June  2015  

Over  The  Counter  (OTC)  Medications:  Could  They  Be  Harmful  To  Your  Pet?  

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Over-­‐the-­‐counter,  (OTC)  

medications  are  commonly  used  by  

people  for  pain,  allergies,  colds,  

etc.    Most  of  these  medications  are  

not  marketed  toward  animals  or  

approved  by  the  Food  and  Drug  

Administration,  (FDA)  for  use  in  

animal.  These  medications  could  

be  potentially  harmful  to  pets,  and    

their  use  requires  a  prescription.  A  

veterinarian  should  always  be  

consulted  for  a  prescription  before  

using  any  OTC  medication  in  an  

animal.    

Some  common  OTC  

medications  that  are  harmful  to  

animals  are:  

1. Ibuprofen  (Advil):  Toxic  to  

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both  dogs  and  cats.  

Toxicity  is  more  severe  in  

cats  because  they  cannot  

break  down  the  drug.  

Common  symptoms  are  

bleeding  of  the  stomach  

and  intestine,  vomiting,  

diarrhea,  kidney  failure,  

and  low  blood  pressure.  

2. Aspirin:  Toxic  to  cats  and  

dogs  above  certain  doses.  

Can  cause  panting,  

increased  temperature,  

seizures,  and  bleeding  of  

the  stomach.  

3. Acetaminophen  (Tylenol):  

Toxic  to  both  cats  and  

dogs.  Toxicity  is  more  

severe  and  fast  occurring  

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in  cats  because  they  

cannot  break  down  the  

drug.  Symptoms  of  toxicity  

are  breakdown  of  red  

blood  cells,  anemia,  liver  

failure,  increased  heart  

rate,  weakness,  and  

vomiting.  

These  are  just  a  few  of  the  OTC  

medications  that  could  harm  a  pet.  

If  it  is  suspected  a  pet  has  been  

given,  or  accidentally  consumed,  a  

non-­‐prescription  OTC  medication  it  

is  best  to  contact  a  veterinarian.  

 

Pharm  Phacts:  For  You  And  Your  Pet  Julianne  Willis,  Pharm.D.  Candidate  2016  

Auburn  University  Pharmaceutical  Care  Center  

Auburn  University  Healthy  Tigers  Program  

  Pharm  Phacts:  For  You  and  Your  Pet  

Xylitol  Toxicity:  What  is  it  and  how  do  you  treat  it?    

Xylitol  is  a  zero  calorie  

sweetener  that  is  commonly  found  

in  sugar-­‐free  chewing  gums,  

candies,  and  baked  goods.  It  has  no  

effect  on  blood  sugar  in  humans,  

but  if  a  dog  consumes  something  

containing  xylitol,  it  can  cause  fast  

and  severe  hypoglycemia,  or  a  drop  

in  blood  sugar.  Xylitol  does  not  

cause  a  drop  in  blood  sugar  in  other  

animals  the  way  it  does  in  dogs.  

This  drop  in  blood  sugar  is  

associated  with  xylitol  toxicity.  Signs  

and  symptoms  of  toxicity  can  be  

seen  within  30  minutes  to  a  few  

hours.  Signs  or  symptoms  that  could  

possibly  be  seen  are:  disorientation,  

vomiting,  seizures,  and  weakness.  

Xylitol  can  also  cause  liver  problems.  

If  ingestion  of  a  product  containing  

xylitol  is  suspected,  or  known,  it  is  

best  to  seek  the  advice  of  a  

veterinarian  as  quickly  as  possible.  

If  able,  let  the  veterinarian  know  the  

source  of  the  xylitol  and  how  much  

time  has  passed  since  it  was  eaten.  

This  information  can  help  them  

determine  the  best  treatment  for  

your  pet.  

   

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Spring  and  summer  bring  

sunny  weather  and  beautiful  days  

outside,  but  they  also  bring  pests  

for  pets  such  as  fleas,  ticks,  and  

heartworms.  These  three  tiny  

pests  can  cause  major  health  

problems  for  pets  and  the  

treatment  for  the  problems  they  

cause  can  cost  much  more  than  

the  ways  to  prevent  them.  Flea,  

tick,  and  heartworm  preventatives  

are  very  common  and  can  help  to  

make  sure  animals  do  not  become  

infested  with  them.    

Fleas  can  be  present  on  an  

animal  without  being  seen  due  to  

their  life  cycle.  The  fleas  you  see  

are  adult  fleas.  Non-­‐adult  fleas  are  

too  small  to  see.    They  can  be  a  

problem  to  both  pets  and  

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humans.  They  bite  and  draw  

blood  which  causes  itching,  but  

they  can  cause  other  problems.  

Fleas  can  cause  life-­‐threatening  

anemia  in  pets.  They  can  also  

carry  bacteria  that  can  infect  an  

animal  and  cause  problems,  like  

Cat  Scratch  Fever  in  humans.  

Ticks  are  parasites  that  attach  

to  the  skin  and  live  off  the  blood  

of  whomever  they  bite.    Their  bite  

does  not  usually  cause  pain  at  

first,  but  they  can  transmit  

diseases  and  cause  tick  paralysis.  

Even  within  a  few  hours  of  biting,  

a  tick  can  begin  to  spread  disease  

and  cause  paralysis.  So,  it  is  very  

important  to  check  pets  for  ticks  

regularly  during  the  warm  spring  

and  summer  months.  If  a  tick  is  

Fleas,  Ticks,  And  Heartworms:  Oh  My!  

  Pharm  Phacts:  For  You  and  Your  Pet  

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removed  and  the  spot  remains  

red  and/or  crusty  for  more  than  a  

few  days,  then  it  could  be  

infected.  If  this  occurs,  it  is  best  to  

see  a  veterinarian.  

Heartworms  are  transmitted  

to  animals  through  mosquito  

bites.  The  mosquito  usually  carries  

heartworms  from  one  animal  to  

another  after  biting  an  infected  

animal.  The  heartworms  can  fill  

the  chambers  of  the  heart,  making  

it  hard  to  pump  the  blood  and  get  

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oxygen  to  the  body.    Removal  of  

heartworms  is  a  long  and  

expensive  process.  Therefore  

prevention  is  very  important.  

These  three  tiny  pests  can  be  

big  in  treatment  costs.  Year  round  

prevention  is  preferred,  to  save  

money  in  the  long  run.    Contact  a  

veterinarian  for  purchase  (see  

right).    

Common  Flea  and  Tick  Preventatives:  

• Seresto  (collar)  

• Frontline  Plus  

• Advantage  II  

• Comfortis  

• K9  Advantix  II  

• Bravecto  

• NexGard  

Common  Heartworm  Preventatives:  

• Heartgard  

• Sentinel  (also  prevents  fleas)  

• Advantage  Multi  (also  prevents  fleas)  

Combination  Preventatives  for  all  3:  

• Trifexis  

• Revolution  

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Common  Diseases  Requiring  Treatment  And  Symptoms  

To  Watch  Out  For  

Canine  Influenza  Virus  (CIV):  Also  called  dog  flu,  CIV  can  occur  year  

round.  This  has  recently  been  seen  more  often  and  has  reached  

epidemic  levels  in  some  states.  CIV  is  highly  contagious  and  can  easily  

be  spread  from  dog  to  dog  through  nose-­‐to-­‐nose  contact,  and  

sneezing/coughing,  as  well  as  by  people  who  are  around  infected  dogs.    

Symptoms  to  look  out  for  are  persistent  cough  and  sneezing,  thick  

discharge  from  the  nose  and  eyes,  reduction  in  appetite,  fever,  and  

lethargy.    

 

 

 

Pharm  Phacts:  For  You  and  Your  Pet   Summer  2015  

References:  1. Khan  SA.  Analgesics  (Toxicity).  The  Merck  Veterinary  Manual.  Merck  and  Co,  Inc.  2014  August  [cited  2015  May  

27].  Available  from:  http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/toxicology/toxicities_from_human_drugs/analgesics_toxicity.html?qt=ibuprofen&alt=sh  

2. Gwaltney-­‐Brant  SM.  Xylitol.  The  Merck  Veterinary  Manual.  Merck  and  Co,  Inc.  2013  May  [cited  2015  May  27].  Available  from:  http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/toxicology/food_hazards/xylitol.html?qt=xylitol&alt=sh  

3. Brooks  WC.  Fleas:  Know  Your  Enemy.  Veterinary  Partner:  The  Pet  Health  Library.  Veterinary  Information  Network,  Inc.  2011  April  19  [cited  2015  May  27].  Available  from:  http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3237  

4. Lundgren  B.  Ticks:  Arthropod  Parasites.  Veterinary  Partner:  VP  Client  Information  Sheets.  Veterinary  Information  Network,  Inc.  2009  May  19  [cited  2015  May  27].  Available  from:  http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2311  

5. Brooks  WC.  Heartworm:  The  Parasite.  Veterinary  Partner:  The  Pet  Health  Library.  Veterinary  Information  Network,  Inc.  2012  July  5  [cited  2015  May  27].  Available  from:  http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=615  

6. Canine  Influenza:  Pet  Owners’  Guide.  AVMA.  [cited  2015  May  27].  Available  from:  https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/CanineInfluenza.aspx  

7. Bruyette  D.  Diabetes  Mellitus.  The  Merck  Veterinary  Manual.  Merck  and  Co,  Inc.  2013  May  [cited  2015  May  27].  Available  from:  http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/endocrine_system/the_pancreas/diabetes_mellitus.html?qt=diabetes&alt=sh  

8. Peterson  ME.  Hyperthyroidism.  The  Merck  Veterinary  Manual.  Merck  and  Co,  Inc.  2013  August  [cited  2015  May  27].  Available  from:  http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/endocrine_system/the_thyroid_gland/hyperthyroidism.html?qt=hyperthyroidism&alt=sh    

“Pets  become  your  family.  

First  they  are  just  animals,  

then  pets,  then  fur-­‐persons.  

Fursons!  That’s  why  their  

health  is  important!”  –Chris  

Simmons,  Veterinary  

Pharmacist    

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Diabetes:  Occurs  mostly  in  middle-­‐aged  cats  and  dogs,  and  any  breed  

can  be  affected.    The  diabetes  that  occurs  is  very  similar  to  Type  1  

Diabetes  in  humans.  Common  symptoms  include  increased  thirst,  

increased  urination,  increased  appetite  with  weight  loss,  cataracts,  and  

weakness.    

Hyperthyroidism:  Caused  by  increased  thyroid  hormone  and  more  

commonly  seen  in  cats,  but  can  be  rarely  seen  in  dogs.    In  these  cases,  

the  thyroid  gland  will  be  enlarged,  forming  a  lump  on  the  neck  of  the  

animal.  Other  common  symptoms  include  vomiting,  diarrhea,  weight  

loss,  increased  appetite,  increased  thirst,  increased  urination,  and  

increased  heart  rate.  

These  are  just  a  few  of  the  many  common  diseases  seen  in  pets  that  

require  treatment.    If  any  of  the  above  symptoms,  or  abnormal  

symptoms  are  present  for  your  pet,  then  it  is  best  to  contact  a  

veterinarian  for  diagnosis  and  treatment.