Gut Stimulants

I know that both Metoclopramide and Zantac work on different areas of the gut. I believe that the Metoclop works on the upper end of the bowel, and the Zantac on the lower. Is that correct? Which would have most impact on the caecum? And also, which would impacts the formation and gut motility with regards to the faecals? (I'm guessing the latter would be Zantac?).

Thanks in advance

Sky-O said:

I know that both Metoclopramide and Zantac work on different areas of the gut. I believe that the Metoclop works on the upper end of the bowel, and the Zantac on the lower. Is that correct? Which would have most impact on the caecum? And also, which would impacts the formation and gut motility with regards to the faecals? (I'm guessing the latter would be Zantac?).

Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

Metoclopromide acts on the upper GI tract, increasing the rate at which the stomach empties into the small intestines. Zantac has some prokinetic effects on the lower GI tract and also reduces the acidity of the stomach which can help reduce the risks of gastric ulceration.

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Metoclopramide.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Ranitidine.htm

There is another prokinetic which can sometimes be more effective, Cisipride

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Cisapride.htm

I expect you have already seen this, prokinetics are detailed on pages 3/4

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

Thanks Jane. I'm looking to adjust the meds of a bunny who very much appears to be showing megacolon like symptoms, and wasn't sure which would be best to adjust first. I haven't yet read the articles, but it sounds like Zantac may be the way forwards. I'll get onto the articles now, thank you.

Sky-O said:

Thanks Jane. I'm looking to adjust the meds of a bunny who very much appears to be showing megacolon like symptoms, and wasn't sure which would be best to adjust first. I haven't yet read the articles, but it sounds like Zantac may be the way forwards. I'll get onto the articles now, thank you.

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That's OK, IME Zantac seems to be a very effective prokinetic. Sorry to hear that one of your Bunnies has gut problems though

Jack's-Jane said:

Metoclopromide acts on the upper GI tract, increasing the rate at which the stomach empties into the small intestines. Zantac has some prokinetic effects on the lower GI tract and also reduces the acidity of the stomach which can help reduce the risks of gastric ulceration.

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Metoclopramide.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Ranitidine.htm

There is another prokinetic which can sometimes be more effective, Cisipride

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Cisapride.htm

I expect you have already seen this, prokinetics are detailed on pages 3/4

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

Click to expand...

I am sorry your bunny is ill. Jane is right about Cisapride. My Dash has had several incendents where his hindquarters shut down and he became critically ill within hours. After the first incident, my vet prescribed Cisapride and iit works better for his situation than metocloprimide. My Dash has the megacolon symptons of oval poos and ithe need to eat two or three times the amount of a normal rabbit to maintin weight on his smaller than average body.
IThe only downside of Cisapride is that it needed to be compoinded since it is no longer produced in the US. I am not sure what the situation is where you live and that can add to the expense and may impact shelf life.
I have never been prescribed zantic for my bunny, but t may be something to consider since it is widely available.

I was always prescribed cisapride along with zantac when any of my buns had stasis or blockages. The vet who gave it to me told me since using it they never had to operate for a blockage. I akways found it worked very quickly . I'm not sure which part of the gut it works on. I always kept it and zantac in my emergency first aid box and gave some at any signs of stasis (after consulting the vet) I'm in UK and mine was always a liquid I was given.