Don’t Panic, But Do Seek Medical Care
Accidentally ingesting your dog’s medication can be alarming, but try to remain calm. Panicking will not improve the situation. The good news is that with proper medical care, this type of incident is treatable. While dog medications can sometimes be safely used by humans in small doses, larger amounts or the wrong medication can cause serious harm. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop – seek medical attention right away. Call your doctor or the poison control helpline if you have taken a concerning amount of dog medication. Be prepared to provide details about the type of medication and amount ingested. With rapid treatment guided by medical professionals, you can get through this safely.
How Medications Can Differ Between Species
Medications are formulated specifically for different species based on key biological differences that impact how drugs are absorbed and metabolized. Dogs and humans have very different physiologies, so a drug made for one species may be ineffective or even dangerous if taken by the other.
Some of the main differences include:
- Metabolism rate – Dogs have a much faster metabolism than humans, so drugs tend to be processed and eliminated from their systems more rapidly.
- Weight – Doses are calculated based on an animal’s weight. A dose safe for a large dog could overdose a smaller dog or a human.
- Body chemistry – Differences in liver and kidney function, stomach acidity, and protein binding affect how medications are broken down.
- Sensitivities – Dogs may have sensitivities or adverse reactions to compounds that are safe for humans.
These biological variances mean dosage requirements can’t directly transfer between species. Vet-prescribed medications are carefully formulated and tested for safety in dogs based on their unique physiology and metabolism.
Common Active Ingredients in Dog Medications
Some of the most common active ingredients found in dog medications that could be dangerous for humans if ingested include:
- Ivermectin – An antiparasitic used to treat worms, mites, and lice. Toxicity can occur in humans resulting in low blood pressure, seizures, coma, and death.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Like ibuprofen and naproxen. Can cause stomach ulcers or kidney damage in humans if too much is ingested.
- Acetaminophen – Found in some joint supplements for dogs. Can cause liver damage in humans if overdosed.
- Dextromethorphan – A cough suppressant. Very high doses can cause serotonin syndrome in humans.
- Pseudoephedrine – A decongestant. Excessive doses can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and anxiety.
- Xylitol – An artificial sweetener in some dog foods and dental products. It can create a dangerous insulin spike and liver failure in humans.
- Vitamin D – In high amounts it can cause poisoning, resulting in vomiting, weakness, and kidney damage.
Many dog medications contain active ingredients that are safe and effective for dogs at their prescribed doses. However, these substances can become toxic for humans if too much is ingested, so dog medication should always be kept away from children and taken with caution by adults.
Overdose Symptoms
If you take your dog’s medication by accident, you may experience concerning overdose symptoms that indicate you need emergency medical care. Some common symptoms include:
Nausea and Vomiting – Many dog medications, especially antibiotics and NSAIDs, can irritate the stomach lining and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. These symptoms may start within hours of ingestion.
Cardiovascular Effects – Some dog medications like heartworm preventatives contain drugs that can affect heart rate and blood pressure in humans if too high of a dose is ingested. You may experience lightheadedness, chest pain, palpitations, or fainting.
Neurological Symptoms – Overdoses on certain dog drugs that cross into the brain like ivermectin and seizure medications can cause neurological issues like confusion, blurred vision, tremors, and seizures in humans.
Liver Toxicity – Dog medications like NSAIDs and acetaminophen can cause liver damage at high doses. You may experience right upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice, nausea, fever or flu-like symptoms.
If you experience any concerning symptoms after accidentally ingesting your dog’s medication, call your doctor, poison control hotline, or 911 right away. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen as delayed treatment can lead to serious health consequences.
When to Seek Emergency Care
In the event of a significant overdose, seek emergency medical care immediately. Certain symptoms indicate your body is experiencing toxic effects from the medication and require urgent treatment. These include:
Seizures
Seizures or convulsions indicate the medication is interfering with electrical activity in the brain. If the
seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or occurs back-to-back, call 911.
Unconsciousness
Losing consciousness or entering a coma is a life-threatening symptom requiring emergency care. This indicates the drug is suppressing brain function.
Difficulty Breathing
Slow, shallow or labored breathing can be a sign of respiratory depression. Get medical help immediately if breathing becomes difficult or irregular after ingesting medication.
Slow Heart Rate
A significantly slowed heart rate (bradycardia) may occur with some drugs. If it drops below 60 bpm, call 911.
The faster treatment is received in an ER or animal hospital, the better the outcome. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Timely intensive care can help counteract the effects of toxicity.
Preventative Measures
You can avoid accidental pet medication ingestion by taking a few simple precautions:
- Store all human and pet medications in secure, out-of-reach places like cabinets with child locks.
- Never leave pills in places pets can access, like on countertops or nightstands.
- Keep medications in their original, labeled bottles or pill organizers.
- Dispose of old and unused medications promptly and properly.
- Supervise your pet if you must give them medication while others are home.
- Educate children on proper medication safety and dangers of ingesting unknown pills.
Taking preventative measures can help avoid tragic accidents. Be vigilant about proper medication storage and disposal. If you suspect your pet has ingested any human medication, call your vet or poison control right away.
First Aid If Ingestion Occurs
If you or someone else accidentally ingests a dog’s medication, the first step is to remain calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse.
After staying calm, immediately call your local poison control center or emergency room for advice. Tell them the medication name, strength, amount ingested, and the person’s weight. Follow their instructions carefully.
Poison control may advise you to induce vomiting if the medication was very recently ingested. To do this safely:
- Give 1-2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide by mouth
- This should induce vomiting within 10-15 minutes
- Lean person forward to prevent aspiration
- Call poison control back if vomiting does not occur
Do not induce vomiting if the person is unconscious or is having seizures. Also do not induce vomiting if poison control advises against it.
Bring the medication container and any remaining pills with you to the ER. This will help doctors identify the substance and determine the best treatment.
The Dangers of Self-Medicating
Taking medication intended for pets can be extremely dangerous and should be avoided. While you may think taking your dog’s medicine could help provide symptom relief, pet medications can have very different concentrations and effects in humans. What may be a safe dosage for your dog could lead to an accidental overdose or adverse reaction if you take it.
Self-medicating with animal medications also prevents you from getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment from your doctor. Your symptoms may be caused by an entirely different illness that requires alternative medications or therapies. Attempting to treat yourself without medical oversight can delay proper care.
In addition, sharing medications prescribed to your pet is illegal and can have serious health consequences for both you and your animal. Never take prescription pet meds without consulting your physician first. The risks associated with self-medication and drug misuse far outweigh any potential benefits.
If you are ill and seeking relief, visit your doctor or an urgent care clinic. Do not attempt to self-diagnose and treat yourself without professional medical guidance. Leaving illness untreated can allow conditions to worsen over time. Seek proper care right away rather than self-prescribing inappropriate and potentially dangerous veterinary drugs.
Proper Disposal
It’s important to safely dispose of any expired or unused pet medications to prevent accidental ingestion or environmental contamination. Here are some tips for proper disposal:
– Return unused medications to your veterinarian or pharmacy. Most accept returns, even for expired medications. This is the easiest and safest disposal method.
– Check if your community has a pharmaceutical take-back program or DEA-authorized collector. These sites allow you to drop off unused meds anonymously.
– Mix medications with an unpalatable substance like dirt, cat litter, or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the bag in your regular household trash.
-Flush medications down the toilet or sink only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so.
-Never flush antibiotics, opioids, or other controlled substances – these can harm the environment.
-Don’t throw loose pills in the trash where children or pets could access them. Make sure medications are concealed and mixed with an unappealing material.
Following these proper disposal methods helps protect people, pets, and the planet from potential harms of unused medications.
When in Doubt, Ask Your Vet
If you have any concerns or questions about your pet’s medications, your veterinarian should always be your first call. Do not hesitate to reach out to them, as they are the experts when it comes to animal health and can provide you with the guidance you need.
Veterinarians have extensive knowledge about the medications they prescribe, including the proper dosages for your pet based on their weight, breed, and medical history. They can advise you on potential medication interactions and side effects. Your vet is your partner in caring for your furry friend – utilize their expertise if you have worries about a medication your pet is taking.
Specifically, you should contact your vet immediately if you or someone else accidentally takes your pet’s medication. Do not try to self-diagnose or treat any symptoms on your own. Your veterinarian can help assess the situation, determine if medical intervention is needed, and direct you to any additional care if required.
Open communication with your vet builds trust and supports the best care for your pet. Do not feel embarrassed about mistakes – your veterinarian’s top priority is the health and wellbeing of you and your pet.