Post on 14-Feb-2017
June 2015
Over The Counter (OTC) Medications: Could They Be Harmful To Your Pet?
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Over-‐the-‐counter, (OTC)
medications are commonly used by
people for pain, allergies, colds,
etc. Most of these medications are
not marketed toward animals or
approved by the Food and Drug
Administration, (FDA) for use in
animal. These medications could
be potentially harmful to pets, and
their use requires a prescription. A
veterinarian should always be
consulted for a prescription before
using any OTC medication in an
animal.
Some common OTC
medications that are harmful to
animals are:
1. Ibuprofen (Advil): Toxic to
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both dogs and cats.
Toxicity is more severe in
cats because they cannot
break down the drug.
Common symptoms are
bleeding of the stomach
and intestine, vomiting,
diarrhea, kidney failure,
and low blood pressure.
2. Aspirin: Toxic to cats and
dogs above certain doses.
Can cause panting,
increased temperature,
seizures, and bleeding of
the stomach.
3. Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
Toxic to both cats and
dogs. Toxicity is more
severe and fast occurring
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in cats because they
cannot break down the
drug. Symptoms of toxicity
are breakdown of red
blood cells, anemia, liver
failure, increased heart
rate, weakness, and
vomiting.
These are just a few of the OTC
medications that could harm a pet.
If it is suspected a pet has been
given, or accidentally consumed, a
non-‐prescription OTC medication it
is best to contact a veterinarian.
Pharm Phacts: For You And Your Pet Julianne Willis, Pharm.D. Candidate 2016
Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center
Auburn University Healthy Tigers Program
Pharm Phacts: For You and Your Pet
Xylitol Toxicity: What is it and how do you treat it?
Xylitol is a zero calorie
sweetener that is commonly found
in sugar-‐free chewing gums,
candies, and baked goods. It has no
effect on blood sugar in humans,
but if a dog consumes something
containing xylitol, it can cause fast
and severe hypoglycemia, or a drop
in blood sugar. Xylitol does not
cause a drop in blood sugar in other
animals the way it does in dogs.
This drop in blood sugar is
associated with xylitol toxicity. Signs
and symptoms of toxicity can be
seen within 30 minutes to a few
hours. Signs or symptoms that could
possibly be seen are: disorientation,
vomiting, seizures, and weakness.
Xylitol can also cause liver problems.
If ingestion of a product containing
xylitol is suspected, or known, it is
best to seek the advice of a
veterinarian as quickly as possible.
If able, let the veterinarian know the
source of the xylitol and how much
time has passed since it was eaten.
This information can help them
determine the best treatment for
your pet.
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Spring and summer bring
sunny weather and beautiful days
outside, but they also bring pests
for pets such as fleas, ticks, and
heartworms. These three tiny
pests can cause major health
problems for pets and the
treatment for the problems they
cause can cost much more than
the ways to prevent them. Flea,
tick, and heartworm preventatives
are very common and can help to
make sure animals do not become
infested with them.
Fleas can be present on an
animal without being seen due to
their life cycle. The fleas you see
are adult fleas. Non-‐adult fleas are
too small to see. They can be a
problem to both pets and
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humans. They bite and draw
blood which causes itching, but
they can cause other problems.
Fleas can cause life-‐threatening
anemia in pets. They can also
carry bacteria that can infect an
animal and cause problems, like
Cat Scratch Fever in humans.
Ticks are parasites that attach
to the skin and live off the blood
of whomever they bite. Their bite
does not usually cause pain at
first, but they can transmit
diseases and cause tick paralysis.
Even within a few hours of biting,
a tick can begin to spread disease
and cause paralysis. So, it is very
important to check pets for ticks
regularly during the warm spring
and summer months. If a tick is
Fleas, Ticks, And Heartworms: Oh My!
Pharm Phacts: For You and Your Pet
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removed and the spot remains
red and/or crusty for more than a
few days, then it could be
infected. If this occurs, it is best to
see a veterinarian.
Heartworms are transmitted
to animals through mosquito
bites. The mosquito usually carries
heartworms from one animal to
another after biting an infected
animal. The heartworms can fill
the chambers of the heart, making
it hard to pump the blood and get
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oxygen to the body. Removal of
heartworms is a long and
expensive process. Therefore
prevention is very important.
These three tiny pests can be
big in treatment costs. Year round
prevention is preferred, to save
money in the long run. Contact a
veterinarian for purchase (see
right).
Common Flea and Tick Preventatives:
• Seresto (collar)
• Frontline Plus
• Advantage II
• Comfortis
• K9 Advantix II
• Bravecto
• NexGard
Common Heartworm Preventatives:
• Heartgard
• Sentinel (also prevents fleas)
• Advantage Multi (also prevents fleas)
Combination Preventatives for all 3:
• Trifexis
• Revolution
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Common Diseases Requiring Treatment And Symptoms
To Watch Out For
Canine Influenza Virus (CIV): Also called dog flu, CIV can occur year
round. This has recently been seen more often and has reached
epidemic levels in some states. CIV is highly contagious and can easily
be spread from dog to dog through nose-‐to-‐nose contact, and
sneezing/coughing, as well as by people who are around infected dogs.
Symptoms to look out for are persistent cough and sneezing, thick
discharge from the nose and eyes, reduction in appetite, fever, and
lethargy.
Pharm Phacts: For You and Your Pet Summer 2015
References: 1. Khan SA. Analgesics (Toxicity). The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck and Co, Inc. 2014 August [cited 2015 May
27]. Available from: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/toxicology/toxicities_from_human_drugs/analgesics_toxicity.html?qt=ibuprofen&alt=sh
2. Gwaltney-‐Brant SM. Xylitol. The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck and Co, Inc. 2013 May [cited 2015 May 27]. Available from: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/toxicology/food_hazards/xylitol.html?qt=xylitol&alt=sh
3. Brooks WC. Fleas: Know Your Enemy. Veterinary Partner: The Pet Health Library. Veterinary Information Network, Inc. 2011 April 19 [cited 2015 May 27]. Available from: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3237
4. Lundgren B. Ticks: Arthropod Parasites. Veterinary Partner: VP Client Information Sheets. Veterinary Information Network, Inc. 2009 May 19 [cited 2015 May 27]. Available from: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2311
5. Brooks WC. Heartworm: The Parasite. Veterinary Partner: The Pet Health Library. Veterinary Information Network, Inc. 2012 July 5 [cited 2015 May 27]. Available from: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=615
6. Canine Influenza: Pet Owners’ Guide. AVMA. [cited 2015 May 27]. Available from: https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/CanineInfluenza.aspx
7. Bruyette D. Diabetes Mellitus. The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck and Co, Inc. 2013 May [cited 2015 May 27]. Available from: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/endocrine_system/the_pancreas/diabetes_mellitus.html?qt=diabetes&alt=sh
8. Peterson ME. Hyperthyroidism. The Merck Veterinary Manual. Merck and Co, Inc. 2013 August [cited 2015 May 27]. Available from: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/endocrine_system/the_thyroid_gland/hyperthyroidism.html?qt=hyperthyroidism&alt=sh
“Pets become your family.
First they are just animals,
then pets, then fur-‐persons.
Fursons! That’s why their
health is important!” –Chris
Simmons, Veterinary
Pharmacist
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Diabetes: Occurs mostly in middle-‐aged cats and dogs, and any breed
can be affected. The diabetes that occurs is very similar to Type 1
Diabetes in humans. Common symptoms include increased thirst,
increased urination, increased appetite with weight loss, cataracts, and
weakness.
Hyperthyroidism: Caused by increased thyroid hormone and more
commonly seen in cats, but can be rarely seen in dogs. In these cases,
the thyroid gland will be enlarged, forming a lump on the neck of the
animal. Other common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, weight
loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, and
increased heart rate.
These are just a few of the many common diseases seen in pets that
require treatment. If any of the above symptoms, or abnormal
symptoms are present for your pet, then it is best to contact a
veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.