OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS
Most pet owners may decide to ease their pet's symptoms with the use of some over-the-counter medicines. However, it's never a good idea to assume a human medication will be a safe and effective treatment for a pet. Also, what may be safe for a dog may not be necessarily safe for a cat. Cats are not small dogs. Contact your veterinarian before starting any medication. Always inform the veterinarian of your pet’s symptoms and what you have been treating it with. As with all illnesses, persistent symptoms warrant a trip to the doctor's office.
Here is a list of over-the-counter medications that can be used safely for your pet. Always read the manufacturer’s label before administering.
Pain Medicine /Anti-Inflammatory Medicine:
The most common OTC medicine used by people for ache pain and fever are Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Advil, Motrin (Ibuprofen). Unfortunately these ARE TOXIC TO BOTH DOGS AND CATS AND MUST NEVER BE USED.
ASPIRIN:
Aspirin may be helpful to dogs but is fatal to cats (remember cats are not small dogs). Aspirin may be irritating to the stomach so buffered aspirin is preferred or Ascription (combination of aspirin and Maalox) may be better tolerated.
The doses are as follows: ½ baby aspirin for dogs under 10 pounds, 1 baby aspirin up to 30 pounds, 1/2 aspirin up to 60 pounds and 1 aspirin up to 100 pounds max.
Diarrhea Medication:
IMODIUM (Loperamide):
May be given to some dogs and cats for diarrhea, UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL BREEDS ARE NOT ALIKE, CERTAIN BREEDS RELATED TO COLLIES MAY HAVE ADVERSE REACTIONS TO IMODIUM AND ITS USE IS NOT RECCOMENDED. THESE BREEDS INCLUDE COLLIES, SHELTIES, AUSTRALIAN SHEPHAARDS AND WHIPPITS. The dose for dogs is 0.05-0.1 milligrams per pound (0.5-1milligram per 10 pounds) and for cats 0.04-0.08 milligrams per pound. This dose may be given every 12 hours for 1-2 days. If the symptoms do not clear, further use is not advised without consulting your veterinarian.
PEPTO-BISMOL:
Can be administered to dogs (never cats as this medicine contains aspirin) with upset stomach or vomiting. The dose in liquid form is 0.1-1 milliliter per pound.
Allergy Medication:
BENADRYL ALLERGY (Diphenhydramine): Benadryl is an antihistamine that is widely used. It is very effective in treating anaphylactic reactions. These reactions may be caused by an environmental stimulant, a drug, a vaccine or an insect bite. Benadryl is also used in treating allergies. Benadryl works well in dogs but unfortunately does not work well in cats (although it is not toxic to them). The dose of Benadryl is 1 milligram per pound. It is very important to note that THIS DOSE IS FOR PLAIN BENADRYL. THERE ARE OTHER TYPES OF BENADRYL ON THE SHELF THAT CONTAIN OTHER INGREDIENTS IE.DECONGESTANTS THAT MAY BE FATAL TO DOGS AND CATS. CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST WHEN YOU PURCHASE BENADRYL TO MAKE SURE THAT NO OTHER SUBSTANCES ARE ADDED.
Motion Sickness Medication:
DRAMAMINE (Dimenhydrinate): Dramamine is an antihistamine that works well at preventing motion sickness in both cats and dogs.
Vomiting Medication:
Tagamet (Cimetidine):
The dose for Tagamet is 2-5 milligrams per pound every 12 hours. The lower end of the dose should be used in cats.
Pepcid-AC (Famotidine):
The dose for dogs is 0.25-0.5 milligrams per pound daily. This will help relieve the symptoms of heartburn.
Zantac (Ranitidine):
The dose is 1-2 milligrams per pound every 12 hours for dogs and 1 milligram per pound, every 12 hours for cats.
Cough Suppressant:
ROBITUSSIN (Dextromethorphan):
The dose for cats and dogs is 0.25-1 milligram per pound every 12 hours. Great care must be used to purchase a product that does not contain, acetaminophen, caffeine, alcohol, or other ingredients, as these ingredients may be fatal. Always consult with you pharmacist to be certain that the product you buy contains Dextromethorphan only.
Skin Treatments:
When using topical creams or ointments it is best to wear gloves to prevent your skin from contacting medications. Some medication may be harmful to you, (for example cortisone creams may be harmful for pregnant women).
HYDROCORTISONE CREAM: Can help to relieve itchy, raw or irritated skin. It can be used topically to reduce itching from hives, hot spots, and insect bites and stings. Apply a small amount up to two times daily. Remember to wear gloves.
ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS: Are helpful in the treatment of small wounds, bites or minor infections. Always thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water first.
ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP: Should be used to clean a wound or injury.
Here is a list of over-the-counter medications that can be used safely for your pet. Always read the manufacturer’s label before administering.
Pain Medicine /Anti-Inflammatory Medicine:
The most common OTC medicine used by people for ache pain and fever are Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Advil, Motrin (Ibuprofen). Unfortunately these ARE TOXIC TO BOTH DOGS AND CATS AND MUST NEVER BE USED.
ASPIRIN:
Aspirin may be helpful to dogs but is fatal to cats (remember cats are not small dogs). Aspirin may be irritating to the stomach so buffered aspirin is preferred or Ascription (combination of aspirin and Maalox) may be better tolerated.
The doses are as follows: ½ baby aspirin for dogs under 10 pounds, 1 baby aspirin up to 30 pounds, 1/2 aspirin up to 60 pounds and 1 aspirin up to 100 pounds max.
Diarrhea Medication:
IMODIUM (Loperamide):
May be given to some dogs and cats for diarrhea, UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL BREEDS ARE NOT ALIKE, CERTAIN BREEDS RELATED TO COLLIES MAY HAVE ADVERSE REACTIONS TO IMODIUM AND ITS USE IS NOT RECCOMENDED. THESE BREEDS INCLUDE COLLIES, SHELTIES, AUSTRALIAN SHEPHAARDS AND WHIPPITS. The dose for dogs is 0.05-0.1 milligrams per pound (0.5-1milligram per 10 pounds) and for cats 0.04-0.08 milligrams per pound. This dose may be given every 12 hours for 1-2 days. If the symptoms do not clear, further use is not advised without consulting your veterinarian.
PEPTO-BISMOL:
Can be administered to dogs (never cats as this medicine contains aspirin) with upset stomach or vomiting. The dose in liquid form is 0.1-1 milliliter per pound.
Allergy Medication:
BENADRYL ALLERGY (Diphenhydramine): Benadryl is an antihistamine that is widely used. It is very effective in treating anaphylactic reactions. These reactions may be caused by an environmental stimulant, a drug, a vaccine or an insect bite. Benadryl is also used in treating allergies. Benadryl works well in dogs but unfortunately does not work well in cats (although it is not toxic to them). The dose of Benadryl is 1 milligram per pound. It is very important to note that THIS DOSE IS FOR PLAIN BENADRYL. THERE ARE OTHER TYPES OF BENADRYL ON THE SHELF THAT CONTAIN OTHER INGREDIENTS IE.DECONGESTANTS THAT MAY BE FATAL TO DOGS AND CATS. CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST WHEN YOU PURCHASE BENADRYL TO MAKE SURE THAT NO OTHER SUBSTANCES ARE ADDED.
Motion Sickness Medication:
DRAMAMINE (Dimenhydrinate): Dramamine is an antihistamine that works well at preventing motion sickness in both cats and dogs.
Vomiting Medication:
Tagamet (Cimetidine):
The dose for Tagamet is 2-5 milligrams per pound every 12 hours. The lower end of the dose should be used in cats.
Pepcid-AC (Famotidine):
The dose for dogs is 0.25-0.5 milligrams per pound daily. This will help relieve the symptoms of heartburn.
Zantac (Ranitidine):
The dose is 1-2 milligrams per pound every 12 hours for dogs and 1 milligram per pound, every 12 hours for cats.
Cough Suppressant:
ROBITUSSIN (Dextromethorphan):
The dose for cats and dogs is 0.25-1 milligram per pound every 12 hours. Great care must be used to purchase a product that does not contain, acetaminophen, caffeine, alcohol, or other ingredients, as these ingredients may be fatal. Always consult with you pharmacist to be certain that the product you buy contains Dextromethorphan only.
Skin Treatments:
When using topical creams or ointments it is best to wear gloves to prevent your skin from contacting medications. Some medication may be harmful to you, (for example cortisone creams may be harmful for pregnant women).
HYDROCORTISONE CREAM: Can help to relieve itchy, raw or irritated skin. It can be used topically to reduce itching from hives, hot spots, and insect bites and stings. Apply a small amount up to two times daily. Remember to wear gloves.
ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS: Are helpful in the treatment of small wounds, bites or minor infections. Always thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water first.
ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP: Should be used to clean a wound or injury.