Metoclo injections for nausea and vomiting in cats and dogs (metoclopramide, antiemetic)

How do Metoclo injections help with nausea and vomiting in cats and dogs?

Metoclo injections for pets

Metoclo contains metoclopramide, a medicine used to control nausea and vomiting and improve movement through the upper digestive tract. This pet antiemetic may be prescribed for symptoms associated with delayed stomach emptying, stomach irritation or certain medicines.

An injection delivers the prescribed dose without requiring an animal to swallow and retain oral medication. Managing pet vomiting can also make it easier to resume feeding and other prescribed treatment.

How metoclopramide reduces nausea and vomiting

Metoclopramide blocks dopamine receptors in the brain’s chemoreceptor trigger zone, an area that detects substances capable of triggering vomiting. Reducing these signals helps suppress the vomiting reflex, particularly in dogs.

Nausea can occur without vomiting. Signs may include salivation, repeated lip licking, swallowing and reluctance to eat. The veterinarian assesses these signs alongside vomiting episodes when evaluating the response to an antiemetic for animals.

What research shows about dog vomiting

The study Effect of metoclopramide on nausea and emesis in dogs premedicated with morphine and dexmedetomidine examined nausea and vomiting associated with medicines given before anesthesia.

The researchers concluded that metoclopramide at 0.2 mg/kg, injected under the skin 30 minutes before morphine and dexmedetomidine, may reduce both nausea and vomiting. This provides a practical example of why a veterinarian may give an antiemetic before a treatment expected to cause these symptoms.

What research shows about cat vomiting

The Effect of Maropitant, Ondansetron and Metoclopramide on Dexmedetomidine-Induced Vomiting in Cats examined vomiting after administration of a sedative. Only 2 of 16 cats given metoclopramide vomited, compared with 11 of 16 cats given saline. Metoclopramide also reduced retching and the severity and duration of vomiting.

Lip licking and salivation did not decrease significantly. The findings therefore support vomiting control in this particular setting, while distinguishing it from complete nausea relief. The study used a single 1 mg/kg intramuscular dose before sedation, rather than a routine repeated-dose schedule.

Supporting normal stomach movement

Metoclopramide also has a prokinetic effect: it encourages coordinated movement of the stomach and upper small intestine, helping food leave the stomach. This can relieve nausea associated with delayed gastric emptying.

It also increases the tone of the muscle between the stomach and esophagus, helping limit the backward flow of stomach contents. These digestive effects complement its action on vomiting signals.

Package details: 10 vials

Each vial contains 10 ml of injectable solution. The volume administered to one animal is calculated separately according to its prescribed dose.

Active components: metoclopramide

Metoclo contains metoclopramide hydrochloride at 10 mg/ml.

Therapeutic effect:

• Control of nausea and vomiting in selected clinical situations.
• Prevention of certain medication-related vomiting episodes.
• Improved stomach emptying and upper digestive tract movement.

Dosage and administration:

A commonly used veterinary reference range for cats and dogs is 0.2–0.5 mg/kg per dose, given under the skin or into a muscle approximately every eight hours. Hospitals may also administer metoclopramide by a controlled intravenous infusion.

Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for the dose, injection route and treatment duration. The veterinarian calculates the required volume for the formulation supplied. Injections should be administered by a veterinarian or someone trained and instructed by one.

Contraindications and precautions:

Do not use metoclopramide when gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation is present, because stimulating digestive movement may be harmful. It should also be avoided in animals with a known allergy to its ingredients or epilepsy.

Tell the veterinarian about kidney or liver disease and any other medicines your pet receives. Reduced drug clearance may require a dose adjustment.

Restlessness, unusual movements, tremors or changes in behavior can occur. Contact the veterinarian if these appear during treatment.