Risks of Home Treatment for Dog Illness

Some canine illnesses can be effectively treated at home, provided you have the correct information and medication. Minor problems such as fleas and skin irritation can be managed at home. Some more major health problems like epilepsy can also be treated at home provided that you follow veterinary advice. It is risky to attempt any home treatment without consulting your veterinarian first. If you are unsure of anything regarding the safe and effective treatment of canine illness, speak to a vet.

  1. Wrong Diagnosis

    • There are many canine illnesses and health problems that share similar symptoms. For example, both heat stroke and liver cancer will cause a dog to drink excessive amounts of water. Incorrectly diagnosing a health problem can lead to complications. If a major problem is under-treated, the illness can progress quite rapidly. If a minor problem is misdiagnosed as a major illness and medication is given accordingly, you could cause your dog to suffer unpleasant side effects for no reason.

    Overdose of Medication

    • An overdose of medication can be more damaging to a dog's health than the condition. It is important to be extremely prudent when medicating a dog with strong drugs. For example, giving too much of a painkiller can cause a dog to lose consciousness or even die.

    Insufficient Dosage of Medication

    • Giving insufficient medication can result in a health condition progressing or developing into something more serious. If you are unsure about dosages, consult a vet.

    Infection

    • It is possible to perform minor procedures at home. For example, tick removal or treatment of blocked anal glands can be done effectively at home provided you know how. However, your home is unlikely to be as sterile as a veterinarian's surgery room, so it is essential to to perform any procedure with clean hands and with sterilized instruments. Infections can become quite serious if left untreated.

    Anxiety

    • Dogs learn by association, this is why a lot of them become distressed when they arrive at the vet's office. They can remember the pain they received on their last visit and associate it with the place as a whole, and they don't understand the health benefits. If you attempt to treat your dog at home, the same process may occur, especially if you are performing a procedure that is painful for the dog, such as lancing a boil. Your dog may begin to associate the room in which you give treatment with the pain it experiences. Over a long period of time, this can cause the dog to become anxious or distressed in the vicinity of the area.