FDA approves dog vomiting drug treatment

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval Wednesday of a new class of drug to treat certain cases of vomiting in dogs.

The FDA said it approved two formulations of Cerenia (maropitant citrate): Cerenia Tablets for the prevention of acute vomiting and vomiting due to motion sickness and Cerenia Injectable Solution for the prevention and treatment of acute vomiting.

Cerenia becomes the first drug to gain FDA approval for such applications. Both products are available only by veterinarian prescription.

Motion sickness affects many dogs that can become ill as soon as five minutes after the start of a trip. In addition, dogs undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from a parvoviral infection, kidney disease, pancreatitis or other disease, can suffer from acute vomiting that can cause electrolyte abnormalities, weakness, dehydration, and possibly death.

"This approval is good news for many dog owners whose dogs suffer from motion sickness and for whom even a small journey can trigger vomiting," said Dr. Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "But it is even more important for cases in which vomiting -- whatever its cause -- can be a serious health hazard."