dog-allergy-medicine[/caption]My Top 10 List of Over-the-Counter Human Meds That Can Be Used on Pets
In case you don’t know, OTC stands for "over the counter,” meaning that no prescription is needed. Armed with your vet’s say-so, all you have to do is pluck the drug off the store shelf and follow your vet’s oral or written instructions.
Now wasn’t that tons easier (and probably much cheaper) than buying things via the pharmacy?
Luckily, there are lots of drugs that don’t have to abide by the stringent rules of the written prescription — most of which you’ve probably heard of. Nonetheless, I feel the need to describe them because maybe, just maybe, there’s something I can add to your basic understanding of these medications, their indications and contraindications.
Here are my top 10 picks, which are peppered liberally with disclaimers about always asking your vet first before using any drug. Remember: O-T-C doesn’t necessarily mean S-A-F-E!
1. Pepcid AC (famotidine)
2. Tagamet HB (cimetidine)
These stomach drugs, which hinder the body’s production of GI acids, are great for pets when gastric juices flow into overdrive. They’re mostly given to dogs for simple gastritis (stomach inflammation), which can result from a number of tummy insults — self-inflicted through “dietary indiscretion” or otherwise.
Dosage depends on the pet’s size, other drugs administered and your pet’s general condition. Always check with your vet first to get the go-ahead and the right dosage.
3. Aspirin
Although most vets no longer recommend aspirin for pain — why use a less potent, more stomach-harming drug when safer, more effective ones are available? —some of us still rely on it when a canine client is far away and nothing else is available.
As a rule, I never recommend using aspirin more than two days in a row and never in combination with other NSAIDs, such as Rimadyl, Metacam and Derramax. Drug interactions with aspirin are not uncommon, so don’t automatically assume it’s safe to give it to your pet.
Some cats may also do well with small doses of aspirin, but this is much more controversial –– too much so for the purposes of this discussion. So always check with your veterinarian before even considering this OTC approach with your cat.
4. Artificial tears and other ophthalmic lubricants
Genteal and Soothe XP are my favorites for getting the red out. I love these preparations for minor eye irritations –– they’re the ultimate do-no-harm optical treatment.
Most of the time, very mild conjunctivitis (slight weepiness or redness around the eyes) will clear up within a few days of simple soothing with artificial tears. But if your pet has white, yellow or greenish discharge; extreme redness or swelling; or if the eye obviously hurts (your pet will wink or close the eye), skip this step and immediately head to the vet! Even a day is too long with a painful eye.
5. Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
6. Zyrtec (cetirizine)
7. Claritin (loratadine)
These are great, easy-going drugs used for common cases of the itches or the first sign of hives. I use them liberally in my practice, but they don’t lack side effects. Other OTC antihistamines may also be effective for allergic reactions in pets, but Benadryl, Zyrtec and Claritin are most commonly recommended.
Be warned: Some pets will feel the sedating effects more than others, especially those who are also taking mood-altering drugs, certain pain relievers and seizure medications. You should also note that the dosage can be significantly different for pets than for humans, so call your vet first and ask if it’s OK.
8. Neosporin and antibiotic gels
Minor cuts and abrasions love this gel. I tend to recommend them only for the slightest of scrapes, and they should be applied onto clean skin in a very light coat for only a day or two — that’s all it should take.
Some issues to be aware of with these ointments: People tend to buy fancy ones with tetracaine, hydrocortisone and other ingredients that can hinder healing for some wounds. And pets like to lick wounds, especially when their attention is drawn to them via smelly gels. In these cases, they’re contraindicated –– the risk is greater than the reward.
9. Corticosteroid sprays, gels and creams
Standard OTC corticosteroid sprays and creams, such as hydrocortisone, can be lifesavers in a pinch when itchy red patches and hot spots appear. But you should know that the sprays can be stingy (they typically contain alcohol). The gels and creams are great — unless, of course, they attract your pet to lick the itchy spot.
10. Antifungal sprays, gels and creams
An OTC product containing miconazole (or one of several other common antifungal drugs) will sometimes resolve uncomplicated fungal infections. Unfortunately, most fungal infections in pets aren’t uncomplicated. Still, I’ve often sent clients to the drugstore for an OTC antifungal to keep a pet comfortable until they can come in for an office visit.
These are my top OTC human meds for pets, but always, always, always check with your own vet before giving your pets any medications.
The sad news is that there is no cure for allergies in dogs and cats. There are, however, ways to decrease allergen exposure and to address allergy symptoms in pets.
Allergens include mites, grasses, molds, and pollens. Elimination of allergens is a challenge. Among the techniques that help are running air filters, keeping windows closed, dusting with a damp cloth, vacuuming frequently using a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and not smoking. Wash bedding with hot water and use perfume-free detergent, rinsing twice. Choose cotton for bedding, and put cotton on your sofa instead of wool fabric. Keep your pet on tile or linoleum rather than carpet. Rinse soap from floors after mopping them. Pets should not be kept in garages, laundry rooms, damp basements, or dusty barns.
Keep pets off lawns when mowing and rinse off their feet when they come in from the yard. Keep your pet indoors during early morning and late evening when pollen counts are high. Keep your pet off treated wood decks and out of cedar dog houses. Avoid cedar chips in pet beds. Feed only fresh pet food kibble that is not dusty. Store unfed kibble in the freezer. Use stainless or glass pet bowls rather than plastic bowls.
Omega 3 fatty acids decrease the tendency for your pet's immune system to overreact. Be patient, as it may take 3-6 weeks for the fatty acids to be incorporated into the cells in the body and ease allergy symptoms. Super Pure Omega 3 Soft Chews may be the most helpful of all fatty acid products because of its purity and ease of assimilation. If your pet is finicky, try Super Pure Omega 3 Liquid which can be mixed in with your pet's food.
Only 15% of dogs are significantly helped by fatty acids, and using poor products or products that combine Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids may be the cause of product ineffectiveness. For Omega 3 fatty acids to be of benefit, they must contribute significantly to your pet's intake of fat, so that your pet has about as many Omega 3 fatty acids in his or her diet as Omega 6 fatty acids. To learn more, visit our section on Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.
Yucca is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps the immune system function normally. It helps resolve symptoms without side effects common with steroids. Yucca should be given daily for allergies. Yucca Intensive, a concentrated liquid medication is a powerful product that is safe for cats and dogs with allergies. It can also be given in your pet's food or applied directly to areas of itching skin.
Shampoos and conditioners ease allergy symptoms. For example, Relief Shampoo contains pramoxine, oatmeal, and Omega-6 fatty acids to relieve itching. HyLyt Essential Fatty Acid Shampoo contains soothing emollients and moisturizers. Allermyl Shampoo also helps alleviate allergic symptoms.
Antihistamines such as Benadryl, are often the first drugs used when a pet develops allergy symptoms, but they are ineffective in 80% of pets. Some pets will respond to one antihistamine although they do not benefit from another. Common antihistamines include Hydroxyzine HCl (Rx), Chlorpheniramine 4mg and Diphenhydramine (Generic Benadryl).
Oral steroids significantly suppress allergy symptoms, but their ability to do so decreases the more often they are used. Thus, a steroid injection may help your pet be symptom free for six weeks the first time it is used, but after several injections, symptoms are eased for days rather than for weeks.
Typically, steroids are begun at high doses then tapered to small doses given every other day. Tapering the dose helps your pet avoid side effects such as irritability, aggression, increased appetite, increased urination, thin skin, poor haircoat, vomiting and diarrhea, liver abnormalities with elevated liver enzymes SAP and SGPT.
Steroids can be injected or taken orally so that they circulate and influence the entire body—systemic steroids—or they can be used topically. Topical steroids are safer than injected or oral steroids because so little is absorbed that the possibilities of side effects are minimal. Examples of prescription systemic steroids include Prednisone and Methylprednisolone. Examples of prescription topical steroids include eye drops such as Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension (for dogs), hair conditioner (ResiCort®), or Genesis Topical Spray (for dogs).
If steroids do not relieve your pet's symptoms, including itching, look for causes that have not been eliminated: fleas, lice, mites, ringworm, and food allergies caused by flavored treats or flavored medications.
Cyclosporine (Modified) Generic To Atopica stops the WBC from stimulating histamine release. Because WBC are part of the immune system, cyclosporine is called an immune modulator. Cyclosporine resolves symptoms in about half of all pets. It does have side effects, including upset stomachs, but its use may decrease the steroids your pet need.
Cyclosporine is used for conditions in addition to allergies. For example, it is used to treat pets with a bleeding disorder called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). With this disease, cyclosporine can be life saving.
Another immune-modulating technique is a series of allergy shots injecting whatever your pet is allergic to under his or her skin. This is an expensive therapy that helps some, but not all, pets. There is a lack of research evidence supporting this therapy and it can cause shock and anaphylaxis, so it is not to be undertaken lightly.
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