Toxic Meds

It only takes one prescription-formulated pill to kill a cat and ingesting it can cause kidney failure and liver damage in dogs.

Human medications you should keep out of your pet’s reach:

• Acetaminophen, Claritan®, Diphenhydramine, Imodium®, Pseudoephedrine: Found in over 200 prescriptions and nonprescription formulations such as Tylenol®, Hydrocodone (Vicodin®) and Lorcet®, it can have serious effects on pets, leading to kidney failure and liver damage. Watch for listlessness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and dark-colored urine. 
• Amphetamines: Appetite suppressants and mood elevators that may cause your pet to be restless, hyperactive, agitated, and have tremors and seizures.
• Aspirin: Cats and young animals are unable to metabolize aspirin quickly and blood is therefore unable to clot, which can cause spontaneous bleeding, respiratory difficulties, neurological problems and kidney failure. Pinpoint bruises may appear in the skin and on the gums as a sign of poisoning. 
• Ibuprofen:  Dogs are most commonly poisoned by ibuprofen, enticed by the pill’s sweet coating. Common brands of ibuprofen include Advil®, Midol®, Motrin® and Neosporin®, although it also is available in many generic formulations. You should avoid giving any to pets. Ingestion may lead to ulcers, kidney failure and death. Symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, black tarry stool, vomiting blood, abdominal pain, weakness and lethargy.
• Naproxen: Used to treat inflammation and reduce pain, can cause bleeding stomach ulcers in pets, leading to kidney failure and possible death if untreated.
• Rimadyl®:  A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication used to treat arthritis in humans and pets, it can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys. The pet tablets are beef flavored and taste great to dogs. Veterinarians commonly see Rimadyl® toxicity in dogs who manage to find and eat a container full of what they consider to be “treats.”

Further Reading :
A Survival Tail
Treating an accidental poisoning quickly can save your pet’s life.

Household Hazards
As smart as you think your pet may be, his curiosity can get him into trouble.

Learn more about VPI Pet Insurance:
Dog insurance, Cat insurance, What’s covered, Get a quote