Dangerous Over-the-Counter Drugs for Pets
Do you know drugs prescribed by vet practitioners for your pet are the generic equivalents of human medications? Majority of the human drugs produce the same effect on small companion animals. For example, antibiotics used in human medications for treatment of bacterial diseases are the same medications prescribed by veterinarians to dogs undergoing similar infections.
The differences between human medications from pet medications are indications for usage, dosage, method of administration and duration of treatment.
However, there are certain human drugs which can cause toxicity in companion animals when given. This is because of the differing ability between humans and animals to metabolize a drug which alters the drug activity.
These are the exceptions:
Acetaminophen - should not be given to cats because they lack the necessary hepatic enzymes to metabolize the drug. Severe damage in blood and tissue cells may result due to its incomplete breakdown.
Ibuprofen - It reduces mucous protection of the stomach resulting to ulcers and cause bleeding disorders in dogs. Kidney damage may result in cats.
Antidepressants - can cause weakness and vomiting. Agitation, tremors and seizures may also develop.
Isoniazid - dogs are susceptible for toxicity than cats. It causes seizures which may eventually lead in death.
Glipizide and Glyburide - are oral anti-diabetic medications which causes a serious drop in your pet's blood sugar levels resulting to lack of coordination and seizures.
Baclofen - a muscle relaxant which can damage the central nervous system of both cats and dogs. It may cause depression, seizures and coma which may eventually lead to death.
Calcipotriene and Calcitrio - these are vitamin D analogues which causes rapid increase in calcium levels in pets and cause vomiting, anorexia, polyuria and polydipsia due to kidney failure.
Be careful not to intentionally give them these drugs nor neglect to put them in places within pet's reach.
