Pet drug toxicity specifically refers to the poisoning of your pet through medication, but the symptoms and treatments apply to all toxicity issues.
This happens most often when pets are given human medication, but can also happen if they get into drugs or take their own medicine in a way other than prescribed. Understanding how to deal with the issue is essential for every pet owner. Learn how to respond to drug toxicity in your pets!
What is Pet Drug Toxicity?
While our pets can take some of the same medications as us, the dosage differs depending on their species and size. They metabolize things differently than we do, and you can easily overdose them with a single pill if you’re not careful.
Medications to avoid at all costs include:
- Acetaminophen (liver damage)
- Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs (kidney damage)
- Antidepressants
- Stimulants (e.g. ADD/ADHD medication)
- Hypnotics (e.g. Ambien)
In the end, it’s best to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new medicine or supplements. They can let you know what will work best, what to avoid, and what dosage to follow for your specific pet.
Symptoms of Pet Drug Toxicity
It’s important to understand the symptoms of drug poisoning, even if you don’t plan on giving your pet medicine other than prescribed. Even the best behaved companions get into trouble sometimes, and you can intervene quickly if you know how to spot these red flags.
In mild cases, you may notice signs of GI upset first, including diarrhea and vomiting. Your pet may seem uncomfortable and refuse food or water.
In more severe cases, pets become visibly disturbed. They may show signs of serious agitation, like pacing, panting, or unusual aggression. Some medications can cause seizures that manifest in different ways, anywhere from a whole-body freeze to rhythmic jerking.
First Response to Pet Drug Toxicity
If you know your pet ate something they were not supposed to or even suspect it, your first step is to call your vet. Even if you don’t know what they ate, you can tell them what symptoms your companion is having, and they can do their best to assess the situation over the phone.
In some mild cases, your vet may tell you how to induce vomiting over the phone and set you up with a follow up appointment. It’s important that you do not induce vomiting unless instructed by your veterinarian; depending on what they ate, this can cause more issues.
In more serious cases, they may want you to bring your pet in immediately or find the closest emergency clinic. This means time is off the essence, so do your best to transport your pet as quickly and safely as you can.
If you cannot reach your veterinarian, call ASPCA Pet Poison Control or the Pet Poison Helpline. While a consultation fee may apply, it could be a matter of life and death for your pet.
Emergency Situations
Emergency situations include:
- Loss of consciousness or collapse
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
Some substances, like xylitol or antifreeze, are automatic emergencies, regardless of your pet’s current condition.
If your pet is seizing, make sure they have a safe area to exist in. You cannot stop the seizure, but you can make sure they aren’t allowed near the top of staircases or around furniture that can be knocked on top of them.
Because seizures are disorienting, it’s best you do not touch your pet while it is happening. Stay away from their mouth and do not pet them, as this can increase their anxiety. You can (and should) speak to them softly to keep them grounded.
Pet toxicity is a race against the clock; the sooner you can get to the veterinarian, the better your pet’s outcome will be.
How to Prevent Pet Drug Toxicity
Because treatment can be so difficult, prevention is the best way to deal with pet drug toxicity.
To start, do not use human medication to treat your pet unless you have it cleared with your veterinarian and an appropriate dosage established. Likewise, follow all dosage instructions and do not cross-use other pets medicines.
Keep your home free of toxic plants like peace lilies and watch what fresh foods you feed your pets. Just like with children, you should keep all chemicals shut somewhere where your pets cannot access them (using child safety locks if needed).
