Pet owners can be relieved knowing that vets now provide home visits. You can find the best mobile vet near you, which offers home checkups, receives some nutrition advice, or cures a kitty’s illness.
However, not all cats’ illnesses are dire, and cat parents will be able to cure them with simple medication. Many will quickly turn to their usual over-the-counter medications. Pet owners must know several things about these meds before using them on their beloved companion.
Common Medications Danger for Cats
There are increasing cases of pet owners trying to self-medicate their pets. Over a third of pet owners have been attempting to give their fur babies human medicine for many reasons.
The same study also shows that some pet owners have tried giving their pets diet pills or protein shakes for aesthetic purposes. Although protein shakes can help humans heighten their protein intake, they’re artificial with unnatural ingredients. Animals can only ingest natural proteins, so protein shakes can harm pets rather than give them good benefits.
Diet pills won’t work the same way on pets the way they work on humans. Animals’ metabolisms are different from humans, so these medications are ineffective. On the contrary, the ingredients may threaten the pet’s health.
Human Medications Are Not the Best Solution for Pets’ Sickness
Some of the most common medications that cat parents frequently use to treat their pets are painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol. There’s a chance that human drugs work for pets, but pain relief drugs are one of the most dangerous to pets’ health. They can cause kidney and liver failure and could even lead to death.
Pet owners might think children’s medications will be less risky for pets, but that’s false. Some pets have experienced liver failure after ingesting these medications, so they’re not a suitable alternative.
One of the most toxic human drugs is paracetamol. Vets sometimes prescribe paracetamol for a dog’s arthritic pain control medication, but they’re measured meticulously with the proper knowledge. Some drugs can clash with other medications and worsen the pet’s condition.
Ibuprofen is another one that cat owners shouldn’t use for their fur babies. They’re commonly fatal and can cause stomach ulcers.
Safe Over-The-Counter Human Drugs
Considering human drugs’ danger to cats, cat parents should utilize the proper medication when curing their pet’s illness. However, some human medications can be safe for cats, and owners can use them in emergencies. It’s crucial to note that owners must consult a vet before giving any over-the-counter medication to their sick kitty.
Aspirin
Vets used to recommend Aspirin for cats’ pain treatment. Although not the best solution to treat the illness, the vet might still recommend owners use it for a temporary emergency prescription.
Vets recommending Aspirin will remind owners not to feed cats the drug two days in a row, and they shouldn’t mix with other NSAIDs like Metacam and Derramax. When owners want to add another drug in case the cat shows multiple sickness symptoms, consulting the vet will provide the most knowledgeable solution. Owners must never assume what’s safe for their little fur babies.
Some cats can consume a small Aspirin dosage, but owners must consult a vet before using the drug.
Ophthalmic Lubricants
Ophthalmic lubricants are also known as artificial tears that can clear out redness on human (and animals!) eyes. Vets commonly use them to treat minor irritation in cats’ eyes, so it’s safe for owners to use. Artificial tears can soothe the symptoms if cat owners find their little companion’s eyes red or weepy.
Although safe, it’s not a magical drug for all eye problems in cats. If there are colored discharges and extreme swelling, artificial tears might not fix the problem. Cat owners must immediately take their sick little companion to a clinic, especially if the kitties are uncomfortable or in pain.
Antibiotic Gels
Humans usually use antibiotic gels to cure abrasions and minor cuts. Some vets recommend giving pet antibiotic gels for a slight scrape, but owners must be careful in applying them. The injured skin must be cleaned before application, and the coating must be thin. Pet owners should only use the gel for up to two consecutive days.
One thing to note about an antibiotic gel is that some higher-quality products might contain hydrocortisone and tetracaine, which can slow healing. Cats, especially, love to lick their wounds, or they can accidentally lick them when grooming. These gels shouldn’t be ingested, so owners can use gels with less scent to prevent the little patient from licking their product.
