While the first step in treating an ailing pet should always include consulting a veterinarian, many medications formulated for humans are also safe for pets. In an emergency situation, or when contacting a veterinarian is impossible, it is helpful to know which common home medications are safe to reach for.
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Pain Relief
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Buffered aspirin is safe for dogs. Buffered aspirin is gentle to the stomach and the only type of aspirin recommended for pain relief in pets. Give dogs 5 to 12.5 mg per pound of body weight every 12 hours. Cats can take buffered aspirin, but because of their smaller size dosages are best managed by a veterinarian.
Digestive Upsets
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The "pink stuff" soothes canine stomachs. Bismuth Subsalicylate, commonly known as Pepto-Bismol, may be used for diarrhea, vomiting and gas. Because it contains salicylates---the same ingredient in aspirin---it should not be given to cats. Dogs can take 1 ml per 8 to 10 pounds of body weight every six to eight hours.
Allergies
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Common antihistamines help pet allergies Diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl) treats allergies and itching in pets. It also provides anti-vertigo and anti-anxiety effects. Dogs and cats can be given 1 to 2 mg per pound every eight hours. Diphenhydramine can cause marked drowsiness in pets.
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) helps manage sneezing and various allergies in dogs and cats. Chlorpheniramine is sold in 4 mg tablets. The dosage is one-half to one tablet per cat every 12 hours, and one to two tablets every 8 to 12 hours for dogs. Drowsiness is a common side effect.
Motion Sickness
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Pets can suffer from motion sickness. Dramamine (generic name Dimenhydrinate) alleviates motion sickness. Dogs may take up to 50 mg every eight hours, while cats can take up to 10 mg in the same time span.
Constipation
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Mineral oil helps pets suffering with constipation. Plain mineral oil eliminates constipation in pets. Give dogs up to 4 tbsp. daily. Cats may receive up to 2 tbsp. daily.
Coughs
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Guaifenesin quiets coughing in dogs and cats. Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin (sold under the brand name Robitussin DM) soothes coughing in dogs and cats, at a dosage of 0.5 ml per pound every eight hours. Use the 'DM' product only, and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible as coughing can be a symptom of serious diseases.
Warnings
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Some medications are deadly to animals. Some human medications should never be given to pets. These include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, asthma medications and the anti-seizure drug phenytoin. Non-drug substances dangerous for animals include coffee, tea, alcohol in any form and iron or vitamin D supplements.
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