and thereby relieves swelling.
- Reduces the activity of T-lymphocytes that cause many autoimmune diseases.
- It also has an anti-shock effect.
- Regulates metabolic processes.
- It has a calming effect.
When used in high doses, dexamethasone can also inhibit the production of immunoglobulins.
When is Dexafort prescribed?
Instructions for use for dogs, cats and farm animals recommend the use of the drug in the treatment of various inflammatory processes that are allergic or autoimmune in origin:
- bronchial asthma;
- acute mastitis;
- allergic dermatitis and other allergic reactions to external irritants;
- arthritis and other diseases of the joints;
- eczema;
- post-traumatic edema.
Can all animals use it?
Do not independently treat your pet with Dexafort. Instructions for use note that in some cases it can be dangerous for the animal. When is the medicine contraindicated:
- during pregnancy;
- during viral and fungal diseases;
- for animals with diabetes;
- with heart failure;
- osteoporosis;
- if the animal has kidney disease;
- with ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
What side effects can be?
Usually this medicine is well tolerated and, when used correctly, does not cause any negative effects. But sometimes adverse reactions are possible:
- muscle weakness and weight loss;
- drowsiness and weakness;
- osteoporosis;
- polyuria;
- urinary incontinence;
- intense thirst and increased appetite;
- baldness.
"Dexafort": instructions, method of application
The composition of the drug is the hormonal substance dexamethasone. It is potent and can cause dangerous side effects. Therefore, injections are recommended only to specialists after examining the animal. Shake the bottle before use. The injection is done intramuscularly or subcutaneously. It is necessary to carefully calculate the dosage:
- for cattle and small cattle, pigs and horses, a medicine is administered at the rate of 0.02 ml / kg of animal weight. On average, this is obtained from 1 to 10 ml of the drug "Dexafort";
- Instructions for use for cats and dogs recommend a dose of 0.2 to 1 ml. The desired dosage is calculated depending on the weight of the animal.
Injection is done once, since dexamethasone is very effective. The presence in the preparation of it in the form of phenylpropionate ensures rapid absorption and the onset of action in a few minutes. But it is possible to re-introduce the drug in a week. If there is a need for prolonged use of the drug, it is necessary to administer adrenocorticotropic hormone with it. But precisely in such cases, the development of side effects is possible. Therefore, if the drug did not immediately help, it is better to treat the animal with a safer drug.
special instructions
What you need to know for those who use the drug "Dexafort" to treat the animal? Instructions for use in veterinary medicine explain in detail what you may encounter when using the medicine and how to avoid it:
- after injections to cattle , their meat cannot be used as food for 40-50 days;
- cows may decrease milk yield, and within a week after treatment, people are not recommended to drink their milk. It is believed that dexamethasone is excreted from their body after 11 milking;
- You can not prescribe the drug at a time when the animal is vaccinated, since dexamethasone can reduce its effectiveness;
- if the doctor prescribed Dexafort, the instructions, method of use, composition and possible side effects are mandatory for study;
- if the inflammation is complicated by a bacterial infection, it is imperative to carry out complex treatment with antibiotics;
- sometimes anaphylactic shock may develop with the introduction of the drug "Dexafort". Instructions for use recommend that for animals with hypersensitivity to use any antihistamines together with the injection.
Reviews about the drug
Pet owners who have long suffered from allergies or severe itching respond positively to this medicine. They note that the medicine is well tolerated and effectively helps. In cases where nothing could get rid of itching or hay fever in dogs or cats, it was this drug that helped right away. Many veterinarians also recommend Dexafort. Instructions for use notes that this medicine is suitable for almost all animals.
It has many advantages compared to other veterinary drugs:
- quickly absorbed and does not give a reaction at the injection site;
- effective in many diseases when other drugs do not help;
- one injection is enough to improve the condition of the animal;
- the drug is produced by well-known companies in Austria or the Netherlands and has guaranteed quality.
Given all these advantages, the best drug for the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases is Dexafort. Instructions for use note that it helps in many cases when other medicines are useless.