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Tylenol - This seemingly safe drug used in humans
for headaches and fever, can actually be deadly to
your cat. Cats have an unusual metabolism
in their liver. When Tylenol is eaten, it is taken by
the bloodstream to the liver. In the cat, the
liver metabolizes or breaks down Tylenol into separate
components which are actually toxic to the cat.
In other species these components are further broken
down by the liver into non toxic substances. But
the cat lacks the necessary enzymes to continue this
breakdown process. These end products of Tylenol
breakdown are so toxic to the cat that death is the
typical outcome. The take home lesson then is
to NEVER give Tylenol in any
dose to your cat. Tylenol can however,
be used for pain in the dog. Check with
your veterinarian whether you can safely use this drug
for your dog.
Aspirin - These are the most commonly
used drugs today classified as NSAIDS (Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs), and are used for pain relief,
and sometimes relief of inflammation in both dogs and
cats. Once again, cats tend to metabolize (or
break down) the aspirin products more slowly than dogs
or humans, so dosage is usually done on an every other
day basis in the cat. As with any NSAID, stomach
upset can be a commonly seen side effect, so discontinuing
the drug if vomiting occurs is recommended. Typically,
your veterinarian may recommend buffered aspirin, or
more effective, Ascriptin. This form of aspirin
contains maalox, which helps to coat the stomach lining,
and prevent irritation associated with aspirin products.
Long term usage of aspirin, may also result in complications
with the normal clotting of blood. Therefore,
discontinuation of all aspirin products prior to any
surgery is highly recommended.
Pepto-Bismol - Commonly recommended for
our pets for stomach upset or diarrhea, Pepto-Bismol
should only be used in the dog, as it can not be
given daily to the cat. Perhaps the one benefit
of Pepto-Bismol, is that of coating the stomach, and
perhaps alleviating some symptoms of nausea. As
for diarrhea, there seems to be little Pepto-Bismol
can do.
Kaopectate - This too has been used in our pets
for stomach upset or diarrhea. Some veterinarians
swear by its effect, yet to date, little has been shown
to its effectiveness in clinical studies. Recommended
only for use in the dog.
Imodium AD - This anti-diarrhea medication is
useful in both dogs and cats. It seems to work
better with small
intestinal diarrhea, and is available in both tablet
and liquid form. Check with your veterinarian
if your pet could take this drug, and at what dosage.
Pepcid
AC - Now available over-the-counter as
10mg tablets, Pepcid AC is a useful drug for vomiting
in the dog. Designed as an antacid, Pepcid
AC decreases the acid secretion in the stomach, thereby
alleviating associated discomfort and nausea.
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