April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
We’ve all likely had the experience of having a sick or injured pet and wondering whether emergency treatment is needed or if it is something that can wait until your primary veterinarian is open in the morning. The first step in knowing if there is a problem is knowing what is normal for your pet. This is why we recommend regularly performing an at-home health assessment.
We’re often asked if there are any OTC medications that can be safely given to pets at home. While we always recommend consulting with a veterinarian before administering any medication, even an over-the-counter (OTC) one, there are some products that are helpful to have on hand.
OTC Medications to have on hand:
Probiotic, such as Purina Fortiflora, or Nutramax’s Proviable: typically used for a minimum of a 7-10 day course at the early signs of soft stool.
Antihistamine ophthalmic drops, such as Alaway or Zatidor: though eye issues typically warrant prompt examination, if cleared by a veterinarian these can be used to help manage mild cases of allergic conjunctivitis.
Saline eye drops: can be used to rinse eyes in event of exposure to irritant, and in cases of mild conjunctivitis can provide short-term soothing.
Lubricating eye drops, or Genteal: these can be administered to an irritated eye until you are able to get your pet in to be examined, though not a replacement for an examination.
Bland diet options: it’s a good idea to keep a few cans of a bland food on hand in the event of gastrointestinal upset (we like Purina EN, Hill’s i/d, as well as OTC sensitive stomach formulas from companies such as Purina, Hill’s, Royal Canin, or Iams) – assuming your pet does not have a food allergy, of course.
Antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine): these may be recommended in the case of an allergic reaction, or with seasonal allergies. A veterinarian should be consulted for dosing instructions.
Pepcid AC (famotidine) and/or Prilosec (omeprazole: both are antacids, though have different mechanisms of action and onset of action. May be advised if patient is experiencing mild gastrointestinal upset, but any significant vomiting or other GI signs should warrant prompt examination.
Dramamine (meclizine): used for motion sickness relief in dogs.
Medications that should not be administered without veterinary recommendation:
Aspirin: aspirin has been shown to cause gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration much more commonly than other pain relievers in dogs; additionally, if a patient has received aspirin it limits the pain relief options we have (which are also typically much more effective as well) for a “washout period” of 5-7 days.
Pepto-Bismol: this contains an ingredient that is broken down into aspirin when metabolized, so is not recommended.
Ibuprofen or other OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatories: there are more effective NSAIDs for our patients and if they have received one of these prior it may limit our options for more effective pain management.
Lomotil or other anti-diarrheal medications: these often work by slowing down the movement of the intestines, which can lead to issues with constipation.