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Ranitidine/Zantac does it cure acid reflux?

cpayne

Warren Veteran
Just wondering as Doughnut is on it as my specialist thinks she has ulcers in her throat due to acid reflux. We are planning on taking her off it in a month to see how she goes. I'm guessing the ulcers would have healed up but would the acid reflux start again?
 
Depends on what's causing the reflux. Some reflux is cumulative, so the worse it is the worse it gets and if you can control it long enough it settles back down. But no, ranitidine is not a cure for reflux it just controls the symptoms so if there is an underlying cause (a faulty stomach valve or a bacterial cause or an issue with the stomach acid production) then it might recur.

ETA all the things I mention are true for humans, I don't know if rabbits suffer from any of those particular afflictions or whether there are different causes for bunnies entirely.
 
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It does not address reflux, it does reduce gastric acidity. Did you ask Mark about Gaviscon ? I dont know if it would be an option for a Rabbit with oesophageal reflux
 
No I didn't ask him. I just went through the receptionist as he asked me to call back, so she said he said to reduce the meds to zantac and keep her on it for a month then try her without. It is making her a bit loose sometimes but then her stools go back to normal, and she is fine with it. Is gaviscon a better option then, I didn't think zantac had any negative effects on long term use.
 
No I didn't ask him. I just went through the receptionist as he asked me to call back, so she said he said to reduce the meds to zantac and keep her on it for a month then try her without. It is making her a bit loose sometimes but then her stools go back to normal, and she is fine with it. Is gaviscon a better option then, I didn't think zantac had any negative effects on long term use.

I dont even know if Gaviscon is suitable to give to Rabbits, but it is very effective at controlling reflux.

The Ranitidine can increase the motility rate in the lower intestines so that may account for her occasional lose poo
 
I dont even know if Gaviscon is suitable to give to Rabbits, but it is very effective at controlling reflux.

The Ranitidine can increase the motility rate in the lower intestines so that may account for her occasional lose poo

I don't know if this will be a problem long term, but gaviscon is really innocuous if it is safe for rabbits so might just be a better alternative if it can be used for maintenance instead of the ranitidine. Ranitidine is fine, it's just a bit like cracking a walnut with an elephant if you can use gaviscon instead :)
 
No I didn't ask him. I just went through the receptionist as he asked me to call back, so she said he said to reduce the meds to zantac and keep her on it for a month then try her without. It is making her a bit loose sometimes but then her stools go back to normal, and she is fine with it. Is gaviscon a better option then, I didn't think zantac had any negative effects on long term use.

Gaviscon will not be absorbed but just neutralise the acid in the stomach. It may release a gas during the neutralisation so not really recommended for rabbits as they can't burp it up. This is the advice of a vet nurse in my Practice anyway!

Zantac is absorbed and actually stops the stomach from producing more acid so it is more affective and lasts much longer. It also has side effects which stimulate appetite and help with gut motility which is a bonus in a sick rabbit.
 
Gaviscon will not be absorbed but just neutralise the acid in the stomach. It may release a gas during the neutralisation so not really recommended for rabbits as they can't burp it up. This is the advice of a vet nurse in my Practice anyway!

Zantac is absorbed and actually stops the stomach from producing more acid so it is more affective and lasts much longer. It also has side effects which stimulate appetite and help with gut motility which is a bonus in a sick rabbit.

Good to know! Thanks :)
 
Gaviscon will not be absorbed but just neutralise the acid in the stomach. It may release a gas during the neutralisation so not really recommended for rabbits as they can't burp it up. This is the advice of a vet nurse in my Practice anyway!

Zantac is absorbed and actually stops the stomach from producing more acid so it is more affective and lasts much longer. It also has side effects which stimulate appetite and help with gut motility which is a bonus in a sick rabbit.

Thanks for this. She does have digestion problems so guess it is all linked and it helps both. I may even say about reducing it to once a day if when I stop it she goes downhill.
 
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