Home
Abscess
Addison's Disease
Adrenal Glands
Allergy
Anal Gland
Anemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Canine Atopy
Bad Breath
Beds
Behavior
Bladder
Bleeding/Blood
Blood Pressure
Cancer
Cloning
Coccidiosis
Cold
Colitis
Constipation
Canine Coronavirus
Cough
Kennel Cough
Diapers
Cushings Disease
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Distemper
Ears
Energy/Lethargic
Epilepsy
Eye Health
Eye
Fleas
Flu
Food and Diet
Giardia
Hair
Heart Disease
Heartworm
Heat Stroke
Herpesvirus
Hip Dysplasia
Hives
Hyperactivity
Hypoglycemia
Hypothyroidism
Canine Insurance
Irritable Bowel (IDB)
Kidney
Knee Problems
Leptospirosis
Liver
Lyme Disease
Mange
Medicine Guide
Canine Nose Bleeds
Pancreatitis
Pain
Parvo Virus
Paw
Pneumonia
Poisoning
Pregnancy
Prostate
Pyometra
Rabies
Ringworm
Sinus
Skin
Skin Lumps
Warts
Spleen
Stroke
Stomach
Teeth and Gums
Thyroid Disease
Ulcer
Urinary Tract Infection
Vomit
Weight
Worms
Vaccines
Hair Vacuum
Dog Care Links
Dog Training
Dog Food Recall
Photos
Dog Breed Info
Birthday Cake
Kennels
Read Our Blog
Privacy Policy
About Us/Disclosure
Reader Questions
Toxoplasmosis

Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines
 

Dog Medicine

"Dog Medicine is only a good idea if under the advice of a veterinarian or according to the label of the drug."




It goes without saying that before you give your pet any medicine, you should check with your Veterinarian. The dog health guide provides information on prescription and over the counter dog medicine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a Veterinarian or other pet health professional. Always tell your veterinarian and veterinary pharmacist what other medications your dog is taking.

If you have a specific question regarding your dog and dog medicine use our Ask Your Question Now. service.

Common Dog Medications for Home Use

Dog Home Analgesics and Anti-Inflammatory Medicines

Dog Pain Medication

Aspirin (coated and/or buffered) – 5mg per pound orally every 12 hours. Works out to 1 adult tablet/60lbs with food,2-3 times/day. If it isn't helping, see your veterinarian. Most pet stores sell aspirin made for dogs.

Side Effects: Possible side effects include vomiting and diarrhea. If you see either side effect do not use and call your veterinarian.

Precautions: Do not use if your dog is allergic to aspirin or or other NSAIDs. If symptoms last more than 3 days, stop use and call your veterinarian.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)NEVER give your dog Tylenol/acetaminophen since it is toxic to the liver.

Ibuprofen (Nuprin, Motrin, Advil): Ibuprofen is very toxic and fatal to dogs at low doses such as 1 human tablet. Only aspirin is safe for dogs, and buffered aspirin or ascriptin is preferred to minimize stomach upset. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen when prescribed under the direction of a veterinarian for dogs is in minuscule dosages (Acetaminophen at 15 mg/kg and Ibuprofen at 10 mg/kg to avoid liver and kidney damage. For more information follow this think to a study on dogs and ibuprofen.

Dog Antiseptic:

Betadine Solution – Apply on skin – dilute to .2 percent (2 ml to 2 quarts of tap water)

Dog Antihistamine

Benedryl (diphenhydramine) – 2 mg per pound orally every eight hours

Side Effects: The side effects of hydroxyzine may include sleepiness and sedation, lack of coordination, weakness, nausea and heightened thirst.

Precautions: Do not use if your dog is allergic other antihistamines. Use with caution in dogs with heart disease, glaucoma, urinary obstruction or intestinal obstruction. Do not use in pregnant or nursing dogs . Seek the advice of a veterinarian if using with with other CNS depressant drugs such as acepromazine; monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegilene and Preventic collars; anticholinergics such as atropine and metoclopramide; and medications used for wheezing such as theophylline, epinephrine or ephedrine.

Antacid/Laxative:

Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hyroxide) – 2 to 5 ml per pound orally every 4 to 6 hours (antacid) or 7 to 25 ml. per pound orally once only (laxative)

Mineral Oil – 10 to 50 ml. per dog, add to food

How to make a Dog Vomit

Only make your dog vomit if what was swallowed is not caustic (acidic) or sharp (i.e.tennis ball, chocolate) and if swallowed within a half hour.

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) – 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds orally, may repeat every 15 to 30 minutes (3 times only). 1/4 to 1/2 cup depending on size of dog.

Dog Diarrhea Treatment Medicine

It's best to check a stool sample for parasites first. If there is no vomiting, try a bland diet of broiled or boiled hamburger or chicken and rice for a few days. You can also use kaopectate, peptobismal, and on large dogs, Imodium (2mg/60-80lbs). If there is vomiting or blood in the stool, it's better to take your dog to the veterinarian.

Kaopectate – ½ to 1 ml per pound (or 1 to 2 teaspoons per 10 pounds) every 4 hours

Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) - .5 to 1.5 ml per pound orally every 12 hours

Canine Home Cough Remedies - Supressants and Expectorants

Expectorant (to help with mucus):Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough Syrup – 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds orally every 4 hours as needed. Check the label to make sure the medicine does not contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Look for products containing Guaifenesin and/or Dextromethorphan

Cough Suppressant:
Robitussin Dm, Benylin Expectorant (destromethorphan) or Siltussin DM (Silarx) - Look for products containing Guaifenesin (100mg) and Dextromethorphan. While these products are not approved for veterinary use by the FDA they are common practice in the veterinary community.

Dosage:(10mg) per teaspoonful..5 to 1 mg per pound (or 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds) orally every 6 hours. The dose for Robitussin DM in small dogs is 1/2 teaspoon every 4 hours. The usual dose in large dogs is 1 teaspoonful every 4 hours.

Side effects:Number 1 side effect is sleepiness. If your dog shows other symptoms such as dry heaves and shows changes in behavior such as lethargic behavior, take your dog to the Emergency Room or veterinarian as soon as possible.

Precautions:Do not use these products with an MAO inhibitor such as Anipryl (selegiline) or Preventic Tick Collar.

Motion Sickness Dog Medicine

Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) - 2 to 4 mg per pound orally every eight hours

Poison Removal

Charcoal (compressed activated charcoal) - 1.5 gm tablet per 10 pounds, keep at least 30 tablets available.

Dog Vomit Treatment

Dog vomit can be due to parasites, infectious diseases, foreign bodies, tumors and inflammation. The most common reason is when a foreign body or something else that shouldn't have been eaten is digested. If vomiting is occasional and the dog is acting normally, try no food for 24 hours and only small amounts of water at a time or an ice cube.

You can also try Kaopectate or Peptobismal at 1 Tbsp/30 lbs 3-4 times. If the vomiting continues, see your veterinarian.

Natural Dog Medicine

Many herbal supplements can have a positive impact on your dog's health without the side effects of prescription or over the counter dog medicine. These ailments include:

Digestive System Problems

Constipation

Cough

Arthritis, Rheumatism and Degenerative Joint Disease

Sinus Conditions

Herbal supplements are safe and have few side effects if any.

Sources for Dog Medicine

Canine First Aid Workshop
August 8, 1999, Standish, Maine
Presented by VMD Eve Knowles

The Hound Health Book
Betsy Brevitz, DVM




To Dog Health Guide Home Page from Dog Medicine Guide


footer for dog medicine page