Onsior for Cats: Benefits, Side Effects & How to Give? | Dr.Tail (2024)

Managing your cat's pain after surgery or due to joint issues can be challenging. Onsior is here to help! Discover how this FDA-approved NSAID can ease pain and inflammation, helping your cat stay comfortable and happy. Learn how it works, suitable pain types, dosage guidelines, potential side effects, and safety precautions.

Do you ever wonder how to ease your cat's pain after surgery or when they have joint issues? That’s where Onsior for cats comes in! This FDA-approved medication is designed to relieve pain and inflammation, keeping your furry friend comfortable and happy. Available as tablets or injections, Onsior is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for certain pain situations in cats. In this blog, we’ll cover how Onsior tablets for cats work, what types of pain they’re used for, and any potential side effects and safety concerns.

Onsior for Cats: Highlights & Key Takeaways

Onsior for Cats What is it?

The active ingredient, robenacoxib, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is commonly used to help cats with osteoarthritis, muscle pain, and post-surgical discomfort (ovariohysterectomy and castration). Onsior helps improve your cat's comfort and mobility by targeting the sources of pain and swelling.

Benefits of Onsior for Cats & How Does It Work?

Onsior for cats works by blocking the production of certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammation and pain. Robenacoxib, one of the active ingredients, falls under the coxib class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is a powerful and selective inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme (COX-2), responsible for triggering pain, inflammation, or fever. By reducing these substances, Onsior helps alleviate the discomfort, making it easier for cats to move comfortably and recover from surgical procedures or chronic conditions.

Will Onsior Make My Cat Sleepy?

No, Onsior will not make your cat sleepy. One of the benefits of Onsior is that it doesn't have the sedative effects like some other NSAIDs. However, if you notice that your cat seems unusually sleepy after taking Onsior, it could be experiencing an adverse reaction. Although rare, Onsior can cause lethargy in some cats. If this happens, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Can Onsior Be Given Long-Term?

Onsior is FDA-approved for up to 3 days after surgical procedures. However, it can also be used off-label for various purposes:

• Managing acute pain: Up to 6 days

• Managing chronic pain from arthritis: Up to 1 month

Studies have shown that cats with arthritis, including those with chronic kidney disease, tolerated Onsior well for up to 1 month without negative side effects.

Dosage of Onsior for Cats

Below is a detailed dosage guide for Onsior tablets for cats, according to the manufacturer’s instructions:

• Administration route: Onsior is intended for oral use. It can be administered either with or without food. Onsior tablets should not be broken or split in half.

• Recommended Dosage: Robenacoxib should be given at a dosage of 1 mg/kg body weight, with a range of 1–2.4 mg/kg. The following table indicates the number of tablets to be administered once daily at the same time every day:

Body Weight (lbs)	Body weight (kg)	Number of tablets
5.5 to < 13.2	2.5 to < 6	1 tablet
13.2 to 26.4	6 to 12	2 tablet

• Treatment Duration:
• Acute musculoskeletal disorders: Administer for up to 6 days.
• Chronic musculoskeletal disorders: Response may be seen within 3-6 weeks. Discontinue treatment after 6 weeks if no clinical improvement is evident.
• Soft tissue surgery or postoperative pain: Administer as a single oral treatment, with or without food, at least 30 minutes before the procedure. Following surgery, daily treatment may continue for up to two additional days.

• Interchangeable Use: Onsior is also available for cats in injectable form. The injectable form is typically administered following a veterinarian’s direction, often before surgery or for acute pain management.

Onsior for Cats: Overdose Information

Overdose of Onsior, like any NSAID, can lead to gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver toxicity. Possible symptoms include vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, decreased appetite, presence of blood in vomit or stool, dark or tarry stools, heightened thirst or urination, or bloody urine.

There is no specific antidote for Onsior overdose. Symptomatic supportive therapy is recommended, which may involve:

• Administering gastrointestinal protective agents.

• Providing isotonic saline solutions to maintain hydration and support renal function.

In case of Onsior overdose, discontinue the usage and seek urgent veterinary assistance or contact an animal poison control center.

Onsior for Cats: Side Effects

The most frequently observed adverse reactions of Onsior in cats include:

• Mild Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Lack of energy

• Decreased appetite

These side effects are usually temporary and resolve once the medication is discontinued. Some serious and less common symptoms may include:

• Stomach ulcers

• Bleeding disorders

• Kidney disease or damage

• Liver damage

• Incoordination & Weakness

• Hair Loss

When Onsior is administered after surgery, additional symptoms may include:

• Bleeding from the incision site

• Irritation or infection at the incision site

• Increased bruising

Onsior for Cats: Precautions

Before administering Onsior to cats, certain precautions should be considered:

• Use Onsior under strict veterinary supervision in cats with a history of gastrointestinal ulcers.

• Do not give Onsior along with corticosteroids or other NSAIDs.

• Onsior should not be used in cats with known allergies to the active substance or any of the excipients.

• Avoid use in pregnant and lactating animals due to the lack of established safety during these periods.

• Onsior has not been proven safe in cats weighing less than 5.5 lbs (2.5kg)2.5 kg or under 4 months of age.

• Use caution in cats with impaired heart, kidney, or liver function, as well as in dehydrated, hypovolemic, or hypotensive cats.

Special Precautions to be taken by the Administrator

Individuals administering Onsior to cats should take special precautions:

• Wash hands after using the medicine.

• If accidentally ingested, especially by small children, seek immediate medical advice and provide the package leaflet or label to the physician.

• Pregnant women, especially those near term, should be cautious of prolonged skin contact with the medicine, as it may increase the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.

Note: Store Onsior tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original packaging and out of reach of pets and children.

Onsior for Cats: Interactions

The potential interactions of Onsior with other medicinal products are listed below:

• Onsior should not be given along with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids.

• Pre-treatment with other anti-inflammatory medicines may increase the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, a treatment-free period of at least 24 hours should be observed before starting Onsior.

• Medicines affecting renal flow, such as diuretics or ACE inhibitors, should be used cautiously with Onsior and monitored clinically.

It's important to inform your veterinarian about any medications or supplements your cat is currently receiving before using Onsior. This ensures proper consideration of potential interactions and helps maintain the safety and effectiveness of Onsior for your cat.

Alternatives of Onsior for Cats

If Onsior isn't suitable for your cat or if you're exploring other options for managing your cat's pain, here are some alternatives commonly used by veterinarians:

• Metacam (meloxicam): Available in injectable and oral forms

• Opioids for Cats: When NSAIDs aren't sufficient for managing moderate to severe pain or are contraindicated, veterinarians may prescribe opioids such as:
• Buprenorphine
• Tramadol
• Duragesic (fentanyl patch): Prescribed for moderate to severe pain over several days, this patch is applied to the skin and removed after the medication's effect wears off.

• Steroids for Inflammation in Cats: Corticosteroids like prednisone may be used to reduce inflammation and discomfort.

• Other Medications for Cats in Pain:
• Neurontin (gabapentin)
• Cerenia (maropitant)
• Amantadine
• Amitriptyline
• Frunevetmab (Solensia)

• Joint supplements: Glucosamine and Chondroitin and Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycans)

Your vet may recommend specific monitoring or routine testing while your pet is on this medication. By understanding the benefits, precautions, and potential interactions of Onsior, you can ensure the safest and most effective pain management for your pet. Consult Dr.Tail for expert advice tailored to your pet’s needs & comfort!