When your pets are hurting, it’s understandable to search in a variety of places for relief. Cats and dogs experience pain like any other mammal, even down to aching joints in old age. It’s recommended however to provide your pet with only dog medicine or cat medicine prescribed by a veterinary care professional.

In other cases, if your pet has had a recent surgery or injury, some have considered giving human pain medication to their cat or dog, thinking it does the same as it would to a human body.

Same Drug, Different Animal

Though the effects of a drug may overlap with our furry friends, there are factors that make some human drugs lethal for cats and dogs. The consumption of these drugs can have adverse and unintended consequences. For example, nearly all human NSAIDs are toxic to cats and cause blood pressure and digestive issues. Similarly, dogs are more prone to liver damage when taking acetaminophen.

In general when it comes to symptoms to look for in an improper dose of medication in dogs, the same general signs applied to humans apply to dogs as well:

– Gastrointestinal issues
– Ulcers
– Holes in intestinal lining
– Liver and kidney damage

Some of these issues can be detected before a vet visit, so if you suspect an improper dose, pay attention to symptoms related to these health issues in your dog.

Also if your pet is already at risk for these issues, then it’s even more important to exercise caution when risking an improper dosage of medication for your dog or cat.

Dosages Can Be Dramatically Different

Even with medications having an effect on your dog or cat, the primary issue is getting dosages right. This can be hard to gauge without professional veterinary consultation, so always consult a veterinarian. Weight, breed, and body type are the main issues regarding dosage. Some owners attempt using baby medication for their pets, but this also carries with it more risk than benefit for your cat or dog.

Side Effects To Always Look For

Most common side effects with an improper dose of cat or dog medicine include:

– Changes in behavior
– Loss of appetite
– Skin redness
– Diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive issues

These symptoms are all traceable and verifiable by a pet owner, so it should be no problem to check for warning signs.

What A Pet Owner Can Do To Promote Healthy Dogs & Cats

The desire for a healthy pet is a good one so don’t let that go to waste! Veterinarians encourage pet owners to feed their dogs and cats a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of omega 3 fats and nutrients that support a healthy immune system. Also getting plenty of exercise and play time can do wonders for a dog’s overall well being. These tips for prevention can go a long way to avoid problems later on.

Contact Vet On 4th For Expert Veterinary Care

The team at Vet on 4th can help get the right pain medication for your cat or dog, making sure the treatment is effective while avoiding the adverse effects of an improper dose. If you are in need of emergency assistance due to a possible overdose of your dog’s medication, then contact us at Vet on 4th at 903-475-1908 for help!