Over-the-Counter Medications: Convenient Or Catastrophic?

I can still remember the day my border collie threw up into my open briefcase. It was not the first time Rachel was carsick, but it was the last. My veterinarian told me to try her on Dramamine, and it worked.

Equally vivid is the memory that St. Paul veterinarian Nancy Balto has of her first necropsy: A client had given his dog ibuprofen for joint pain. The dog developed a duodenal ulcer and died when it perforated.

These are the two extremes of using over-the-counter (OTC) medications for pets. On the one hand, an inexpensive, easily available remedy. On the other hand, a seemingly good idea that can go horribly wrong.

Think pink

Among the OTC remedies that can work for dogs is Pepto Bismol for diarrhea. "Just be prepared to get pink," Balto says, since the dogs hate the wintergreen flavor. She says the tablet form can be crushed and hidden in food. Pepto Bismol should not be used on cats. Kaopectate, which comes in an unflavored form, is acceptable for cats, although some sources question its effectiveness.

As noted above, all of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications other than aspirin should be avoided for home use. That includes naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil). Acetaminophens, like Tylenol, should also be avoided. "One Tylenol can kill a cat," Balto says. Tylenol can destroy red blood cells in cats, and can also cause liver problems in dogs.

Good old-fashioned aspirin - especially the buffered varieties - can relieve pain in dogs. It can also be used sparingly for cats. Balto says one baby aspirin every three days is sometimes used for cats with heart trouble who are prone to blood clots.

Be careful what you're treating

While some websites recommend mineral oil or a petroleum-based product for constipation, Balto disagrees. "Aspirating an oil can result in really bad pneumonia," she says. She says a stool softener like Dulcolax can be effective, although it must be administered without being crushed or chewed. "Be sure the problem really is constipation," Balto warns. "People see their dog out in the yard, straining, and they assume it's constipation when it's actually diarrhea." Balto notes Dulcolax should also be avoided in the case of gastrointestinal obstructions, like hairballs, and for pets with renal disease, which many older cats are prone to.

Benadryl can be useful for treating allergies, which, Balto says, "account for a lot of problems." Many of the allergens that humans inhale are absorbed by animals through their skins, which makes bathing an excellent strategy for allergy control, she says. Fatty acid supplements like Omega 3 are also "incredibly helpful," according to Balto. Supplements containing flax seed and spirolina can also help. If you decide to try an OTC medication, Balto recommends phoning a veterinarian to determine dosages. "We don't feel put upon," she says and most veterinary offices don't mind fielding a phone call.

Laura French is a freelance writer who lives in Roseville with three cats - Gracie, Tennessee Tuxedo and his pal Chumley, and Sofie, whose breed(s) will forever remain a mystery.