Pets and RX Don't Mix

If you're serious about pet-proofing your home, start with the medicine cabinet. Nearly half the calls received by the Pet Poison Helpline involve over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans. Here are the seven medications most frequently ingested by pets:
*NSAID's (e.g. Advil, Aleve, Motrin) While safe for people, even one or two pills can cause serious harm to a pet. Dogs, cats, birds & other small mammals may develop serious stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure.
*Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) This drug is not safe for pets, especially cats. One regular-strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat's red blood cells.
*Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro) While antidepressants are occasionally used in pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems. Pets, especially cats, seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor and often eat the entire pill. One pill can cause serious poisoning.
*Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g. Xanax, Ambien, Lunesta) About half of the dogs who ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. These drugs may also cause severe lethargy and slowed breathing in pets.
*ADD/ADHD medications (e.g. Concerta, Ritalin) Minimal ingestion's of these medications by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperature and heart problems.
*Birth control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone) Large ingestion's of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Also, female pets who are intact are at increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.
*ACE inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace) Pets ingesting small amounts of this medication can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart didease.
The 24-hour Pet Poison Helpline is staffed by veterinary professionals, including board-certified veterinary internal-medicime specialists, board-certified veterinary emergency critical care specialists, and veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians specifically trained in the field of toxicology.
Call-1-800-213-6680 or visit www.petpoisonhelpline.com for more informaiton.
Jenniene