Cerenia Injection (maropitant citrate)

Cerenia Injection is a prescription antiemetic (anti-vomiting medicine) used in dogs and cats to help control nausea and vomiting. This page explains common uses, handling basics, and key safety points to support informed discussions with a veterinarian. Access through a prescription referral service may be available with US shipping from Canada, including cash-pay options for people without insurance.

A valid veterinary prescription is required for this medication. Product availability and dispensing requirements can differ by jurisdiction, so label instructions and prescriber directions should be followed for each individual pet.

What Cerenia Injection Is and How It Works

Maropitant citrate is the active ingredient in this injectable therapy. It works by blocking neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptors, which are involved in vomiting pathways in the brain and in the gut. By reducing signaling through these pathways, maropitant can help decrease nausea and vomiting from several causes, including gastrointestinal irritation and some triggers related to travel or stress.

Prescription details may be confirmed with the prescribing veterinarian when required. In practice, this medicine is often used when rapid control of vomiting is needed, when oral dosing is not practical, or when a clinic prefers a supervised “dog anti nausea injection” approach before sending a pet home. Ordering access may involve documentation steps, and in some cases it Ships from Canada to US under cross-border rules.

Who It’s For

This injectable maropitant option is typically considered for dogs and cats that have acute vomiting or significant nausea where a veterinarian wants a predictable, non-oral route. It may also be used around certain procedures when vomiting prevention is important, or when a pet cannot keep oral medication down. Clinical evaluation matters because vomiting can signal infection, toxin exposure, obstruction, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or other urgent problems.

High-level condition hubs can help organize next steps, such as browsing Canine Vomiting or Feline Vomiting topics for common veterinary workups and supportive care. Cerenia Injection may be discussed for both species, but it is not a substitute for diagnosing the underlying cause, and it may be inappropriate if vomiting is persistent, bloody, or accompanied by severe lethargy or abdominal pain.

Contraindications and precautions depend on the label and the individual pet. Veterinarians commonly consider factors such as prior hypersensitivity reactions, significant liver disease (because maropitant is processed by the liver), dehydration status, and whether the animal is very young, pregnant, or nursing. Motion-related vomiting is a separate scenario; browsing Canine Motion Sickness can clarify how clinicians think about prevention strategies, including behavioral steps and alternative dosing forms.

Dosage and Usage

Dose selection for injectable maropitant is based on body weight, species, and the indication listed on the official labeling. In many settings, the treatment is given once daily for a limited number of consecutive days, but the exact schedule is determined by the prescriber and the product monograph. Because this is an injection, administration is usually performed in a veterinary clinic or under direct veterinary instruction.

When discussing Cerenia Injection with a veterinarian, it can help to share how long vomiting has been happening, what the pet has eaten, and any exposure risks (new treats, garbage, plants, travel, or other medications). A clinician may also recommend diet changes, fluids, or diagnostic tests, depending on severity and recurrence.

How veterinarians administer maropitant

This therapy is commonly given as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection, and it can be uncomfortable for some pets at the injection site. Clinics may choose injection locations and handling techniques intended to reduce discomfort, and they may monitor a pet briefly after dosing when vomiting is severe or when there is concern for dehydration. If an oral option is appropriate later, a veterinarian may transition a pet to tablets rather than continuing injections. For an overview of form-to-form considerations, the guide Cerenia Tablets And Injections reviews common veterinary use patterns without replacing clinical advice.

Why it matters: Accurate current weight helps reduce dosing errors for injectable medicines.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as an injectable solution containing maropitant citrate (an NK1 receptor antagonist). In many markets, the injectable presentation is labeled as a multi-dose vial intended for veterinary use, and it is commonly referenced as a 10 mg/mL solution; always confirm the specific carton label for the concentration provided. Availability can vary, and not every clinic or pharmacy stocks the same presentation at all times.

For practical comparison, it helps to separate the route (injection vs oral) from the active ingredient (maropitant). The same drug may be offered in different forms, and that can affect how a veterinarian plans short-term control versus longer-term prevention.

Why form matters: some pets tolerate a “cat anti nausea shot” better than pills during active vomiting, while others do better once appetite improves. The prescriber decides which form is appropriate for the diagnosis and the pet’s overall condition.

Storage and Travel Basics

Dispensing is completed by licensed Canadian pharmacies after review. Storage directions should be taken directly from the carton and official labeling for the specific lot supplied. For many maropitant citrate injection products, refrigeration is required and light protection is recommended; freezing and temperature extremes can affect solution quality. Keep the vial in its original packaging until use so the label, lot number, and expiry date stay with the product.

If a pet travels and medication needs to be carried to a clinic or boarding facility, plan for temperature control and secure handling. Use an insulated container when appropriate, avoid leaving medicines in a hot car, and keep the vial away from food and children. Clinics may also have rules for how opened multi-dose vials are dated and discarded after first puncture.

Quick tip: Keep a photo of the label in the pet’s records.

Side Effects and Safety

Like other injected therapies, maropitant can cause local reactions. Commonly reported issues include injection-site pain, swelling, or sensitivity, along with temporary lethargy or reduced appetite. Some pets may also have diarrhea or drooling, especially if nausea is still present. Because vomiting itself can cause dehydration and electrolyte changes, ongoing symptoms should be reassessed rather than repeatedly masked.

Cerenia Injection should be treated as a prescription-only veterinary medicine, and adverse effects should be reported to the prescribing clinic. Seek veterinary attention promptly if a pet has repeated vomiting, collapse, facial swelling, trouble breathing, black/tarry stool, severe weakness, or signs of significant abdominal pain. These can indicate a serious reaction or a condition that needs urgent diagnostics and supportive care.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Drug interaction risk depends on a pet’s full medication list and health status. Maropitant is metabolized in the liver, so veterinarians may be cautious when pets have significant hepatic disease or are taking other medicines that also rely heavily on hepatic metabolism. Sedatives, pain medicines, antibiotics, and antiparasitics are often used together in veterinary care, but combinations should be evaluated case by case.

When compiling a medication list for the prescriber, include non-prescription items such as supplements, CBD products, and topical treatments. For broader context on commonly co-prescribed veterinary drugs, these resources can help pet owners recognize names and purposes: Clavamox Antibiotic Safety, Baytril Antibiotic Guide, Doxycycline Pet Antibiotic Guide, and Antirobe Capsules Safety. These guides do not replace veterinary review of interactions for an individual pet.

Compare With Alternatives

Choice of antiemetic depends on the suspected cause of vomiting, species, and whether oral dosing is feasible. One alternative within the same drug class is oral maropitant (tablets), which a veterinarian may consider after stabilization; CanadianInsulin also lists related options such as Cerenia Product Details for form comparison. Other anti-nausea medicines used in veterinary practice can include ondansetron or metoclopramide, but labeling, dosing, and suitability differ by diagnosis.

Cerenia Injection may be preferred when vomiting is active and a clinic wants a supervised administration route. Oral therapy may be favored for convenience once the pet can keep food and water down. For non-drug support, veterinarians may recommend hydration strategies, temporary diet changes, and diagnostic follow-up if episodes recur. For browsing related items and categories, the Pet Medications hub groups prescription products by type.

Pricing and Access

Costs for veterinary injectables can vary based on vial size, the clinic’s administration fees, and whether a pet needs repeat visits. When people search for Cerenia injection cost, it often reflects both the medication and the professional service required to administer an injection safely. Packaging format and cold-storage handling can also affect overall pricing compared with tablets.

Cash-pay access is available when coverage is limited. If a prescription is required, the platform may coordinate verification with the prescriber before dispensing is arranged. For information about site-wide savings programs, see Current Promotions, noting that availability and eligibility can change.

Authoritative Sources

For official labeling and regulatory context, consult these sources:

• FDA Animal Drugs database listings
• Manufacturer product information for Cerenia

For checkout and handling options, select prompt, express, cold-chain shipping when temperature control is required.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.