Household Medications for Your Pet

 

Many of the household medications we keep on hand for ourselves can also be used for pets, if used properly, while many other medications should never be used in pets.    Likewise, certain symptoms are commonly treated with home remedies while other symptoms should never be treated without first consulting your veterinarian. 

Generally, if symptoms listed below are mild, and the pet is not acting sick, home treatment may include: 

Diarrhea:  

1.Identify the cause if possible and eliminate it such as overeating, acquiring fatty foods, stress, or change in diet.

2. Feed a bland diet such as boiled ground beef with the fat poured off with the water mixed half-and-half with cooked rice.  This is not a balanced diet for a dog or cat over a long time but is binding and easy to digest.

3.Kaopectate®—Dose 1 teaspoonful per 10 pounds of body weight repeated every 8-12 hours as needed.

4.Peptobismol®—Dose DOGS ONLY, 1 teaspoonful orally per 10 pounds of body weight repeated every 8-12 hours as needed.

5. No not limit water unless the pet is vomiting.

Constipation:    If the stools are simply too firm, the following may be used to soften them.  If, however, the stools are very firm or the animal has not had a bowel movement in 2-3 days, the animal should be examined by a veterinarian.

1.Bran may be added to the food to loosen stool.

2.Milk of Magnesia—Dose:  Small Dog-1 teaspoonful; Large Dog-1 tablespoonful every 12 hours

3.Enemas designed for humans should not be used in animals unless prescribed by a veterinarian. 

4.Severely constipated animals may require an enema by the veterinarian only.

 Vomiting:        

1.Remove the source if known such as overeating, fatty foods, eating grass, or a change in the diet.

2. Remove food and water for several hours until the vomiting has ceased. 

3.Pepto-Bismol®—Dose DOGS ONLY, 1 teaspoonful orally per 10 pounds of body weight repeated every 8-12 hours as needed.

4.After the vomiting has subsided, restart liquids by giving very small amounts of water frequently or letting the animal lick on an ice cube.

5.If no vomiting occurs with the small amount of water, give hamburger and rice mixture as prepared above feeding small amounts frequently.

Coughing: A cough may be an indication of a very serious problem and should not be treated at home if the cause is not known.  

1. Honey or clear sugar candy may be soothing to a dog with a sore throat that is characterized as a tender or painful cough.

2.Cough Syrups should NOT be used unless prescribed by a veterinarian.

Sneezing:Occasional sneezing is normal and not of concern.  Persistent sneezing beyond a reasonable period of time may be significant and should be evaluated by your veterinarian. 

Pain: Pain should not be treated at home without the input of your veterinarian.  Although some common household painkillers are safe in people, they can be very toxic to animals.  Give painkillers only as prescribed by a veterinarian.

1. Aspirin—dose only as prescribed by your veterinarian. Do NOT use in cats!

2.NEVER USE Acetaminophen or ibuprofen!

Inducing Vomiting:  Certain situations may occur that might result in further more severe symptoms unless vomiting occurs.   Examples of this would include ingesting a large amount of chocolate or eating a foreign object such as a battery.  A consultation with your veterinarian should be initiated immediately. Many times it is more effective to induce the vomiting at home rather than taking the time to drive to a veterinarian’s office. 

1.Hydrogen Peroxide—Dose 1 teaspoonful for each 10 pounds of body weight.  If no vomiting occurs within 15-20 minutes, repeat dose.

2.Syrup of Ipecac should NOT be used in dogs or cats.

Ear Infections:  In order to accurately diagnose the cause of an ear infection, the pet needs to be examined by a veterinarian.  Some infections start up very rapidly and cause much discomfort. 

1.A few drops of warm olive oil applied to an infected ear have a soothing effect.  Further medication from your veterinarian would still be needed.

2.Hydrogen peroxide or water should NOT be used in infected ears unless directed by a veterinarian.

Eye Infections:  With any conditions of the eyes, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately. 

1.  Sterile eyewash may be applied to nearly all eye problems and may help remove infected debris by gently wiping the eye with warm water and cotton.

Moist Dermatitis or “Hot Spots�?  This condition frequently requires both systemic and topical medication.  Because they may develop with a matter of a few hours, initiating home treatment may help give the pet some initial relief.

1.Tannic acid from a tea bag may be applied directly to the affected skin.

Puncture or Infected Wounds: a veterinarian should evaluate every wound.  Puncture wounds frequently caused more problems later on such as abscess formation or a systemic infection.

1. Hydrogen peroxide is helpful on infected wounds but be aware that it may sting the animal if the wound is open very much.  The bubbling action of the peroxide helps clean the area and the oxygen helps to kill anaerobic bacteria.

2.Warm water compresses are useful for puncture wounds to discourage the formation of a scab that might seal the infection under the skin, and it increases the blood flow to the wound site helping the body fight off the infection.

Hives or Acute Allergic Reactions: Hives may occur for many different reasons and the cause is usually not known.  Unless the reaction starts to dissipate quickly, a veterinarian should examine the animal.

1. Benadryl®—If approved by your veterinarian—Dogs and cats less than 30 pounds, 10mg.  Dogs 30-50 pounds of body weight 25mg, Dogs greater than 50 pounds, 50mg. Benadryl helps itching by making the animal sleepy.

Burns:  a veterinarian should always evaluate Burns as soon as possible.  Initiating rapid first aid at home may be crucial in minimizing the damage.

1.       Ice—Apply ice directly to the area of the burn and continue to slide it around the affected area until the affected area is numbed. 

Insect Bites:     

1.Baking soda and water paste applied directly to the area of the bite

2.Be sure any stinger has been removed if possible.

Include in your pet first aid kit (or kitchen)

Kaopectate®�? tsp. per 10# every 8-12 hours

Pepto-Bismol®�? tsp. per 10# every 1-12 hours (Not in cats)

Honey or clear sugar candy

Hydrogen Peroxide�? teaspoonful per 10#, repeat in 20 minutes if no vomiting

Olive Oil

Tea Bag

Benadryl®�?0mg for dogs and cats less than 30#, 25mg for dogs 30-50#, 50mg for dogs over 50#.

Ice

Sterile eye wash

Cotton

Baking Soda

Bran

Milk of Magnesia

References:

The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats.