When a pet is ill you want to do your best by them. It’s
understandable to see why then, that we want to give them medication to make
them feel better. If a cat or dog is
sick why can’t we give them the same medication we would take in a similar scenario?
Take paracetamol for instance. We all have it stowed away in
our cupboards and take it without second thought for a fever or sore head. However,
when given to a cat, even in the tiniest dose it’s fatal.
Cats lack an enzyme which helps break down the drug, so instead of the desired
effect, the cat will die of problems associated with their red blood cells.
Dogs are less sensitive but high enough doses can cause liver and kidney
damage. Ibuprofen has similar effects in cats and dogs. Both require low doses before gastric
ulceration can be seen. In more severe cases potentially fatal liver and kidney
damage can occur. The more potent the drug the higher the risks of side
effects, diclofenac for instance is highly toxic.
The moral of this story – please don’t medicate your pet
without veterinary advice.
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