RollingMoss, I'm sorry to hear your kittens are sick. I have no direct experience with
this drug or disease, but was able to find this reference from a veterinary journal
fairly quickly:
http://www.druglib.com/abstract/go/[edited]in-jl_j-vet-intern-med_20060500.html
Efficacy of ronidazole for treatment of feline Tritrichomonas foetus infection.
Author(s): [edited]in JL, Copple CN, Papich MG, Poore MF, Stauffer SH, Birkenheuer AJ, Twedt DC, Levy MG
Affiliation(s): Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA. Jody_[edited]
in@ncsu.eduPublication date & source: 2006-05, J Vet Intern Med., 20(3):536-43.
Here is also a
precautionary note involving neutoxicity:
(
access to this article can be purchased online)
http://www.ijpc.com/Abstracts/Abstract.cfm?ABS=2217Ronidazole in the Treatment of Trichomonad Infections in Cats
Author(s): Davidson Gigi S
Issue: Nov/Dec 2006 - Veterinary Compounding
View All Articles in Issue
Abstract: Tritrichomonas foetus, a microscopic single-celled flagellated protozoan parasite, traditionally identified as a cause of reproductive disease in cattle, has been demonstrated as an important cause of diarrhea in cats. Until recently, an effective antimicrobial treatment for feline Tritrichomonas foetus had not been identified. Since recommended dosages of antimicrobial drugs have failed in cats infected with Tritrichomonas foetus and in vitro studies have revealed multiple drug resistance, investigations continue in the effort to find an effective treatment. One particular study by Dr. Jody [edited]in noted no clinicopathological abnormalities or adverse effects with the use of ronidazole, and the research concluded that ronidazole administered at 30 to 50 mg/kg orally twice daily for 2 weeks was capable of resolving diarrhea and eradicating infections of Tritrichomonas foetus in cats. Clinical use of ronidazole has revealed a reversible, possibly dose-related, neurotoxicity. Cats receiving ronidazole should be
http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/Features/CVC-Highlights-A-new-treatment-for-feline-iTritric/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/185511?contextCategoryId=8678Tritrichomonas foetus is a relatively new infectious cause of diarrhea in kittens. Tritrichomonas species can be identified in fecal samples through direct visualization of a wet mount preparation of fresh feces; trichomonads are flagellated organisms that have directed motility (they swim in a line) across the slide. Tritrichomonas species can also be identified through PCR testing* or fecal culture using special media.
Diarrhea caused by this protozoan is difficult to treat because the organism is unresponsive to most antibiotics and long-term antibiotic use may exacerbate the disease. A recent study by researchers at North Carolina State University showed that oral administration of ronidazole (30 to 50 mg/kg b.i.d. for two weeks) to treat Tritrichomonas species infections in kittens may resolve the diarrhea and eradicate the organism.1 Ten orogastrically infected kittens were studied, and no adverse drug events or clinicopathologic abnormalities were observed.1
Ronidazole is a nitroimidazole derivative that is similar to metronidazole and is typically used to treat avian protozoal infections;
it is not approved in the United States for use in cats, so its side effects are not well-known. Ronidazole may be available through compounding pharmacies.** Monitor fecal improvement in patients receiving ronidazole. Concurrently providing a highly digestible diet is beneficial in these patients. RollingMoss, I did check the Center for Veterinary Medicine Green Book and Adverse Reaction Reports, and this drug is not approved in the U.S. for veterinary usage. I think that's why the information on it and possible side effects are proving hard to find.
