Medicine Cabinet: Beware

By Dr. Emily Finn

The small animal emergency room is a frequent gathering spot for “naughty” dogs and cats. As many pet owners have experienced firsthand, our furry friends will often surprise (and scare!) us with what they will eat. Whether it’s a sock from the hamper, old leftovers from the trash can, or a bottle of pills that has fallen out of the medicine cabinet, dietary indiscretion can lead to some pretty serious consequences. One of the more common reasons we see these “naughty” patients is because they have gotten into medications – whether their own or their family members – and, unfortunately, they usually don’t stop at just one pill. If your pet has ingested medication that was not prescribed for him by his vet, or ingested a quantity of his prescribed medication beyond the proper dose, please seek veterinary care immediately.

Pill bottles are attractive to pets – they are usually made of a soft plastic and make a fun rattling sound when moved. Unfortunately, once these bottles are chewed, the pills are often chewed shortly thereafter. Many pills have a coating that masks any bitter or otherwise unpleasant taste. Some of the common toxicities that we see are NSAID pain relievers (ibuprofen, Aleve, and aspirin), antidepressant medications, birth control pills, ADD/ADHD medications, blood pressure/heart medications, and illicit substances. Asthma inhalers are also attractive to dogs. If your dog bites an inhaler, due to the pressurized contents a very large dose can be absorbed almost immediately. An additional source of medication toxicity is when pets are intentionally given medications that are intended only for humans. These are most frequently pain medications and while they are given with good intention, can cause serious problems. Never give your pet acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, or other NSAID pain relievers. Medications in these groups can cause liver failure, kidney failure, and severe stomach ulcerations. All of these complications can be life threatening and require veterinary intervention. A final source of toxicity is when our pets get into our vitamins. While many vitamins are safe even when ingested in large quantities, vitamins such as A, D, E, and K can cause serious issues when too much is taken.

Please don’t be shy when telling us what your pet may have gotten into. We are only concerned with helping them! By quickly bringing your pet into the emergency room after they’ve ingested medications, we can start treatments that may prevent (or at least minimize) the dangerous risks associated with these ingestions. Often times we will give your pet something to help them throw up, thus removing the pills if they are still in the stomach. This is far more effective if done soon after ingestion. We may also discuss giving activated charcoal (a toxin binder), IV fluids, and other medications that can specifically target the risks of each individual toxin. Because there are so many different medications that pets get into, your veterinarian may want to call an animal poison control center for consultation. You may accelerate the process by calling one of these centers before leaving home or even on your way in.

The best way to avoid these potentially life threatening emergencies is to prevent them from happening at all. Please keep all over the counter medications, prescription medications, and vitamins/supplements safely out of reach and locked away from pets and children.

The Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661

**The Vet Corner groups encourage members to establish a relationship with their local veterinarian, don’t wait until an emergency.**