Flexoprofen (Flexoprofen): how to use it correctly in cats

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like flexoprofen are frequently used to treat pain and inflammation in both people and animals. It’s critical for our furry friends’ health to know how to use Flexoprofen appropriately, especially for cats. Whether your cat has arthritis, is recuperating from surgery, or is just feeling under the weather, using this medication as prescribed can significantly improve their comfort and quality of life.

Although Flexoprofen has some potential benefits, it must be used carefully. Due to their distinct physiology, cats might not benefit from the same treatments as dogs or humans. This post will walk you through the proper dosage, possible adverse effects, and crucial safety measures to take into account when giving Flexoprofen to your feline friend.

You can lessen the risks connected with the medication while still ensuring that your cat gets the necessary pain relief by adhering to the proper guidelines. Let’s explore how to give your cherished pet Flexoprofen in an ethical and successful manner.

Main characteristics of Flexoprofen

The only formulation of flexoprofen that is accessible is a clear or pale yellow solution. packed in 10, 50, and 100 ml dark glass containers. One milliliter of the medication may include 25, 50, or 100 milligrams of the active ingredient (ketoprofen). Other parts of the composition consist of:

• water;
• phenylcarbinol;
• citric acid.

Flexoprofen has a 36-month shelf life after the date of manufacture. The medication is stored between 5 and 25 °C in a dry environment in a closed bottle. Precipitation in the form of tiny white crystals is acceptable during storage. This does not indicate that the medication’s properties have been lost; to dissolve the crystals, shake the bottle thoroughly before using it.

The best way to purchase flexoprofen for cats is in 10 ml bottles with a 2.5% dosage.

Indications for use

Medication containing ketoprofen is prescribed to treat musculoskeletal degenerative and inflammatory diseases, such as:

• rheumatoid arthritis;
• spondyloarthrosis;
• gouty arthritis;
• intervertebral hernia;
• osteoarthrosis;
• extra-articular rheumatism (bursitis, capsulitis).

The medication relieves symptoms. Because of its strong antipyretic qualities, for instance, it is also recommended to treat pain of any kind, even during the recovery phase following surgery or following an injury to the animal.

Cats can receive flexoprofen following surgery to lessen pain from the trauma.

How Flexoprofen works

Prostaglandins are important in the development of fever, pain, and the inflammatory process. These are chemicals that almost every tissue in the body produces that resemble hormones and have an impact on smooth muscle contraction. The primary function of ketoprofen, a component of Flexoprofen, is to suppress prostaglandin production.

After the first dosage, the patient experiences pain relief and a drop in body temperature (the maximum concentration of the active ingredient in the plasma is reached thirty minutes after the injection, and symptoms usually go away five minutes later). The drug has a therapeutic effect for eighteen to twenty hours before the kidneys eliminate it. A course of treatment with the drug is necessary for a long-lasting anti-inflammatory effect (inject daily for 2–5 days; the veterinarian will determine the duration of the course based on the diagnosis and the animal’s overall condition).

Features of the drug for cats

In veterinary medicine, flexoprofen is frequently used, even for the treatment of cats. The drug is well absorbed by the animal’s body (the active ingredients have a bioavailability of 85–99%), and when administered appropriately, side effects are uncommon.

Selection of dosage

The medication’s dosage is determined by the cat’s weight: each kilogram requires 2 mg of ketoprofen, the drug’s active ingredient. The packaging always states the amount of the active ingredient (e.g., "2.5%" on the box and the bottle label indicates that 1 ml of the medication contains 25 mg of ketoprofen).

For illustration purposes, let’s calculate the dosage for a 6.25 kg cat. 12.5 mg of the active ingredient are needed for this animal (6.25×2). A single injection requires 0.5 ml of the medication, which precisely equals 12.5 mg of ketoprofen.

Treatment regimen

Injections of flexoprofen ought to be administered once daily. The medication is injected intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. For cats, the maximum amount of time for administration is five days (the length of time varies depending on the goals of therapy; for joint pathologies, a full course of treatment is necessary, while one injection is sufficient to relieve pain or reduce fever).

It is possible to administer flexoprofen intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously.

Video: how to give a cat a subcutaneous injection

Treatment of pregnant and lactating cats

Only in the worst circumstances is Flexoprofen injected into animals that are nursing cubs. Premature birth can result from the drug’s increased uterine muscle tone. Furthermore, there is a chance that the fetus’s arterial duct will close as a result of the cessation of prostaglandin synthesis, which could result in death or the birth of a kitten with cardiovascular pathologies. The medication is only administered to a pregnant cat if the anticipated side effects outweigh any possible risks to the developing foetus.

Pregnant cats are only prescribed flexoprofen if the risk of not receiving treatment outweighs the possibility of an early birth.

Injecting animals with Flexoprofen prior to mating is not advised because it decreases the permeability of eggs. Additionally, since 4-5% of the medication enters breast milk, it is not advised for cats who are nursing. Kittens can be treated with flexoprofen from the very first day of their lives, provided that the dosage is calculated as precisely as possible.

Kittens can take flexoprofen, but because of their small weight, it is difficult to determine the proper dosage; therefore, it is best to leave this to the professionals—veterinarians.

Precautions

Keep the Flexoprofen solution out of your eyes. You should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water if the drug gets on them. Although the drug does not corrode skin, it can cause severe irritation of the mucous membrane if you accidentally rub it in your eyes.

Keep children and animals away from flexoprofen bottles to prevent accidental opening and product consumption. The medication loses its properties when heated, so avoid placing it near a heat source or in direct sunlight.

What to do in case of an overdose

When a dose that is higher than usual is given to the cat, overdose symptoms will occur.

• nausea;
• vomiting;
• dizziness;
• weakness;
• diarrhea.

In the event of a serious overdose, convulsions start and blood pressure spikes. An animal in such symptoms needs medical attention right away. Since ketoprofen has no known counteragent, you will need to wait until the medication wears off (70% is eliminated after 6-7 hours and 80–90% after 24 hours). Cats need to be given symptomatic assistance, meaning their bodies need to be cleared of the drug until their digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems are functioning normally.

Possible side effects and contraindications

The following kinds of side effects are possible while using Flexoprofen:

• From the gastrointestinal tract:

• diarrhea;
• mild nausea;
• belching;
• flatulence;
• dry mouth (which will cause the animal to drink frequently).

• weakness;
• dizziness;
• drowsiness.

Don’t quit injecting the drug if side effects are minor, especially since the course is brief. See a veterinarian if symptoms are severe; the veterinarian will examine the patient and may prescribe a different medication.

The following are strict no-use guidelines for flexoprofen:

• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
• blood coagulation disorders;
• kidney and liver pathologies.

Interaction with other drugs

Flexoprofen shouldn’t be taken concurrently with glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug classes. It is not permitted to combine the product in one syringe with other solutions because doing so could cause a chemical reaction that produces hazardous compounds.

Analogues of Flexoprofen

A reasonably priced medication, flexoprofen is available for purchase at 288 rubles for a 2.5% solution of 10 milliliters. However, if it isn’t always sold in pharmacies, medications with comparable effects can be used in its place.

Table: comparison of drugs of similar action to Flexoprofen

• 1%, 50 ml – 1420 rubles.;
• 10%, 100 ml – 1760 rubles.

• 1%, 10 ml – 250 rubles.;
• 10%, 100 ml – 700 rubles.

• 0.05% 15 ml – 750 rubles.;
• 0.15% 35 ml – 1430 rubles.

• 6 mg, 6 tablets – 590 rubles.;
• 5 mg, 28 tablets – 1030 rubles.

Photo gallery: analogues of Flexoprofen

Ainil is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication with analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The use of Ketoquin in animals with individual hypersensitivity to the drug’s ingredients, as well as gastric and duodenal ulcers, is contraindicated. Situated in the non-steroidal drug class, Loxicom is a suspension that acts as an analgesic. Robenacoxib is an active component of Onsior.

Usage	Dosage
For pain relief	Consult your vet for specific dosage based on weight
Anti-inflammatory	Typically given once or twice daily
Monitor for side effects	Watch for vomiting or changes in behavior
Duration	Use as directed by your vet

Any pet owner must know how to administer Flexoprofen to cats in a safe and efficient manner. This drug can help reduce pain and inflammation, which will make your cat friend more comfortable—especially following surgery or while they’re healing from an injury.

Before giving Flexoprofen to your cat, always check with your veterinarian to make sure it’s suitable for their particular requirements. Based on the health and condition of your cat, they can provide the appropriate dosage and guidelines.

It’s important to watch out for any side effects in your cat. Watch for alterations in eating, behavior, or litter box habits. Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if you notice anything strange.

You can provide relief and enhance your cat’s quality of life by using Flexoprofen sensibly. Your pet’s health should always come first, and you should know what medications are best for them.

For cats, flexoprofen can be a useful pain reliever, but it’s important to use it correctly to protect your cat’s safety and wellbeing. Pet owners can effectively and safely manage their cat’s pain by knowing the proper dosage, possible side effects, and how to administer it. Before beginning any medication, make sure it is appropriate for your pet’s particular needs by consulting a veterinarian.

Video on the topic

How to give an intramuscular injection to a cat in the paw

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