suki
11-06-2005, 04:11 AM
A MUST TO AVOID: COMMON HOUSEHOLD MEDICINES THAT CAN HARM YOUR PET
According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) commonly kept in the home—including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen—can be dangerous to companion animals. “While these medications can be beneficial to humans,” says APCC senior vice president, Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist, “they can be very hazardous or even deadly to pets.”
While most animal exposures to NSAIDS are accidental—such as a pet chewing into a bottle of medication or ingesting pills left unattended—others occur as a result of pet owners inappropriately medicating their pets. Depending on the dose, NSAIDS can produce symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset and kidney damage to seizures and coma. To ensure that your pet is not exposed to NSAIDS, Hansen recommends the following:
Never give your animal medication without first talking to your pet’s veterinarian.
Certain veterinary NSAID products are formulated for safe use in pets, but you should consult with your vet to avoid a potential medication poisoning and ensure a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Store all medications in a secure cabinet well out of the reach of animals—even child-proof containers can easily be chewed open.
If you suspect that your animal companion has ingested an NSAID, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at 1-888-426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips, please visit ASPCA online
According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) commonly kept in the home—including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen—can be dangerous to companion animals. “While these medications can be beneficial to humans,” says APCC senior vice president, Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist, “they can be very hazardous or even deadly to pets.”
While most animal exposures to NSAIDS are accidental—such as a pet chewing into a bottle of medication or ingesting pills left unattended—others occur as a result of pet owners inappropriately medicating their pets. Depending on the dose, NSAIDS can produce symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset and kidney damage to seizures and coma. To ensure that your pet is not exposed to NSAIDS, Hansen recommends the following:
Never give your animal medication without first talking to your pet’s veterinarian.
Certain veterinary NSAID products are formulated for safe use in pets, but you should consult with your vet to avoid a potential medication poisoning and ensure a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Store all medications in a secure cabinet well out of the reach of animals—even child-proof containers can easily be chewed open.
If you suspect that your animal companion has ingested an NSAID, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at 1-888-426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips, please visit ASPCA online