Say no to using your own drugs. Often people assume “what’s safe for kids is safe for dogs and cats.” Nope. Tylenol (acetaminophen) can kill your cat. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) don’t have any “safe” dosage in dogs (can cause liver failure and possibly kidney failure) and will cause renal failure in your cat.
Herbals and oils. You know we LOVE them. But they are not a do-it-yourself project based on Google recommendations or something your bestie told you worked for her mother’s dog. Choosing the right combination of herbals for your pet’s problem requires an understanding of how the body works. Most are safe, but some are not and might make the problem worse.
Don’t stop your pet’s long-term medications on a whim because he’s doing great. Your diabetic needs insulin. Your cat in heart failure needs her medications. That thyroid pill for hypothyroidism isn’t optional. If you stop, all those pesky symptoms we saw when we diagnosed the problem years ago will come back, sometimes with a vengeance. If you think your pet might not need his medication anymore, you’re having trouble giving it or you think he’s having a side effect, reach out. We’re here and happy to chat.
Buck the fad. Fads come and go. Slathering your pet in coconut oil or adding it to his food is likely not to cure his problem and might actually lead to pancreatitis. If there’s something new and cool you heard about to treat your pet’s problem, ask us. Get the professional green light before you do it.
Big life changes? Getting a new dog? Did you consider if it’s right for your 15-year-old dog or cat? New baby? Wonderful moment for you. Yet, it can be a stressful moment in your pet’s life. Sometimes behavioral problems pop up (cat urinating outside her box or the dog chewing up his bed). Don’t suffer in silence. Call us.
Bottom line: REACH OUT!! We want to be there for you. Let us.
Dr. Zoe Forward