No one likes to see their dog suffer. You want to do something to help your dog feel better, and if the vet clinic is closed, you might consider giving him human medication. But some human medications — both prescription and over-the-counter — can have harmful effects on your dog’s kidneys (and other organs). Your good intentions may actually hurt your dog. Dogs can also be very resourceful and can often find a way into something they shouldn’t, resulting in accidental ingestion of human medicine.
In this article, we will discuss some of the human medications that can make your dog sick, focusing on those that can cause acute kidney injury in dogs. We’ll also cover what to do if your dog ingests human medication, how to store medication safely, and why you should always follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
Pause on People Pills
You should never give your dog any human prescription or over-the-counter medications without talking to your veterinarian first. You might think that because human medications are labeled safe for adults, children, or babies, they’re also safe for your dog. But dogs don’t metabolize drugs the same way humans do. Medications that are generally safe for humans at the correct dose, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can be harmful or even fatal to your dog.
Act quickly if your dog ingests human medications
If your dog has ingested human medications or you suspect he has ingested any, immediately call your veterinarian, an after-hours emergency veterinary clinic, or one of the two animal poison control centers in North America.
You should also consult a veterinarian immediately if your dog has ingested too much (overdose) of medication prescribed to him (or another pet). An overdose of veterinary drugs can also be harmful to your dog.
Human drugs can cause canine kidney problems
Medication toxicity depends on the type of medication, the size of your dog, and the strength of the medication. Here are some common human medications that can cause kidney failure in dogs.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include household names like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, carprofen, and meloxicam, are used to treat pain and inflammation in people and pets . But according to Pet Poison Helpline, toxic amounts of NSAIDs can cause acute kidney failure in dogs as well as gastrointestinal ulcers.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for dogs that regulates their calcium and phosphorus balance, but too much vitamin D can be toxic to dogs. Vitamin D3 (also called cholecalciferol) is used in certain mouse and rat poisons, which are common sources of poisoning for dogs when consumed in toxic amounts. Other products containing vitamin D that dogs might be exposed to include vitamin supplements and psoriasis creams and ointments. VCA Animal Hospital veterinarians explain that high doses of vitamin D cause high levels of calcium and phosphorus which can cause kidney failure and tissue mineralization (along with other symptoms), and that without treatment this can be mortal.
Antibiotics
According to PetMD, certain antibiotics can cause kidney failure in dogs, including kanamycin, neomycin, polymyxin B, and amikacin.
heart medications
Pet Poison Helpline explains that beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, used to manage heart disease and regulate blood pressure in humans as well as cats and dogs, have a narrow margin of safety. An overdose of these heart medications can cause heart failure, a very slow heartbeat, and very low blood pressure, which can lead to acute kidney failure.
follow the prescription
Along with human medications, you should not give your dog any medications that have been prescribed for another animal without first talking to your veterinarian. You may be giving them the wrong dose, or your dog may have an underlying health condition or be taking medications that are not compatible with this drug. It’s important to let your vet know about other medications your dog is taking so they can check for possible drug interactions. When your dog takes medication, you should monitor him for possible side effects.
Always make sure you have specific instructions from your veterinarian on how much medication to give your dog and how often – and make sure you fully understand the instructions. If you have any questions about the drug, be sure to ask your veterinarian for clarification. Too much medication can cause harmful side effects, while too little medication may not relieve your dog’s symptoms. Here are some tips for giving your dog medication.
Keep all medications away from your pets
Pets ingesting medications they shouldn’t are probably more common than you think. Human drugs are among the top 20 toxins the Pet Poison Hotline receives calls for. Medicines for human use are often kept in childproof bottles, but these do not necessarily mean dogproof. They don’t have thumbs or fingers to open the bottle, but they do have strong teeth and jaws. Some dogs can easily get into the bottle by gnawing on the lid or chewing on the bottle itself.
Be sure to keep all medications out of your dog’s reach. Think about places where medications might be easily accessible for your dog – in a purse, on the kitchen counter, on a bedside table, on the bathroom vanity. Easy places for your dog to quickly snatch a bottle of pills when you’re not looking.
It’s also a good idea to keep pet and human medications separate so they don’t accidentally mix. If your dog is on prescription medications, it’s important to keep them out of his reach as well, so he can’t potentially overdose on his medication. Prescription medicine for dogs is often flavored with meat, which gives your dog an extra incentive to try to get into the bottle if he smells that meaty smell.
Take your own medicine in a separate room from your dog so that if you accidentally drop a pill on the floor, you can pick it up before your canine vacuum has a chance. Dogs don’t tend to stop and ask what food is on the floor, which could have deadly consequences.
People need to be careful about what medications they take and how much, and the same goes for dogs. Medications that are safe for humans or other pets may not be safe for your dog. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any medicines, to help protect their kidneys (and other organs).
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