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 EditorsFor 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 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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