Don’t give your pet a taste of your own medicine!
Don’t give your own medicine to your pet, advises the
National Office of Animal Health. Use a medicine specifically authorised for
use in animals. And make sure you only give an animal medicine to the
species for which it is intended, unless advised by your vet.
NOAH Chief Executive Phil Sketchley explains why your pet
needs its own medicine: “All animal medicines - whether they are prescribed
by vets or sold through pharmacies, pet shops or another route - have to
satisfy very strict criteria, governed by European legislation, before they
can be sold.
Manufacturers have to prove to the licensing authority that their products
are of good quality, effective and safe - and that means safe for the
species for which they are licensed.”
His words follow a recent warning by animal charity
PDSA that they are
seeing an increase in accidental poisoning cases after owners have tried to
help their pets by giving them human medicines. PDSA Senior Veterinary
Surgeon Elaine Pendlebury says: "Poisoning cases of this type seem to be on
the increase, which is why we want to warn pet owners about the dangers of
giving their pets medicines designed for people.”
Licensed animal medicines carry on their packaging a
number, usually prefaced Vm, which is the guarantee that the product has
gained approval for use in animals. “Look at the small print”, says Phil
Sketchley. “It is full of vital information. Find the prefix and number, and
you know you have a licensed animal medicine with all the assurance that
brings.”
The label carries other important information such as the
dosage rate and frequency, how the medicine should be stored and how any
left-over product should be disposed of safely. Very importantly, the label
says what animal the product is licensed for - just as it is not wise to
give your pet your medicine, you should not give your pets each others’
medicines. A cat is not a small dog and there are some dog medicines that
should never be used for cats.
"In addition, owners should also make sure all medicines
- whether for humans or animals - are out of reach from hungry hounds and
curious cats on the look out for an easy to reach snack. It's surprising how
many pets would tuck into a packet of sugar coated tablets thinking it's a
delicious treat!” says Elaine Pendlebury.
If you suspect your pet has eaten anything dangerous,
contact your vet immediately. It is especially useful if you can take along
with you the container so that the vet can identify the drug and give any
necessary treatment"
“Always read the label, or give your pet its medicine in
accordance with your vet’s instructions,” adds Phil Sketchley. “Sometimes,
for some diseases, there is no specific animal medicine and in these cases
your vet may prescribe a human medicine, or a medicine for another animal
species, to help your pet get better. In that case follow your vet’s
instructions and all will be well. But don’t try to take short-cuts
yourself.”
7 April 2004
Notes for Editors
For further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131,
or visit the NOAH website.
The National Office of Animal
Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which
research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health
products. The association has 33 corporate members and 14 associate
members. In 2002 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £389
million UK animal health market
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Founded in 1917, PDSA® is Britain’s leading
veterinary charity, providing free veterinary care to the sick and
injured pets of those unable to afford private veterinary fees, through
a network of 46 PetAid® hospitals and some 287 associated private
practices (known as PetAid practices). The charity asks that it be
referred to by its initials, PDSA, in all editorial rather than by its
legal name The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals. ® PDSA and PetAid
are registered trademarks of The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.
For further information, interviews and photography from PDSA please
contact Mary Hodson or Lisa Nickless in the PDSA Press Office on
telephone 01952 290 999 / mobile 07990 782423 or via email hodson.mary@pdsa.org.uk
or nickless.lisa@pdsa.org.uk
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