NSAID Toxicity in Dogs: Why You Should Never Give Your Dog Ibuprofen

It is tempting to give your pet Ibuprofen when he or she looks painful. But, by dosing him with these human medications, you may be doing more harm than good. Even small doses of these medications can cause:

• Stomach ulcers
• Internal bleeding
• Weakness
• Anemia
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite

Larger doses can cause more serious problems such as:

• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Seizures and other neurologic signs
• Death

There are instances when pets get into human medications on their own. This is why it is important to keep all of your own medications out of your pet's reach. If you suspect your pet has eaten ibuprofen, tylenol, or any other human medication, it is crucial that you have him or her seen immediately by a veterinarian or call Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435.

If your pet is experiencing pain, it is always a good idea to have them seen by a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and treat it appropriately. There are NSAIDs for animals that have less toxic effects while managing pain that your veterinarian can prescribe.

Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

With Halloween right around the corner, chocolate ingestion in dogs becomes a much more common occurrence. The below infographic gives a brief overview of the clinical signs to watch for if you think your dog may have gotten into your stash of chocolate. If your pet has eaten chocolate, it is always a good idea to give us a call ASAP at (804)784-8722 or call Animal Poison Control at (888)426-4435 to determine if the amount they ate was toxic.