Medication Hazards

Medication Hazards

Your small animal doesn't have to get into the bathroom to encounter medication hazards. If you are like many people, you may consider leaving your pet alone in another room while you clean his cage. However, pills and medications left lying on a counter or accidentally spilled on the floor may appear to be an inviting treat, and once inside your pet's mouth, the pill will start to disintegrate. Even though he may spit out the bulk of the drug, it may already be too late.

Common medications to be very wary of include sleeping pills, laxatives, acetaminophen, amoxicillin and other penicillin-based antibiotics, aspirin, stimulants, ibuprofen, cold and allergy remedies, and diet pills.

These products are serious accidents waiting to happen to your pet. You must safeguard your pet from these drug dangers by safeguarding your bathroom as well as the rest of your home.

Garbage Cans

Garbage cans are a treasure trove for a bored or curious pet. This is one of the last places you want your small animal. Either cover the trash can in your bathroom, or be very careful to carry any empty medicine containers, tooth floss, cleaning containers, deodorant containers, glass and dropped medicine to a covered garbage can.

Latching the Cabinets

The best way to keep curious pets out of an area you don't want them to go into is to take the same measures you would with an impish preschooler, and lock them out. Get childproof latches on these cabinets, and keep them locked at all times. Be careful not to forget the latch. They will want to try twice as hard to get in once you have taken steps to keep them out.

Dropped Medicine

As a concerned pet owner, you will have to be ultra aware of any medicine that drops or splashes out of your hands. It is hard to be alert all the time, and a capsule could easily fall out and roll somewhere unnoticed by you but not by your pet. Your inquisitive animal with his heightened sense of smell will find that capsule in a flash. As an added bonus, it has your scent on it from being in your hands. Many of the medications humans take can be deadly to animals. If you have been taking medicine, do a quick floor check before leaving the room open to your pets.

Amoxicillin

Penicillin-based antibiotics are often fatal to your pet if ingested. Unfortunately, if you are taking these pills, you are probably feeling under the weather and not as alert. Regardless, be VERY careful with these pills!

Lids

This is your last line of defense against your pet coming into contact with a toxic substance. If the lid is firmly attached to the bottle of medicine, your pet should not be able to get it open or bite through, although there are no guarantees. Don't count on the childproof cap keeping your animal safe.

First Aid

Your pet may display numerous signs if he has consumed a toxic substance. These include vomiting (possibly bloodstained), diarrhea, loss of balance, problems walking, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, falling down or loss of appetite.

If you suspect your pet has come into contact with a toxic substance, the first thing you must do is determine what substance is responsible. Read the product's label for the list of ingredients and for any instructions on accidental ingestion. Most of these substances will require you to induce vomiting. Immediately call your veterinarian, the nearest animal emergency clinic or the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4ANIHELP (426-4435).

If you take him to the vet, take a piece of the substance and the product label, if available, that you think your pet ingested. This will help save critical time and help determine the method of treatment for your pet. Be sure to create a first-aid kit well in advance of any problems and to familiarize yourself with basic first aid techniques.