Review of dog aspirin

Hello everyone. Kat here with yet another review. 

Today I will be reviewing ‘Dog Aspirin‘. 

Read below. Hope you like the review, and that it is rather useful to you!

—– 

“Like humans, dogs can experience pain from injuries, infections or disease. And when a dog is in pain whether it is due to traumatic or inflammatory reasons (such as canine arthritis), aspirin can be given as an effective medication to help your pet control the pain and relieve inflammation.“

-from the dog aspirin website

I sympathize with this. 

My dog is past seven now, and even before then, she occasionally seems to be experiencing pain in the back legs and the hindquarters. 

This website is full of information about pain relievers for dogs, and giving aspirin to dogs. It lists potential unwanted side effects of aspirin when given to dogs. There are quite a few, and before you administer aspirin to your dog for any reason – I recommend reading through this site.

There is also a list of other medications that are given to dogs as pain relievers. 

Plus, natural alternatives to aspirin for dogs, and information all about them. 

All in all – this seems to be a highly informational site, especially about the subject of administering aspirin to dogs for pain relief. Check it out here. 

Dangerous Medications for Dogs

Some people think that human medications might help dogs; DON’T DO IT!

Here are three medications you should NEVER give your dog:

1. ASPRIN. Aspirin. Aspirin toxicity (salicylate toxicity) is poisoning that occurs following the ingestion of aspirin or aspirin-containing products. Aspirin can be especially dangerous when mixed with other drugs such as steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There is a much higher risk of toxicity. Aspirin interferes with platelets, which are responsible for helping the blood to clot. Disruption of platelet function increases the amount of time it takes the blood to clot in cases of wounds or lacerations. Spontaneous bleeding may also occur causing pinpoint bruises to appear in the skin and on the gums (petechiae). Aspirin toxicity may cause gastrointestinal problems, respiratory difficulties, neurological problems, bleeding disorders and kidney failure. Gastrointestinal problems are common in dogs.

2. IBUPROFEN is a popular and effective over-the-counter medication available to treat pain and inflammation in people. For dogs, ibuprofen can easily exceed toxic levels. The most common cause of ibuprofen toxicity is a well-meaning owner who tries to alleviate pain in his dog by administering a dose he thinks is adequate without knowing the toxic dose. The initial toxic effect is bleeding stomach ulcers. In addition to ulcers, increasing doses of ibuprofen eventually lead to kidney failure and, if left untreated, can be fatal. Symptoms include poor appetite, vomiting, black tarry stools, vomiting blood, abdominal pain, weakness and lethargy.

3. ACETAMINOPHEN. Common brands include Tylenol®, Percoset®, aspirin free Excedrin® and various sinus, cold and flu medications. Dogs most commonly receive toxic amounts of acetaminophen because owners medicate them without consulting a veterinarian. They also consume tablets that are dropped on the floor or left around. Dogs are less sensitive to acetaminophen than cats. For example, a 50-pound dog would need to ingest over seven 500 mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects. In the cat, one 250 mg acetaminophen tablet could be fatal. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic amount of acetaminophen, (one pill or more), contact your family veterinarian or local veterinary emergency facility immediately. Aspirin toxicity (salicylate toxicity) is poisoning that occurs following the ingestion of aspirin or aspirin-containing products. Aspirin can be especially dangerous when mixed with other drugs such as steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There is a much higher risk of toxicity. Aspirin interferes with platelets, which are responsible for helping the blood to clot. Disruption of platelet function increases the amount of time it takes the blood to clot in cases of wounds or lacerations. Spontaneous bleeding may also occur causing pinpoint bruises to appear in the skin and on the gums (petechiae). Aspirin toxicity may cause gastrointestinal problems, respiratory difficulties, neurological problems, bleeding disorders and kidney failure. Gastrointestinal problems are common in dogs.

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Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs offer the safest aspirin daily supplement for dogs, since our Aspirin is USP grade and is coated and buffered. This product is designed to improve the mobility of all dogs, including dogs that are used for field trials, hunting, racing, or dog shows.100% Pure Pharmaceutical Grade Aspirin USP which has been buffered and coated is contained within Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs.Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs is a safe and highly effective aspirin supplement for dogs of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds.1. Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs contain 150 mg of Aspirin USP that has been coated and buffered to provide for the optimum anti-inflammatory and pain reduction effect due to arthritic symptoms or lameness in dogs.2. Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs contain buffered, coated aspirin to minimize any gastric upset for dogs.3. Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs are ideal for any dog that lives an active life style but suffers from lameness or other arthritic conditions.4. Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs are an ideal replacement product for dogs that have been taking Rimadyl at the fraction of the price of Rimadyl.5. Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs have a great ROAST BEEF and LIVER Flavor. Dogs love it! Suggested Use: Offer free choice or crumble and mix with food 1 to 2 tablets twice daily for every 50 pounds of canine bodyweight.Each tablet has a great ROAST BEEF and LIVER Flavor! Dogs love it! Ingredients: Aspirin USP……………… (Coated & Buffered)…………………150 mg Canine Buffered Aspirin (for small & medium dogs) by Pala-Tech – 60 Chewable Tablets
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Aspirin (And Other NSAIDs), Ibuprofen, and More

Pain Medications for Dogs

Analgesics are
drugs used to relieve pain. There are many classes of painkillers. Demerol,
morphine, codeine, and other narcotics are subject to federal regulation and
cannot be purchased without a prescription.

Buffered or enteric-coated aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an
over-the-counter analgesic that is reasonably safe for a short time for home
veterinary care in the recommended dosage for dogs. (Aspirin has a very low
margin of safety for cats and should not be used.) Buffered or enteric-coated
aspirin is much safer than regular aspirin because it is less likely to cause
stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Recommended Related to Dogs

Heart Rate and Irregular Heartbeat in Dogs

Veterinarians use a stethoscope to listen to the heart. You can listen to
your dog’s heart by placing your ear against his chest. The
normal heartbeat is divided into two sounds. The first is a lub,followed by a
slight pause and then a dub. Put together, the sound is lub-dub, lub-dub . . .
in a steady, evenly spaced rhythm.
The heartbeat should be strong, steady, and regular. A slight alteration in
rhythm as the dog breathes in and out is normal. An exceedingly fast pulse can
indicate anxiety,…

Read the Heart Rate and Irregular Heartbeat in Dogs article > >

Aspirin remains effective as a short-term analgesic to control the pain
associated with musculoskeletal injuries. It is no longer recommended for
long-term control of osteoarthritis, because of its destructive effects on
joint cartilage. There are better analgesics available that do not have this
disadvantage. Aspirin should not be given to dogs with any bleeding or clotting
disorders. Aspirin should be stopped at least one week before any surgery and
should not be used during pregnancy, due to
its effects on clotting mechanisms.

Note that individual dogs metabolize aspirin at very different rates. This
inconsistency can lead to an unexpected accumulation of dangerous breakdown
products in the animal’s body. As few as two regular-strength aspirin tablets
can produce severe organ damage in some medium-size (30 pounds, 13.6kg) dogs.
Follow the exact dosage given in the table on page 571 to avoid this
complication.

Aspirin belongs to the general class of drugs collectively known as
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). To treat arthritis
and other inflammations, newer NSAIDs have been tested extensively in dogs.
(See the chart Osteoarthritis Medications, page 404, for more about NSAIDs.)
These are generally less upsetting to the stomach than buffered aspirin and
appear to be more effective for long-term treatment.

However, all NSAIDs irritate the stomach and are capable of causing stomach
and duodenal ulcers. Your veterinarian may prescribe a gastric mucosal
protectant, such as misoprostol (Cytotec) or sucralfate (Carafate), to prevent
this complication. Remember, never use more than one NSAID (including aspirin)
at the same time. Also, do not combine NSAIDs with any corticoteroids, such as
prednisone.

Any dog who is going on one of the NSAIDs should have bloodwork done before
the drug is administered. The bloodwork should be repeated every three to six
months if the dog will be on one of these medications long term. Liver problems
have been seen in some dogs, and Labrador Retrievers may have an idiosyncratic
reaction to carprofen. If liver or kidney problems develop, even if they are
not due to the drug itself, the dosage may need to be adjusted or the dog may
be switched to another pain medication.

Many NSAIDs that can be purchased over the counter have unpredictable
absorption rates and low margins of safety. None of these should be used
without specific instructions from your veterinarian.

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CANINE BUFFERED ASPIRIN (FOR LARGE DOGS) BY PALA-TECH – 60 CHEWABLE TABLETS

• Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs contain 150 mg of Aspirin USP that has been coated and buffered to provide for the optimum anti-inflammatory and pain reduction effect due to arthritic symptoms or lameness in dogs.


• Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs contain buffered, coated aspirin to minimize any gastric upset for dogs.


• Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs are best for any dog that lives an active life style but suffers from lameness or other arthritic conditions.


• Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs are an best replacement product for dogs that have been taking Rimadyl at the fraction of the price of Rimadyl.


• Coated Buffered Aspirin Chewable Tablets for Dogs have a great ROAST BEEF and LIVER Flavor. Dogs love it!

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SALE Price: $ 13.82

Rating: (out of reviews)

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Rimadyl: Relief From a Swollen Wallet

A reader of this blog has a dog with limber tail, a rare problem in some hard-working field dogs (mostly bird dogs such as labs and pointers).

Basically, the muscle at the base of the tail seems to inflame, and the tail is pulled down and held close to the body, rather than standing proud and held high, as is normal. It’s unclear why this condition occurs.

Apparently this condition has happened to this dog before, and the owner has been advised to keep Rimadyl on hand and dose the dog for a day or two to ease the inflammation. Normally, the problem is self-correcting in a few days.

The question: Did I know a cheaper source of Rimadyl other than going to a vet? Rimadyl is pretty expensive, and a vet visit is an additional charge as well.

First of all, what is Rimadyl? Rimadyl is a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) called Carprophen.

Car-prophen. Look at that name closely. It it reminds you of the name of another drug — Ibu-profen — that is not an accident.

In fact, Ibuprofen (aka Motrin, Advil, Nuprin) is also a non steroidal anti inflammatory (NSAID), and Ibuprofen and Carprophen are chemically very similar. One is is Cox-1 drug (Ibuprofen), and the other is a Cox-2 drug (Rimadyl).

What’s the difference between a Cox-1 and a Cox-2 drug? In the real world, not a damn thing unless you are taking the drug daily and for a very long period of time (i.e., more than 3 weeks of daily dosing).

Cox-2 drugs, such as Rimadyl, have NOT been shown to be more effective at alleviating pain than Cox-1 drugs such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen.

So, to put a point on it, almost all Rimadyl sales by veterinarians for short-term use are a rip-off; you could be using buffered children’s Apirin or a low-dosage of Ibuprofen for a lot less money.

At the core of the scam you have drug company that has created a “me too” version of Ibuprofen that they sell through veterinarians. Veterinarians sell the drug at a big profit (more than 100 percent markup) and also create client dependency as folks have to come back in those cases where a recurring condition (like limber tail) might arise. The drug company makes a lot money, the veterinarian makes a lot of money, and you, the customer, are out of money.

Some veterinarians trying to protect the profit-and-dependency business model will protest that dogs “do not process Ibuprofen as well as Rimadyl.”

Which is barely true. All NSAIDs are a little bit hard on the stomach (including Rimadyl), and while Cox-2 drugs are a little bit easier on the stomach than Cox-1 drugs (like Ibuprofen or Aspirin) the differences are minimal, and are essentially zero for short-term use (i.e. anything less than three weeks).

Nor are Cox-2 drugs completely safe. Cox-2 drugs like Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra have all been implicated in heart attacks and strokes in humans, and Vioxx was pulled after it was implicated in killing perhaps as many as 20,000 people. Bextra too has been pulled from the market, and Rimadyl, once sold to humans, is now only sold for veterinary use, under the theory that dogs do not typically suffer from hypertension.

Will your veterinarian tell you all this? Not likely! You see, there is too much money to be made selling Rimadyl.

There is, of course, another factor at work. I call this the “Witch Doctor’s burden.”

If you’ve taken a dog to the vet, no matter what the reason, you are going to billed for an office visit, which is only fair: time is time. Around here, that office visit alone is going to cost you about $ 80.

Now, if the vet glances at your dog’s ass, shrugs her shoulders, and says “Ibuprofen might help,” you are really going to wonder what you have paid your money for.

Yet, if this same vet looks carefully at the tail, scrunches up her face, and says “What we seem to have here is a rare condition, found only in certain working dog breeds, and only in very active dogs. This is a temporal, breed-specific, idiopathic, neuro-muscular condition, and not the kind most vets see every day. But I have good news: I know what it is, and I have a prescription for a medicine. The medicine is not cheap, but I am pretty sure it will work.”

Well! After that kind of stem-winding (what’s it all mean?) , most patients are eager to write a check for another $ 50.00 (“is that all?”), and the vet is only too happy to oblige knowing that a dog with limber tail is likely to be in again for a prescription refill — at which time perhaps a round of unnecessary vaccines, unnecessary blood work, and unnecessary teeth cleaning can be sold.

Now, if you simply “google“ (this is now a verb) Ibuprofen and dogs, you will not find out what I have told you here unless you do a lot of reading and read very carefully. Instead, what you will find are a bunch of ninnies (some of who are vets trying to protect their price-gouging-and-dependency business plan), who say that short-term Ibuprofen use will rip up a dog’s stomach and is even poisonous to dogs because it is so easy to overdose a dog.

Which is, of course, complete nonsense. Here are the facts:

1. 
   Ibuprofen will NOT damage your dog’s stomach if given daily for any period under three weeks duration. In addition, Rimadyl may damage your dog’s stomach if given for over three weeks duration. For long-term daily use (such as arthritis in an aged dog), Rimadyl may be better than Ibuprofen, but if money is a big issue, buffered children’s aspirin is the way to go.



2. 
   ANY medicine is a poison if it is not given in the proper dosage. This is as true for Rimadyl and any Cox-2 drug as it is for Ibuprofen and any Cox-1 drug (such as Aspirin). In fact, the proper per-pound of dog dosage for Rimadyl is one-fourth to one-half that of Ibuprofen. Yes, yes, you have to give a smaller dose of Ibuprofen to a 20-pound dog than you do to 200-pound human, but that is true for ALL drugs!

To repeat: proper dosage is important for ALL medicines, and Ibuprofen is the same, in this regard, as everything else.

The proper dosage for Ibuprofen in a dog is 2 to 4 mg per pound of dog, every 12 hours.

For a 10-pound dog, that means 20 to 40 mg every 12 hours. For a 20-pound dog, that means 40 to 80 mg every 12 hours.

Do the math for your dog, based on weight, and buy chewable 50 mg Ibuprofen to make it simple. Split a tablet for a 10-pound dog, and give him the whole tablet if you have a 20-pound dog. Scale up the dosage, by weight, if your dog is larger. Start with lower-dosage; it will probably be enough.

If you prefer, you can go to your neighborhood pharmacy’s children’s health section, and get Ibuprofen for infants (it comes in a liquid with a syringe. A 50 mg dose is typically 1.25 ml (1 cc is the same as 1 ml, and there are 5 ml or 5 cc to a teaspoon), but read the packaging. The pharmacy will also have 100 mg tablets of Ibuprofen for young children, which can be split in half for a 20-pound dog (use a pill cutter).

You do not have to go with Ibuprofen. Another fine Cox-I drug is called Aspirin, and you can either buy buffered children’s Aspirin at the local pharmacy, or you can pay a little more money and order “veterinary Aspirin” (Vetrin) , which is dosed at the rate of 8-12 mg per 1 lb. of dog body weight. Dose every 12 hours, as per Ibuprofen.

Finally, an end note: Never give any NSAID (not Rimadyl, not Ibuprofen, and not even Aspirin) to a cat. Cats and NSAIDs generally do not mix, even at low doses.

Dog Knee Arthritis

Dog Knee Arthritis

Dog arthritis comes in various forms. Just as in humans, arthritis is an inflammation in the joints. A dog may develop arthritis anywhere that they have a joint. The cartilage in the joint may be inflamed or it may be synovial fluid which is at issue in some cases. The most common types of dog arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective, immune mediated and idiopathic arthritis.

The stiffness of the limbs will be more pronounced in the mornings or after long naps, but by working with the dog and encouraging exercise the stiff appearance will disappear through the day. There will also be pain in the joints felt when you touch their limbs or the area suffering. The last sign can be seen in a swelling of the limb around the joint. While it may not be noticeable when you feel the area, you should be able to notice a difference between joints.

A dog afflicted with arthritis will tend to feel pain if their limbs are touched near to where the joint is inflamed. There is usually swelling as well, but this will not normally be visible to the naked eye.

Glucosamine is naturally occurring in the body (it is an amino sugar). The process of aging tends to reduce the body\’s capacity to produce this important sugar. Not found in any important food source, Glucosamine can be derived from the shells of shellfish. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in treating osteoarthritis both in humans and in animals.

Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.

For some dogs, arthritis remedies must be used in conjunction with a change in the animal\’s diet to best treat the symptoms of dog arthritis.

Dogs with arthritis can be treated with dog arthritis medications which are available to help manage the inflammation.

Click On The Link Below For More:
http://www.petarthritisrelief.com/pet-arthritis/dog-knee-arthritis/ You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards, kenny71@panicstopper.info

Posted via email from glucosaminefordogs

pain, baby aspirin, buffered aspirin

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Expert: Patti – 7/20/2011

Question
well my dog jumped out of the car window yesterday she is not real bad hurt she is just limping a little and whinning and i wanted to know if i could give her tylonol pm to help her??
she is about 6 months old and weighs about 40 to 50 pounds if not more lol but i would really just like to help her so she can sleep so that maybe i could get some sleep lol please let me know asap Answer

Hi Tiffannie,

Dogs are pretty stoic about showing pain, so if your dog is whining and limping, it means she’s in pain. Your dog may well have a broken bone, or torn ligament after jumping from of your car’s window. There isn’t a way to guess about this, which is why you need to have her examined by a vet.

A dog shouldn’t ever be given any Tylenol products (or it’s generic form Acetaminophen) it can be toxic to dogs. You should not give a dog Ibuprofen (Motrin), unless your vet tells you to do so. If you’d like to relieve your dog’s pain until she can be seen by a vet you can give your dog buffered aspirin, or baby aspirins. Don’t use “safety coated” aspirin on a dog. A standard buffered aspirin is 320 mg., a baby aspirin is typically 80 mg. it can be given twice a day, if needed:

8 lbs: ½ baby aspirin or less
16 lbs: 1 baby aspirin (1/4 buffered adult)
32 lbs: ½ buffered adult or 2 baby
48 lbs: 3/4 buffered adult or 3 baby
64 lbs: 1 buffered adult or 4 baby
80 lbs: 1¼ buffered adult or 5 baby
96 lbs: 1½ buffered adult or 6 baby

Give your dog aspirin along with something to eat. Aspirin can cause stomach upsets and ulcers in dogs, just as in humans. You should pay attention to your dog’s eating habits when giving her aspirin. If she starts to throw up, or acts like she doesn’t want to eat, discontinue the aspirin use.

If you had a broken leg or torn ligament aspirin wouldn’t work especially well in controlling the pain, the same goes for your dog. If your dog continues to limp and whine after three days of giving her aspirin, it means she needs to see a doctor!

If you are having trouble affording veterinary care, first talk to your regular vet. Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front. Another option is to contact your local animal shelter or Humane Society. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. Yet another option is to contact friends and family and ask for a loan. If you happen to live within driving distance to a veterinary school, check with them to see if they offer discount services to the public. There are two special credit cards to apply for, which help with medical bills (including veterinary bills) read about them here:

http://www.carecredit.com
http://www.healthcard.citicards.com

I hope this helps!
Best of luck,

Patti

A Rude Dog"s Diary

I feel very blessed today.  Giorgio and I have good friends who care a lot about us.  Two such friends funded a second opinion for Giorgio with a renowned, board certified cardiologist at The Bobst Hospital of the Animal Medical Center of NY

At first we thought we might try and see Chihuahua Rosemary’s cardiologist at the 5th Ave. Veterinary Specialists on 15th Street, but, I decided against that option because they are just too far away from where I live, and, when there’s an emergency with Giorgio, it would be a lengthy trek getting him there.

Then we considered NYC Veterinary Specialists on West 55th Street.  When I called there, however, I learned that their cardiologist is in Florida!   That wouldn’t do us much good.  I wanted a face-to-face second opinion.

So we decided to call on Dr. Phillip Fox DVM, MS, ACVIM, ACVECC, at the AMC/NY. 

I was reluctant, nervous about returning to the AMC so soon after the trauma of being there with Gilbert Kitty.  I had to put my qualms aside for Giorgio’s sake.  We were fortunate to get a call back from Dr. Fox immediately today and he took us in this afternoon.

By the time we arrived for our appointment, our vet’s at Rivergate Veterinary Clinic had already faxed Giorgio’s records (thank you Nina).  Dr. Fox (and two residents who were learning from him) reviewed the tests and reports carefully and he didn’t push us into repeating the echo-cardiogram, but, it was apparent that the only way to get a true second opinion as to the mass reported in last week’s echo, was to give Dr. Fox an opportunity to view the heart himself.

Giorgio was a real trouper and the team said he cooperated beautifully.  Dr. Fox said he looked and looked and he just did NOT see any mass in Giorgio’s heart.  His opinion was that IF there was a mass, it was a blood clot and has already dissolved.  He also felt that Gio’s heart didn’t appear any worse than the report from three months ago.

This is all wonderful news.  I now know, and feel confident, how to proceed for the next three months until Gio’s next echo is done.  We’ll continue the conservative course of treatment (meaning no Lasix (diuretic) unless and until Gio is in heart failure).

As I’ve mentioned before, health care for our pets is extremely costly, especially when expensive diagnostic tests are essential, as with heart disease.  The option of getting a second opinion is a true luxury, a true blessing, and we are so grateful to our friends Ronnie and Peter for funding Giorgio’s care.  I really was falling apart at the seems, picturing a blood clot lodged in Giorgio’s septul wall.  I have no words that adequately express my gratitude and the peace of mind I have tonight.

Tomorrow, I’ll write about our experiences in the waiting room.  We met some interesting people and pets, and, there’s a follow up to Gilbert Kitty as well.

My Giorgio (Maltese) had his second echo-cardiogram yesterday.  His chronic heart disease has gone from “moderate” three months ago to “marked.”  And, there is a mass (.8cm) in the left atrial wall, possibly a blood clot or other mass.

The only way to ascertain what the mass is would be to bring him someplace to have an MRI.  That’s just not a possibility.  The cost is prohibitive, but, more than that, if we find out that it is a mass there is no surgical option.  It is in a very difficult place.

So the doctor said to treat him for a blood clot with a quarter of the low dose aspirin (81mg coated aspirin) and then we just hope for the best.

Meanwhile, I am terrified of the inevitable day when he has the attack that will kill him.  It is inevitable, even though I know we’re doing everything we possibly can for him.  I’m restricting his exercise as much as one possibly can with a small dog who lives to jump and run and play.

He greats me at the door every time I come home, bringing one of his stuffed toys to me and calling out with his famous Aroo!  Aroo!

 Aroo to you Giorgio.  I’m so glad you don’t know what is happening inside your big heart.

Who’d a thunk, by not being a good citizen and picking up their doggie’s doo-doo, someone actually helped catch another law-breaker?

18-year-old North Carolina man crashed his car into a yard and stepped on dog poop on his way out.  Sgt. Dale Gunter found a white van driving toward him after searching and following the dog poop trail.   When Gunter asked the man to get out of the vehicle, he smelled alcohol and saw the dog poop all over his shoes. He was charged with driving while impaired and driving under age. He was released on $ 1,500 bail.  See MSNBC.com

 Twenty-two of Michael Vick’s dogs, all bred to fight, will soon be learning how not to at Best Friends Animal Society’s sanctuary in southern Utah.

Elsewhere in the news, I see the “former fighting” dogs that were seized from Michael Vicks (the football player fellow) property have gone on to various rescue organizations for rehabilitation.  Oh me of little faith.  I pray none of them ends up re-homed anywhere in my immediate area.  While people who adopt “former fighting dogs” promise they will keep them on leash, not go into dog parks, not acquire other pets, to safely manage the rehabilitated dogs for their lives, I’ve seen way too many people start out with good intentions and end up getting lazy.  And that’s when someone gets hurt.  An innocent passing dog, a family cat, or worse.  I fully believe with all my heart, the dogs in the Vicks case were not to blame, were not the criminals, and, it is a tragedy that in these instances it is always the dogs who pay.

But I don’t believe in fully reliable rehabilitation of such dogs.  Again, not the dogs’ fault at all, but, people are, after all, only human and make mistakes and let their guard down, and, I believe such dogs require a life time of careful and constant management and owner control.  (Edit:  In reading this I came to realize, it is the people I feel cannot be relied upon to keep up with the rehabilitation management needed for fighting dogs.)

The story is here Baltimoresun.com 

The other rescue groups are and Recycled Love in Baltimore (three dogs); BAD RAP, Oakland, Calif. (10 dogs); Richmond Animal League, Richmond, Va., (4 dogs); Georgia S.P.C.A., Suwanee, Ga..; (3 dogs); SPCA of Monterey County, Calif.; (3 dogs); Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Chesapeake, Va..; (1 dog); and Our Pack, Inc. (1 dog).

Nothing about dog fighting is right or humane.  Read the following article, if you have the strength:  Dog Fighting, White Plains, New York

The Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2005:

What’s taking so  long to get this bill passed?  And, what can we do about it (I know the answer to that, write to your state and federal representatives and support the legislation).

An estimated 1,400 children and 10,000 animals are poisoned each year after ingesting Ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance used in antifreeze and coolant in automobiles. Ethylene glycol’s sweet smell and taste makes it an attractive but deadly substance. The bill requires antifreeze and coolant manufacturers to add denatonium benzoate, an intensely bitter agent, to their products. The additive would cost manufacturers an additional 2-3 cents per gallon.  (Source/link:  Humane Society of the US)

Antifreeze (ethylen glycol) has been a source of both accidental and intentional poisoning of pets for as long as it has been in use.  Upwards of 90,000 pets are killed (accidentally or intentionally) in the USA every year.  It makes sense, such simple sense, to require manufacturers to change their formula to make the substance unpalatable.  Currently, the stuff looks a lot like Gatorade and tastes good to both people and animals.

Here’s information on the Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2005: (Source/link: Doris Day Animal League) The Antifreeze Bittering Act (H.R. 2567/S. 1110) is a federal bill to require the addition of denatonium benzoate (DB) to engine coolant/antifreeze to render it unpalatable. DB is the world’s bitterest known substance. Passage of this legislation will help save countless animal lives. In July 2006 the U.S. House Commerce committee held a favorable mark-up on the Antifreeze Bittering.

While the U.S. House Commerce committee passed the Antifreeze Bittering Act (H.R. 2567) July, 2006, the bill has not made it through the U.S. Senate.

So, it is clear, pet owners (and concerned citizens) have more to do than “just” elect a new President this year.  Start writing your local, state, and federal representatives and urge the passing of The Antifreeze Bittering Act (H.R. 2567/S. 1110.

I have faith that bloggers know full well how to email their representatives but in case anyone needs help:

How to write your representative:  Source/Link:  U.S. House of Representatives

How to write your Sentator:  Source/Link:  U.S. Senate

Important reminder:

THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN NEW YORK STATE ON FEBRUARY 5th, 2008.

For New Yorkers, here’s a link to a .pdf form to download 

If you are currently not registered to vote in New York State, the last possible day to register to vote in the February primary election is January 11th. This is both the last date that your ballot application can be postmarked and the last day that you can register in person at the Board of Elections.

For more information on registering to vote in New York State, call your county board of elections or 1-800-FOR-VOTE. 

 Information here has been copied from the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee’s website

Dogs may not have a voice, but, dog walkers do

Still not dog walking and it feels so strange.  It is a good thing that I am not out there this week, that I don’t have those obligations.  While I’m a little better today, after four days of rest, I’m in no shape to be walking miles with dogs.  I’m afraid I would end up sitting down on the job.

I am on the mend and that’s great.  Saw the doctor and went through the torture of getting two cortisone injections into my inflamed tendons on my hand to treat the Dequervain’s tenosynovitis that has been plaguing me for months.  If you’ve never experienced this kind of pain, you won’t have any sympathy for me.  For those of you who know what it is, and have had the injections, I’ll be you’re re-living your own pain.

And I’m optimistic that some further tests I’ll undergo when I see the neurologist will get me on a course of treatment that explains this severe muscle weakness and helps me gain strength to keep up with life.

Meanwhile, I’ve been watching way too much television.  Some of it just makes me laugh out loud, some makes me fume, and some makes me cry.   I think the writer’s strike and all the re-runs is making me watch more “reality” shows than I usually would.I’ve become addicted to one in particular:  “The First 48″ on A & E.  The series shows the real life working of two homicide cases in different locations and how the detectives solve the cases.  The first 48 hours are said to be the window in which the crimes are either solved or turn into cold cases.  It’s really very interesting.  I just saw one episode where the young man who pulled the trigger (in the course of a robbery of a young business man for his hub caps or something trivial like that) was being interrogated and you could see the moment, in his eyes, when he understood that he had thrown his life away, that his life was also over just like the man he killed.  It’s all very tragic.

In dog news, I see that Diamond Pet Food (the  company that made contaminated pet food that killed dozens of dogs nationwide) has agreed to a $ 3.1 million dollar settlement with pet owners. The pet owners who file claims would be reimbursed the for medical expenses, the cost of a new dog, and receive two bags of pet food (egads).  Here’s a link to an article on MSNBC’s website. 
I hope everyone who was affected by that tainted pet food knows about the class action suit and files their claim.I haven’t seen anything (have you?) about the other contaminated food that also killed numerous pets.  That was the contamination problem that prompted recalls of more than 100 pet-food brands in early 2006, when investigators traced pet deaths to a toxic chemical, melamine, that had been added during manufacturing in China.   The Diamond Food contamination was a little more sinister, in my opinion, because (the following is a quote from the MSNBC article):

Diamond Pet Foods, based in Meta, Mo., acknowledged that workers at its Gaston, S.C., plant failed to follow internal testing procedures to ensure its products were safe. The company made the acknowledgment after the Food and Drug Administration released a report showing the company has no record of test results for 12 shipments of corn in 2005, when grain tainted with the deadly fungus slipped into the plant.

I think I had better stop keyboarding before my tendons start acting up again.   Just a reminder, if you want to vote on Super Tuesday, you have to be registered and you have just a few days left (see my earlier post) to get that registration form post marked.

Still not feeling well at all, I’m off this week, but,  a person still has to get up and take a little walk.  And since the weather was unusually warm today in New York City, near 67 F, and since my time with Giorgio (my Maltese, pictured above) is limited now, I got into my jeans and took Giorgio downstairs for a little walk around the block.

 Giorgio was recently diagnosed with left valvular heart disease, CHF (left-sided chronic heart failure).  He’s on a mild course of medication right now (Enacard once a day) as well as a nutritional supplement aimed at strengthening (this article explains about L-Carnetine and Taurine and Vitamin E)  his heart and heartbeat (we use Vetri-Science Cardio Strength along with vitamin E capsules twice daily)  and I’m careful about how much exercise he gets.  Just small walks, no climbing stairs, no jumping up onto the bed.  If the weather is freezing, he can’t go out.  If the temperature is soaring or there’s high humidity, he can’t go out.

Giorgio used to go everywhere with me.  There were days when he walked a good ten miles by my side, accompanying me on daily rounds and he never even acted tired at any time.  He was a lot like the Energizer Bunny except he’s not pink. 

But my little guy is not an Energizer Bunny and his batteries are running down.

I’m worried about him and I don’t like the way he looks.  His breathing seems to be getting more labored.  We’re scheduled to have his follow-up echo-cardiogram this week and I’m truly nervous about the outcome, about the stress of the test, and, what the future holds.

For today, however, with mild weather, the two sick ones took a nice little walk together and forgot about our troubles.  It’s a lot better than sitting here watching his chest to see how he’s breathing (which I confess I’m doing lately).

I almost forgot!  On our walk we ran into Marie walking her little old Chihuahua, Rosemary.  Rosemary is approximately fifteen years old.  Her age is an appoximate because she was adopted from the ASPCA and even that notable organization doesn’t always know (or share) the exact age of an animal up for adoption, something I know all too well because my cat, Copper, adopted from them, turns out to be far older than the four years he was supposed to have been.  But, that’s another story.

We got to talking about our pets and heart disease.  I remembered well when Marie lost one of her dear cats to cardiomyopathy (just like my dear Gilbert).

Little Rosemary has the same valvular disease my Giorgio has and she has been undergoing treatment and on medication since 2005.  I think that’s pretty amazing and a testament to how much effort (and money) Marie puts into the care of her pets.  Rosemary sees a cardiologist regularly and has been hospitalized twice in emergency heart failure.  She is also on the full range of cardio medications including VetMedin, Enacard, and Lasix.

I left feeling a little blue because I know I won’t be able to afford similar care for my little Giorgio.  Emergency care for pets in New York city is truly only for the gainfully employed, and even then, only those who have enough disposable income.  When Giorgio goes into heart failure, I’m not going to be able to ask for heroic measures even though dogs can be brought out of crisis and go on to live, as Rosemary has, for years.

That is a real heartache.  I think it is also something few of us consider when we acquire a pet.  Even if we are practical enough to budget for routine health care, the extraordinary cost of emergency health care is a truly rude awakening.  But what’s the alternative?  To never have a pet?

Dog walkers are among the seemingly indestructible, ranking right up there with the U.S. Postal worker, because not rain nor sleet nor hail stays the dog walker from his or her appointed mission.

For the dog walker who works for a service, getting sick isn’t too complicated because there will be others to cover the assignments.  For independent contractors, like myself, there is an enormous amount of angst attached with calling in sick.

Personally, I try to hide the times when I am ill from my clients, preferring to show up and get through the assignments.  That is, as long as I can stand up and walk.  On the days, like today, when I am truly down for the count, I have no choice but to call off the walk.

And then I am wracked with worry about losing the job to another walker or the housekeeper.  My dear and loyal clients assure me I’m indispensable, but, we all know, no one is truly indispensable.

Today, recent events and ill health caught up with me.  I know I’m out for the week (and I hope that is going to be enough time for me to regain the strength I need to get back to walking).  I miss “my” dogs.  I hate disappointing my people.  I hate giving in to illness.

Gosh I wish I knew how to take the time I need without feeling so awful about it.

Mosquito and Fly Repellent for Dogs and Cats

What’s recommended for humans may be toxic for pets

The First Step: Knowing What NOT To Apply

DEET is the most effective mosquito repellents for humans. It should be applied to clothing and exposed skin. Learn how to apply DEET for use on humans.

DEET and other human insect repellents should not be applied to dogs or cats. This chemical is toxic when ingested at high doses, and dogs and cats may lick it off and ingest it, potentially resulting in a toxicity.

With DEET ingestion, clinical signs may include:

• drooling


• wobbly gait


• seizures


• vomiting


• loss of appetite

If your pet has ingested DEET, please contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic for advice.

Related: Case Report – DEET Toxicity in a Cat

Safe Insect Repellents for Dogs

1) One spot-on topical product, K9 advantix® by Bayer Animal Health, repels mosquitoes in addition to fleas, ticks, and flies for up to 30 days.

From the Bayer AH web site:

“advantix^® demonstrated repellent activity against Culex pipiens mosquitoes, as determined by the ability to prevent feeding, ranging from 96.5% to 100% at all the points in time assessed during this [30 day] study.”
Read full report.

That is great news for dogs in need of an effective parasite and insect repellent. It is important to note that this product contains permethrin, which is very toxic to cats.

The advantix^® Spot-on is only for dogs, and for households containing both dogs and cats, pets must be kept separated until the product application areas on the dog is completely dry. Cats must be prevented from grooming those areas on their canine friends. If your cat ingests this product, please seek veterinary attention immediately.

This product is also toxic to aquatic life. Dogs should not be allowed to swim for 48 hours post application of advantix®.

2) There are many “natural” and insecticide-based sprays available on the market for dogs, available online (compare prices) or at pet supply retailers. It is best to a) identify what insect(s) you are wanting to repel, and b) check with your veterinarian if the product is appropriate and safe for your pet. Extra caution for the very young, very old and pets in poor health or on other medications.

Safe Insect Repellents for Cats

Cats are another story. They metabolize drugs and chemicals very differently from humans and dogs, and “safe” compounds for us may be quite toxic for cats. Plus, they are good groomers, which leads to possible ingestion as well as absorption through skin.

While there are some “natural” products available for cats (compare prices), it is always best to check with your veterinarian first. Many natural preparations contain essential oils, and some of these oils are toxic to cats.

What about Avon Skin-So-Soft?

This product is often brought up as a safe non-DEET alternative for people and pets. Research on various mosquito repellents by the University of Florida showed that Skin-So-Soft bath oil repelled mosquitoes for 10 minutes. See product table of full report from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) extension.

The duration and effectiveness of this product are often debated. I have not found any instances of toxicity for humans or pets, but would urge caution for cats, who will often groom and ingest topical products.

What About Essential Oils, Garlic, and Other Natural Ingredients?

Caution is advised, for both dogs and cats. Many of these ingredients are ineffective insect repellents and some are toxic. For example, garlic is toxic to pets.

As noted above, essential oils are common ingredients for ‘non-chemical’ applications, and many of them are toxic to cats. While not 100% effective, keeping cats indoors will greatly reduce the numbers of insect bites and stings.

Screen Away Insects

Since ears and faces are the most accessible area of dogs and cats for insects, a face bonnet screen may help. At least for dogs.

Nancy Kay DVM DACVIM (author of Speaking for Spot) reviewed the OutFox Field Guard™ – a product designed to prevent foxtails from entering ears, eyes, and mouths of dogs.

Stay Out of the Way

Avoiding outdoor activities during times of day when insects are most active helps lower exposure. Mosquitoes are most active early in the morning and evening. Flies are active throughout the day, but face screens or keeping your pet indoors will help.

References:

• 
  DEET toxicity from the Extension Toxicology Network.


• 
  DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) from the CDC.


• 
  All About DEET from About.com Chemistry.

To view this page in its original form, please visit: http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/parasites/a/Mosquito-Repellents.htm

36.768209 -76.287493

Painkillers for Dogs

Did You Know?

Regular blood tests are necessary for the dog that is put on painkillers to monitor the pet’s health.
Just like humans, dogs also suffer from various painful conditions like arthritis, joint pain and knee injuries. A dog in pain simply cannot perform activities like walking or climbing properly, which eventually becomes a headache for the dog owner. In order to ease the pain caused due to a number of annoying conditions, dogs are often put on prescription painkillers

Painkillers for Dogs

Rimadyl
This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which provides a great amount of relief from pain in dogs suffering from degenerative joint disease, and even osteoarthritis. Rimadyl has been quite effective to relieve arthritis pain. This prescription medicine has been proven clinically to reduce inflammation associated with canine arthritis. Dogs who were finding it difficult to climb steps due to arthritis, have become fairly active quickly, thanks to Rimadyl. The painkiller, available in both tablet and injectable form, rapidly works to ease the discomfort. The tablets are generally beef flavored, which makes them easily chewable.

Tramadol
This prescription medicine is very useful to manage pain following a surgery in dogs. Post-surgical pain (moderate or severe) can be controlled to a great extent with Tramodol. This drug is also used for pain management after an injury or chronic pain occurring in dogs suffering from cancer. Manufactured in tablet, capsule and liquid form, Tramadol is found to be very safe and reliable.

Deramaxx
This drug is commonly referred to as a dog’s arthritis medicine that potentially targets the source of pain to alleviate the discomfort. This medicine has been a major breakthrough in controlling pain and inflammation associated with chronic osteoarthritis. Deramaxx, has also been an effective remedy to reduce post-operative pain. This medicine is evaluated and tested for everyday use. Manufactured in beefy flavored tablets, Deramaxx comes in different dosing sizes (25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg). After evaluating the dog’s health, proper dosage required for pain relief will be prescribed. Even though Derammax cannot cure arthritis in dogs, a noticeable improvement in their day-to-day activities is observed. Dogs put on Deramaxx show improved mobility. As stiffness and pain in the joints decrease, the dog becomes capable enough to sit, stand, and run quite comfortably.

Fentanyl
Used in the form of skin patches, Fentanyl is found to be highly effective in controlling pain. These skin patches are applied prior to surgery to control postoperative pain. The drug is extremely useful to relieve post-surgical pain. This in turn helps to shorten recovery time from illness. Fentanyl patches stick to the skin easily and work by administering the pain reliever through the skin for a period of 3 days. As the painkiller is continuously delivered, the dogs gets immense relief from pain after intensive surgeries. When a dog is put on Fentanyl, use of any other pain relieving drug should be strictly avoided. When used in transdermal form on dogs with bone cancer and arthritis, Fentanyl can bring a positive change in the behavior and overall movement of dogs. Dogs who are not eligible for surgeries are given Fentanyl to reduce pain and increase their lifespan. The use of Fentanyl is also beneficial to control cancer related pain. Fentanyl is manufactured in 12.5 microgram per hour, 25 microgram per hour, 50 microgram per hour, 75 microgram per hour, and 100 microgram per hour patches. For instance, 75 microgram per hour skin patches, means the patch will release 75 micrograms of Fentanyl every hour into the body.

Side Effects

Although, these artificially prepared painkillers take away the pain, dogs taking these drugs may have to face the brunt of side effects. However, in most cases, these drugs are well tolerated and side effects if any, are mild. Side effects of these painkillers observed in dogs are given below

• Diarrhea


• Vomiting


• Loss of appetite


• Difficulty in breathing

Can I Give Human Painkillers to Dogs?

Administering painkillers specifically designed for a dog is always a better option. Ibuprofen, that is commonly given to humans to relieve pain is not at all safe for dogs. However, buffered aspirin (buffered aspirin tablets are coated with a unique substance to considerably reduce side effects of aspirin) can help to block the pain. Also, buffered aspirin restricts the intestinal absorption of aspirin which is known to cause health problems. The dosage depends upon the weight of the dog. For every pound of body weight, the recommended buffered aspirin dosage is 5 mg. Buffered aspirin for dogs is an accepted medicine to relieve pain. However, other human painkillers could just end up worsening the dog’s condition.

Natural Painkillers

As the name suggests, these painkillers do not contain any artificial ingredients, and are far more safe than the commercial medicines. Made from natural ingredients, these herbal pain relief for dogs are free from side effects, and are a safer alternative to dog health problems.

There are herbal products and supplements available in the market that can reduce arthritis pain in dogs remarkably. Even turmeric when mixed with dog foods can ease pain to a great extent. Topical application of St. John’s Wort (herb) can also help relieve joint pain. Herbal products like ‘Pet Bounce’ are proven methods to relieve symptoms of arthritis in dogs.

Although the aforementioned synthetic painkillers are safe, it is not appropriate to use these drugs for long periods of time. This is because, side effects causing harm to the kidneys, liver or digestive system may occur. Monitoring the physical and mental health of the dogs that are taking these drugs is necessary to detect any side effects. One must immediately discontinue the drug and inform the veterinarian in case the condition of the dog deteriorates.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for veterinary advice.

Is Aspirin Safe for Dogs? | eHow

Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg

Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg is a certified professional dog trainer in Miami, Fla. He is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). Clarke-Dolberg’s formal dog training was done with Babette Haggerty-Brennen and Gordon Brennen of Haggerty School for Dogs, founded by the famous Captain Haggerty.

Website

www.miami-dog-training.com

By Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg, eHow Presenter

Aspirin is safe for dogs in a mild or buffered form, but both Tylenol and Ibuprofen are extremely dangerous for dogs. Find dog-safe medications at a veterinary clinic with information from a professional certified dog trainer in this free video on dog care.

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Video Transcript

Hello. My name is Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg in Miami, Florida with Miami Dog Training. In this clip, we’re going to talk about if aspirin is safe for dogs. And yes, a buffered aspirin, preferably, is safe for dogs. You don’t want to really give him Tylenol, Ibuprofens, or anything like that which can be dangerous. But aspirin is a safe alternative. You can even use a, can even use some of the powdered aspirin. Now aspirins, your typical aspirin, can be used. You can use your generic brand that the, at your local pharmacy or you can go to your vet and get dog aspirins. Or you can go on line or catalogs, like Fosters and Smith, and get those kind of things as well and they’re usually bigger bottles. But for the most part, the aspirins, they break fevers, they reduce swelling and they reduce pain. Even if the dog is, you know, is limping slightly, if its just needs a little relief, it’s a good thing to give it. So, once again, I’m Zephyr Clark-Dolberg with Miami Dog Training.

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OTC Medications that are safe for your pet

OTC Medications.

I found this article and had to pass it along.

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS

You may help to ease your pet’s symptoms with the use of some over-the-counter medicines.  However, it’s never a good idea to just assume a human medication will be a safe and effective treatment for your pet.  Contact your veterinarian before starting any medical therapy, to discuss your options.  Always let the veterinarian know your pet’s symptoms and what you have been treating it with.  As with all illnesses, persistent symptoms warrant a trip to the doctor’s office.

---

WARNING!  DO NOT GIVE!
Acetaminophen(Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) are toxic to both cats and dogs, even in small doses.  Many medications can be highly toxic to cats, including Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate and aspirin.

---

Here is a list of over-the-counter medications that can be safely used for your pet.  Please read everything before administering an OTC medication to your pet.  If it is not on this list — do not give it! 

IMODIUM (loperamide):
Can be given to some dogs and cats for diarrhea.  WARNING: Certain dog breeds related to Collies may have adverse reactions to Imodium (loperamide).  Do not give this medicine to Collies, Shelties, Australian Shephards and Long-haired Whippits. See this site for more detailed information.  (Thanks to Ken Brookner for this correction.)

For those animals for which this medicine is appropriate give 1 teaspoon for every 20 pounds.  This dosage can be repeated every 4-6 hours until symptoms begin to resolve, not to exceed 24 hours.

PEPTO-BISMOL:
Can be administered to dogs (never cats!) with upset stomach or vomiting.  Give one teaspoon per 20 pounds of weight every 4-6 hours for 24 hours, or until symptoms begin to resolve.

BENADRYL(Diphenhydramine):
Benadryl is an antihistamine that helps relieve swellings and itching from allergic reactions and is used long-term to treat allergies.  The dose is one milligram for every pound given twice daily.  (Although safe to use, Benadryl is not very effective in cats, and other antihistamines are more commonly prescribed.)

Benadryl Dosage Twice daily
Dogs (1 mg per pound)		Cats
weight	amount
12 lbs	12 milligrams (pediatric dose)	  NOT EFFECTIVE
25 lbs	25 milligrams (1 adult capsule)
50 lbs	50 milligrams (2 adult capsules)

ASPIRIN:
Can be given short term to dogs (never cats!) to help relieve inflammation and pain.  Buffered Aspirin (Bufferin) is easier on the stomach but regular (non-coated) aspirin can also be used.  Aspirin may be given once or twice a day.  Always give aspirin with food.

Aspirin has potent blood thinning properties, and continued usage may be dangerous in some animals. For long term pain relief there are safer veterinary-specific alternatives.

Aspirin Dosage Once or twice a day, with food
Dogs		Cats
weight	amount
less than 10 lbs	½ baby aspirin	  NEVER! Â
10-30 lbs	1 baby aspirin
30-50 lbs	½ regular aspirin
50-100 lbs	1 regular aspirin
over 100 lbs	2 regular aspirin

DRAMAMINE (Dimenhydrinate):
Dramamine is an antihistamine that works well at preventing motion sickness in both cats and dogs.  This drug works best if given at least ½ hour prior to travel.

Dramamine Dosage ½ hour prior to travel
Dogs		Cats
weight	amount
small	12.5 milligrams	12.5 milligrams
medium	25 milligrams
large	50 milligrams

TAGAMET (Cimetidine) /PEPCID-AC (Famotidine) /ZANTAC (Ranitidine):
Reduces the amount of stomach acids and can be dispensed to dogs and cats suffering from ulcers, acid reflux or belly ache. Sometimes they are used to prevent ulcers in animals taking other medications. These medications are given once to twice daily. It’s best to discuss the exact dosage with your veterinarian.

Tagamet/Pepcid-AC/Zantac Dosage one or twice daily
Dogs		Cats
weight	amount
less than 20 lbs	¼ tablet	¼ tablet
20-60 lbs	½ tablet
over 60 lbs	1 whole tablet

HYDROCORTISONE:
Can help to relieve itchy, raw or irritated skin. It can be used topically to reduce itching from hives, hot spots, and insect bites and stings. Apply a small amount up to two times daily.

GAS-X (Simethicone):
Simethicone is used in dogs to help with unusual flatulence or gas discomfort. Any dog suspected of Bloat should get 2 doses immediately before transport to the Emergency Clinic.

GAS-X Dosage
Dogs		Cats
weight	amount
small	¼ adult dose	¼ adult dose
medium	½ adult dose
large	1 adult dose

GLUCOSAMINE:
Glucosamine (and glucosamine in combination with chondroitin sulfate) is used to treat joint pain associated with arthritis. This is a long term treatment and its effects may not be immediately noticeable.

Glucosamine Dosage total per day
Dogs		Cats
weight	amount
under 25 lbs	500 milligrams	500 milligrams
25-50 lbs	1000 milligrams
over 50 lbs	1500 milligrams

ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS:
Are helpful in the treatment of small wounds, bites or minor infections.  Always thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water first.

ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP:
Can be use to clean any wound or injury.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: 
1 – 10 teaspoons given orally can be used to induce vomiting in dogs.  (See toxicities.)  Never induce vomiting unless being directed to by a veterinarian.  If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.  Hydrogen peroxide is not as effective to clean wounds as antibacterial soap and water.

NASAL SPRAYS:
Saline nasal spray and pediatric nasal sprays (Little Noses) can be given in kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs to alleviate dryness and nasal congestion associated with a cold.  No other type of OTC nasal medication should be used unless prescribed by your veterinarian.

All my love,

Kimmy and Lucy

Tags: cats, Dogs, human medicine for pets, is it safe for me to give my dog human medication, OTC human medications that are safe for dogs and cats, OTC medications for pets, safety