Common Household Treatments For Your Pets

Not every course of treatment recommended by your veterinarian is going to be a veterinary prescription – there are many common household medications that can be used to treat your pets’ symptoms. Your medicine cabinet or even your pantry may be stocked with solutions for ailments ranging from stomach upset to itching. Many of the prescription medications that veterinarians prescribe are also the same medications that your doctor might prescribe to you for various ailments. However, this does not mean that you should attempt to treat your pet without a veterinarian’s expert advice, as dosages and frequencies are often VERY different for pets than for us humans.

The following are examples of items that may be used in relieving your pet’s illness:

• Buffered aspirin (for pain relief – not recommended for cats. Additionally, only buffered aspirin should be used for pain relief and never ibuprofen or Tylenol)
• Vitamin B (to stimulate the appetite)
• Benadryl (for allergic reactions and itching)
• Dramamine (car sickness)
• Pepto Bismol (used for diarrhea, vomiting, and as an antacid)
• Mineral oil (helps with constipation)
• Kaopectate (relieves diarrhea)
• Canned pumpkin (relieves constipation)
• Pepcid (used as an antacid)
• Robitussin DM (for coughs -- this is not recommended for cats)
• Imodium AD (relives diarrhea – this is also not recommended for cats)

You should always contact your veterinarian at the first sign of illness or discomfort. Your veterinarian can immediately prescribe a course of action and can also advise you on whether or not a readily available treatment may be found in your home. Your vet is also your best reference as to whether or not common human medications are still considered safe and acceptable based on the latest findings. In addition, your vet can tell you the correct dosages and give you peace of mind by informing you of what to watch for and how long your pet may feel ill.

With the help of your vet and an everyday item from your medicine cabinet, your pet can be well on the way to a speedy recovery.