EMERGENCIES FROM MISUSE OF PET MEDICATION BY CAREGIVERS

In this final installment on Emergencies, I wanted to remind readers that grave consequences also arise from their misuse of medications/ herbs. Often, the caregiver, in panic, would administer medication that he considers to be appropriate for the afflicted animal. And way too often, that drug may be given in larger-than-recommended quantities, or is contra-indicated.
COMMONLY (MIS)USED ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICINES AND ANTIHISTAMINES, ANTI-ALLERGY DRUGS

ANTIHISTAMINES
These groups of chemicals work against those inflammatory processes that cause, inter alia, an itching sensation, and consequently scratching. It must be noted that the animal’s body responds to these chemicals in different ways and with varying intensities.
Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness and stomach/ intestinal upsets. Worse, an incorrect dose (for example, an overdose) can result in death. It is also important that the pet caregiver discuss the matter with the vet, who may even expose the animal to specific trials relative to the usage of antihistamines for optimal results in treating a specific ailment.
The itch-scratch syndrome may be caused by many other factors and disease agents. Healing of a specific/ complicated condition may not be achieved by introduction of just any antihistamine acquired over the counter (OTC).

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
Several drugs on the market (again, often sold OTC) have an anti-inflammatory function. One drug (for example a corticosteroid) may be highly effective in preventing and suppressing inflammation, but may also work against the body’s immune system. Using such a medication by itself on pets is looking for trouble. It is highly recommended that you let your vet prescribe such a drug, together with the concomitant necessary supportive medications.
Other medicines performing anti-inflammatory functions, and which are not steroids, are called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They, too, relieve pain and inflammation, and do not cause the side effect of reducing the body’s own immune (defence) system.
But, here again, the pet caregiver should not decide to introduce these pain killing anti-inflammatories, because these drugs do have serious adverse effects.
Cats have a notorious reputation of reacting badly to drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol).

HORMONES
I beg caregivers of especially female dogs (and cats) not to ever attempt to introduce hormones to prevent pregnancy or terminate pregnancy, or enhance the possibility of the adult pet becoming pregnant. Such an exercise is fraught with danger and calamities and deleterious consequences. Animals come in so many shapes, sizes and breeds that one type of hormone intervention does not fit all animals. Clearly, haphazard hormone interventions cannot, and must not, be implemented, based on online research. Note, too, that there are many laws governing the usage of hormones in Veterinary practice.

VITAMINS, MINERALS AND TRACE ELEMENTS
If you feed your dog a balanced and appropriate diet, there is no real need for supplementing that diet with vitamins and minerals. Of course, as the animal gets older (senior citizen), you may raise the matter with your veterinarian. Several factors would then have to be taken into consideration, for example breed, general health status, level of oral hygiene, energy levels, body mass indices.

Every pet has to be assessed individually during discussion with your vet in order to arrive at a specific protocol relative to providing vitamin/mineral/ trace elements supplements.

MISUSE OF DIURETICS
These drugs are used to remove excess water from dogs and cats (and other mammals, of course) which exhibit swelling (edema) on the limbs or fluid (volume) overload. These symptoms are usually associated with kidney or heart failure. So often, clients arrive at the vet’s clinic boasting that they have used drugs, and the swelling has appreciably been reduced. Commendable, but the causative origin has not been removed. In fact, introducing the drug and waiting for the efficacy to kick in means loss of time for the vet to tackle, say, the kidney failure, which caused the ailment in the first place. These medicinal home remidies may not end well.

USE AND MISUSE OF HERBS AND OTHER FOLK MEDICINE
My take on this is simple. Unless the actual curing ingredients (in leaves, barks, roots, etc.) have been isolated, and after extensive research has been carried out, dosage rates and methods of introducing the herbs into and on the animal’s body have been definitively established, I would not greatly advocate the usage of herbs as a significant part of pet medicine.
Similarly, I do not advocate the usage of old engine oil (waste oil) on the skin as a remedy to cure mange in dogs.
I trust that the message has been documented and delivered comprehensively enough to caution animal caregivers to not take it upon themselves to use medications on their pets without first consulting a veterinarian.
I have not touched all the medications administered to pets supposedly to effect a cure for a perceived ailment, such as home treatment for cancers and tumours, the use of antiviral drugs and drugs to treat urinary incontinence, psychotropic agents and cough suppressants, but the message remains the same. My advice always is to consult your veterinarian before you introduce any medication that has not been prescribed for the ailment.