Animal lovers are putting their pets at risk by giving them human-grade painkillers to avoid rising veterinary costs, research suggests.
Pet owners are increasingly looking for ways to save money as one in five people can no longer afford to keep their pets and rescue centers are “on the verge of collapse”, it has been found.
But experts warn that cold and flu medicines, antihistamines and painkillers meant for humans can be toxic or even fatal to animals.
Furthermore, it is said that there is a high possibility of accidentally giving an overdose to cats, dogs, rabbits, etc.
A study by pharmaceutical packaging company Origin found that 35,000 Brits search online for over-the-counter medicines for their pets each month.
Anna Judson, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: ‘Whilst there is valuable information available online about the health, welfare and behavior of pets, relying on speculation and advice from unconfirmed sources can leave pets and their owners exposed to the risk of further risk. It can cause problems and distress.”
“Highly trained veterinarians are in the best position to provide specialized, tailored care to their patients and advise them on the appropriate medications needed to successfully treat their animals.
“It is never wise to try to treat animals with human drugs, as this can lead to unintended consequences.
“If you prefer to purchase medicines online rather than directly from a veterinarian’s office, you can ask our veterinary team to issue you with a prescription after a thorough examination and diagnosis.”
Although search numbers for almost every query analyzed have increased over the years, the drugs that pet owners are most interested in giving their pets are antihistamines, and “let my dog take loratadine” Contains searches such as “Can I do it?” In the past year he has increased by 300%.
Other search queries that are searched more frequently include “Can I give my cat Benadryl?” (200 percent increase), “Can I give my cat Loratadine?” (100 percent increase) and “Pet antihistamines” (60 percent increase).
The findings come as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it has found “multiple concerns” in the veterinary industry, with the UK’s 16 million pet owners potentially paying too much for medicines and treatments. The announcement was made the day after the government warned that there would be.
Pet allergies are widespread and can be caused by a variety of things, including pollen, food, dust, and even scented candles.
Although it may be safe to give antihistamines to human pets in some circumstances, the PDSA Veterinary Charity stresses the importance of consulting your veterinarian first.
This is important to accurately identify specific allergens, prescribe appropriate treatments and dosages, and avoid potentially harmful ingredients.
Over-the-counter painkillers are the second most searched human pet medicine, with 14,750 people searching each month to see if they can give them paracetamol (12,440), ibuprofen (1,930) or aspirin (380). Masu.
In particular, searches related to giving paracetamol to animals have increased by more than 25% in the past two years.
Your veterinarian may recommend paracetamol for your dog, but the dosage will be tailored to each individual.
Experts have warned that paracetamol given in large doses or given to dogs with liver problems can be fatal.
Additionally, human paracetamol preparations often contain artificial sweeteners, some of which are toxic to dogs.
Cats should never be given paracetamol-based products, as their metabolism cannot process paracetamol and it can cause serious liver and kidney complications.
Online searches for ibuprofen-related questions are also high, with an average of 1,930 queries per month.
Additionally, dog owners are now 29% more likely to ask Google if they can give their pet ibuprofen or nurofen compared to last year.
However, ibuprofen is highly toxic to pets and can cause bleeding stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and even death.
Cold and flu treatments, including cough medicine for pets, also saw an increase in average monthly searches this year, with 1,740 related searches per month.
Searches for the query “cough syrup for dogs” have increased by 200% in the past year alone.
A pet’s cough can be caused by many different things, and treatment depends on the underlying cause.
For example, if the animal has pneumonia, using cough suppressants can interfere with lung clearance, and in the case of heart disease, the heart rate can increase dangerously.
Veterinarians may recommend over-the-counter cough medicines for kennel cough, but the guidance may differ greatly from the human label.
Your veterinarian may also prescribe other over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, to manage clotting, inflammation, fever, and pain.
However, incorrect dosage or administration can prove toxic, especially for pets with certain medical conditions.
Similarly, loperamide, sold under brands such as Imodium, may be prescribed for diarrhea by your veterinarian, who will prescribe a dose tailored to each animal.
If you self-medicate diarrhea, you run the risk of misdiagnosing underlying conditions such as bowel cancer, parasites, or inflammatory bowel disease.
“Today’s pet owners are under immense pressure to provide their beloved pets with the care they need while dealing with rising costs,” said Steve Brownett Gale of Origin. There’s no doubt about it,” he said.
However, it is alarming that the number of people searching online for human medicines to treat their pets is rapidly increasing.
“With so many people concerned about affordability, the temptation to do DIY pet care is increasing.
“However, it’s important to be careful. DIY treatments can do more harm than good, and in some cases can lead to fatal mistakes.”
“Ideally, pet owners should consult a veterinarian for safe and personalized treatment, but those concerned about veterinary fees and drug affordability may want to reduce costs and Please see the RSPCA website for information on how to get financial support if you need it.”
Anna Judson, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: ‘Whilst there is valuable information available online about the health, welfare and behavior of pets, relying on speculation and advice from unconfirmed sources can leave pets and their owners exposed to the risk of further harm. It can cause problems and distress.”
“Highly trained veterinarians are in the best position to provide specialized, tailored care to their patients and advise them on the appropriate medications needed to successfully treat their animals.
“It is never wise to try to treat animals with human drugs, as this can lead to unintended consequences.
“If you prefer to purchase medicines online rather than directly from a veterinarian’s office, you can ask our veterinary team to issue you a prescription after a thorough examination and diagnosis.”
