Help! I Took My Dog’s Medicine By Mistake – What Now?

Introduction

Taking your dog’s medication by accident can be dangerous and have serious consequences. This article will cover the symptoms, severity, risk factors, what to do, and treatment if you or someone else accidentally ingests dog medication. It’s important to understand the potential dangers since accidental ingestion, especially by children, is not uncommon.

Symptoms

Ingesting medications meant for dogs can cause a variety of concerning symptoms in humans. Some potential symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting – One of the most common symptoms is upset stomach and vomiting. Dog medications can irritate the stomach lining.
• Drowsiness – Many dog medications contain ingredients that cause drowsiness as a side effect. If ingested by a human, these medications may cause pronounced drowsiness, lethargy, and lack of coordination.
• Dizziness – Some dog medications affect balance and equilibrium. Ingesting these medications could potentially cause lightheadedness, vertigo, and a feeling that the room is spinning.
• Breathing issues – Certain dog medications, like acepromazine, can cause respiratory depression if taken by humans. This may result in slow, shallow breathing.
• Low blood pressure – Medications like acepromazine lower blood pressure in dogs but can drastically lower it in humans, resulting in hypotension.
• Increased heart rate – Stimulants in some dog medications may increase heart rate, potentially to dangerous levels, in humans.
• Allergic reaction – Even if not allergic to the medication itself, humans may experience an allergic reaction to inactive ingredients not meant for human consumption.

Any concerning symptoms after ingesting dog medication should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

Severity

The severity of accidentally ingesting a pet’s medication can range from mild to dangerous depending on the type and amount of medication involved, as well as the person who ingests it. Some potential side effects include:

• Nausea or vomiting – Antibiotics and other medications can irritate the stomach and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially in large doses.
• Liver damage – Certain medications like acetaminophen can cause liver toxicity when overdosed. This is especially dangerous for pets like cats.
• Altered heart rate and blood pressure – Heart medications for pets can affect heart rate and blood pressure in people if ingested.
• Sedation – Some pet anxiety medications can cause extreme drowsiness and lack of coordination in humans if ingested.
• Seizures – Seizure medications for pets taken by humans can potentially cause seizures or interact with a person’s existing medications and trigger seizures.
• Difficulty breathing – Pet asthma medications may open airways in animals but can cause breathing issues in humans if misused.

In severe cases, taking high doses of a pet’s medication could potentially be fatal if it triggers an extreme reaction like liver failure or respiratory depression. Certain people like children, the elderly or those on medication may experience more severe side effects.

Risk Factors

Certain factors can increase the risk of serious side effects or complications if your dog’s medicine is accidentally ingested. These include:

• Age – Young children are at higher risk as their bodies are still developing.

• Underlying conditions – Pre-existing medical conditions like liver or kidney disease can increase susceptibility to medication side effects.

• Type of medication – Some types of dog medications like painkillers, heart medications, and antidepressants pose greater risks if ingested accidentally.

• Dosage – Consuming a larger amount of medication increases the likelihood of significant side effects.

• Weight – Smaller individuals like children are impacted more by a given dosage than larger people.

Knowing the risk factors can help assess the likelihood and severity of potential side effects if accidental dog medication ingestion occurs.

Prevention

There are several steps you can take to prevent your dog from accidentally ingesting your medication:

• Keep all medications in their original, childproof containers. Never transfer pills to containers like daily pill organizers that your dog could easily open.

• Store all medications up high and completely out of your dog’s reach. Dogs are crafty and can get into cabinets and drawers, so consider keeping meds in a locked box.

• Never leave pill bottles open or caps loose, even for a moment. Always close bottles tightly after taking a dose.

• Take your medication in a room where your dog isn’t present. Some dogs get very excited when they hear a pill bottle rattle.

• Never give your dog a pill directly from your hand, as they may try to swallow the rest of the pills in the bottle.

• Take medication with the lights on and when you are fully alert. Accidental ingestion is more likely when fumbling in the dark.

• Keep trash cans containing medication packaging secured so dogs can’t get into them.

Following these tips will help prevent your dog from mistaking your medication for one of their treats. Storing human medications safely is crucial for avoiding potentially serious accidents.

What to Do

If you or your dog accidentally ingests medication meant for the other, seek help right away. Every minute counts in terms of reducing negative effects.

First, try to determine exactly what medication and what dose was ingested. Knowing the details will help the poison control center or vet provide the right guidance.

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 immediately. Both operate 24/7 and can walk you through the steps needed based on the medication and amount ingested.

They may advise you to:

• Induce vomiting by giving hydrogen peroxide.
• Administer activated charcoal to absorb toxins.
• Rush to an emergency vet clinic.

Follow their instructions closely and ask any clarifying questions you may have. Time is of the essence.

If you cannot reach the animal poison control hotline, call your regular vet or visit an emergency clinic right away. Bring the medication bottle with you so the details can be clearly communicated.

With rapid expert help, the chances of full recovery are good. But do not wait to seek assistance if such accidental ingestion occurs.

Treatment

The treatment for accidental pet medication ingestion depends on the type, amount, and toxicity of the medication. Some of the potential treatments that may be recommended by a doctor include:

• Inducing vomiting – If the ingestion was recent, the doctor may induce vomiting to try and remove any remaining medication before it’s absorbed.

• Activated charcoal – Activated charcoal can help absorb toxins and prevent further absorption.

• IV fluids – IV fluids can help flush toxins from the body and prevent dehydration.

• Medications – The doctor may administer medications to counteract the effects of the pet medication. For example, they may give medications to control heart rate, blood pressure, seizures, etc.

• Stomach pumping – In severe cases, the doctor may pump the stomach to remove any remaining medication.

• Kidney dialysis – If there is kidney damage, dialysis may be needed to filter toxins.

The specific treatment will depend on factors like the medication, amount ingested, time since ingestion, and the person’s symptoms. Doctors will aim to stabilize the patient, minimize absorption, enhance elimination, and counteract the medication’s effects.

Outlook

In most cases, accidentally ingesting your dog’s medication will only cause mild symptoms that go away on their own within a day or two. There’s no need to panic if you or your child takes a dog’s medication by mistake.

However, in rare cases, accidentally taking certain dog medications could lead to more serious side effects that require prompt medical attention or hospitalization. Examples include dog medications that affect the cardiovascular system, like heartworm prevention medication.

With early evaluation and proper treatment from a healthcare professional, people who accidentally ingest dog medication will make a complete recovery. Calling your doctor or poison control right away is crucial. Don’t wait for symptoms to develop.

Overall, the prognosis is very good in cases of accidental ingestion of dog medication, especially when addressed quickly. Try to have the medication or packaging on hand when you call for assistance so you can provide details about the specific medication and dosage.

Warning Signs

If you or your pet has accidentally ingested the wrong medication, it’s crucial to watch for signs of a serious reaction that requires emergency care. These warning signs can include:

• Difficulty breathing – This may present as loud wheezing, gasping, or shortness of breath. Slowed or troubled breathing is a medical emergency.

• Seizures – Medication toxicity can cause sudden seizures. Seizures involve loss of consciousness and uncontrolled muscle movements.

• Rapid heart rate – A heart rate over 100 beats per minute in dogs or over 220 beats per minute in cats could signal a reaction.

• Vomiting/diarrhea – Especially severe or bloody vomiting/diarrhea indicates medication poisoning.

• Tremors/shaking – Uncontrolled trembling or shaking may be seen with toxicity.

• Collapse/loss of consciousness – A loss of consciousness is an emergency and warrants immediate vet care.

• Agitation/restlessness – Some medications may cause agitation or pacing in pets.

If any of these warning signs are seen after accidental medication ingestion, seek emergency veterinary care right away. Rapid treatment can help prevent serious complications or death.

Prevention

The best prevention against accidental ingestion of pet medication is to properly store and handle your pet’s medicines. It is essential to keep all dog and cat medications in their original bottles and stored securely in a cabinet well out of a pet’s reach. Avoid leaving pills in a bag or dish on a counter where a pet could get to them. Routinely double-check the label to ensure you are giving the right medication to the right pet. Never give a pet medication prescribed for another family pet. Keep all drug information sheets handy so you can quickly reference dosage and safety information in case of an emergency. Take steps to pet-proof your home by picking up any stray pills dropped on the floor. Proper storage and handling will go a long way in preventing a pet from accidentally ingesting the wrong medication.