7 Pills That Are Hard To Swallow; But Are Actually Poison For Your Dog
Anytime anyone takes prescription medication that was not prescribed for them, they put themselves at risk. Unfortunately prescription drug abuse and misuse are the case of many heartbreaking stories everyday across the country. And this applies to pets too.
Many medications are not designed to be interchangeable between species, and can have dire consequences when misused. What was designed to relieve pain in a human could cause severe damage in the bodies of animals. Not all pharmaceuticals react the same across species either. Factors that determine suitability of a medication include species, weight, age, and condition. Some medicines your veterinarian might prescribe your pet sound familiar to you — and might even be in your medicine cabinet. However the dosage is the vital differentiating factor and your over the counter medicine could do more harm than good. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any type of medication.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) reports that one-quarter of all the phone calls are about human medication. Pets easily sniff out a dropped pill and can ingest it, causing illness, seizures, even death. Sometimes well-meaning pet parents just want to relieve pain, and give their dog what works for them. However, It’s important to be aware every time you are handling medications in areas that are accessible to children or pets. Keep in mind that pets process things differently than humans do.
7 Household Meds That Are Poison for Pets
1. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs — ( Advil ® ,Motrin ®)
The most common medication ingested by pets is Ibuprofen. Many brands have a sweet coating on their pills, and this makes it more appealing to people and pets. However Ibuprofen is potentially deadly for animals, even small doses can cause stomach ulcers, vomiting, even stupors or comas
In addition to blocking enzymes that cause inflammation, Ibuprofen also blocks the enzymes that control normal gastrointestinal and kidney functions. basically is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and — in Dogs — is recycled over and over through the liver instead of being removed from the body due to the blocked enzymes. This repeated exposure is what poisons the animal and is responsible for all the negative side effects they experience.
NEVER give Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs to your pet without talking to your veterinarian first. Under some circumstances they may tell you it’s ok, but the situation must ALWAYS be evaluated by a medical professional, taking several factors into consideration.
2. Tramadol — (Ultram ® )
Another pain reliever, sometimes prescribed for you by a veterinarian for post-surgery pain, or chronic conditions. However, the dosage is acutely prescribed and appropriate for your specific pet’s history, weight, and other factors. You should not give Tramadol prescribed to one pet to a different pet because the factors may not apply to them, and the results could (and are often reported as ) causing sedation, agitation, wobbliness, disorientation, vomiting, tremors and possibly seizures.
NEVER give Tramadol to your pet without talking to your veterinarian first. Under some circumstances they may tell you it’s ok, but the situation must ALWAYS be evaluated by a medical professional, taking several factors into consideration.
3. Alprazolam — (Xanax ® )
Prescribed to humans as an anti-anxiety medication and sometimes as a sleep aid, it is most often reported that pets experience similar — much more severe — effects. Sleepiness, agitation, wobbliness, and death are among the outcomes of many calls to ASPCA Poison Control each year due to this medication. People often leave this pill out on bedside tables, or counters ( so as to remember to take them) and are instead consumed by curious pets. Large doses — like what is usually prescribed for an adult human will dramatically drop blood pressure in an animal (or child) and could result in collapse, hypothermia, hyperthermia, cardiac depression, and respiratory depression.
Immediate veterinary treatment is necessary
NEVER give alprazolam to your pet. If you are concerned about pet- anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about safe options. Under some circumstances they may tell you this medication is appropriate, but under much lower dosage. The situation must ALWAYS be evaluated by a medical professional, taking several factors into consideration to avoid heartbreaking outcomes.
4. Adderall ®
This blend of amphetamines is usually used to treat ADHD in children. It does not have the same effect on pets as it does on people. Instead, It will over-stimulate the nervous system. It affects the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Symptoms include excessive (uncharacteristic) drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, aggression, hypertension, even tremors and seizures result when pets consume this medication. This is typically an accidental poisoning as a result of a dropped pill, or curious pup, however it does require immediate medical care to neutralize the toxicity.
NEVER give Adderall to your pet. Always keep medications out of reach of children and pets.
5. Zolpidem — (Ambien ® )
Prescribed to adults with sleeping troubles, this hypnotic sleep aid is often consumed by nosey pets when individual pills, or pill cases are left on bedside tables. Zolpidem effects cats and dogs differently but generally inhibits “neuronal excitation”. Which is what causes sedation in humans. However the opposite is true for pets. General symptoms include hyperthermia, vomiting, and excessive drooling. Some animals are agitated, Sometimes the effect of the medication will cause him to be so agitated, the possibility exists he may bite you. Other symptoms are odd vocalizations, and otherwise pacing or panting, and acting irregularly.
No matter the reaction — If you feel your pet has found one of your pills — Seek medical help for him.
NEVER give zolpidem to your pet.
6. Clonazepam — ( Klonopin ® )
A typical anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety medication for humans that is sometimes also prescribed as a sleep aid for REM sleep disorders. When animals ingest clonazepam they become sleepy. Rarely, but sometimes veterinarians prescribe clonazepam to cats and dogs to treat panic-disorders, and seizures. However, this is a carefully thought-out prescription that takes the pets specific weight, history, and even breed into account.
NEVER give clonazepam to your pet without talking to your veterinarian first. Under some circumstances they may tell you it’s ok, but the situation must ALWAYS be evaluated by a medical professional, taking several factors into consideration.
7. Duloxetine — (Cymbalta ® )
This depression medicine also treats anxiety, and muscle pain in humans. However when cats or dogs consume this drug, it causes vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, excessive drooling, and lack of coordination (excessively so, if you have an already clumsy breed). Symptoms do not manifest in all cases. However, if you believe your pet has consumed your medication, you should call your vet immediately.
NEVER give duloxetine to your pet without talking to your veterinarian first. Under some circumstances they may tell you it’s ok, but the situation must ALWAYS be evaluated by a medical professional, taking several factors into consideration.
It is always best to develop safe habits and routines when managing pets and medication. Always call your veterinarian when a possible consumption situation arises. Call the ASPCA Poison Control Call Center if your regular vet’s office is closed. Your pet’s life may Depend on it.
You can keep your pets safe by adopting these simple routine habits!
Always keep human medications away from areas pets can reach
- DO NOT leave mediation on bedside tables/ counters
- DO NOT store medications in low — pet accessible — drawers, or cabinets
Never administer medication to your pet without the direction of a veterinarian
Never allow children to feed pets “medicine” — even if its a game unless you are present (Did you know 20% of all reported poisoning cases were administered / believed to be administered by unsupervised children)
If you drop a pill when removing from the bottle, Pick it up immediately!
Keep the number for your vet, and the Animal Poison Control saved in your phone! — You don’t want to be scrambling for it in an emergency situation!
