From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-01-29 02:13:21 UTC
Subject: RE: How often to give carafate?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <28455835.1043806401950.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
>> It's not all the time, just every now and then, most often right after
> eating, he will grind his teeth a couple times. I have carafate and have been
> giving it to him on an as needed basis. Give it until he doesn't grind
> anymore, then start again when he does.
Carafate is best given 10 minutes before each meal- I use the analogy of a patch for a pothole in the road. Carafate adheres to ulcerated stomach lining, and prevents the stomach acid from getting in the holes and burning (causing pain and teeth grinding). If you give it on a regularly scheduled basis rather than before meals, you run a risk of it not still being adherent the next time the animal goes for a meal.
I generally recommend giving it 5-7 days after the cessation of grinding. Just because he isn't in severe paoin doesn't mean the ulcers are healed. They can take days and even weeks to heal after the cessation of grinding.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM