Cold & Flu Drugs: How Toxic They Are For Pets
The cool breeze, the snowfall and the non-sunny environment definitely opens the gateway for various cold related diseases in which the most common are cold and flu. Most of you start having them as soon as the winter sets in. In spite of your best care, you may get that cold and flu leaving you behind weak and ill.
It seems that during winter, your dogs and cats are safe from flea infestation or any other sunny diseases. But, are you sure they are safe. Just ignorance of keeping these drugs at an easy access to pets pose a great danger to them.
The medications provided to treat human flu and cold are not always safe for your pets.
With drugs and medications for flu treatment in the house, pet owners need to be very much careful in keeping them out of reach of pets. Because, just a little carelessness can put that drug into your pets paws.
Find here the three widely human flu and cold medications dangerous to pets
Acetaminophen
This component is a common fever reducer. Though given for fever, it is harmful to both dogs and cats, but especially dangerous to furry felines. Ingestion of Acetaminophen can lead to liver failure and methemoglobinemia (a blood disorder, which happens due to the decrease in much-needed oxygen to body tissue). In case ingestion and swelling of the paws and face indicates the need of emergency veterinary assistance.
Ibuprofen and Naproxen
Both of these ingredients belong to the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These components pose the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers. In the worst cases, it results into kidney or liver damage depending on the heavy dose ingested. Often combined decongestants, NSAIDS are marketed as cold and flu or sinus versions of a product.
Phenylephrine and Pseudoephedrine
When pets are suffering from decongestants, mostly they are products of Phenylephrine and Pseudoephedrine. Sold either as a single active ingredient or in combination with other component products, these ingredients do have harmful effects on dogs and cats. In pets, Pseudoephedrine is capable of causing restlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tremors, seizures and even death in case of heavy dose ingested. The ingredient in flu products – Phenylephrine is sometimes abbreviated as “PE” on medication packaging. So, you need to be careful while purchasing them.
To avoid the dangers and potential traumatic situations of these flu products, it is always good to keep these products away from your curious pets. If you ever find that your pooch or kitty has swallowed any drug or human medication, immediately seek veterinary assistance or call poison control center in the neighborhood.