Sodium Bicarbonate
Also known as: Baking soda, Neut, Zegerid
**Sodium Bicarbonate** (commonly known as baking soda) is used medically to make your pet's blood or urine less acidic. - **Administration**: If giving oral tablets or powder, follow your veterinarian's exact dosing. **Do not substitute household baking soda** unless specifically instructed by your vet, as dosing can be imprecise and potentially dangerous. - **Timing with Other Meds**: Give this medication at least **12 hours apart** from other oral medications if possible, as it changes stomach acid levels and can severely affect how other drugs are absorbed. - **Monitoring**: Your vet will likely need to check your pet's blood work or urine pH regularly to ensure the dose is correct and safe. - **Side Effects to Watch For**: Watch for signs of fluid retention (like rapid breathing, coughing, or swelling), muscle twitching, or weakness. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any unusual behavior or symptoms.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Acidosis (Ruminants)
- Acidosis (Ruminants)
- Severe metabolic acidosis
- Metabolic acidosis secondary to uremia
- Adjunctive therapy of diabetic ketoacidosis
- Adjunctive treatment of hypercalcemic crisis
- Adjunctive therapy for hyperkalemic crises
- To alkalinize the urine
- Acidosis
- Severely dehydrated acidotic calves
- Metabolic acidosis (associated with colic)
- Metabolic acidosis
- Severe metabolic acidosis
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Hypokalemia
- Hypocalcemia
- 'Overshoot' alkalosis
- Hypernatremia
- Volume overload
- Congestive heart failure
- Shifts in the oxygen dissociation curve (decreased tissue oxygenation)
- Paradoxical CNS acidosis leading to respiratory arrest
- Hypercapnia (if not well ventilated during CPR)
- Predisposition to ventricular fibrillation
- Hypernatraemia
- Congestive heart failure (due to sodium load)
- Decreased tissue oxygenation (shift in oxygen dissociation curve)
Cautions & contraindications
- Metabolic or respiratory alkalosis
- Excessive chloride loss secondary to vomiting or GI suction
- Patients at risk for development of diuretic-induced hypochloremic alkalosis
- Hypocalcemia (alkalosis may induce tetany)
- Hypoventilating patients
- Hypercapnoeic patients
- Animals unable to effectively expel carbon dioxide
- **Extreme Caution**: Use with extreme caution and give very slowly in patients with hypocalcemia to avoid inducing tetany. **Caution**: Because of the potential sodium load, use with caution in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, oliguria, acute renal failure, or volume overload. **Ventilation**: When used during CPR, ensure the patient is well ventilated to prevent hypercapnia and paradoxical CNS acidosis.
Drug interactions
- Anticholinergic agents: Concomitant oral sodium bicarbonate may reduce absorption; administer separately
- Azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole): Concomitant oral sodium bicarbonate may reduce absorption; administer separately
- Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin: Solubility is decreased in an alkaline environment; monitor for signs of crystalluria
- Corticosteroids: Patients receiving high dosages of sodium bicarbonate and ACTH or glucocorticoids may develop hypernatremia
- Diuretics (e.g., thiazides, furosemide): Concurrent use in patients receiving potassium-wasting diuretics may cause hypochloremic alkalosis
- Ephedrine: When urine is alkalinized, excretion may be decreased
- Histamine2 blocking agents (e.g., cimetidine, ranitidine): Concomitant oral sodium bicarbonate may reduce absorption; administer separately
- Iron products: Concomitant oral sodium bicarbonate may reduce absorption; administer separately
- Oral medications (general): Can increase or reduce absorption rate/extent; avoid giving other drugs within 12 hours of oral sodium bicarbonate
- Quinidine: When urine is alkalinized, excretion may be decreased
Frequently asked questions
What is Sodium Bicarbonate used for in pets?
**Sodium Bicarbonate** (commonly known as baking soda) is used medically to make your pet's blood or urine less acidic. - **Administration**: If giving oral tablets or powder, follow your veterinarian's exact dosing. **Do not substitute household baking soda** unless specifically instructed by your vet, as dosing can be imprecise and potentially dangerous. - **Timing with Other Meds**: Give this medication at least **12 hours apart** from other oral medications if possible, as it changes stomach acid levels and can severely affect how other drugs are absorbed. - **Monitoring**: Your vet will likely need to check your pet's blood work or urine pH regularly to ensure the dose is correct and safe. - **Side Effects to Watch For**: Watch for signs of fluid retention (like rapid breathing, coughing, or swelling), muscle twitching, or weakness. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any unusual behavior or symptoms.
Is Sodium Bicarbonate safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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