Cerenia® Injection for Dogs and Cats

Cerenia Injection is a prescription antiemetic for dogs and cats. It helps prevent and treat acute vomiting in veterinary settings. Available with US shipping from Canada, this page explains uses, safety, and access for those paying without insurance.

What Cerenia Is and How It Works

Cerenia® injectable solution is maropitant, a neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It blocks the action of substance P, a key neurotransmitter that triggers vomiting at the brain’s vomiting center and in peripheral pathways. By targeting this pathway, the treatment helps control acute vomiting from many causes, including dietary indiscretion, drug effects, and preoperative care. Its use aligns with official labeling for dogs and cats.

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

The medicine is typically given by a veterinarian. In some cases, prescribers may instruct trained caregivers to administer doses at home. Follow veterinary directions closely and consult the official label for species-specific guidance.

Who It’s For

This therapy is indicated to prevent and treat acute vomiting in dogs and cats. It is appropriate for many causes of emesis, such as gastrointestinal upset or supportive care around anesthesia as directed by a clinician. Use of Cerenia injection for dogs should follow labeled age restrictions and veterinary oversight.

Pets with known hypersensitivity to maropitant should not receive this medicine. Caution is advised in patients with liver disease, as metabolism occurs primarily in the liver. In very young animals or those with significant underlying conditions, prescribers may choose alternative strategies or adjust monitoring.

For broader context on vomiting and related conditions, see our condition guide on Nausea Vomiting.

Dosage and Usage

Label directions typically involve once-daily dosing for a short course. The injection is commonly administered subcutaneously by a veterinary professional. Where permitted and trained, caregivers may be instructed on safe subcutaneous technique. Doses are calculated by body weight and species. Refer to the official label or your prescriber’s directions for exact schedules and duration.

Maropitant citrate injection is often used for up to several days to stabilize vomiting. Pre-treatment before anesthesia or known triggers may be advised in certain cases. Because dosage regimens vary by species, age, and clinical status, defer to the product insert for precise instructions. Avoid dose changes without veterinary guidance.

Owners can review general pet-med counseling topics in our Pet Medications category.

Strengths and Forms

This medicine is supplied as a sterile multi-dose vial for injection. The commonly published presentation includes Cerenia 10 mg/mL injectable. Vial sizes may vary by market and availability. Packaging may change over time; consult the product label included with your order for the most current details.

Not all sizes are stocked at all times. Supply can differ based on manufacturer lots and distribution.

Missed Dose and Timing

For clinic-administered therapy, timing is managed by the veterinary team. If home administration is prescribed and a dose is missed, a veterinarian may advise giving it when remembered unless the next scheduled dose is near. Do not double up doses. If vomiting persists or worsens, contact the prescriber for guidance.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store your vial as directed on the official label and keep it in the original carton to protect from light. Do not use past the expiration date. Keep out of reach of children and pets. If the prescriber provides syringes for home use, follow their handling and storage instructions for supplies. When traveling, carry the medicine in hand luggage with the prescription label and a copy of veterinary directions.

Do not use the product if the solution appears discolored or contains particulates. Avoid freezing. During transport, maintain reasonable protection from heat and direct sunlight. We use temperature-controlled handling when required during fulfilment.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

This product is supplied in a vial, not a pen. If trained to administer at home, use clean technique with single-use needles and syringes. Dispose of used sharps immediately in an approved sharps container. When the container is full, follow local or state guidance for safe disposal through pharmacies or community programs. Never discard loose needles in household trash or recycling.

Benefits

By blocking NK1 receptors, this therapy helps control acute vomiting and supports rehydration, nutrition, and continuation of oral medications when appropriate. It can reduce distress for pets and make clinic procedures smoother when emesis is a concern. As a dog anti nausea injection, it offers reliable absorption and predictable onset under veterinary supervision. Care teams may use it as part of a broader plan that addresses underlying causes of vomiting.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection-site discomfort or swelling
• Lethargy or tiredness
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea or soft stools

Most effects are mild and temporary. Serious reactions are uncommon but can include allergic responses. Use caution in pets with hepatic impairment. If severe adverse signs occur, such as collapse, hives, or breathing difficulty, seek urgent veterinary care. When used with anesthetics or other centrally acting drugs, monitoring may be increased. Discuss concurrent conditions and medications with the prescriber.

As a general note, maropitant injection for dogs can cause transient discomfort at the injection site; rotating sites and using proper technique may help.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Maropitant is metabolized in the liver, and interactions are possible with agents that affect hepatic enzymes. Azole antifungals and certain macrolide antibiotics may raise systemic exposure. The prescriber will weigh risks and benefits if these are needed together. Use care with other centrally acting medicines that may compound sedation. This medicine should be used only after the prescriber reviews a full medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.

Antibiotics or anti-inflammatories may be used alongside antiemetics when appropriate for the underlying cause. For example, pain control may be indicated after surgery. See Metacam Solution For Injection when analgesia is part of the plan, following veterinary direction.

What to Expect Over Time

Control of vomiting often begins on the day of administration. Many pets require only a short course while the underlying issue is addressed. The prescriber may continue therapy if triggers persist. Consistent follow-up and adherence to directions help support recovery. Keep a simple log of vomiting episodes, appetite, and energy to share at recheck visits. If symptoms worsen or new signs appear, contact the clinic promptly for assessment and possible changes to the plan.

For general care topics that can influence overall stability, our guide on canine diabetes care offers helpful adherence tips that also apply to routine medication routines: Insulin For Dogs.

Compare With Alternatives

Tablets may be chosen for ongoing outpatient control of vomiting or for motion-related indications in dogs. If a prescriber prefers an oral option, consider the tablet formulation here: Cerenia. In other cases, veterinary teams may consider different antiemetic classes such as metoclopramide or ondansetron. Selection depends on the pet’s diagnosis, age, and concurrent therapies.

Pricing and Access

We highlight transparent Canadian pricing with US delivery from Canada. Check availability and Cerenia injection price on this page when logged in. If paying without insurance, compare options and vial sizes to match your prescriber’s directions. You can also review current offers on our Promotions page. For country-of-origin details, see the attribute listing for Canada.

Need more pet-care items in one parcel? Browse our wider Pet Medications selection to consolidate orders when appropriate.

Availability and Substitutions

Stock levels can vary. If a specific vial size is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend an alternative form or schedule, or a different antiemetic from another class. We do not provide restock dates, but the catalog reflects current availability.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include dogs and cats who need short-term control of acute vomiting under veterinary care. Pets with significant liver disease, very young animals, and those on multiple interacting medicines require added caution and monitoring. A complete history helps the prescriber choose the safest plan.

To manage costs, consider multi-month planning if the prescriber anticipates episodic needs. A multi-dose vial can reduce per-dose expense when used for more than one treatment period, as directed. Set simple reminders on a phone or calendar to track doses and clinic rechecks. When ordering, place items together to reduce fulfilment fees when reasonable. If pain or post-op discomfort is also being treated, a coordinated plan that includes analgesia may help; see recovery guidance like Cat Pain Signs for caregiver awareness.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Primary goal: stop vomiting or prevent episodes around procedures?
• Expected course: how many days of therapy are typical?
• Home use: is subcutaneous administration appropriate for this pet?
• Monitoring: what side effects should prompt a call?
• Interactions: any concerns with current medicines or supplements?
• Plan B: if vomiting continues, what is the next step?

Authoritative Sources

Zoetis (Manufacturer)

FDA DailyMed

Health Canada Drug Product Database

Ready to proceed? Start your order for prompt, express shipping and convenient checkout — Ships from Canada to US. This content is educational and does not replace your veterinarian’s advice. Always follow the prescription label.