From:
kbreeden@cfl.rr.com
Date: 2004-07-29 01:04:45 UTC
Subject: RE: Carafate Questions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6642027.1091063085038.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I'm not a vet, but I have had some experience with carafate.
It should be given 10 to 15 minutes before each feeding.
I gave a Harley little taste of ferretvite before and after a syringe dose of carafate and it still seemed to help Harley feel like eating, and not grind. It probably works better if you can give it without any food.
About crushing, the tablet dissolves in water much easier if you don't crush. My Vet said mix 1000mg tablet with 2cc of water, then 1/8 would be .25cc. Someone here on the list said use 8ml(or cc) water and give 1ml (or cc) per dose. Frankly, giving the .25 is much easier, but maybe a vet could comment if the dilution makes a difference.
I understand your dilema with the syringe, but the medicine might work better if dissolved in water first. Once crushed, it is almost impossible to dissolve, and I'm wondering if this is true in the stomach as well. Again, maybe a vet could comment.
Also, carafate comes in a liquid suspension, which might be more palatable.
Ulcers can take several months to heal. My Harley was on carafate off and on for 5 months, the vet was reluctant to do an exploratory and couldn't determine what was wrong. Harley finally blocked with a hugh hairball, had emergency surgery, and it 100% now.
For lots more info, search on carafate, or on sucralfate.
Kim