My cat has acid reflux. Does Pepcid AC need to be given for life?

Pepcid is safe to give daily, and I've used it for years in some cats with no problems. However, it's important to have an actual diagnosis before proceeding with this plan. Not all gastrointestinal problems are improved with Pepcid - it merely reduces the amount of acid in the stomach, so it doesn't help with all problems.

Hi there and thanks for posting! Acid reducers can help greatly if Cleo has been diagnosed with acid reflux. Omeprazole or Famotidine can be given, but I would be sure to check with Cleo's primary care veterinarian to determine the right dose for her. I hope this helps!

We do sometimes dose Famotodine twice daily in some patients, and normal recommended doses are 0.5 to 1.1 mg per kg of body weight every 12-d24 hours. The recommended dose/frequency can vary if the pet has underlying kidney disease, so I would recommend discussing any dosing changes with your cat's vet.

In the long term, there is a thought the chronic famotidine use may decrease some nutrient absorption and lead to excessive gastric acid production with possible esophageal acid reflux if it is discontinued. However, most internal medicine specialists still preferentially recommend famotidine over other antacids (such as omeprazole/Prilosec) for chronic use as it is a bit more "mild" in its mechanism of action. I know you mentioned changing foods, but consider discussing a diet trial with a hydrolyzed "hypoallergenic" diet with Brody's vet. If he has a degree of a food allergy or inflammatory bowel disease causing his vomiting and skipping of meals, these hydrolyzed diets fed for 2-3 months can remove a lot of antigenic stimulation in the GI tract and potentially prevent a lot of GI upset.

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sky may need some diagnostic testing to find out what the problem is. He may have an esophageal foreign body, ulcers of stomach or esophagus or just acid reflex. I would discuss with Sky's vet if radiographs might help determine what is wrong. If the pepcid seemed to help, it may be that he needs to be on an acid reducer long term. There are other medications that may used longer term than the pepcid. I hope Sky is back to normal soon.

Hypothetically speaking , yes. However, I don't think we see if that often. If you are concerned your dog has gastric reflux, talk to your vet about a trial on famotidine. (Pepcid AC). See here for dosing information: (click on the chart for full view of drugs and dosages) https://www.merckvetmanual.com/pharmacology/systemic-pharmacotherapeutics-of-the-digestive-system/therapy-of-gastrointestinal-ulcers-monogastric

A better choice for an antacid would be Pepcid. You can discuss it and get a dose based on Bella's weight from your veterinarian. Legally, we are prohibited from telling you to give it and providing a dose without a physical exam and a VPCR (Veterinarian-Patient-Client Relationship). The bland diet is definitely a good idea. Consider a short fast, 12-24 hours, to give her tummy a rest. Offer the bland diet in small, frequent amounts