Medications and your family pet

There are times when you have been advised to give your pet a medication that is similar to a product that you use for yourself. Veterinarians sometimes prescribe drugs or recommend the use of certain non-prescription medications or supplements for their patients. Sometimes a friend, a store clerk, or an internet article may suggest that you give your pet an herb, a specific supplement, or an "all-natural" product to help with some condition. Whether the medication is a prescription drug or an OTC (over-the-counter) product, it is extremely important to your pet's health and wellbeing that you use caution and common sense before giving it.

Although both dogs and cats share some mammalian characteristics with humans, there are distinctive differences in their metabolism and in the way their organ systems break down drugs. Add to this the obvious fact that dogs and cats are smaller than humans, so products that are manufactured for human use may not be available in the correct strength or formulation for the average pet! In this respect, one size definitely does not fit all.

The consequence of giving an inappropriate dose of medication to your pet can be serious. Drugs such as acetaminophen can be toxic to pets. One regular strength acetaminophen tablet can kill the average 3.5-5 kilogram (8-11 pound) cat. Some ‘natural' dewormers are ineffective at low doses and cause intestinal discomfort if given in a dose that is effective - many of these products work as purgatives, ‘working' by emptying the intestinal tract of its contents rather than selectively killing the worms.

Topical ointments, creams and oils are often harmful if swallowed - and it can be almost impossible to keep a dog or cat from licking off medication that is applied to the skin. Tea tree oil is one example of a product that is widely claimed to be a ‘cure-all' that is "safe and effective" and can be used for multiple purposes. If swallowed, tea tree oil is toxic to cats and can cause illness or toxicity in dogs. If applied to inflamed skin (such as occurs with ear infections or ear mite infestations), tea tree oil can be absorbed into the bloodstream - this also may cause toxicity in cats and small dogs.

If your veterinarian has prescribed the product, he or she will be responsible for assessing the effectiveness and suitability of the medication, and will recommend appropriate monitoring to ensure its safety. When your veterinarian prescribes a specific product for your animal, this prescription will be based on either scientific research or clinical experience in animals with similar ailments. Make sure that you follow any instructions carefully; if you have any doubt, double check with the clinic.

If the advice came from a friend, a sales clerk or the internet, you would be wise to ask your veterinarian about the safety and efficacy of the product before giving it to your pet. Research into the use of herbs and supplements is often incomplete, and, in the vast majority of cases, there is no objective, independent information about their effects and side effects in animals, especially animals with illness. Often the information that is available from web-sites or salespeople is what is called anecdotal evidence - you are selectively told about several individual patients (animal or human) that have experienced miraculous cures with Product X. You don't hear about the patients that did poorly with it.

Prior to recommending any medication or supplement for your pet, your veterinarian will likely advise you to bring in your animal for a physical examination or diagnostic testing, and may recommend alternative treatments. This recommendation is made in the best interests of your pet, to avoid doing any harm.

When used on a regular basis, any medication or its byproducts may accumulate in the body. At this time, we know very little about the long-term effects of most supplements and OTC products. You can't assume that if it's available without a prescription that it's safe. The best advice we can give you is to always seek veterinary advice before using any supplement or medication in your pet and to listen carefully to your veterinarian's advice. If you choose to use products without your veterinarian's advice, you must be willing to take full responsibility for any problems or unanticipated side effects.

Caution: These news items, written by Lifelearn Inc., are licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written permission of Lifelearn Inc. Please note that the news information presented here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by our clinic veterinarian.