The liquid should be given directly by mouth, which can sometimes be a messy, sticky struggle. While it is a good laxative, lactulose’s main disadvantage is that it comes commonly as a sticky liquid that many cats don’t find very tasty. Because there can be many causes of hepatic encephalopathy and hyperammonemia, lactulose is not typically the only medication needed but is one of the most important to prevent the neurologic effects of too much ammonia in the body.įar more commonly, lactulose is used as a laxative for cats experiencing constipation.Ĭonstipation in cats can have many underlying causes, so another treatment to address an underlying condition is also important, but lactulose can help to draw water into the bowel to help soften stool and make defecation easier.įor cats with chronic constipation issues, cats with a history of obstipation (fecal blockages), or cats with megacolon where stool does not move properly through the colon, lactulose may be given on a regular basis. ![]() In cats, lactulose can be given orally to remove excess ammonia from the body to help prevent the signs of high ammonia levels if hepatic encephalopathy is present. Hepatic encephalopathy resulting from absorption of ammonia can cause a variety of symptoms in cats including lethargy, digestive illness, behavioral changes, and neurologic signs like seizures, head-pressing behavior, and trouble walking. In all of the causes, there is an issue with the liver (hepatic) that leads to excess ammonia in the bloodstream. These may include a blood vessel called a portosystemic shunt that allows blood to bypass the liver metabolism, sudden acute liver failure, and severe drug-related effects. Hepatic encephalopathy is a general condition of the liver that can have several causes. Lactulose’s ability to help remove excess ammonia from the body is primarily used in cases of hepatic encephalopathy. Lactulose can help to remove excess ammonia from the body, making it useful for cats with hepatic encephalopathy. It achieves this also by being metabolized by bacteria in the colon, which leads to the production of free fatty acid compounds that increase the osmotic pressure in the bowel.Īlso Read: Vet-Approved Cat Stool Chart: Decoding Your Cat’s Poop What Does Lactulose Do for Cats? Lactulose also acts as an osmotic laxative, meaning that it pulls water into the colon, helping to soften feces and make it easier to poop. In this way, lactulose can be used in medical cases where too much ammonia is being produced or if it is not being removed properly from the body. This naturally leads to ammonia migrating from the bloodstream into the colon, allowing excess ammonia to then be expelled in the stool. Lactulose is metabolized by normal flora bacteria in the colon, which helps to acidify contents in the colon. As a neurotoxin, hyperammonemia can lead to neurologic signs of disease. ![]() Typically, the liver is able to remove excess ammonia from the body, but if either too much is being produced or if there is an issue with liver metabolism, excess ammonia in the bloodstream can lead to ill effects. Ammonia is a byproduct of protein breakdown in the body. ![]() It is also considered an ammonia detoxicant. Lactulose is classified as a nonabsorbable disaccharide osmotic laxative. ![]() Lactulose is a medication most commonly given off-label to relieve constipation in cats.
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