Could the Medicine on Your Night Stand Kill Your Pet?

When you’re sick, it’s easy to leave your medicine on a bedside table or on the kitchen counter. Maybe it’s so you don’t forget the next dose, or maybe it’s because your pounding headache blocks every other thought. At any rate, over-the-counter medicines that cure you could kill your pet. Here’s a list of 7 common medicines to keep out of paws’ reach:
1. Aspirin. Even baby aspirin can be lethal to your pet. Although some vets may prescribe buffered aspirin in low doses, an overdose of aspirin may result in aspirin poisoning which means gastric irritation or ulceration, bleeding problems, seizures or liver damage.
2.Pepto Bismol. Contains bismuth salicylate which is similar to what’s in aspirin. Although this may be prescribed by your vet at appropriate doses, an overdose could result in effects like that of aspirin poisoning.
3. Kaopectate. New formulations of this medicine contain salicylates which may also cause effects like aspirin poisoning.
4. Ibuprofen. It’s great for your headache, but even in small amounts, it can be toxic to your pet. Depending on the dose, Ibuprofen may cause significant gastrointestinal damage or kidney damage.
5. Pseudoephedrine. This stimulant designed to alleviate your congestion can result in elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures for your pet if he ingests it.
6. Vicks Vapor Rub. This salve contains essential oils like camphor and eucalyptus that potentially may produce gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression. If enough of this is aspirated or inhaled, your pet could experience respiratory irritation or even pneumonia.
7. Fennel, Omega Three Supplements, Vitamins and Other Supplements. All these products are meant for human consumption – not your pet’s. Don’t give any medicine or supplement (especially those designed to be for humans) to your pet without consulting your vet.
IMPORTANT!! Remember that child proof tops aren’t pet-proof! Your dog or cat can easily chew the lid of anything they’re curious about. Keep medicines in a high cabinet for your pet’s safety. Watch for spills; dogs especially have a tendency to gobble up any brightly colored pill rolling their way.
And if it happens – if Salome absconds with your pill case or Napoleon beats you to that runaway capsule? Give us a call right away. We’ll advise you on the best course of action to take.
PS And we hope you’ll feel better soon, too!