My Dog Ate Human Medication: Our Vet's Advice on What to Do
In this article
View 4 More +Okay, your dog just grabbed a pill that fell on the floor. Do we panic, or do we wait and see what happens? The seriousness of the issue depends on the medication they ate and how much. Let's look into what you should do if your dog eats human medication.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Human Medication
First things first, take a deep breath. Separate your dog from the medicine. Pick up any loose pills, and get the pill bottle or ointment tube to tell your veterinarian what your dog ate. This information is vital: They need as many details as possible, including dosage or concentration and the bottle size.
Immediately contact your veterinarian's office. They may recommend calling a pet poison line to determine what steps must be taken. In the United States, the two main lines are:
These companies generally charge a fee for consultation, but they'll usually be able to provide concrete recommendations to you and your veterinary team about what needs to be done for your pet.
You'll need to tell your vet and the consultant what your dog ate, how many doses/how much, and when they might have eaten it. The timing is crucial because sometimes, veterinarians will need to make your dog vomit the medication.
Why Human Medications Can Be Toxic to Our Dogs
Certain medications are safe for dogs in the right amounts, but many human medications are highly toxic. Your pet might not have the right enzymes to process the medication and break it down, not to mention that most dogs are much smaller than us.
Also, remember that you're not alone in this situation. Almost half of the calls to the Pet Poison Helpline are related to dogs ingesting human medication. The most common medication ingestions are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil), antidepressants like Prozac (fluoxetine), and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Possible consequences of medication toxicity are:
Signs of medication exposure can include:
Treating a Potentially Toxic Ingestion in a Dog
The treatment for a toxic medication ingestion depends on what the medication was, when it was ingested, and how much your dog ate. If it was a recent ingestion, your veterinarian may be able to give medicines like Clevor or apomorphine to induce vomiting. Doing so may reduce the amount of the medication that your dog is exposed to.
Possibilities include:
Treatment could be a one-time thing, or your dog could need monitoring and therapy for days.
Your veterinarian may need to run tests to assess kidney and liver function, including blood work and a urinalysis. These tests may need to be repeated at specific intervals to ensure your dog doesn't have lasting damage.
Preventing Your Dog From Getting Into Your Medication
Nothing is ever foolproof, but you can practice helpful medication safety tips to minimize your dog's risk of exposure to medication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to show signs of toxicity in dogs?
The time it takes to see signs can be variable. Some medications are designed to take effect quickly and may enter your dog's system within a few minutes, while others are longer-acting and may take hours.
What are the signs of poisoning in dogs?
Dogs can be accidentally or intentionally poisoned. Signs can include gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Other potential signs include increased or decreased heart rate, lethargy, agitation, trouble breathing, or skin rashes. Long-term changes could consist of weight loss, chronic diarrhea or vomiting, and increased drinking or urination.
Conclusion
If you discover that your dog has ingested human medication, don't delay—contact your veterinarian immediately. You may need to also contact a poison control line toxicologist to determine what actions should be taken. In many cases, time is of the essence to decrease your dog's possible exposure and signs of toxicity.
Featured Image Credit: Christina Victoria Craft, Unsplash
GetIn Your Inbox
Want content like this delivered to you?
News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog
Dr. Samantha Devine DVM (Veterinarian)
Dr. Samantha Devine is a practicing veterinarian who enjoys caring for animals and sharing her knowledge with pet owners. Preventative care, ranging from nutrition to vaccination, is her specialty and passion!
With over 12 years of veterinary experience, Dr. Devine has extensive knowledge to share about small animal medicine, horses, aquatic species, and even zoo animals. She has also been writing for online pet sites for most of that time.
