Every day, veterinarians treat puppies and dogs that have gotten into human medications; the majority, which can be or are toxic to our canine companions.
The degree of danger often depends on the type and amount of medication consumed, as well as the size, age, and general health of the dog. Smaller breeds, especially toys, puppies, and older dogs are at higher risk for serious or fatal incidents. Dogs with pre-existing health problems, such as liver, kidney, or heart disease, are also extremely vulnerable.
Consult with your veterinarian before administering any human medication. They will most likely approve a buffered or baby aspirin as a general pain reliever. Follow his instructions!
It is vital, for the safety of your puppy or dog, to ensure that all medications are out of their reach. If you have a rock climber or countersurfer, put your medications in a secure medicine cabinet, drawer, or cabinet.
Never store medications in plastic bags. Make sure bags, briefcases, backpacks, and suitcases containing medications are where your pet can’t get to them.
A puppy or dog can easily break a medicine container with its teeth! Plastic is like a magnet for them!
Inform house guests of your medication rules. Be sure to track your compliance!
Do not store pet and human medications together.
When you count the medications, take your pet out of the room. If you drop one, they’ll find it faster than you!
Keep medications in a secure container.
Don’t leave medications on nightstands.
Supervise children and the elderly in the administration of their medications. It’s too easy for an accident to happen if you drop the pill or just give it to the dog!
If you drop a pill, stop and find it right away! Don’t wait, you can forget it… and it won’t take a second for a puppy or a dog to tease you!
Drooling, vomiting, seizures, disorientation, tremors, pale gums, and lethargy are common signs that a dog has gotten into something they shouldn’t have eaten.
If you suspect your pet has taken the medication, don’t take any chances; take them to the nearest vet immediately.
Medications and signs to watch out for:
ACE inhibitors: high blood pressure (ie Altace, Zestril…) Especially dangerous for dogs with kidney and heart disease. Take them to the nearest vet immediately! Watch for low blood pressure (pale gums), dizziness, lethargy, or weakness.
Cancer drugs – (ie fluorouracil) Seriously! Watch for vomiting, cardiac arrest, seizures, coma, and death.
Antidepressants (ie Effexor, Prozac, Cymbalta, Lexapro…) Watch out for elevated heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, sedation, tremors, and seizures.
Antidiabetics (ie Avandia Oral, Actos Oral, Avandamet Oral…) Watch for disorientation, low blood sugar, and seizures.
Benzodizepines – Sleep aids (ie Xanax, Ambien, Lunesta, Klonopin…) Watch for agitation, severe lethargy, disorientation, incoordination, drunken appearance, and slowed breathing.
Beta Blockers: High blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms (ie Sectral, Coreg, Tenermin, Toral, Levatol, Inderal, Zebeta…) Seriously! Watch for low blood pressure (pale gums) and slower heart rate
Cholesterol lowering medications (ie Lipitor, Zocur, Crestor…) Watch for vomiting and diarrhea.
Cox-2 Inhibitors – Arthritis Medications – (i.e. Celebrex, Vioxx, Rubrin, Previcox, Dermaxx, Metacam, Rimadyl…) Watch for lethargy, vomiting, drooling, shortness of breath, restlessness, pale gums, thirst, loss of appetite, depression, diarrhea, and weakness.
Muscle relaxants (ie Baclofen, Soma, Flexeril, Zanaflex, Skelaxin…) will affect your central nervous system. Watch for depression, disorientation, weakness, vocalization, seizures, coma, and death.
Narcotics: Pain relievers (ie codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphine, levorphanol, methadone, hydrocodone, vicodin, benzodiazepines, barbiturates…) Seriously! Don’t waste a minute… take your pet to the nearest vet! Watch for depression, disorientation, drooling, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, vocalization, seizures, coma, and death.
NSAIDs Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (ie Tylenol, Ibupropen, Ascriptin, Naproxen…) Watch out for pale gums, restlessness, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, and diarrhea. Take your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
Cold and sinus medications (ie most over-the-counter medications) Seriously! Take your pet to the nearest veterinarian. Watch for elevated blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, seizures, and death.
Thyroid Medications (ie Armor Desiccated Thyroid, Synthroid…) Many dogs are prescribed human thyroid medications. If your dog gets an extreme dose, watch for aggression, panting, muscle tremors, drooling, and a rapid heart rate.
Medications for tuberculosis (ie isonziazide…) Seriously! Take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. Watch for seizures, coma, and death.
Bottom line: If you take precautions and focus when taking or administering medication, you shouldn’t have any problems. But, accidents happen. To be prepared. Know what to look out for and don’t hesitate to take your pet to the nearest vet right away! A matter of minutes could be the difference between life and death!
