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How do you know if your canine has a headache? You don’t.
Obviously our animals can’t complain about minor aches and pains or make a dramatic scene to let everyone know how much they suffer. If our animals have mild aches and pains, many of the time they will simply wait it out in silence. While you might think this creates a drawback for them, I do have another point of view. There is a separate condition that develops when we give medication for every little problem and it’s called over medication. In other words, we try to resolve one problem and numerous times we cause another one.
Here are a few common medications that, while they may be helpful for treating mild pain, have the potential to cause major problems, even in small doses:
Acetaminophen Even a small dose can be fatal to your cat!
Acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol, among others) is typically prescribed to children with fevers and to adults with pain. It is also seen in numerous combination products such as Vicodin and Tylenol w/codeine. numerous over-the-counter cough and cold medication such as Nyquil and Dayquil also include acetaminophen. The list of products that include acetaminophen could easily fill the pages of a small book, which is why reading the label is very important. If this medication is given in sensible doses it has proven pretty safe in humans; however, that does not imply that it is also safe in pets. numerous cats have gone into liver failure after ingesting even a very small dose.
Within 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion, acetaminophen levels can be already measured in the blood and can begin causing damage. The first thing that acetaminophen typically attacks is the liver, causing comprehensive damage and at times this could result in liver failure. another potential consequence is damage to red blood cells—the blood no longer has the ability to carry oxygen. All cells in the body need oxygen to survive.
Symptoms of acetaminophen toxicity in animals may include fast breathing, stomach pain, the gums may be discolored brown (cells not carrying oxygen properly) or blue (inadequate blood supply), there may be swelling of the extremities, and finally this toxicity could result in collapse then death.
If you realize that your pet has just ingested acetaminophen, inducing vomiting can remove the drug from the pet’s stomach before absorption. call the vet immediately. because absorption occurs so rapidly and vomiting might not be enough or fast enough, your veterinarian has a variety of options to avoid even more absorption (e.g. activated charcoal). Your pet’s veterinarian also has a variety of medications such as N-acetylcysteine that avoid toxic substances from forming and causing even more liver damage. The veterinarian may want to do blood transfusions, place the pet on intravenous fluids, or offer other medications that could help support the liver such as Denamarin tablets. Denamarin includes the antioxidant Silybin which has shown to improve liver function by raising glutathione levels. Glutathione is an antioxidant that helps safeguard cells from toxins such as the byproducts of acetaminophen metabolism.
Since many cases of acetaminophen toxicity are preventable, the best guidance is to childproof your home and place all of your medications someplace safe from both animals and children. another way to avoid toxicity is to make sure nobody gives your pet any medication without checking with you first. That being said, it is essential to know what your pet can and cannot take. Last but not least, if your pet gets into something such as acetaminophen, the most essential thing to do for the health of your loving companion is to take him or her to the veterinarian. In cases of poisoning, your veterinarian may be able to do some things early on that are not available later after the damage has already occurred.
NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin, carprofen)
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs are used all the time by humans and are prescribed frequently to our pets. Although the NSAIDs that were developed later may have a less side effect profile, using even a small dose to a sensitive pet can and has caused major reactions. These reactions can be things like gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting, kidney failure, liver disease, vomiting, and a multitude of other problems.
When prescribed correctly to your pet, drugs such as Rimadyl, Previcox, Deramaxx, Metacam and similar drugs can do wonders for treating certain major aches and pains. These drugs require monitoring on a regular basis. keep in mind that these drugs do have side effects and there is a real risk if using them because we “think” our pet has a headache or other ache or pain. even in humans there have been numerous recent discoveries that these types of drugs, even in small doses, can cause major side effects not only in the gastrointestinal tract but also on the cardiovascular system. Although the use of these drugs seems to be pervasive, they are not as innocuous as numerous believe.
Tramadol (central nervous system effects, opiate)
Tramadol is a drug that is used for moderate or even severe pain. It can be used to ease various causes of pain, including post-surgery pain or chronic pain. Tramadol can and has been given as an alternative in animals who can’t take NSAIDs. Tramadol blocks certain receptors in the brain that are essential for transmitting the sensation of pain throughout the body.
Although Tramadol is frequently used in pets, it does have a rather comprehensive side effect profile. This drug should absolutely be given under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. firstly this drug is a controlled substance and having possession of it without a prescription is a crime in many places. Secondly, without proper dosing and monitoring, Tramadol can cause major health problems. This is not a drug that can be given just because we suspect our pet is in pain.
Corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone, methylprednisolone)
Corticosteroids are another class of drug that can be very helpful in decreasing pain and inflammation, but they also can be incredibly harmful if not used properly. long-term use of corticosteroids has been implicated with the development of numerous adverse effects, much more than can be noted here. It is important that these medications be prescribed, taken and monitored properly.
The drugs noted here are only a small portion of the drugs used for pain which have the potential to cause a problem in your pets. This is not an all-inclusive list, and there are numerous others that haven’t been discussed here due to space constraints.
While our animals can’t tell us that they are in pain, there are certain signs that pet owner ought to be aware of that indicate that there is pain or discomfort. For example: restlessness, unwillingness to relocation or play, loss of appetite, or any change in typical practices could indicate pain. numerous animals even vocalize the fact that they are in pain. using safer steps such as Yucca Intensive or giving joint medication such as very Joint Enhancer has helped in certain cases and may be considered an option. These drugs are considered safe and natural supplements that have been shown in numerous cases to decrease pain and inflammation.
If, however, the natural over-the-counter remedies do not work and your pet is still in pain, only your veterinarian is in a position to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the best medication for your own pet’s particular needs. Your pet’s veterinarian will also be in a better position to monitor the dose, blood levels, the liver, kidneys, and any other parameter that may require monitoring. following these guidelines and having a good relationship with the veterinarian is vital for your pet’s wellness and health. If you have any medication-related question, your 1800PetMeds pharmacist is also available to answer those for you.
Pet Medications