Dogs and puppies are precocious creatures that will chew or explore anything that is left out. Unfortunately, this object of curiosity may be a medication that is intended for human ingestion. Different medications also have different effects on dogs. For instance, pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen will help you get rid of a headache, but may cause kidney disease and stomach ulcers in your dog. Human antidepressants can lead to serotonin syndrome, which can cause seizures and a rise in blood pressure in dogs.
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Signs of Ingestion
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Watch for signs that your dog may have ingested a human medication. A medicine bottle that is overturned and empty on the floor is a clear sign that your dog may have eaten its contents. Depending upon the type of medication eaten, your dog may exhibit several symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or difficult breathing. Write these symptoms down so you can note all of them when it is time to seek help. Keep the bottle and estimate how many pills were left so your vet has a more accurate picture of how much was eaten.
Contact a Professional
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Contact your veterinarian or call 1-888-426-4435, which is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The poison control center may be able to tell you if the medication your dog ingested was potentially harmful and if you should seek immediate medical attention. If the dog̵7;s symptoms are not severe, you may wish to call poison control or your veterinarian before bringing the dog in to see the doctor in person to avoid paying a potentially large bill for services that were not necessary.
Taking Your Dog to the Vet
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If you feel the symptoms are severe enough, or you are advised to do so, take your dog in to see a veterinarian. It is important to remember to bring along the bottle that contained the medication and have your dog̵7;s weight, breed, age, and size readily available if you are not able to take it to your primary veterinarian.
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