Medicines for humans can be harmful to health for chilled animals

Even pets catch cold. Many a pet owner believes that medicines help people as well as animals. However, the handle in the own medicine cabinet could have fatal consequences for dog or cat.
"We are currently seeing particularly often diseases of the upper respiratory tract," reports Dr. med. Tina Hölscher, veterinarian of "action animal e.V.", from her practice. This type of cold usually runs without complications. The pet owner notices that his pet sneezes and coughs. As long as it has a healthy appetite and behaves as usual, the owner does not have to worry much.

No medicines for animals that have been developed for humans. Picture: javier brosch - fotolia

"Make sure your chilled pet does not freeze in the wet. After the walk, you should rub the coat well dry or even blow dry, "advises the vet. Even a session under the red light lamp does the four-legged friend well. Care must be taken to ensure a sufficient distance to the heat source. Ten minutes of red light twice a day is sufficient. The walks may be slightly shorter during the disease phase than usual.

If the dog is tired and does not like to play, the owners should measure fever. The normal temperature in dogs is between 38 ° C and 39 ° C. If the body temperature is above, a veterinarian must be consulted at the latest now. The use of antibiotics may be needed. Mucolytic drugs can shorten the course of the disease.

"Under no circumstances should the animal owner give his animal medicines that are intended for humans," warns the veterinarian of action tier e.V. urgently. Several preparations are poisonous for dog and cat and can lead to the death of the animal. (Sb)