There are some human over-the-counter medicines that can that be useful in helping dogs with seasonal or skin allergies, bug bites and respiratory congestion. Whatever the reason, owners need to contact their veterinarian first before starting treatment to learn the best kind of decongestant and dosage for their animal.
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Types
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Sometimes a veterinarian will prescribe an OTC human medication for a dog with skin or nasal allergies. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) in 25 mg or 50 mg doses is a common remedy. The vet may also prescribe ephedrine (Primatene) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). All three of these drugs are given orally to react in the respiratory system and have limited use in veterinary medicine. At this time, nasal and topical decongestants are usually not recommended.
Functions
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Many human over-the-counter cold medications used in dogs combine decongestants with expectorants and mucolytics. Decongestants reduce inflammation in the membranes of the nasal passages and decrease mucous secretions. Mucolytic agents are designed to break up and dry mucosal secretions in the nose and lungs so they can be moved out of the respiratory tract. Expectorants increase the fluidity of the secretions, allowing the animal to cough up any congestion in the lungs. These methods have not been found to be particularly effective in dogs--keeping the animal hydrated and the air humidified achieve better results.
Warning
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Decongestants should not be used in dogs unless a licensed veterinarian recommends them. In particular, over-the-counter decongestants containing the drug imidazoline have been found to be toxic to dogs within 30 minutes to four hours of ingestion, affecting the digestive, cardiac and nervous systems. Symptoms of toxicity may include panting, weakness, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, upper respiratory sounds, higher or lower blood pressure, and shaking. Should any of these symptoms occur after use, this is a medical emergency and a vet should be seen immediately.
Potential
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A new nasal decongestant based on tinazoline hydrochloride is currently being tested in the laboratory for both dogs and humans. Studies have shown it to be more effective and longer-lasting than nasal decongestants now on the market, with no apparent toxic side effects. It is, however, not in clinical use at this time.
Considerations
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Pet owners often treat illnesses in their dogs with their own medicines, mainly because OTC human drugs are frequently less expensive than veterinary drugs. Because they are not veterinary professionals, a misdiagnosis can be problematic and dangerous, and dog owners need to understand the reasons decongestants should not be used in pets without veterinary approval.
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