The same as humans, sometimes your pet needs medication in order to manage a condition, whether it be pain or anxiety or heart disease or what have you. You may be tempted to use unprescribed medication for your pet to help them feel better. In some cases, such as with arthritis, pets can have similar conditions to humans, which can make the impulse to use unprescribed medication for your pet all the more tempting, while in others, like heartworm disease, they are more pet-specific. 

No one likes seeing their pet hurting, especially not if there are medications out there which should be able to help. One of the most common questions we here at Borrett Animal Hospital receive is whether or not it is safe to use unprescribed medication for your pet or if you really do need to take them in before they can get meds that can help. Here are some of the most common questions we get about medication for your pet. Spoiler alert: the answer to if you can use unprescribed medication for your pet is a resounding no. Here’s why.

Can You Use Unprescribed Medication For Pets?

Many people speculate that you don’t actually need a prescription for pet meds and that it’s perfectly fine to just get pet meds online, use over-the-counter human medications for your pets, or to share medications with your pet. You absolutely can not do this, not if you want to help your pet! Many human meds can seriously hurt your pet, such as Tylenol and other such human pain killers. You never know how a drug will affect your pet, so getting any unprescribed medication for your pet exponentially raises your risk for disaster and hurting your furbaby. 

There are some pet-specific over-the-counter medications that you can get at vet pharmacies which you don’t need a prescription for that you can purchase, such as for worms and parasites. These are okay, because they do not require a prescription anyway and have been verified to be safe. However, when it comes to more serious conditions, you should always schedule a vet appointment. 

There may be sites that claim to sell prescription medications for your pet that you don’t actually need a prescription for, but these are extremely untrustworthy. It’s always better to be safe and take your pet to the vet if you think they need medication than to use unprescribed medication for your pet and be the worst kind of sorry later.

Is It Safe To Share Medication With Your Pet?

If you have a similar condition to your pet, you may be tempted to just share your medication with this. This is bad for multiple reasons.

1. Your medication is for you. If you share it, you won’t have what you need to manage your own condition properly.
2. Human medications are often very toxic for pets. Your pet will need their own medication for their condition.
3. It’s illegal to share medication with anyone, including your pets.

Why Do You Need A Prescription For Pet Meds?

You need a prescription for pet meds for the same reason why you need a prescription for your own meds. Just like humans, there are medications that you can get for your pet that are over-the-counter at vet pharmacies because they have a low dosage and are generally safe. You need a prescription for pet meds for meds that have high potency and potential for side effects. Some examples of pet meds that you need prescriptions for include: antidepressants, antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, pain killers, sedatives, and more.

Another reason why you can’t use unprescribed medication for your pets but must obtain a prescription is because dosage varies a great deal based on your pet’s weight and species. Your pet may not react well to a medication, or medications may interact negatively with each other. Your vet will be able to determine what kind of prescription is best for your pet, specifically, and their specific symptoms and circumstances. 

What About Vitamins Or CBD?

The same as you should consult with your doctor about vitamins or CBD, so should you do so in regards to these things for you pet. The same goes for antibiotics. The type of antibiotic used will depend on what kind of bacteria is causing your pet’s infection, something your vet will be able to determine. 

Can You Use Old Prescriptions For Your Pet?

Again, just like you, your pet shouldn’t have old prescriptions. It can be tempting to consider, if you have an old prescription lying around, to just use it instead of going to the vet to get a new one. However, old prescriptions aren’t as effective, and can even become toxic and cause severe side-effects. It’s always best to discard medication once it’s expired. Your vet will be able to advise you on this.

What Can I Do If My Pet Needs Medication?

If your pet needs medication, don’t give unprescribed medication to them! Come to Borrett Animal Hospital so that we can diagnose your pet’s condition and determine what medication would be best for them, specifically. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

We cherish our pets and want to ensure that they live the healthiest, happiest life possible. It isn’t always easy to tell when your pet needs to see a vet, though, which presents a challenge to this. Your pet can’t tell you when they’re hurting, so you need to keep an eye out for warning signs that they are hurt or feeling unwell and potentially need professional care. How can you tell when your pet needs to see a vet, or worse, needs emergency care? 

Here are some of the warning signs that indicate it’s time to take your pet to see a vet. Your vet will know your pet best, so when you take them to their routine check-ups, you’ll want to have a conversation with them about the particular needs and risk factors and conditions that your furry friend has. 

When Your Pet Needs To See A Vet

There are some things that make you wonder if your pet needs to see a vet or if they’re not really a problem, such as bad breath. It’s always good to go with your gut. If you suspect your pet needs to see a vet, it’s always best to be safe and have it be nothing rather than miss a serious issue and be sorry and have to worry about medical issues later. 

Here are some of the top issues that you should take your pet into the vet’s office for as soon as you notice them. 

• Infections: Eye, ear, yeast. For these, you’ll need to see a vet in-office. They’ll give your vet a type of antibiotic given to treat the infection, which will depend on what type of bacteria is causing it (just like in humans).
• Lumps. These could be nothing, or they could be an indicator of more serious underlying problems, such as cancer.
• Bites, such as from getting into a fight with another animal, will need to be checked in office.
• If they vomit/have diarrhea, you’ll need to have them get checked after 3 days and watch for dehydration.
• Eye appearance – red or cloudy eyes or unusual discharge can be signs or injury or infection or allergies or diseases. If one eye is affected, this could indicate infection or injury. If both are, this could be allergies or other health problems. 
• Abnormal thirst. Sometimes, your pet will drink more than usual due to simple heat or from having exercised. However, if this lasts longer than a day, it could be a sign of diabetes or kidney diseases. 
• Change in eating habits. Either not eating or being unusually hungry are both signs that there could be an underlying health issue and that your pet needs to see a vet. 
• Changes in breathing – panting after physical exertion is normal. Continuous panting is not, and a sure sign your pet needs to see a vet.
• Bad patches or tufts of loose fur can be signs of fleas, ticks, thyroid disease, and other such problems that will need a diagnosis to uncover the cause of and obtain treatment for. 
• They seem more tired than usual or listless, which can be signs of disease, pain, infections, and more.
• Visible signs of pain such as whining are sure signs your pet needs to see a vet as soon as possible. 
• They have a cough that lasts for over a day which can result from any number of factors, from infection to defects in the larynx.
• Noticeable changes in behavior are among the easiest signs to recognize that your pet needs to see a vet, as there could be a medical reason for this. 
• Scooting may be a silly trick in some cases, but in others, it can indicate bowel movement issues, anal gland problems, worms, and urinary tract infections. 

There are a plethora of other instances where your pet will need to see a vet. If you’re ever uncertain, it’s always a good idea to either give your vet a call or take your pet into the office to have them checked out. 

Signs Of Emergencies

If your pet is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, the answer to ‘does my pet need to see a vet?’ is an instantaneous yes, and you absolutely need to contact your vet immediately or take them into emergency care.

• Open wounds
• Bleeding from the eyes, nose or mouth
• Potential poisoning
• A hard and swollen abdomen
• An inability to pee
• Being unable to stand
• Eating toxins, such as chocolate for dogs
• Seizures
• Traumas, such as from getting hit by a car or falling
• Pale gums
• Attempting to vomit without anything coming up 
• Unconsciousness or stopped breathing
• Disorientation
• Inability to deliver puppies
• Sudden collapse
• Labored breathing
• Vomiting blood
• Sudden shaking or whining 

Does Your Pet Need To See A Vet?

Borrett Animal Hospital offers professional veterinary services to keep your furbaby in the best possible health. If you’re wondering if your pet needs to see a vet, please contact us or bring them in. We will help you uncover the cause of your pet’s abnormal behavior and treat it to get them back to their normal selves as soon as possible. 

Most pet owners know that winter brings with it a whole host of safety risks for their pets and additional things they need to be aware of. Through utilizing winter tips for dogs and cats, you can make sure that you are helping your pet stay happy and healthy all winter long. Here are ten winter tips for dogs and cats that will help you out.

#1. Provide Outdoor Shelter

If you let your pet outside, it’s essential that you give them shelter so that they can have a protected space to go to that will keep them sheltered from drafts and snow while still being able to be outside.

#2. Ensure They Have A Warm Sleeping Area

Floors can get very cold in the winter, so you want to make sure that you provide your pet with a nice warm space they can snuggle up in. 

#3. Check Your Car Before You Drive

Cats allowed outside will often gravitate towards cars for warmth and shelter. Before starting your car, check your tires for any cats resting on top of them, and knock on the hood, to get any animals hiding under it to move away. You may also honk your horn, as the sound will startle any animals hiding under your car that you might not be able to see away. 

#4. Adjust Their Diet

You’ll want to make sure that you’re adjusting your pet’s food according to their needs, which may change in the winter. If you allow your cat outside in the winter, you may increase the lean protein in order to account for the necessary boost in calories since they’ll burn more from heightened activity and trying to stay warm. Conversely, if you keep your pet inside, they might need less food in the winter in order to prevent weight gain. 

#5. Provide Fresh Water Daily

Frozen water is not fresh water. Check your pet’s water boals daily to ensure that they have good, fresh water to keep them hydrated. Eating snow can lower your pet’s internal temperature and won’t give them enough to keep them from getting dehydrated. Without fresh water, your pet may be tempted to drink from puddles or gutters, where they could end up ingesting antifreeze and other harmful chemicals. 

You may consider an electric water bowl or one that is deeper and thicker, to help keep water from freezing. 

#6. Research How Long Is OK For Them To Be Outside

Before letting your dog or cat out, check the weather, including the wind chill factor. It may be too cold for them to go out. One of the biggest dangers winter brings with it for pets is the low temperatures, so you want to ensure that your pet isn’t outside for too long, as this can lead to frostbite or hypothermia.

Signs of frostbite include skin that stays cold and is pale or gray, pain when you try to touch your pet’s ears or paws, and in severe cases, blackening of affected areas. Signs of hypothermia include a lack of appetite, shivering, a weak pulse, and lethargy. If you notice any signs of frostbite or hypothermia, contact your veterinarian immediately.

#7. Towel Dry When They Come In

Changes in temperature can make your cat have itchy skin when they come from the cold outside to the warm interior of your home. Drying them with a towel will help to prevent this. You’ll also want to pay special attention to your pet’s paws. Salt and other ice melts can be irritating to the pads of your pet’s paws, so wiping them off when they come inside will help keep them in good condition. 

#8. Be Very Careful With Antifreeze

Antifreeze is poison to pets, so one of the most essential winter tips for dogs and cats is to make sure that your antifreeze is stored and secured properly, so that your pet can’t get into it. You also want to make sure that your car isn’t leaking any, so that your pet doesn’t end up ingesting it.

#9. Be Prepared

You never know what winter might bring with it or when you may end up being snowed in. Preparation is one of the best winter tips for dogs and cats, as making sure your have extra food and can handle whatever the weather may bring will help stave off potential issues that could be avoided with extra preparation. 

Do You Want To Learn More Winter Tips For Dogs And Cats?

Borrett Animal Hospital wants to help you keep your pet safe, happy, and healthy all winter long. We can provide you with additional winter tips for dogs and cats, as well as other pets and large animals. For any questions, please contact us at Borrett Animal Hospital today!