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Do you use medication to help you get some sleep? If so, you’re not alone. The use of sleep medication has grown in recent years. Some people may need sleep medication for a short time, while others may need to take it for extended times. What does this mean for our cats? It means there’s a higher chance of them accidentally ingesting sleep aids, such as Zopiclone.
Has your cat eaten some Zopiclone? Are you worried the Zopiclone will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it’s scary when your cat eats something he shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what Zopiclone is and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Zopiclone?
Zopiclone is a prescription medication that works to sedate (slow) the central nervous system, such as in cases of insomnia. The medication helps you get to sleep faster and then to sleep better through the night. Zopiclone may be used to treat short- or long-term insomnia, depending on the patient’s requirements. Even so, the medicine is usually prescribed for short-term usage, which is about 1-2 weeks and no longer.
Zopiclone works by slowing down the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Neurotransmitters are like messengers that carry messages from other parts of the body to the brain and back to body parts again. When it comes to insomnia, the medication helps slow neurotransmitters, which allows a person to get to sleep easier.
It’s not clear whether or not this medication is dangerous for cats. However, in general, if a cat eats a large amount of a sleep aid drug, it’s possible he could have serious side effects.
Symptoms of Zopiclone Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat eats Zopiclone:
- Sedation
- Lethargy
- Excessive drooling
- Diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
- Excitement, panting
- Vocalization
- Agitation/hyperactivity
- Low body temperature
- Rapid heart rate
- Tremors
If your cat shows any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. This may be an emergency.
In this type of situation, the vet may choose to induce vomiting and use activated charcoal. These are used to help remove the medication for your cat’s system. In addition, your fur baby may require an IV for fluids and to make it easier to administer medications. The vet will also treat other symptoms as they arise. It’s possible your canine companion will have to stay in the hospital for a few days, depending on the severity of his symptoms and how well he recovers.
In most cases, cats who receive prompt medical treatment will make a full recovery. So, be sure to call the vet right away if your cat has eaten Zopiclone!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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