Appetite stimulants in animals
Appetite stimulants in animals are used to improve the food intake and digestion in animals. Inappetence or anorexia is common in disease states and the resultant malnutrition can delay recovery and may aggravate the underlying disease.
The various ways by which appetite can be improved are-
- Enteral alimentation with liquid supplements is useful in small animals
- Small amounts of palatable food should be offered at frequent intervals
- Warming the food may enhance appetite in carnivores
- Various drugs are used for the short-term stimulation of appetite
Drugs are used for appetite stimulation
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam, Oxazepam are used for appetite stimulation in animals. The antiserotonergic effect depresses the satiety center in the hypothalamus. Benzodiazepines are used most frequently in cats and less frequently in horses, dogs and goats for a short-term stimulation of appetite after which the effects diminish.
Diazepam can be administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly once or twice daily, Oxazepam can administered once daily orally. The adverse effects include sedation and ataxia.
Cyproheptadine
Cyproheptadine acts as a serotonin and a histamine (H1) antagonist and suppresses the satiety center in the hypothalamus. Cyproheptadine stimulates appetite in cats and in humans, but not in dogs. Adverse effects includes CNS excitement and marked aggressive behavior in cats.
Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids such as Prednisolone, Dexamethasone also increase appetite in animals. Glucocorticoids stimulate appetite due to glucocorticoid-induced euphoria. In small animals prednisolone or dexamethasone is administered intramuscularly once daily or every other day where as in large animals it is administered intramuscularly once daily.
Adverse effects of glucocorticoids include immunosuppression and gastric ulceration.
Bitters like plant derivatives
Bitters like plant derived compounds such as nux vomica, chiretta, ginger also increase appetite in animals. These are used as salivary stimulants and their effect on appetite is questionable. However, bitters are a component of tonics for appetite stimulation in large animals in traditional medicine.
